Mt Baw Baw Sunday 9^th December, 2007

Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750
Ern Reeders	Honda CBR954	Dave Twentyman	Suzuki Busa 1300
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Ron Johnston (rear rider)	Suzuki Bandit 1200
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Jean Eldridge	Suzuki Bandit 250
Dave Ward	Honda CBR600	Robbie Langer	BMW R1150GS
Nick Jacka	Hyosung GT250	Paul Walkley (1^st ride)	Kawasaki Z1000
Darryn Webster	Triumph 675		13 bikes, 13 people

Weather; fine though overcast.              Ride distance approximately 330 km.      No incidents.

As some of you may already know, our original leader for this ride, Tony Raditsis, had a fall the other week. Tony is recovering well but may be a little while off the bike. As usual Ben stepped in to lead.

I was expecting a bigger turnout with a few people from the Xmas party indicating they would be going. It was still a good turnout any way and it was great to see both Ern and Ron back to riding after a few months off. Ern had informed us that he did a ride day the day before at Broadford and was keen to get a few road miles under him.

Ron, with his leg on the mend, was happy to go rear rider and take it easy, his bike all fixed up, painted and looking very nice indeed. He had, however, left the tires on the bike that he crashed on.

All the normal crew gathered around for the pre-ride spiel when I noticed first time rider Paul on the Kawasaki. Apparently he is an ex Australian Superbike racer and a work mate of Jean’s. Jean must have told him about us.

Ben suggested we all get a splash of fuel at Healesville but Rob assured us that there was now fuel at Noojee and we would not need to fill up. From Yarra Glen we went the back way to take on Myers Creek and Chum Creek roads, both in very good condition. The two 250’s were hard on it through this section and it will be interesting to see how hard they will be after they upgrade to bigger bikes!

A couple of people filled up at Healesville not realising the plan had changed and that made the ride spread out a little. I pulled the best mono I could do past Misho as he too, tried to pull one up the hill.

We made good time to Noojee with the first timer having a good go through the Powelltown Road. No traffic made it easier and the road was in great condition. The store owner at Noojee had the fuel out the back as the pumps are still not in action (unresolved dispute with the fuel company) We did get the fuel we needed except it took a little time as we had to measure it out into a five litre mower can. A heap of dirt bikes came in after us but I suspect we had finished it off!

Down with a quick coffee before Ben sails past to head up the mountain. This is one road that we don’t do very often in this Club but I actually enjoy the challenge of this piece of tarmac. Two lots of road works complete with traffic lights to give us all a rest after the small setback. I got through the pack and then latch onto Paul Z1000 for a quick run before a close call on one left hander. As we approached it, there was a bump before the corner causing me to run straight ahead but Paul was right next to me and then he too rode straight through to the edge of the corner. After a thumbs up, it was on again to the summit.

Bit of a photo and chat before heading back down again at a more leisurely pace with Ern, Paul Southwell, Misho and Darryn. I corner marked at Icy Creek to head over to Moe via Hill End for the lunch stop. Misho and I swapped bikes at this point as he wanted a second opinion on the suspension as he had Kroozetune do the work a few weeks back. I have ridden this bike a few times before when Danny owned it and it still goes very well except for the brakes. It appears the discs are warped or slightly bent as it has a huge shudder while braking. I backed off the rebound on the front forks as it was still a little harsh. Apart from that it handles well. Misho quite liked the Honda and made comment it is very different to his old one, as you would expect after 10 years of development.

After lunch, Ian was planning to leave as he was not feeling the best but as we were heading back towards Melbourne pretty much the same way, he rode on. Down the Old Sale Road once again (this has been done a lot lately) to Buln Buln where Ian departed heading for Warragul; I think he wanted to ride the new Pakenham bypass again!  On to Crossover and then through to Neerim South, back roads through Neerim East to then bring us out to the main road again. We got flashed oncoming as we came into Neerim and we could see the Police in the centre off town but we turned off to Nayook just before hand. Very cheeky!

The road through Nayook brought us back on to the Powelltown road for another good run to the last stop and break-up. We were all checking out the tyres after the ride as Darryn, Misho and I are running the Rennsport and are looking forward to trying them out at The Island next week. They feel very good on the road with excellent feedback but I’m not sure if the mileage will be there. By the time you guys read this, we will know the outcome.

We said our goodbyes and Darryn, Paul and I made our way home together. In the garage at 5.15pm with approx 440 kilometres for the day.

Thanks to Ben for stepping in to lead on behalf of Tony and also Ronnie for his rear rider duties. Great to see you back so we can now have a laugh with ya.

Dave Ward

Trivia department from Ern’s GPS:

Yarra Glen to Poweltown: 326 km	Moving av. 88 km/h	Overall av. 56 km/h	Moving time: 3:42
Stopped time: 2:06	Total ascent: 4920m	Max altitude: 1464m