Licola                           Sunday 31st  October, 2006

 

Paul Southwell (leader)

Honda CBR1000

Bevan Roberts (3rd ride)

Suzuki GSXR750

Ian Payne (rear)

Honda CBR1000

Ron Solomon

Suzuki Hayabusa 1300

Ben Warden

Honda CBR954

Dave Ward

MV SPR 750

Ern Reeders

Honda CBR954

Alex maritz (1st ride)

Honda CBR600

Tony Raditsis

Yamaha TRX850

Jay Anderson

Honda CBR250

Christian Evans (3rd ride)

Yamaha R6

Mick Zrakic

Yamaha R1

 

Picked up the TRX from Moto Yamaha in Ferntree Gully where they finished the repairs after my step off in September. I was itching to get a ride in before the Melbourne Cup long weekend.  Everything looked good as new apart from a fairing bracket that was still to arrive, so they used the old one temporarily.

Roll up to Berwick with plenty of time to spare, fuel up and catch up with the latest news.  There were a couple of new riders so it looked like new blood for Ben to sign up.  We wondered how many would be caught by the change to daylight savings time.  Checked out Ern’s new Honda which was looking pretty good but will need to get used to seeing him on a machine from the evil empire!

Ten o’clock arrives and we get ready to go while Ern tries to fire up the Fireblade.  Everyone gathers around but the only thing happening is puffs of smoke.  Check the kill switch, side stand. Ron gives the ignition block a belt, but no luck.  Won’t forget the look on Ern’s face when he realises he fuelled up at the diesel pump. Doh!  Ben stays behind to help him empty the tank.

The rest of us hit the road and follow the standard run to Pakenham and Longwarry, crossing the freeway to pick up the Old Sale Road. With the fine weather, it was a great run along this very interesting road.  I caught up to Christian on the new R6 who was taking it easy. Bevan was keeping him company.

Moe for morning tea where we meet Jay on a baby Fireblade. He is a regular rider on the Licola Road.  The thought of being rounded up around the outside on one of the many corners to Licola by a gun on a 250 flashed across my mind.  I had a chat to Alex, who hadn’t been to Licola, and let him know to be patient on the next transport stage before getting to one of the best motorcycle roads in Victoria.

We back track a little to pick up the road to Yallourn North and the boring run to Heyfield.  We reach Heyfield well after midday and fuel up at the servo. Then the final run before the action starts.  The fuel prices must really being changing people’s driving habits as the traffic is very light.  I followed leader Paul for a short distance but after my recent misadventure I feel a little gun shy so settle back for a cautious, incident free run up to Licola.  The road’s in pretty good condition: no loose gravel apart from a tiny bit at Devil’s Elbow.

Ron blasted past, after what seemed just a few k’s, and Alex caught up further along.  Along the river flats I slowed up as a signal for Alex to pass and then dropped in behind and observed his smooth riding style, little braking for corners, keeping up good corner speed.  He looked very confident on his machine.

At the Licola bridge, Paul decided to give the run up to Wellington River a miss. As I hadn’t done this section before, I continue.  I’m not too keen on roads without centre lines so I take it easy and enjoy the scenery, taking note of one corner where there was a serious amount of red gravel which, fortunately, was easy to spot.  It didn’t take long for Ron to rumble past and eventually Alex, again. Near the end we met up with a stream of bikes heading back to Licola. They were camping at the caravan park. We get to the end of the tar and stop for a breather with Christian and Bevan.

Heading back, I followed behind the group. Alex discovers the gravel just around one of the corners with the old “stick out the legs” routine.  Further up the road, Ben shoots past going the other way at high speed, obviously having caught up and determined to complete the whole ride.  Back in Licola for lunch, Jay mentions that it’s the biggest crowd he’s seen at the general store.  Dave Ward rolls in an hour late, having had a heart attack when overtaken at 125kph by a police car.  Lucky for him, the boys in blue were on their way to a domestic problem.  The officer in the passenger seat was very animated. Dave couldn’t hear but he thought it was probably saying ‘Great bike, mate’.

Back to Tyers for fuel. On the way I start to hear an unfamiliar rattle over bumps. After a while I spot a missing fairing screw.  The damaged bracket was unable to support the screw properly. No drama. 

After Tyers we head for Willow Grove and Hill End.  Dave and Ron were having a bit of fun. I marvel at the sound of the SPR in full flight, the smooth wail of the 4 pipes fantastic,  followed by the rumble of the Busa, as Ron also blasts past in hot pursuit.  Magic!

Just before Icy Creek, I up the pace a bit as Ben’s headlight appear in my mirrors and just manage to hold him off until we reach the T-junction.  Back to Noojee and then the final turn to Powelltown and the finish.  Ron and Dave corner marking again.  I think Ron has just about done every corner.  Again, little traffic through the long fast corners until I come across a couple of cars in the twisty bits.  Just before the end, there’s a big bloke on an Aprilia that I manage to overtake under brakes. At least I passed someone!

Enjoyed a hot coffee at the general store as we chew the fat and enjoyed a few Powelltown ‘police stories’.  (Whole lot of naughty stuff deleted …Ed.)

Left Powelltown at 5:45pm for home after a very long (600 km) but enjoyable day. Thanks Paul.

 

Tony Raditsis