Flinders Pillion Ride Saturday 17^th March, 2007

Dave and Bronwyn (leaders)	Suzuki GSXR600	Craig Morley	Honda CBR929
Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe	Yamaha YZF1000	Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000
Ian Payne and Kerrie Gooding	Honda CBR1000	Ben and Julie	Honda CBR954
Rob and Kirsten (rear)	BMW R1150 GS	Darren and Julianne	Car

This was our first pillion ride for quite some time, also unusual as it was on a Saturday. Kerrie and I headed for Berwick where it was initially wet but the promise of fine weather had bought out a good number of riders with ‘the other half’ on the back.

Dave gave us details of the day, Rob (on his ‘new’ BMW) took up the rear rider duties and we were soon off heading towards Baxter, Five Ways and then on to the Baxter-Tooradin Road to Tyabb. Along the way Craig was up to his usual tricks, showing us that his trusty Honda was still capable of good monos. We continued on to Hastings, Merricks North, Red Hill and then up the back way to Arthurs Seat.

We stopped here for some photos and remarked how quiet and deserted the area is without the chairlift operating! As time was slipping by, Dave hurried us along to Shoreham and Flinders where we had lunch at the old pub. The ‘old pub’ had certainly had a bit of a make-over since I was last there and seemed a bit more up market. Fortunately, the food quality and value hadn’t suffered. Darren and Julianne met us here, having travelled in the car due to Julianne having a bad cold.

After a leisurely lunch, it was back on the bikes and around to Cape Schank, Boneo and Main Ridge. By this stage, Craig and Ben were desperate for fuel but the lack of open service stations forced Ben to head for Dromana. Craig stuck with the group but tempered his riding for maximum economy – even when we went down and up Arthurs Seat! We continued on to Red Hill South and finally stopped at Montalto Winery for an afternoon coffee. But it was too crowded, so we ended up next door at Tucks Ridge. The only problem was Ben and Julie went to Montalto looking for us! But a few mobile phone calls soon had us all together again.

First priority after this break was petrol for Craig, so down to Dromana. Since we were in the area we went to Safety Beach for a peek at the Martha’s Cove development – very impressive! From there it was on to the Freeway and home.

Thanks to Dave for organising this enjoyable outing.

Ian and Kerrie