Weather appeared a bit dodgy in the morning and I did cop a short shower while riding through Kangaroo Ground. As I arrived at the start in the Chirnside Park Shopping centre car park my hands seemed as cold as a couple of beers straight from the fridge. Bad decision taking the Oxford handlebar mitts off the Beeza that I had put on the night before. I took them off before starting out because it didn’t seem so cold after all. Also winter is now behind us isn’t it? So why bother? Big mistake! A big part of the reason why I hauled myself and family to Australia all those years ago was for, sunshine, warmer climate, getting away from fog, icy English winters and of course cold bike riding! The mitts will definitely stay on for the next Yarra Valley Breakfast Run! At Chirnside, Adrian was already there with the back-up trailer, sitting snug and cozy in the car complete with his Russian mink hat. Other riders appeared soon after until we eventually had a total of 13 riders for the start. John Killingsworth was our master chef for the breakfast and when he knew the number of mouths to feed, went shopping for the bread, snags, bacon, eggs, butter, etc.

None riders Peter and Wilma Margerison made an appearance. Most members would know that Peter has unfortunately suffered a spate of strokes and is currently confined to a wheelchair. Living nearby, they put on their club jackets and braved the cold conditions to meet members and view the bikes. Good on you both. Wilma also rides and they each have their own very nice outfits. Let us hope Peter will soon recover and we can see Peter and Wilma riding their outfits with us again.

John completed the shopping and after showing our appreciation to Peter and Wilma for their effort in turning up we were off. Although it rained as we left it only lasted about 3 minutes and stayed away for the rest of the day.

The run down through Lilydale and then down the Warburton Highway through all the little townships, the first being Seville and the last Warburton was pleasant enough and only involved two short regroups. While riding through these small towns you have to be aware of all the varying speed limits they almost all differ.

On arrival at the Upper Yarra Dam some of us rode right up to the dam wall to check out the level. Like so many of our other catchments, it’s still in need of a lot more water yet.

John got stuck in to the cooking and we all enjoyed our eggs and bacon, sausages, tea and coffee. Well done John.

Our ride was then over the Reefton Spur to Marysville with some riders heading back up the Warburton Highway for home. The Reefton Spur Road was quite dry and seemed to have been upgraded since I last rode it. There was no traffic our way at all and only about half a dozen cars coming the other way. Always a nice run this one and being lead rider I missed out following Gabi’s AJ single to take in that lovely bop-bop-bop- single pot sound, always best heard on an upward winding hill where frequent gear changes have to be made.

As we rode down into Marysville it was strange to be able to see Stevens Falls across the valley to our left through the still denuded bush. Along this road we even enjoyed some sunshine.

The town was busy as usual with the recovery from the Black Saturday fires ongoing but slow. There is now fuel again in the town but with an unmanned small servo so only available by a credit card machine station linked to a pair of bowsers.

After a cuppa at the bakery, we left on the last leg via the Maroondah Highway and through the Black Spur to Healesville. Again very light traffic until we were slowed down a bit through the Spur. At Healesville we had a last regroup before I split from the other riders with Adrian following me home via Yarra Glen and Christmas Hills to return my trailer which remained bike free. Thanks Adrian for doing back-up duties and thanks John for the breakfast.

Reg Hammond

Participants List

Ray Isles BMW R80 1957

Jack Youdan Triumph ST 2002

Noel Wills BMW R100 1983

Tom Myers BMW R100CS 1981

Ross Patrick Norton ES2 500 1956

Reg Hammond BSA Gold Flash 1957

Gad Kolsky BMW R65 Café Special 1982

Richard Haughton Moti Guzzi Nevado 2003

Gabi Harangozo AJS Competition 1950

Graham Boulter BMW R1150 GS 2000

Ted Lhuede BSA B33 1954

Phil McArdle Honda Deauville 2007

John Killingsworth BMW R80 GS

Adrian Nash Back-up trailer

Peter and Wilma Margerison To meet, greet, have a look at the bikes and send us off