Tarra
Bulga �MK II���������������������� Monday 25th 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