Tooborac Trials                    Sunday 2nd  May, 2010

                       

Geoff Shugg   (leader)

Suzuki 650 V Strom

Paul Southwell

Honda CBR1000RR

Ray Weston

KTM 990

Tim Emons

Honda CBR1000RR

Shane Byrne    (2ndride)

Hyosung 650

Misho Zrakic

Honda CBR1000RR

Ron Johnston  (rear rider)

Honda CBF1000

Ben Warden

Honda CBR954RR

Ian Payne

Honda CBR1000RR

Pina Garasi

Honda CBR600RR

My bike had been at KroozTune all week to have the suspension softened up and have the high speed compression at both ends improved. The bike has no external adjustments of the suspension except the spring on the rear shock; otherwise all adjustments are internal.

I rode my usual way to Whittlesea via Warrandyte, Kangaroo Ground, Wattle Glen, Hurstbridge, Cottles Bridge, Arthur’s Creek and Yan Yean. Through the Cottles Bridge/Arthur’s Creek area I was impressed with the handling of the bike after the suspension work; I could carry more corner speed without hanging on for dear life. I think Dave at Krooztune has got it right.

At Whittlesea it was good to see Shane on the Hyosung 650 back for his 2nd ride. At 10.05 Ben is getting anxious and tells Geoff that we had better get organised, so Geoff gives the usual speech. I volunteered for rear rider and the write up but Ben says no because I had already done a write-up for the month and someone else should share the load. So it’s left in limbo. We’ll worry about it later.

We set off but I think Ian or Paul arrived late. Ray on the KTM certainly was late; I had to tell him that I was the rear rider. We made our way out of the servo and down a couple of back streets. I saw Ben coming back to see what the delay was. He ducked down a side street and caught the ride up.

In order to get to the Trials quickly, we travelled along the main road to Wallan, then the Northern Highway to Kilmore. On passing Bylands I saw a sign for the Tramways Museum which bought back memories. Years ago Ian Payne led a ride to the museum which only he and I attended, rain having something to do with the low attendance.

At Kilmore we turned left and headed towards Lancefield, our first stop.  About halfway we were flashed by a few cars. But we didn’t see anything for a while, and then we saw a cop car which had stopped a motorcyclist who was probably issued a lottery ticket, where the government is the winner. Lancefield was a welcome stop, providing us with time to catch up on the gossip. People were ducking off to the bakery and milk bar for their usual fix of coffee and food, to stop the old tummy rumbling.

Back on the road again, we didn’t travel far to reach the Trials. Upon arrival, we bumped into Craig Morley and ex-president Hans Wurster. Hans is now the proud owner of a Yamaha FJR 1300, having sold his ZX12R. There were lots of people at the trials of differing age groups, ranging from 7 year olds to seniors, both males and females.

A Hi Ace van painted pink pearl attracted Pina’s attention. It was lowered with 17 inch mags, the interior done in pink and the front half of the floor black and white lino squares. It had a sub-woofer, a slimline TV mounted on a bracket behind the driver, and a couple of revolving disco lights hanging from the roof.

From where we parked the bikes, we could see the trials about a 400m in the distance. Some walked, some rode their bikes. Shane rode about 20 m and fell over. He must have grabbed the front brake. As it was walking pace only, there was no damage. Dirt was stuck on things. Brush it off and keep going.

For those that haven’t been to a trials event, it is very interesting to watch. The bikes drop over banks, ride over logs and rocks, into mud holes, and zigzag up the side of embankments. There was even an outfit – a bike and sidecar - this one a father and son combination.

There was a rocky section, with large boulders to be ridden over, around or between. The riders went very slowly and meticulously, but there was a time limit per section. Time dissipated very quickly.

We spoke to one senior organiser who went to the trouble of telling Ian, Shane, and myself how his clutch/brake master cylinder worked. It sounded very clever and was probably quite expensive.

After an hour and a half it was time to go. Ben left for the footy at the MCG. Paul was supposed to follow us for a while, but I think we left him behind by accident.

Near Baynton East we turned right at the BIG ROCK, meandering our way through the rolling hills to Pyalong. Then we headed towards Glenaroua, but turned into a little used road which has a couple of tricky corners and rises. Ben has taken us through here a couple of times.  

We had just ridden around the first corner when we pass a couple of 4WDS with dead foxes tied to their bull bars. The first one had eight, and the second had five; looks like they had had a good day. The only good fox is a dead one.

Further on, the ride is in disarray. At the cross roads, three riders have shot through, not seeing the corner marker. None as blind as those that can’t see, hmm. (Were the corner markers visible? ...Ed.)

I corner marked with Misho. Eventually the others came back and we continued on our merry way to Broadford, parking up the road from our usual bakery. It was closed, so we walked back to a new bakery beside the supermarket. By the time we got inside there wasn’t much to choose from; all the pies had gone. We had to settle for some sangers and sweet stuff, plus a coffee to wash it all down.

Geoff, Ray and I sat at a table in the covered entrance to the shops. Isn’t it funny: you ride your bike, your bum gets sore, and you say to yourself,             “I will be glad to get off and go for a walk”. But when you get there you end up sitting down to take the weight of your feet. Go figure!

Time to hit the frog and toad. The Broadford to Flowerdale road is an all-time favourite of mine with a couple of tricky corners, but otherwise it’s okay. Low flying! We pass the Broadford Motor Complex and continue on to Strath Creek, turning right at the shop.

Flowerdale to Kinglake West is another top road, but Vic Roads, has lowered the speed limit to 80 km/h all the way through.

Shane left at Kinglake West and Ian left at Kinglake. So that left six of us. From Kinglake we cruised down the Slide, cross the Highway, and on to Toolangi where we turned right down Chum Creek Road to Healesville. We passed a few 4Bs (another motorcycle club ...Ed.) coming the other way.

At Healesville, we finished up at the Beechworth Bakery. It’s not a bad spot, the food always good. There are usually lots of people there. If you haven’t been, go visit; you won’t be disappointed.

We all had something to eat and drink with lots of friendly banter.

Soon it was time to go. For once, I wasn’t far from home, the ride finishing on my side of town.

Thanks to Geoff for leading, myself for rear rider, and the others for attending. The weather was cool, with no rain or incidents. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves. It was certainly different, showcasing another aspect of motorcycle riding - with a difference.

 

Ron Johnston