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All the midweek runs this year h ave been excellent and this, the last one for 2008 was certainly no exception, and a good turn up too.
Eleven of us met at Cranbourne North. After the meet, greet and natter, there was a minor departure from procedure as we did not…wait for it… leave on time! Ed had a mobile call from a rider who ran out of fuel on the way to the start. One of the troops took off to the rescue with some fuel and we were on our way, albeit a little behind time.
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From Cranbourne it can be a somewhat a boring stretch to Bayles being flat straight roads through through the spinach producing regions. However the alternative route would be worse being the Gippsland highway and then to head north via Koo-wee-rup (what a name) or further down at Lang Lang.
After Bayles it’s not until we got into the Heath Hill region that the topography changed for the better rising up onto one of the many winding, picturesque roads that snake their way atop the high ridges so common in the Gippsland area. Then off the high ridge and down into the valley of Athlone, well named as I have only seen this area in a green lush state of growth at all times of the year. One day I’ll have to bring Bridy to this valley. The Gippsland Athlone seems every bit as fertile as the Athlone in Ireland. Being Irish I’m sure Bridy would enjoy a look at this area. New Years resolution; must take her there before 2009 is out.!
And so these great roads continued after Athlone: down through Triholm, Ranceby, Mt Eccles and then a couple of large country road loops that took in Arawata. Not once did we back track anywhere on these loops. How Ed managed that I’ll never know! Finally we arrived at Korumburra for morning tea. I might mention that morning tea for some includes not one but two pies…a good effort!
The next riding session before lunch was every bit as enjoyable taking in Jumbunna, Outtrim, Kongwak and then another large north/south loop before passing through Archies Creek, Glen Forbes and briefly onto the Bass Highway towards lunch at Grantville. It’s here that Ed needed some encouragement to get to a coffee, (see photograph). On conclusion of lunch some riders opted to head for home up the Bass Highway while those of us that remained followed Ed on the final and equally delightful final run.
This time up to Almurta and yet another loop of about 15 klms taking us through Kernot then across to Woodleigh, Nyora and Lang Lang with the final leg up the Gippsland Highway. We finally all dispersed at the Peninsular turnoff. Although overcast, the weather was dry and perfect for riding getting sunnier on the last leg of the run.
For me Eddy can repeat this same run in that region anytime and I’d be in it. Although he has sometimes taken us through the same hamlets and towns down this way, he never the less always manages to take mostly different routes from previous runs. I think in another life Ed must have been a master geographical technical apprentice and qualified with honours in his current one.
On the way home I passed our start and noticed the official run had clocked up around 260 klms, close to what Eddy had said it would. My total from home and back 386 klms and a delightful day’s riding.
I know I’m not alone in saying thank you and well done Ed, not only for this run but also for all the midweek runs in 2008 and we all look forward to you leading us for more midweek runs in 2009 and beyond.
Reg Hammond
Participants
Phil Mc Ardle Honda Deauville 2007
Reg Hammond Honda Transalp 2006
Ed Sleightholm Triumph Bonneville T100 2005
Tom Myers Yamaha F26 2008
Dennis Wright Triumph Bonneville T120R 1961
John best Suzuki Bandit 2008
Frank Hutchinson Yamaha 650 1981
Conor Murphy Yamaha XJ900 1984
Bill Weedon Honda ST1300 2003
Ray Isles BMW R80 1995
Alan Whitaker Honda Hornet
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