Strathbogie Ranges Sunday 16^th September, 2007

Geoff Jones (leader)	Yamaha R1	Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000
Peter Jones	Yamaha R1	Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000
David Brown (1^st ride)	Yamaha R1	Ben Warden	Honda CBR954
Marty Thompson	Kawasaki ZX9	Craig Morley	Honda CBR929
Nic Jacka (rear rider)	Hyosung 250	Renzo Cunico	Honda VFR750
James Erdmann (1^st ride)	Suzuki GSXR600	Bill Wee	Honda VTR1000
Tony Saccuzzo	Kawasaki ZX7R		13 bikes, 13 people

There were thirteen riders and bikes at the meet point by the time Geoff got the ride started. After a chilly ride out to Whittlesea, I think all were happy to allow a little sunshine to warm the gear prior to departure. A healthy mixture of late model, high capacity sports bikes with eager pilots and some new riders were in attendance! I dragged the nine back out of the shed more out of necessity than desire. In hindsight however, the Beemer would have struggled with the ride being more open sweepers than tight hairpins.

Whittlesea to Kinglake West set the scene for what was to be a ... err brisk ride! Leaving Whittlesea, the road rises up the range with a two lane road consisting of fast, sweeping, constant radius turns with the odd tightening radius turn to keep you awake. I tagged on behind a certain VFR rider and tackled the climb up the hill with a few gazelles on board. Soon enough, an old protagonist from 15 years ago (Craig …ed), went past with about another 100 gazelles on board. Naturally I tagged on! The trip to Flowerdale came and went faster than the weekly pay packet!

The road from Kinglake West to Flowerdale is made of a mixture of turns rolling up and down the side of the ranges. One section is usually a little slippery due to smooth tarmac and mud tracked on to the road from 4WDs entering after mud bashing in the forest. Thankfully, all managed to pick their way through without too many undie-staining moments.

We turned left at Flowerdale and headed around to Strath Creek and up to the Highway for a little run towards Yea. This road is a flattish road which meanders alongside a little river and the road is on the flood plane set into the side of the hills. It's best tackled with a bit of momentum, and pretty much all, apart from Nic on the little Hyosung GT250, took advantage of the opportunity. The Hyosung was certainly singing as I passed it. Nic, can’t wait till you have some cc’s mate!

Then we turned left onto the Highlands road for a run around Gobur and into Yarck. The road in parts is very narrow, with some sand across corners where dirt roads join. It rises and falls along the top of a ridgeline dropping into valleys and rising up onto the top of the ridgeline again. It's an interesting road, once you get your head around the width, and get to know where the sand is most likely to be. The rest of the road is a cracker though. It mixes it up between tightish 80-100 kph turns and fastish sweepers.

After morning tea at Yarck we returned along the road to Gobur and rejoined the highway for a few kms (apparently 12, according to Ben. It felt like 1200 naturally!) and then we turned north at Merton and into the fun bits down to Polly McQuins Bridge which actually exists now, albeit the new improved modern concrete monstrosity rather than the quaint, narrow, undulating wooden bridge it replaced! Personally, I liked the old one!

On to Strathbogie and Violet Town where Geoff decided to regroup the group. Then on to Euroa for lunch at the salubrious digs of the Mobil Roadhouse. It was here that the devious nature of our club members shone through with one forgetful rider forgetting to pay his $12.50 fuel bill. Naturally, once the error of his ways was pointed out, it was promptly rectified.

It was during lunch that young Rosie rolled up on her slightly neglected VTR250. She was heading to Phillip Island, eventually, having started in Brisbane. One of our group was able to avert his eyes from Rosie’s figure long enough to notice the chain of the VTR sagging halfway to the ground. Tools were sourced by Ben, and the chain was soon adjusted and re-lubed, ready for the rest of Rosie’s journey.

Next we headed back to Merton and Yarck, then up to Alexandra and back down the Molesworth road, which is always a giggle. For those who haven't done it, the Merton Road is a cracker and it's worth the day trip to do it! It was along this section, however, where things turned south! I spotted Craig on his Blade just up in front along a nice straightish section. He was taking it easy cruising along in the pack, so naturally I prepared a strafing run for him! He was sitting in the right hand side of the left lane and was a little taken by surprise when I went past with about 100 gazelles differential indicating on the playschool clock! Naturally he took chase. I maintained momentum and had a bit of fun in the tighter stuff, hoping he would be very soon right on my ginger. I arrived at the next intersection without the Blade in tow and thought this could be ominous!

Sure enough, 20 minutes later in Yea, Craig turns up on the back of Paul’s bike. As soon as he started telling me the story, I KNEW which corner had claimed him! It's that deceptive little bugger which catches a fair few out, as evident from the amounts of broken plastic fairings lying around the area. An uphill, positive cambered left hander of about 100km/h, which suddenly tightens, goes to negative camber AND then tightens again as it drops away to the left! I must admit, it had me a little indecisive for a moment too.

Ben, Paul and new rider James took care of things efficiently as always, ensuring Craig still had all his bits attached, then securing the bike. As they were sorting things, along came Rosie on her VTR stopping to ask if we were OK. God love her. Paul threw the somewhat wobbly Craig on to the pillion matchbox on the CBR and proceeded to cruise back down to Yea to meet the remainder of the group, Rosie again meeting up with us.

From Yea the group continued on to Flowerdale and Kinglake West for the break-up. Craig and I returned to Sunbury to grab his trailer and retrieve the wounded Blade. We ran into a tornado with trees blown down and the SES out clearing the roads. It was now the middle of the night, pitch dark, and the bike was impossible to move – until we enlisted the help of the SES volunteers. Home very late.

I didn’t take note of the kilometres, but based on my odometer and fuel usage I reckon about 500 kms door to door for me.

Thanks to Geoff for leading and for the fantastic pre-ride he did which ensured smooth roads all day!

Marty Thompson