Pillion Ride - Yea                Saturday 8th September, 2007

 

Ian Payne

Honda CBR1000

Trevor Harris & Barbara Rolfe

Yamaha YZF1000

Ben Warden

Honda CBR954

Dave Ward & Bronwyn Manifold (lead)

Honda CBR600

Bill Wee

Honda VTR1000

Greg & Vicky Trainor (2nd ride)

Yamaha R1

Nic Jacka

Hyosung 250

Ian & Sherry Handforth (rear)

Honda Varadero

13 people

9 bikes

Marino Cattapan (1st ride)

BMW R1150GS

 

I knew he would pull me up, it was just a matter of when. Maybe 200 metres? Nice blue and white R1150 RS with another 30 kg of radio, batteries, panniers, lights, sirens, different loom and of course the mandatory radar detector. A blitz!  On motorcycles! Luckily I changed the rear tyre the night before and it was mint on the sides, care of the sensible previous owner. Now I looked like a respectable citizen, judging by the tyre wear. Licence check, rego check, blow in the bag. But he was suspect. We played cat and mouse from the Kangaroo Ground Tower to Sugarloaf Dam turnoff, then he finally got bored.

 

Dave had his new Honda CBR600 on display which I see now has won bike of the year in one of the Pommy magazines, and was leading for the day with Bronwyn on the back.  It was good to see Ian and Sherry Handforth also riding. The only time I see Ian these days, is lining up with the Ulysses at Kalkallo Shell on the Hume, when I am heading for the Whittlesea pickup. Greg, on his R1, was out for his second ride with the club and Trevor and Barb made the fourth pillion couple.

 

Bill Wee has returned to the fold after disappearing for a year or so, and was out enjoying the sunshine. He has been riding with the Services Club (police, ambulance, etc). Throw in Nic and Marino from work, the Pres., and everyone is accounted for.

 

The plan, according to Dave, was to have a short ride followed by a meal at the Spotted Cow pub in Yea. A slow ride, taking in the scenery, smelling the roses, enjoying the bikes and good company.

 

We followed the usual route across to Healesville and up Chum Creek Road to Toolangi. An unmarked police BMW bike was sitting at the Mt Slide Junction. There were bikes everywhere so we blended in.  On to Kinglake where we stopped for morning tea after 60 km or so, some ladies already in “pain”.

 

Marino and I made a beeline for the bakery and purchased some large muffins. The rest of the crew weren’t far behind.  We sat outside and enjoyed the passing scenery, both the two wheeled variety and the passing trade. Nic was on his second ride and promised to be on the Sunday’s ride as well, completing the obligatory three rides (functions) making him eligible for membership in a record 8 days.

 

Back to the bikes and on to Kinglake West, Flowerdale, Strath Creek, Trawool and Yea.  It was a glorious day so we sat outside in the beer garden, piling our helmets and jackets into a mound. Plenty of cameras today so lots of photographs were taken.  The realistic looking plastic sheep standing on the back of the ute peering over the cabin came in for its fair share of pictures and comments. 

 

Options were canvassed for the return route but in the end we headed straight back to Kinglake West to break-up after 170 km round trip.  The day was deemed a success. Thanks to Dave and Bron for leading/booking the pub, Ian and Sherry for rear riding duties, and the other participants for sharing the day.  We’ll do it again.

 

Ben Warden