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 It’s a Tuesday morning at work, the day before the Mid-week ride. I’ve been in front of the computer for hours, the graphics software isn’t fully cooperating and the work is piling up. Can’t afford a day off, but then I think of the country roads out there, no traffic lights or demented commuter traffic, accelerating through the gears as we follow Ed round another corner – it looks like I’ve made my decision.
We met at Narre Warren under an overcast sky and after re-fuelling and chatting, we listened to Ed’s briefing while Richard filmed.
See photos in the Gallery
Soon it was off to the NE climbing through forested country to Emerald, Gembrook, and Hoddles Creek to a more open landscape at Launching Place and Yarra Junction. When you gain altitude the temperature drops and soon I was regretting not putting on an extra layer under my jacket. And my summer gloves weren’t up to it either, but Ed was leading us along a magnificent road to Noojee, the sun was now out and casting beams through the huge trees lining either side of the road so feeling chilled just added to the intensity of the experience. I could have put the handlebar warmers on but forgot I had them fitted. So long since it was necessary to use them.
Noojee is logging country and the occasional truck hauling huge logs loomed around the sharp corners. A truck that was in front of Ed for a while seemed to be in a hurry, familiar with the road and setting a terrific pace. We kept our distance, one good reason being to avoid the clouds of dust put up as the monster occasionally clipped the soft edges of corners. At Noojee in pleasant warm sunshine we stopped at the General Store for coffees and were serenaded by Kim and her guitar. Refreshed, we then followed Ed out of Noojee up an interesting steep, narrow and winding road over a ridge and then south through the all the four Neerims – including Junction, East, and South. Here was more good motorcycling country through Jindivik, fast and slow corners, attractive scenery, an area of fluttering white butterflies, and only local working traffic – milk tankers and tractors. Soon we rounded a corner on top of a ridge and had a view clear to the
south across part of the Latrobe Valley and the hills beyond – reminiscent of an Arthur Streeton landscape. Now it was rapidly downhill to cross the Princes Highway at Nilma and on to Drouin for lunch.
By now it was about 30 degrees and we had our lunches under the Drouin Bakery umbrellas before taking the old highway west to Nar Nar Goon, later going our separate ways home.
Thanks Ed for a great run, Bill for going tail end rider, and all who marshaled.
John Best.
Participants
Reg Hammond Honda Transalp 2006
John Best Suzuki Bandit 1200 2008
Ed Sleightholm Triumph Bonneville T100 2005
Bill Weedon Honda ST1300 2003
Tony Border Laverda 750S F1 1973
Ray Isles BMW R80 1995
Phil McArdle BMW 90S 1975
Tom Myers Yamaha Fazer FZ6 2009
Norm Wills BMW R100 RT 1995
Peter Cullen BMW R60/5 1971 |
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