Eildon via Torbreck River 30^th September 2007

Tony Raditsis (Leader)	Yamaha TRX 850	David Twentyman	Suzuki Hayabusa
Peter Jones	Yamaha R1	Cameron Stevens	Suzuki GSXR1000
Cliff Peters	Suzuki GSXR1000	Ron Solomon	Suzuki Hayabusa
Dave Ward (Rear)	Honda CBR600	Edward (2^nd ride)	BMW1100
Weather : Fine, rain then fine			8 bikes, 8 people

I turned up at Yarra Glenn at 9.30 am looking forward to a good ride up to Eildon. As usual, I was the first there. Then came Ron on the Busa (no R1, he must be fitting a turbo), Cameron, Tony, David and Cliff who thought he would ride down from Hamilton to participate in the day’s adventure.

The conversation centred on the crashes on recent rides, with three in total. Just like the three punctures in three rides saga. Then Dave turns up on a brand new CBR600, his fifth new bike this year. We noticed he had had the gas torch on the tyres, with lots of blisters and peeling. (I can’t believe he uses tyre warmers before the Sunday ride.) He looked very happy with his bike. Then Edward arrived on the BMW with ABS. While standing out the front of the shops the florist lady started getting into Ron for sitting on her window sill. She then asks him to help unpack the shop! But still didn’t seem too happy about us taking up her valuable space.

Tony went through the pre-ride pep talk, talking us through the ride, then taking the names and ICE numbers of all riders. Dave nominated himself for rear rider. We then took the Old Healesville and Chum Creek Roads to Toolangi, then back down Myers Creek Road to Healesville. It was nice and dry with not many cars.

Next the Black Spur (where cars should be banned). As we neared the top of the Spur the rain started and didn’t stop. We continued riding to Marysville with a couple of riders pulling over earlier to put on their plastic jump suits. We refuelled and took morning tea at the local bakery where we discussed tyres, the good ones and the less good ones, the Cup Weekend ride and what was I should bring. This varied from hooking up a trailer to the R1 or taking nothing. Dave said he wasn’t taking the Duke due to lack of storage so he must be putting a trailer on the CBR. Ron “Super Corsas’ mate” said he was riding with the Hangmore Club for the Cup Weekend as they were nice people and so couldn’t join us. Tony was going on some MRA rally. Edward decided to go his own way from Marysville as he could not see the point in continuing a ride with no destination, especially in the wet conditions. BMW riders should understand life is all about the journey, not the destination.

We continued on to Buxton, turned right at Taggerty to Thornton eventually getting to the Eildon Jamieson Road. There had been debate at Marysville about going up the Eildon Jamieson Road in the wet conditions and it was decided to make the final decision on arrival. Tony didn’t think about it and headed straight in, so we followed.

Two km in, it started to bucket down. There was gravel on the road which became thicker and more spread the deeper in we went. Bark, branches and finally a tree half across the road. Four wheel drives a plenty with scant regard for bikes coming the other way. We then went past cars parked on the side of the road with rifles hanging out of the boot. I was waiting for the men wearing straw hats playing banjos.

We all made it to the bridge unscathed where we stopped for a break, still raining. After 15 minutes we headed back through the same rain, gravel, trees and four wheel drives. As usual, Cameron and Ron flew past me, their ability in the wet amazing. I guess Ron has proven Super Corsas are okay in the wet; he wasn’t having any trouble on the Hippobusa despite the terrible conditions. By the time we got to Eildon for lunch I was soaked. I think I’ll get one of those jump suits.

After lunch involving more discussion about tyres, we headed up Skyline and turned right at the roundabout for a quick trip down to Cotter Bay. On the way back up we had a twenty foot police boat as an obstacle. It’s not easy getting past that much boat and car on that road. Cameron and I stopped at the top waiting for the other riders. Then the police boat showed up. I was expecting the driver to pull over and have a few words but he continued on through. We then headed to Alexandra, taking the usual road to Molesworth at significant pace. Then on to Yea and Kinglake West via the well ridden path through Flowerdale for our final stop. We finished up at around 4.30 pm. Cliff was continuing on to Hamilton straight after the ride, another 375 km! It’s great to see such commitment.

We did about 375 km for the day and 450 km for the full trip. On the way home via Panton Hill I was flashed by a speed camera on the other side of the road. I wasn’t speeding (?), Cameron behind me. Hopefully there are two bikes in the picture and the picture is of the front of my bike. Maybe speed cameras are the next big three.

It was a great ride despite the conditions. I think we were all tested and it was a big challenge requiring lots of concentration. I was totally stuffed when I got home. Thanks to Tony for leading the ride. The food stops were great but you’re not helping me get down to my 60 kg racing weight. And thankyou to Dave for being rear rider. It wouldn’t have been easy for you to sit back on some of those roads.

Peter Jones