Lavers Hill via the Great Ocean Road         Sunday 9th September, 2007

 

Clifford Peters (leader)

Suzuki GSXR1000

Paul Southwell

Honda CBR1000

Misho Zrakic

Suzuki GSXR750

Ben Warden (rear rider)

Honda CBR954

Ron Solomon

Yamaha R1

Dave Ward

Honda CBR600

Darran Porch (3rd ride)

Yamaha R1 (3rd ride)

Paul Punicki

Honda CBR1100XX

Tony Raditsis

Yamaha TRX850

Andrew Southen (1st ride)

Honda VFR400

Nic Jacka (3rd ride)

Hyosung GT250

Stuart Forster

Triumph 675

Toby Quin (1st ride)

Kawasaki ZX6

Gad Kolsky (1st ride)

BMW 1200GS

Rod Ingarfield (1st ride)

Ducati 1000SD S

 

15 bikes, 15 people

 

Early September and an early start saw the club gathered at Westgate servo. Conditions were looking good: sunny and still cool. You’ve got to love Victoria’s weather! I managed to arrive well before the rider briefing, but to my surprise, most of the day’s riding crew were already there.  Cliff was on hand to welcome us and at 9:30 am delivered information regarding the ride route and the all important (and necessary) road and riding warnings.

The early part of the ride consisted of riding in a rough formation down the highway to the Little River exit and then west to Lara.  I had a moment while on the freeway, forgetting that behind one of the overpasses is a speed camera. Ben assured me there is enough tolerance in my speedo for me to be under the camera’s radar.  So far nothing has arrived in the post.

Once the ride started winding down to Moriac I was totally lost.  If you look at the map Moriac is roughly south west from Geelong. By the time we stopped there for the first break, I couldn’t tell you where Geelong was.

The next section starts to get serious as Cliff leads us down through Bambra and Deans Marsh and into Lorne.  If you are unfamiliar with this road, take care. There are a lot a tricky corner combinations.  While I’m on the subject of real estate, I reckon you might find a bargain at Bambra or maybe in Deans Marsh,  both not far from “the coast”.

I’m a bit paranoid about riding along the Great Ocean Road.  The speed limit being is a generous 80 km/h and the (tall) stories about police with radars in small boats just off the beach (thanks Ron Solomon) all play with my mind.  Most of the others on the ride didn’t have this problem so a regroup at Apollo Bay was needed.   

The ride from Apollo Bay to Lavers Hill is always fun and sometimes full of surprises. I was fortunate to latch on the rear of Cliff for this section. I was riding with the belief that Cliff “knew the road”.  We had a spirited run up to Lavers Hill and over lunch mentioned to Cliff that it was obvious he was very familiar with that section. He replied: “You think so?”

After lunch, while following Cliff back down to Apollo Bay, we met head-on, a four wheel drive on our side of the road.  He was overtaking a tourist bus, up a hill, over double white lines.  Cliff very skilfully rode around the nose of the four wheel drive and carried on!

The real action was happening a bit further down the road. Darran Porch (3rd ride) had run wide and kissed the Armco and was lying in the bushes.  He had left  Lavers Hill prior to the Cliff leaving so, as we came around the left hander at Hordern Vale, there was Darran’s R1 lying in the oncoming lane.  We found him down beside the Armco with serious leg injuries, awake, and in “good spirits”. The usual happenings followed: rider dispatched to get mobile coverage and calls ambulance (Ben), members assist fallen rider (Dave, Paul), new rear rider appointed (Tony Raditsis), rest of ride leaves and finds a spot to regroup down the road, MICA arrives, ambulance arrives, police arrive, questions asked, more police arrive, CFA arrive, air ambulance arrives, members answer more questions and leave to (hopefully) rejoin the ride. Ben has now switched from rear rider to leader of three.

Meanwhile, some of the main group of riders have taken up residence in the main street of Apollo Bay and were being entertained by a car club “drifting” on the main drag.  They tag on to the back of Ben, Dave and Paul. Meanwhile the rest of the ride has continued on to Skenes Creek, Forrest, Barwon Downs, Deans Marsh and Moriac.  Once again, if you’re unfamiliar with the tight and twisty Skenes Creek to Forrest Road, take care.

Ben, knowing this route backwards and having listened to the ride route at the start of the day, was able to follow in the footsteps of Cliff, allowing the whole ride to, amazingly, regroup at Moriac for a break and fuel.  At this point Cliff bade his farewells and Ben continued to lead. We moved off for the last leg, to the break-up at Lara.  Still no wiser on the route from Moriac to Lara, but some things should remain a mystery.  Another mystery for the day was how far did we ride? My guess is 500 km plus.

Thanks Cliff for coming up from Portland and leading this ride. 

Paul Southwell

   

     

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 9th September
Lavers Hill via The Great Ocean Road
Clifford Peters leading
9.30 am West Gate Shell Servo
Ride may not suit inexperienced riders; not recommended for first time Club riders.
15 bikes, 15 people, 500 km, 21 deg., strong northerly in morning, strong southerly in the afternoon
Incident: Darran Porch crashed, minor cosmetic, left bike at farmhouse (holed engine cover); Darran suspected broken leg, air lifted to Prince Alfred Hospital, surgery today (Mon 10th). He sends thanks (via partner) to all who assisted at crash site. He is in good spirits.
Update 14th: After visiting Darran on Wednesday evening I can report that he does not have broken legs; he sustained deep lacerations to both legs and right hip/groin. He was deemed at such low risk his operations to stitch him back up were delayed until Thursday. He is in Ward 4D bed 5 and will be there for another week or so. Go and have a yarn with him.