Walhalla Sunday 20^th March, 2011

Misho Zrakic	Honda CBR1000	Ern Reeders (1/2 rear)	Honda CBR954
Damir Djikic	Honda CBR1000	Pina Garasi (1/2 rear)	Honda CBR600
Tim Emons	Honda CBR1000	Kurn Bridgeman	Honda CBR600
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Jason Wilson	Kawasaki ZX9
Jean Eldridge	Honda CBR1000	Marc Marais	Triumph 675
Tony Stegmar	Honda CBR1000	Rob Langer	KTM 950R
Ben Warden (leader)	Honda CBR954		13 bikes, 13 people

I have been with the Club for over a year now. Three bikes later I am due to write an article which I have successfully avoided up to this point. My last Honda CBR1000 lasted six months before an attempt to avoid an oncoming car resulted in an insurance payout. So this Sunday I was on my latest pride and joy, another CBR1000, this time in red and black. While the usual suspects were in Tasmania, I took the time to visit Steve Mudford and get some suspension work done (an Ohlins rear shocker) which Steve reckons is a recipe for catching that yellow blade. J

So Sunday finally came and I was on my way to Yarra Glen. I left the house early hoping to enjoy a coffee and a smoke before the others arrived. But a friendly police officer at Kangaroo Ground decided otherwise. It was just a random check but time consuming nevertheless. As I was leaving, Ben was next in line to be checked and reminded of recent motorcycle fatalities.

When I finally got to Yarra Glen I was blinded by the colour of a large green motorcycle parked at our meeting point. The bloke next to it was parading in his latest shiny Dainese gear. Only after seeing a bag of ear plugs in his hands did I realize it was my supplier, Jason. J While we were going through the photos from his latest Avalon Air Show trip, the others slowly arrived. Pina and Misho were missing, but with the police check at Kangaroo Ground, we knew they would catch up. I finally got to meet Ern who volunteered for rear riding duties. Ben did the usual pre-ride talk and then we were on our way.

From Yarra Glen we went through Healesville and on to roads I wouldn’t know the names of, to somehow end up in Powelltown and Noojee for the first break. Paul turned up and for some reason that was the last I saw of him. [He visited friends in Hill End and was last seen going the other way near Thomson Dam. …Ed.]

From Noojee we headed for Icy Creek, Hill End and Moe for fuel and half a smoke before the run up to Thompson Dam. A quick break, a group photo and we were on our way to Walhalla. It was my first time up this road and it is fantastic. I got behind Marc and followed while trying to get used to the new bike and firmer suspension.

After lunch and coffee, it was back down the hill and on to the sweepers heading towards Tyers. Tim and I admired the skills of a Harley rider who was doing his best to keep up. After refuelling, the roads finally started to look familiar. Back to Hill End, then down to the Old Sale Road to Buln Buln and the Crossover sweepers. Neerim South, Jindivick and before I knew it we were at Longwarry North BP service station.

A few guys gathered around Kurn’s bike trying to work out where the front end banging noise was coming from. In the end they gave up, recommending a proper check out by a mechanic. [Steve Mudford determined it was the steering head bearings …Ed.]

For a change Pina was pleased about the call from the Cops as they had Misho’s digital camera which had fallen out of his bag at Moe. Off went my seat replaced by Misho’s yellow seat cowl allowing Pina to pillion back to Moe. Jason was quick to point out how ugly the red bike looks with a yellow cowl.

From Longwarry it was an unexciting ride down the freeway. An hour later I was home, half cooked, having chosen to wear winter gear on a beautiful sunny day. It was all worth it though.

Thanks Ben for another great ride and Pina and Ern for rear riding duties. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me out when I dropped my bike, especially Cliffy who pillioned me home from Neerim East to Deer Park. I hope that your suspension is still in one piece. J

Damir Djikic