Meredith Casual Ride - Sunday 26^th June 2011

Bill Simpson (leader)	Suzuki GSXR1000	Chris Antonopoulos (2^nd ride)	Kawasaki ZZR1100
Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	John Willis	Kawasaki ZX1000
Ben Warden  (rear)	Honda CBR954	Tai Whiley (1^st ride)	Triumph 955
Eddie Simonis	Moto Guzzi 1200S	Craig Morley	Yamaha 400 Motard
Marc Marais	Triumph 675		9 bikes, 9 people

As this was Bill’s first ride as leader, he wanted to convey a relaxed riding experience. Hence the “Ride WILL suit inexperienced riders, first time Club riders and pillions.” note in the itinerary.

At the Westgate servo there was a good mix of new and familiar faces venturing out for this ride. After Bill gave a very comprehensive rundown of the day’s activities we were away heading down the freeway towards Werribee. Taking the last Werribee exit we bypassed the town centre and picked up the back roads to the You Yangs and Anakie. Then, for a change, we rode around past Anakie Pottery, followed by a short stretch of good dirt and on to Maude. From here a short loop through Russells Bridge, Lethbridge and back again through Maude. We continued on to Steiglitz and finally Meredith for morning tea. Although only about 130 km, it was too much for Craig’s little Yamaha which ran out of fuel less than 1 km from town. “Too many monos”, someone quipped!

After a leisurely break, Craig headed home to walk the dog while the rest of us went south to She Oaks, Maude, Lethbridge and Teesdale. After a myriad of local back roads and several diminutive one-lane bridges we emerged at Shelford before proceeding to Inverleigh for lunch at the local takeaway. At this point it looked like the rain was about to set in, but after another leisurely break it had all but cleared. So it was off to the secret location for a cuppa! We passed through Inverleigh and Teesdale via different roads to previously covered before arriving at Bannockburn and the secret location,  the Simpson abode.

After a very enthusiastic welcome by the pet dogs, it was around the back for afternoon tea. What a spread! Bill’s wife and daughters had cooked up a storm with fresh scones, lemon slice, cupcakes and a hot cuppa to wash it down. Very much appreciated! The dogs also enjoyed quite a few titbits courtesy of the group. Bills large workshop also came in for some attention where his boiler-making/welding skills are put to use with many projects on show.

All too soon it was time to leave Bannockburn and head back to Maude via a different route again. Then on to Anakie Junction before retracing our steps back to Werribee and finally the Geelong Road Caltex where the ride finished.

Full marks to Bill for initiating this very pleasant day out doing something a little different on roads not often travelled. Although windy it had remained relatively dry, so the 300 km plus run had been no problem for the nine of us. Thanks also to Ben for bringing up the rear.

Ian Payne