Another first Wednesday of the month, how quickly they come around and how good to look forward to. No BMW for me to ride though – it was in dock waiting for a replacement ignition switch and some carby parts. No classic bike, but I wore my classic boots, bought them in London in 1970, many times repaired but still going strong.

We met at the Lyndhurst servo at the north end of the Mornington Peninsula under grey skies and occasional flurries of rain. Despite this the run was well supported as you can see from the list below, with Cameron bringing some distinction to the show with his lovely Square 4. Unfortunately Bill Weeden, who usually rides tail end for us, elected to return home – his ex police Kawasaki suffering fuel starvation problems. After his briefing Ed led us south towards his home territory while skirting much of the Westernport Highway. We zig-zagged through the back roads of Cranbourne South and Pearcedale, then heading into increasingly attractive country at Moorooduc. Now there were hills, bends, glimpses of Port Philip Bay, and often a canopy of tree greenery over our heads. The overall subdued lighting and greenness of the rain-fed vegetation was unusual for this time of year but common I guess for this strange summer. The conditions reminded me of rides long ago through some of the green byways of southern England.

We crossed the route of the freeway that is under construction (will it be free?), mud drawn from the site by vehicles onto the road as it also was from some of the wineries. There was very little traffic around to disturb our ride and soon it was time for morning tea at Balnarring – both Marmadukes and the Balnarring Bakehouse coped well with our sudden invasion.

Now refreshed we followed Ed towards Arthur’s Seat with more views of the Bay on our right. ‘Get ready for the hairpin bends’ I thought as we began to climb the hill – they are always sharper and slower than I remember them from the last time. Safely at the top we paused for a few minutes at the lookout, Westernport Bay just visible in one direction and Port Philip closer in the other.

More of the best of the Peninsula’s winding roads followed as we explored Main Ridge, Red Hill South, the quick and sweeping descent to Flinders, then Shoreham and back to Balnarring again for lunch. I can recommend the German apple cake at Marmadukes. (Not necessary to own a BMW if ordering the apple cake).

Later we went our separate ways homeward, and in the hectic freeway traffic I thought back to how pleasant our Peninsula tour had been, on quiet minor roads in the company of like-minded motorcyclists.

Thanks again Ed and thanks Tom for riding tail end.

Participants

Cameron MacMahon, Ariel Square 4, 1958

Reg Hammond, BMW R75/5 1974

Adrian Nash, Kawasaki Z250, 1981

Ian Mair, Yamaha XJ900, 1983

Ray Isles, BMW R80, 1995

Eric Crombie, Triumph Thunderbird, 1997

Burger Drake, Honda ST1100, 1999

Damien Kingsbury, Aprilia Tuono, 2003

Ed Sleightholm, Triumph T100, 2005

Tom Myers, Yamaha FZ6S, 2008

John Best, Suzuki Bandit, 2008.

John Best.