Tarra Bulga MK II Monday 25^th April 2011

Unfortunately I was unable to go for a ride on Easter Sunday. A family game of golf at the local “Par 3 Chip and Putt” was in order. Don’t get me wrong; it was pleasant and I don’t want to make it sound like a chore. In fact the opposite is closer to the truth but the thing is, not a lot beats a ride on a Sunday with my MSR mates. However, this was a close second.

When I saw that there was an ANZAC Day ride on offer I was really happy. I could do the family thing and still go for a big ride, all on the one weekend. How good is that? And a big ride it was. I ended up doing 850 km from home to home, leaving at 0800 and arriving home at 8.15pm.

It’s at this point I should say a big sorry to Rod Merrett for the mistake I made during a corner marking (or lack of) manoeuvre. I’m very sorry, mate. I honestly thought that you were right behind me when I left the Toora servo. I only went past the corner 50 meters or so before Ben informed me that you had gone straight instead of turning. (At this point I thought he was wrong and that you were either at the servo or not far from it.) When I finally realised that you had gone straight, I high-tailed after you and rode at a fair clip until Meeniyan, by which time the fuel light on the Gixxer had been flashing for 15 minutes or so and I had to end the chase or else run out of go-gas.

I rang Ben and told him of my failed attempt to find Rod. Tail between my legs, I returned to Toora where we agreed to continue the ride with only the three of us, which we did, but only after a quick trip back to Forster just in case Rod was waiting for us there. You guessed it, he wasn’t!

The funniest part (depending on how you look at it) was that Rod had kindly offered Ben a ride on his recently acquired BMW S1000RR back at Foster. Of course, Rod wasn’t expecting to get separated from the main group. The result was Ben rode home a gorgeous $21K Beemer and Rod scored Ben’s very loved and well worn Honda. A fair deal I’d say, especially if your name’s Ben!

Of course, the plot thickens! They each had the other’s wallet, and we had Rod’s phone which meant we couldn’t even call him to sort it all out. “Bloody hell! What a mess!” I hear you say! Indeed, it was. But in true MSR style, the show went on and everything was sorted - the next day! I guess if nothing else, it highlights the importance of accurate corner marking!

So what about the ride? Well it started out quite chilly. “How chilly, Billy?” A silly amount of chilly, actually. The fog was thick right from when I left home in Geelong. I worked on the theory that when it lifted, it was going to be a really nice day. Which it was, but not until the sun broke through at about 11am. I was very cold in my perforated leathers.

As has been the case with lots of rides I go on with the MSR, the roads we travelled on were all new to me. I went through many towns I’d never even heard of, let alone been to before. Towns like Fish Creek, Foster, Welshpool and Yarram were all new. I really enjoy seeing these new places.

The view riding out of Balook, after riding through the spectacular Tarra Bulga National Park, was something to behold. And I enjoyed riding at a brisk but not break-neck pace. We eventually made our way into Moe for fuel to finish up as night was falling.

I glanced at my watch just before the long trip home. It said 6pm and it was already dark. Ben and I had said goodbye to Geoff a little earlier and we gave him another wave when we saw him on the highway a bit later on. I bid Ben farewell just after the Domain Tunnel and arrived home cold, hungry and with a very sore derriere indeed. But safe and sound. Despite everything, I still had a great time.

Thanks Ben, Geoff and Rod (sorry again mate) for a good day...

Billy Simpson