It was fine and sunny, and quite warm at Brandon Park where 12 riders and 3 pillions had gathered at the nonexistent  Mobil servo. Our ride leader, Colin Sullivan assured us it was there a couple of weeks ago (yeah, right).  Wally Walsh informed Colin that fuel is no longer available at Noojee, so after a slight change of plans we were off.

I should point out at this stage I was on four wheels, not two, with the backup trailer in tow. Not to worry, I had my brother in law for company and was looking forward to a pleasant and uneventful day. We travelled to Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook. As we passed Kurth Kiln I said to myself that I must check this place out one day soon.  Turning off at Yarra Junction towards Powelltown I was conscious of my speed and on the lookout for Revenue Raising Devices (aka speed cameras) as they seem to frequent this area. However none were spotted this day. As we approached Noojee our guest rider, Mick Dalton, had slowed considerably and limped into town. There was something inside the Yamaha’s engine that was trying to get out. It didn’t sound good at all. Mick decided he would wait for us to return from the mountain rather than have his bike rattling around in the back of the trailer.

I have been up Mt Baw Baw several times on a bike, but in a car all those corners are  nowhere near as enjoyable, but finally the main car park was reached. Colin awarded Tom Myers “King of the Mountain” (something to do with him being 183 years old and still going strong, (and a good bloke to boot)). As it was fine and sunny the view from here was fantastic and after a bit of a natter and a few photos it was back to Noojee for lunch.

At lunch, word went around that it was raining in Melbourne however there was hardly a cloud in the sky here.  Mick’s bike was loaded in the trailer and it was time to head home. A few of our group either went their own way or stayed on, the rest headed back the way we had come.

At Powelltown it started to rain, riders stopped to put on the wet gear and then soon after it started to bucket down. I had the windscreen wipers going flat out but visibility was severely limited – it must be hell on a bike I thought. This was the first time all day I was glad to be in the car. Coming into Gladysdale I noticed this forlorn figure waving me down, it was Colin Sullivan. His bike decided it was too wet to continue and had retired. Burger and Tom Myers were there as well, but didn’t seem interested in helping to load Colin’s Norton into the trailer, so guess who got wet.  Buggar. There was not much point in catching up with the rest of the group so I headed straight for Colin’s then Mick’s place.

Thanks Colin for organising the ride and for such an eventful day.

Participants List

Colin Sullivan (Ride Leader)                         1972 Norton Commando

Tom Myers (Tail end Charlie)                      2008 Yamaha

Richard & Dot Somerville                              1975 Honda CB750

Tom Thursfield                                                  2007 Triumph outfit

Burger Drake                                                     1950 Vincent

Peter Cullen                                                       1971 BMW R60/5

Warwick James                                                 1974 Honda CB750

Bob Allan                                                             1993 Harley FNSTF

Wally Walsh                                                        1974 Kawasaki 900

Jack Youdan                                                       2006 Yamaha FZ1

Ian Mair                                                               1983 Yamaha XJ900

Ian Snadden                                                       1975 BMW R90/S

Mick Dalton (guest rider)                              1978 Yamaha XS650

Graham Boulter (Backup Trailer)