Mt Donna Buang Sunday 24^th December, 2006

Dave Ward (leader)	Suzuki GSXR600	Clint Vertigan	Suzuki GSXR750
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Mick Zrakic	Honda CBR600
Ian Payne (rear rider)	Honda CBR1000	Lyn Duncan	Suzuki GSXR1000
Cameron Stevens	Suzuki GSXR1000	Darryn Webster	Kawasaki ZX6R

As Breht was unable to lead today’s ride, I thought I would do it as a pre-ride for my own ride on the 7th of January. I wasn’t sure how many people would turn up due to the family commitments around Xmas and so was surprised with eight riders for the day. I noticed Joel at the Yarra Glen meeting point but he had no bike, just visiting for Xmas. He has settled in Queensland and appears to be enjoying the move.

Darryn has finally got the ZX6 back on the road after repairs and was looking forward to riding it again. Clint brought his new 750 along for the ride, still running it in, with only few hundred kays to go.

We set off late at around 10.15 am as I had to get ICE numbers and payments from Darryn and Clint for club memberships. The route was across the Old Healesville Road to Healesville, then up Chum Creek Road and down Myers Creek Road back to Healesville. Joel and Breht were standing out the front of Breht’s house in Healesville taking pictures of us. I slowed down to give them a little mono.

Next the back way to Warby only for six of us to be pulled up by a motorcycle policeman for a licence and rego check. Ian and Darryn kept going, waiting for us at the Warburton Bakery. After the formalities were completed, we continued on our way. I rode past Ian and Darryn, assuming they knew we were heading for Mt Donna Buang and so I was surprised when they did not catch us at the summit.

I haven’t been up Mt Donna Buang for a long time but noticed straight away how chilly it was. The road was covered in leaf litter and so I took it fairly easy. After the usual happy snaps we headed back to the Bakery for morning tea. While happily feasting, Darryn rang to tell us they were at Marysville.

I had spoken to member Eric Makin during  the week for a “Reefton Spur Road Condition Report” as there has been a lot of road works recently. The first seven kays are covered in stones but the rest as per normal. As usual, Eric, Paul, John and the rest of the gang were resting at the bottom of the Reefton, having just headed down. They would chase us back up to Cumberland Junction. It was a top run. The Woods Point road was closed due to the bushfires. After a quick chat we headed down into Marysville to the Bakery for the lunch break, catching up with Ian and Darryn.

While having lunch, two guys on bikes rocked up with no number plates and no mirrors. What is bike riding coming to? They were asking for trouble, I'd say.

Ian left us for other duties about 10 minutes before we did.

Back towards Healesville via the Black Spur. I had a good run with Clint who wasn’t revving his new bike at all [not!]

Fuel at Healesville, then up Myers Creek Road to Toolangi, across to Kinglake, and down the St Andrews Rd. We passed an on-coming marked police car in the tight section, thankfully. From the Panton Hill Rd we turned left down the narrow twisties to Watsons Creek on the Christmas Hills Rd and headed back to Kangaroo Ground taking the turnoff to Warrandyte for break up and coffee. Ben, Lyn and Mick left us at Kangaroo Ground for home.

Thanks everyone for coming and I hope hoped you enjoyed your ride. Have a great Christmas and New Year.

Dave Ward