Eildon via Torbreck River Sunday 9^th April, 2006

Possibly better named Joel’s CBR turnout.

Honda CBR1000	Joel Haley (leader)	Honda CBR1000	Paul Southwell
Suzuki GSXR1000	Lyn Duncan	Honda CBR954	Breht Emmerson
Honda VFR750	Renzo Cunico (rear)	Honda CBR954	Roger (1^st ride)
Honda CB1000	Marty Thompson

Not all that many of us this morning. Is it the weather or the Torbreck River road destination? Which Joel has pulled the pin on any way with no objections. Agreement is that the road surface is deteriorating appallingly. The day was being reshaped as we went.

Enzo, thank you, had volunteered for rear rider duties. Paul had already explained the corner marking and other club details to first timer, Roger, so we are on the road.

Up the range, through Flowerdale, and then over the marvelous Junction Hill, one of Paul’s favourites me thinks. Then a tootle through Yea and up the highway.

What was supposed to be a quick leg stretch at Molesworth while corner marking turned into a bike swap. Paul offered to give my bike a talking to, so fed up was he with my whinging about its handling. And I got an opportunity to see if I can figure out what all the fuss over these RR’s is all about.

(Breht rode my heap of sh#t yesterday, backing up my uneasy feelings. Thanks. I got to taste of what a beautiful handling bike feels like.)

Paul, on the other hand, after our run across Whanregarwen Road and our quick swap at the Maroondah Highway yelled out “It’s fine”. Funny thing is, it did feel okay. Mind over matter, or just a smooth road disguising the problems? The Whanregarwen road is pretty much smooth.

We travelled straight through Alexandra and then turned left onto Creek Road. Over spectacular Skyline for the first time and into Eildon for lunch.

As we dismounted, in the courtyard next to the Earl of Eildon (never noticed that before) my dream bike parks next to us, in black with sexy aftermarket exhaust. I go over and invite them (rider and bike I assume …Ed.) on a Sunday ride.

Marty catches up with us sitting around our lunch table and reckons I’m still drooling. While Paul’s burger is cooking we chat about the swap and I sadly come to the conclusion that I’ve lost my mojo. A group discussion follows. Since the Torbreck Road is out, we have to go back over Skyline to get in some more twisties. So after lunch we proceed back across Skyline where we round up Black Beauty and friend. We may not see them on a Sunday ride.

I felt I was holding Enzo back. (You should have gone by; I don’t like to feel I’ve spoilt someone’s ride.) Any way, three times in a row Skyline has been clean.

The route included Thornton, Buxton, and the back way to Marysville where blue and red flashing lights heading in the opposite direction may have stopped a few heartbeats. Nothing to do with us. The flashing lights certainly created a lot of conversation at our last stop and breakup.

There were about twenty motorcyclists taking part in a Yarra Ranges organised tuition day lunching at the bakery when we turned up. But they were making a move. So we were back on the road pretty quickly for more fun. Black Spur and goodbyes at Healesville. Another great day. Thanks fellas.

Lyn Duncan