Thompson Dam MK II Sunday 21^st February 2010

It was a clear day with a few clouds and bright sunshine. It looked like ideal weather to be riding a motorcycle. The starting point of the “Ride Out” was at the service station McDonald’s on Clyde Road Berwick. After a short message from Ben Warden and a description of the ride by the ride leader we set off soon after 10 o’clock.

The ride was on good bitumen roads with excellent switch back corners and sweeping bends, which made for a very interesting start of the ride. We progressed through eucalyptus woods and valleys which was especially delightful to me because of the wonderful smell of the eucalyptus tree and other unidentified woodland aromas. A good pace was set from the beginning and I quickly realised that with my Yamaha 666cc rental bike I would never be able to maintain and keep up with the front pace setters. So I took a more conservative approach and this enabled me to have more time to appreciate the wonderful countryside views and vistas.

Maybe because I had slowed and was not concentrating as much as I should have and did not appreciate the changing light conditions in the wooded area I came a cropper. As I came out of the dapple-lighted wooded area into bright sunshine I misread the upcoming corner, braked too hard, locked the front wheel and “bye bye” me from my bike. My first reactions were, “What the F------ Hell” and then utter annoyance and exasperation at my stupidity to have such a stupid and silly fall. Luckily I was uninjured thanks to the riding kit, “God bless the God Kevlar”. But the poor Yam was in a very sorry state with bent forks and front wheel, dented tank and a host of minor scrapes and bashes. It had hit the stone bank and I slid along the gravel path alongside the road. If I had hit the bank I would have broken bones.

The wonderful bikers camaraderie came to the fore with Robert Langer (Rob), Tim Emons and Brien Armstrong helping me to move the bike to a safer point, phoning the rental company to arrange collection of the bike and generally dusting me down and making sure I was okay. In a situation such as this you feel such an idiot, because not only have you ruined your day out, but also involved other members of the group who had their enjoyment of the ride out curtailed.

After the arrangements had been made for the collection of the bike from 150 Milner Road, Rob offered to take me as a pillion passenger for the rest of the ride. What a marvellous gesture and I gratefully accepted. We set off with Tim and Brien as escort. It was quite interesting with the crack, crack exhaust note of Rob’s Beemer compared to my Triumph triple exhaust note.

We continued and caught up with the group at lunchtime in Moe to find out there had been another accident, making it two by lunchtime. After lunch we headed to Thompson Dam which was a great ride, even as a pillion. But before we reached the dam, Misho had had a fall. He was okay but again the bike had suffered with a broken handle bar and fairing damage to the Honda.

The dam was an excellent stopping point with great views and interesting aspect in respect to the level of the water in the dam, which appeared low, indicating the water problems in Victoria.

Rob decided to head back to Moe and finish for the day. On arriving in Moe, Geoff Shugg on the Suzuki V Strom offered to give me a lift back to Lyndhurst where I was staying as it was out of the way for Rob.

It was only a couple of days later that I heard that there had been another serious accident involving Danny Hawker and he was severely injured, which I was very sorry to hear. I wish him a speedy recovery.

To finish I would like to thank Melbourne Sportsbike Club for allowing me to ride with them. It was a memorable and enjoyable experience. Special thanks to all who helped me after my accident.

Rodney Williams