MSR Itinerary                      January 2009

Sunday 11^th Loch Paul Southwell leading

10 am Berwick

First stop Loch for morning tea, then south towards Wonthaggi before making our way across to Korumburra for lunch. Then up the Korumburra - Warragul Road and on to Crossover, Neerim South and back to Jindivick. If the ride is going well, we may divert at the Old Sale Road and head through Hill End and back into Noojee with the option of heading home via Powelltown or back to the highway via Jindivick. Expect around 320 km for the day.

Sat. 17^th Gembrook Pub Counter-lunch Ian Payne leading

10 am Yarra Glen

This ride is described as “casual, suit pillion, a short ride.” The route is from Yarra Glen to Toolangi, Healesville and Woori Yallock. Then to Monbulk Johns Hill, Emerald, Cockatoo and lunch at the Ranges Hotel. After lunch we’ll head for Pakenham Upper, Mt. Burnett, Beaconsfield Upper and

Harkaway to finish at Narre Warren North. Approx 200 km.

Sunday 18^th Walhalla Trevor Harris leading 10 am Yarra Glen

Leaving Yarra Glen it's the direct route to Healesville and then up Mt Donna Buang and down Don Valley (some dirt). At Yarra Junction we'll turn right to Powelltown to regroup at Noojee. Then on to Moe for fuel and the lunch stop. On to Tyers and then along some great sweeping roads to Walhalla. Depending on the weather conditions and fatigue levels, we'll head out to Thompson Dam to check on the state of Melbourne's primary water storage. Either way, it's back to Moe for fuel, then via the Old Sale Road to Jindivick and Longwarry North where we'll break up near the Princes Freeway. Around 350 km.

Sat 24^th Jindabyne Epic Ben Warden leading

To Tues. 27^th 9 am Berwick

The Committee has booked the Torino Lodge at the NSW Sport and Recreation Centre in Jindabyne. This style of accommodation has 2 or 3 beds per room (7 rooms) with communal bathroom facilities (3 showers, 3 toilets), and a large kitchen/living area with a big screen TV. We have stayed here a couple of times and have been so impressed with the cost, quality and food, let alone the location, that we are always keen to come back.

The Australia Day holiday falls on Monday 26^th of January. Given the distances involved (650 km first and last days), a four day weekend allows us to take full advantage of the great location, sensational roads and spectacular scenery. The plan is to ride up on Saturday, ride around the snowy Mountains Sunday and Monday including as far east as Eden and as far north as Tumbarumba, and return to Melbourne on Tuesday. This means three nights accommodation. You'll need to take annual leave for the Tuesday. Typically temperatures are in the 40’s at this time of year, but at this altitude the temperatures will be at least 10 degrees cooler making for ideal riding conditions.

All you need is your toothbrush, a change of clothes and near new tyres. Street legal, race replica tyres will not last much more than two days so regular road tyres are a more sensible option, unless you can find a motorcycle shop open and willing to change them.

The Club has booked and paid for 14 people, twin share, at a cost of $1643.30. $120 is required to secure a bed. This buys you three nights accommodation and a three course evening meal (on-site restaurant) on the first night, a bargain. The $10 cook your own steak at the pub is a possibility for Sun night and maybe a self catered BBQ on Monday night. There are still a few places left so be quick.

Just to add to the excitement, we’ll be starting from Berwick at 9 am and heading up through Orbost to Delegate, now almost all made, and slightly shorter than the normal northern route through Corryong. Brilliant roads, great company, exceptional accommodation. Lazy 2000 km. Be there.

Sunday 25^th Eildon via Torbreck River, MKII Peter Jones leading

10 am Yarra Glen

While a decent swag of the Committee are away in the high country, Peter has offered to lead this ride. He suffered a “minor cosmetic” when last leading this ride and returns to conquer his demons. From Yarra Glen we'll do the usual Chum Creek and Myers Creeks roads to Healesville, followed by the Black Spur to Marysville for the first stop and a splash of fuel for thirsty Suzukis and VTRs. Then on to Buxton and Taggerty and the Jamieson Road turnoff. Here the twisties begin in earnest with 37 km of uninterrupted corners. Look out for deer hunters along here. We’ll continue till the end of the bitumen, regrouping just over the last bridge. The return trip is back along the same road, now with more confidence, and in to Eildon for lunch. After lunch we'll head across the spectacular Skyline Road through Fraser National Park down to Alexandra, then around to Merton and Yea before the final fling to Kinglake West across Junction Hill. Expect around 350 km for the day. Ride will not suit inexperienced riders; not recommended for first time Club riders.

February 2009

Sunday 1^st Thorpdale Ben Warden leading

10 am Berwick

A million kilometres in the making, suit sports bike, is how I would describe this ride. First stop Loch if you are chasing the ride. Then on to Arawata (3 km of dirt) and Leongatha along endless twisty roads looking for the perfect sweeper, touching on the Grand Ridge Road with spectacular views of rugged mountains and glimpses of the sea. Mirboo North bakery for lunch. Then we'll do a loop down to Hallston and back to Mirboo North, if you're looking for a short interlude, before pressing on to the Thorpdale corner sequence and Trafalgar for fuel. Last hop back to either Powelltown on all the back roads or Longwarry North depending on the time, riding conditions and participants' desire. Expect around 410 km for the day. Good tyres essential!

Thurs. 5^th General Meeting and Social Sip combined

6.30 pm Tower Hotel, 686 Burwood Road, Hawthorn East (corner of Burwood, Camberwell Road and Albert Street)

The Committee has booked the "free" private meeting room, conditional on us eating there. Special meal price, main plus pot $15. (Specifically: Parma & pot/soft drink; pasta plus drink, roast plus drink, fish plus drink - all $15 ea). Otherwise pizza $10 through to steaks at $29. So, save your Club postage money and come and have a meal followed by a quick formal meeting. Collect your magazine, see photos of highlights of the Xmas Camp, catch up with the gossip, see your mates.

Tassy 2009

Wednesday 4^th to Saturday 14^th of March

The Club has paid a deposit of $300 for 12 people, 10 bikes and two cars for passage on the Spirit of Tasmania leaving Wednesday 4^th March 8.00 pm, arrive Thursday 7am, depart Saturday (14^th) at 9 pm, arrive Melbourne 6 am (in time for Sunday ride); 10 full days touring.

The costs are $384 per person night sail (4 berth cabin) plus $82 for the bike, return. A car will cost $116 return. Meals are not included in the fares but can be purchased on board. A $20 cancellation fee applies to all passengers who cancel within 30 days of departure.

The plan is to go nights both ways making a total $466 for fares. Fifteen people have indicated strongly of their intention to join the tour. Full payment required around mid January.

Prices and dates in a nutshell:

· Person plus bike: $466 return, person plus car: $500 return

· Your name, car/bike make, model, and registration number before Wednesday 14^th January.

· Final payment must be made by Wednesday 21^st January, so a couple of days earlier.