Archies Creek    Mon. 8th  June, 2009                    (Queens Birthday Weekend)

 

Paul Southwell (Leader)

Honda CBR1000RR

Robert Croft (2nd ride)

Honda VFR800

Ian Payne (rear)

Honda CBR1000RR

Ron Johnston

Honda VFR800

Dave Ward & Bron Manifold

Kawasaki Z750

Cameron Stevens

Yamaha FZ6

Robin (1st ride)

Suzuki SV 650

 

7 bikes, 8 people

Weather very cold with wet roads and on/off rain. Distance 350k's door to door.

After doing the ride the day before I wasn't too keen as I had still not recovered from freezing my butt off. Bron wanted to go pillion whereas I was happy to take the car and meet them there!

What is it about chicks never ready on time?  Hence a little speeding down the freeway was required to make up time to meet the crew. Next time she can ride herself!

Eight of us are ready for the uncertain weather and listen to the pre-ride spiel. Ian offered to go rear (as he likes it!) to make sure our first timer Robyn is looked after.

The ride headed off down the freeway to turn off just before Drouin making our way to the twisty bits. Roads are wet but seem to have plenty of grip or maybe just the extra weight on the bike allowing Bron and I a trouble free ride.

First stop is Loch via the usual way down the Korumburra/Warragul road turning right towards Poowong and then taking a left to Loch central. We spotted a new Cafe (Hard Loch Cafe) and decided to try their coffee and warm ourselves by the fire while waiting. Their coffee is certainly better than the usual coffee house.

I talked to both Robyn and Robert and they informed us of their history and how they found out about the club. Robyn usually rides with another friend who has an older style bike but is put off by the cold weather while she is still keen to head out. Robert is a Kiwi and has been on the last three rides and seems to enjoy the club and our fantastic company; we will have to sign him up before he goes back to NZ.

After morning tea I decided to head straight to the pub as the weather was closing in and I did not want to eat my lunch sopping wet. It was a good move as we did not get there until 12.30 which was perfect timing; the place was packed. Meals were great and everyone seemed to enjoy them but the size may have been a little big for the ride home as my tummy was crying foul dealing with all the bumps.

After our long lunch Robin and Robert decided to head home via Wonthaggi which was a good move because the weather had closed in and of course we headed straight into it. We stopped at Korumburra for fuel and to put on wet weather gear for those who needed it. I feel Paul Southwell is really a woman for the amount of time it took him to get changed and the amount of fluffing around it took to get going again. Sorry Pauline, just an observation.

Our last stint was back up the Warragul/Korumburra Road which was very wet and a little greasy. Cameron, Paul and yours truly were in a nice little bunch all the way to town with no incidents. We stopped at the start of the Freeway where Paul decided to end the ride as the light was fading. Everyone agreed with the decision and so we took off like cut cats all the way home.

There was a massive downpour around Berwick. I turned off and went the back way to avoid the weekend traffic and came across a copper on the side of the road, a first in a while. Home by 4.30pm.

Thanks Paul for looking after us and to Ian for the rear rider duties.

 

Dave Ward