Trentham via Brisbane Ranges Sunday 31^st October 2010

Geoff Jones (leader)	Yamaha R1	Jean Eldridge	Honda CBR1000
Jason Wilsopn (rear)	Kawasaki ZX9

Rain like we have all forgotten and radar scans show more of the same over the area of today's ride. Most of the Club's active riders are away for the Cup Weekend in the high country so there is a big chance of a no show at the West Gate.  Light rain all the way in from a dripping Gisborne. Fuel up and wait for the clock to beat any likely wet ride takers. A day for full wets indeed.

Jason Wilson turns up to join me under the cover near KFC with no doubts about a ride whatever the conditions. "Beats watching movies",  his reasoning. Soon after Jean Eldridge arrives on a tasty silver CBR1000, a very recent replacement of his CBR600.

Ten o’clock comes and goes, so we head for the first stop at Meredith, Jason doing the rear rider roll.  Over the bridge, off at the final Werribee exit and on to the long straights to the Brisbane Ranges. Light rain at the West Gate now gone but the roads still wet with many areas of standing water and rivers across the road at regular intervals. Grip at a premium.

Through Anakie and up into the Ranges on DeMotts Road. We pick up the Maude to Steiglitz road and do the deja vu thing through She Oaks to come into the Meredith servo for fuel and food.

After a break we complete the loop back to Anakie Junction and do some carbon clearing through Balliang. Jason seen indulging in the top end ram air rush of the Kwaka along here. 

Up the hill climb road through Yaloak Vale and into Ballan. On to Greendale and up the Blackwood Trentham road into the Wombat State Park featuring more cross road mini-rivers on most corners.

Lunch at Trentham, 4x4 talk by Jason and Jean very pleased with the comfort level of the CBR; he thought it would give his lower back some grief.

Loop out to Spring Hill then through Fern Hill to Trentham East and on to the tricky Ashbourne Road with its numerous slippery parts. Into and through Woodend, Straws Lane, Hesket  Bolinda, Clarkefield and the Wildwood Road. Jason had to put a spare one litre of fuel into the thirsty Kwaka along here due, no doubt, to the top end adventures earlier on. Finish at the Bulla servo where the R1 takes 16.7 litres.

Ride end after about 300 km and home in Gisborne by 3.45pm. Small groups seem to cover more kays per hour.  Weather, despite the forecast, turned out not too badly. Wildwood Road was completely dry. 

It will be interesting to read how things were in the High Country.

Geoff Jones