Gembrook Pub Lunch MKII
What a perfect day for a ride, particularly with
a lady riding shotgun. As the prelude suggests, this was to be a “casual, suit
pillion” ride. Twelve bikes, three carrying pillions, set off from Yarra Glen
just after 10 am to do just that. As we were to end up in Gembrook for lunch,
we started the ride with the Club’s usual fare, trekking along the
Woori-Yallock has us all
sitting for a morning cuppa. We all threw our legs over once again and
continued along Healesville-Kooweerup Rd to Yellingbo were we spied yet another
speed camera in the form of an olive green Holden station wagon (I hope we all
did) Then we turned right then left onto Macclesfield road. Along this little
stretch, Kate and I tangled with some tin tops, needing the entire road, due to
poor signalling, and a near stopping on the road they had us hard on the brakes
to compensate for their lack of awareness and consideration. I’ve got a word
for them…though I’ll leave it to your imagination.
Lot’s of turns means lot’s of corner marking,
and as a peloton of riders, the system worked seamlessly, though through it
all, there was yet another Big Brother peering at us threw the eye’s of two
police officers in a marked car, parked up a driveway near the Olinda turn-off,
where they stayed…
Monbulk to Kallista and
off for our second stop to visit John’s Lookout. There were breathtaking
views to the left as we approached, and when we all alighted
our machines and took in the view once we’d arrived.
I over heard Ken, whom had left his evil CBR1000
’08 in the shed for personal reasons and rode his older model, telling us a
story about his times as a younger man. “When I was a lad” he crowed, “I would
come up here all the time, as this is my home turf, a few drinks and billies,
would have me rolling the hay with a couple of lasses!, But alas, can’t even
find one these days” I know he enjoys a plethora of fine machines in the
garage, and that could be a fine compensation. He sighs and leaves the group at
that point, as we continued through to Emerald.
Kate and I were corner marking and were nearly
taken out by some arsehole with his trailer as he cut the corner to head off to
Cockatoo. As discussed earlier, we have special words for that level of road
use and consideration, reiterated by Kate and I with
hand gestures as we repassed the recalcitrant.
Gembrook, Ranges
Hotel, at the end of line for Puffing Billy, for lunch. We sat down to all the
usual meals one would expect to order, though the roast of the day was last to
be served. Go figure. Paul also joined us for lunch.
Whilst eating, a wiry old bloke comes rushing in
asking, “Who owns the silver Blade out front? It was nearly taken out by a
front-end loader!” It was Ian’s bike. Sitting at the end of the table he calmly
replies, “It’s insured,” but takes the time to do what he can for his machine,
though the road is quite narrow out the front of the pub. Steve’s pillion and
work colleague, noted how fantastic a day she had thus far on the back of his
CBR954, perhaps inspiring her to gain a licence to ride.
A rub of our bellies sees us back on our bikes
as Puffing Billy filled with water for our last little leg. This was a great
leg for the pillions. Our course took us via Gembrook road, doubled back on
All in all it was a great little pillion ride.
Thank you Ian and all concerned.
John
Rousseaux