The weather forecast promised a sunny start to the day with rain and possible thunderstorms later, so the list of participants below is list of optimists as well as keen motorcyclists, because true to the promise we experienced the full range during the day.
Starting in sunshine from Mickleham Road near the airport Ed led us towards Bulla and Sunbury by twisting back roads. Soon Mt Macedon was on our right and Black Forest Drive ahead and the temperature seemed to drop a little as we climbed the gently curving highway up the hill. Now Woodend and a left turn to the west, I glanced up and the previous bright blue and white of the sky had changed – grey clouds were appearing to the north. The corner marshalling was working well and we cruised along quiet rural roads, with Trentham soon in sight and our morning tea/coffee break. Shortly after we pulled in Burger joined us, and we swarmed into the bakery where along with a few locals we caused the coffee machine to run flat out at maximum revs. I can report Ed had a nice Apple strudel which I envied.
After our usual convivial chatting we emerged to put our gear on again and start up, but the street went all grey and down came the rain so we all retreated to the shelter of the veranda of the rural supplies shop. I packed my sunnies away, got out the neck warmer, put on the waterproof trousers and zipped up all jacket vents. I saw similar preparations around me. From Trentham we headed cross-country towards Daylesford. On our left between the trees could be seen  the restored Spa Country Railway which has recently been re-opened from Daylesford to Musk. Looking briefly left and right near there I glimpsed a lovely old semaphore railway signal on one side of the road and a blue painted weatherboard renovator’s dream on the other.
Near Daylesford we turned north and flickering lightning appeared in the distance in front of us. Mt Franklin appeared mistily on our right as we turned off the highway for an interesting detour via Franklinford. We were being rained on quite heavily at times and I could hear the thunder over the drone of the exhaust and through my earplugs. This was interesting country with evidence of the old gold diggings all around and heavily forested. Attempting a shortcut to lunch at Kyneton we cautiously rode along a minor road and encountered the timber planked bridge over the Loddon River near Glenluce. The immediate approach to the bridge is downhill to a sharp bend as is the exit, the planks were wet and slippery with varying gaps between them. This was a motorcycle hazard we all negotiated safely, and repeated shortly after as Ed turned us around when the road became unsealed and muddy. We headed back approaching the Castlemaine area from the south, through Fryerstown, Chewton, Taradale and along part of the highway to Kyneton for lunch.
Parking alongside gutters gushing with rainwater or under the shelter of a cafe veranda, we headed for lunching places. Feeling in my jacket pocket for loose change I found about 2 cm of water sloshing around. Eating lunch in the bakery we dripped all over the floor. Thinking back on the recent storm I asked Ed what he thought the first aid treatment for lightning strike would be. “Dust pan and brush I reckon” he said.
Later we emerged refreshed and prepared to head back in the Melbourne direction. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearing. I can’t report on the ride back to Melbourne as I was late getting way from Kyneton and took a wrong turning losing the ride. Late mainly because I thought I’d put on a pair of spare dry gloves, but no good, my soggy hands jammed in the synthetic liners , so after much exasperation I gave up and put the saturated pair back on. It was an enjoyable ride and day out despite the storm, so thanks to Ed for leading us, Bill for riding as tail-end, and all who marshalled.

John Best.

Participants:
Burger Drake, 1970 Triumph TR6
Peter Cullen, 1971 BMW R60/5
Gary Williams, 1977 BMW R100RS
Tony Border, 1982 BMW R100RS
Ray Isles, 1995 BMW R80
Bill Weedon, 2003 Honda ST1300
Ed Sleightholm, 2005 Triumph T100
Reg Hammond, 2006 Honda TransAlp
Dave Large (guest rider), 2007 Triumph Bonneville
Ian Roddick, 2007 Yamaha FRR 1300
Phil McArdle, 2007 Honda Deauville
John Best, 2008 Suzuki Bandit.