Mt Donna Buang      Sunday 24th January, 2010

 

Charlie Stewart (1st ride)

Suzuki GSX1400

Adam Wright

Triumph 675

Sherief Wissa

Suzuki GSXR600

Ivan Radywonik

KTM 990

Geoff Shugg (leader)

Suzuki DL650           

Cindy Lee

Honda VTR250

Greg Trainor (rear)

Triumph 955

Dennis Lindemann

Honda CBR600

Mark Bartowclosh and May (1st ride)

Triumph 955

Yudi (1st ride)

Kawasaki ZZR250

Jason Wilson & pillion (1st ride)

Kawasaki ZX9R

 

11 bikes, 13 people

 

When I arrived Geoff and Ivan were already waiting. I filled up the bike and soon bike after bike arrived. I thought it would be a small group with most of the regulars away. Not so. Quite a few first time riders increased the group to a decent size.

A bit of dirt was mentioned during the briefing which left Adam speculating what “a bit” means. He wasn’t impressed the last time someone mentioned something like that. I volunteered for the article as there weren’t many people for Geoff to choose from.

We rode through Berwick but went straight instead of turning left as usual at the roundabout. We soon hit the aforementioned dirt and I realised one important fact: never stop uphill on a gravel road with road tyres – it’s hard to get started!

After the dirt, although I was corner-marking, I couldn’t see anyone indicating where to go at the next T-intersection. The rest of the group soon arrived and I took off to find the next corner marker, found him, did a U-turn and told the rest where to go.

Geoff regrouped at the end of Paternoster Road to go through the Corner Marking System again. No issues from then on.

Through Gembrook to Launching Place where we turned right towards Warburton, our first break for coffee and pie at the Pit Stop, across the road from the fire station.

I was ready to take off for Mt Donna Buang after eating some proper food. But 10 metres(!) after we turned left on to the highway we were pulled over for a licence and rego check. Why didn’t he check us while we were having our break, just 50m away?

After twenty minutes of waiting, breath tests and awkward small talk with the authority, we were finally off. I told Geoff and Greg I was going to fill up and catch up with the group at the lookout tower. Adam was waiting at the turn off and we both took off to catch up with rest. I remember the last time I was going up here - leading the ride through rain, rain, rain and wind. Not this time! Dry roads, no rubbish and hardly any traffic equals a big smile on my face.

We soon caught up with the group and arrived with Geoff at the top. A few people decided to climb the tower while the rest of us stayed below chatting. I asked Adam about his Triumph and mentioned that I was looking at a new bike. He offered me his bike for a test ride, but very tempting as it was, I refused. I probably wouldn’t have given it back.

Back down to the bottom and right towards Warburton turning off on to the Old Warburton Road taking the back road towards Powelltown to the lunch stop in Noojee.

I grabbed the addresses of all the first timers while Geoff was looking at the map for where to get fuel next. A few were still waiting for their food while the rest were ready to take off.

After everyone was served we took the Neerim North Noojee Road. We arrived for a fuel stop shortly after, then continued on the main road through Neerim South to turn right towards Jindivick for our last leg. I love those fast blind corners after Jindivick. Going up and down hill into the corners requires your full concentration.

We stopped at the servo in Longwarry North for the break up followed by the usual long ride home.

Thanks to Geoff for stepping up to lead the ride and Greg for doing his job as rear rider.

Stay upright!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Dennis Lindemann