Philip Island World Superbike Sunday 28^th February, 2010

Ben Warden (leader) Honda CBR954 Misho Zrakic/Pina Garasi Yamaha R6

John Rousseaux Honda CBR1000RR Geoff Shugg Suzuki DL650

Ron Johnston Honda CBF1000 Paul Southwell Car

Chris Pointon Suzuki GSXR1000 Julie Johnston Car

Bill Wee Honda VTR1000 Kate Stewart

Ian Payne (rear rider) Honda CBR1000RR Dave Ward, Bronwyn Manifold Car

An early start to a short ride. Nine people and eight bikes assembled at the servo. The weather was cool, but not raining. Ben gave us a run down on where we were going and suggested we take it easy through the built up areas - no rush. Bill said he would go rear rider because he had had only four hour’s sleep, but Ben had other ideas, and Ian went rear rider instead. We exited the servo via the entry, and then had to wait for the train to pass. It was one of the new trains.

At the next set of lights we saw Henry Wright setting off on a day ride to Baw Baw. Our trip took in Harkaway and Beaconsfield Upper, meandering around the Beaconsfield Emerald road till we met the Paternoster road. It was a pleasant run across Mt Burnett, then right into Pakenham Road, following through to roundabout where Misho and Pina corner mark. On your left there is a lot of old machinery in the paddock. We continued on to Gembrook where we turned right and ventured along the Beenak East road which becomes the Gembrook Tonimbuk road.

This road has recently been sealed and adds another good road to the list. It still had quite a few gravel strips on it so you had to be careful. Up hill and down dale, twisties, steep grades, some sharp corners. It will be better when the road has had a lot more traffic over it to clean it up. Bill had a bit of trouble, getting caught up in the loose stuff. We went down to Bunyip State Park where the bitumen ran out so we turned around and went back to Gembrook where we stopped at a Bakery. It was good to get off the bike, even though we hadn’t travelled far. The main discussion we had at the table was about Danny and his accident.

Geoff left us at Gembrook to find some gravel roads. Good on him! The rest of us tootled off to Launching Place, past Gilwell Park Scout Camp. This is a great road with a couple of right angle corners thrown in just to upset things. Just past Hoddles Creek CFA we turned on to Lusatia Park Road and followed it through to the Warburton Highway. We never use this road, but it is surprisingly good. Down the highway and hook left onto the Healesville Koo Wee Rup road.

We went past a market garden where a large excavator and dozer were being used to do some major earth works to increase the size of their dams. There were three articulated dump trucks parked there as well.

At Yellingbo we picked up the Macclesfield road to Avonsleigh. Along here Bill nearly came unstuck on a sharp right hander, riding a bit too wide on the shoulder. He just missed the marker post and continued on.

From Emerald we rode on to Monbulk, Kallista and Belgrave. John took over leading at Tecoma and we followed him to his home in Ferntree Gully. Misho and Pina left us here to attend a 50^th birthday party. So that left just six of us on bikes. We completed a quiet ride in cool weather with no incidents!

Julie Johnston, Dave and Bronwyn, and Paul Southwell arrived in cars. Kate Stewart now lives there. We settled in and watched the first race. Afterwards Ben got the BBQ fired up and did the cooking. In the course of cooking too much fat ran through the grate and caught fire on the tray underneath. Ben had to hurriedly shift all the steaks and turn off the gas to stop it. He found it a bit difficult with flames coming up through the grate as well. Nevertheless, a good meal was had by all.

Thanks to Julie for her potato dish which always goes down well, and Kate, for the rest of the food.

We all left after a very exciting (photo finish) second race. Thanks to everyone who made the day a success.

Ron Johnston