The days leading up to this ride had been extremely hot with strong northerly winds, followed by a cool change with equally strong winds from the south. I suspect that most of us had been watching the weather forecasts with interest and this Wednesday in mind. While Cyclone Yasi approached the Queensland coast, our weather moderated to an expected 29^◦C and this may explain the good attendance for the ride, including Noel who rode from Drysdale on the Bellarine Peninsula to join us.

Leaving Mickleham Road and the airport vicinity Ed led us  north and then west through Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale and Darley.
After a short spell on the Western Highway we headed north through increasingly attractive countryside towards Blackwood, with the Lerderderg State Park on our right and the Wombat State Forest on our left. I spotted a Wedgetail eagle gliding overhead perhaps about to spoil some small animal’s day. We were now riding through a landscape of huge trees in dappled sunlight and the air was pleasantly cool. Shortly before Trentham we met Burger waiting for us in the middle of a small roundabout, his Vincent visible and gleaming from a considerable distance away.

At Trentham we crowded into the bakery for our morning break making the staff very busy and red-lining the coffee machine. Here we met Ray who had missed the start back at Mickleham Road. Amongst a good range of food I can recommend the Apple strudel. Soon Ed was on his feet so it was time to head out into the quiet main street and get kitted up for more riding.

We now took lovely back roads towards Kyneton, and at the Upper Coliban Reservoir saw water coming over the spillway, a rare sight in recent years I’m told. Ed led us through Kyneton and into a network of minor country roads to the north: we passed through Metcalfe, Barfold, Glenhope, Sidonia and Bald Hill. Good motorcycling country, although the recent violent weather had left some debris on the road which had to be carefully avoided.

Having travelled in a big loop we now returned to Kyneton in hot sunshine for lunch. The main street was busy and with several of us on the ride parking seemed a momentary difficulty, but it was off with the gear and hurry into the hectic bakery. Our arrival was at peak lunch period so hungry local customers were three deep at the counter. With pie and coffee in hand later I aimed for the tables and settled where I had sat for lunch during a previous ride late last year. On that occasion the rain had been so heavy that our dripping clothing had made puddles on the bakery floor. Plenty of variety on mid-week rides!

I shared the table with Reg, Phil and Richard and our conversation ranged across BMW electrics to the instability of premium grade fuel. Later in the street Reg took some photos and then we re-dressed and re-fueled before taking the mostly C roads homeward to Melbourne via Woodend, Gisborne and Sunbury.

It was a ride of about 300 km for me when I arrived home, and considerably more for Ed who came from Mooroolbark and Noel from Drysdale – a good effort. Thanks to Ed for a great day out and to Bill for riding tail end.

Participants

Burger Drake, Vincent 1950

Adrian Nash, Kawasaki 250, 1981

Noel Wills, BMW R100RS, 1988

Ray Isles, BMW R80, 1995

Ian Roddick, Yamaha FJR 1300, 2007

Richard Houghton, Moto Guzzi Nevada, 2003

Bill Weedon, Honda ST1300, 2003

Ed Sleightholm, Triumph Bonneville, 2005

Jack Youdan, Yamaha FZ1, 2006

Reg Hammond, Honda TransAlp, 2006

Richard Sommerville, Honda TransAlp, 2006

Tom Myers, Yamaha FZ6S, 2008

Philip McArdle, Honda Deauville, 2007

John Best, Suzuki Bandit, 2008.

John Best.