Gembrook – Sunday 22nd   June, 2003

           

Ian Payne  - Honda CBR929RR (leader)                      Ben Warden – Honda CBR929RR      

Rob Langer – BMW R1150GS                                    Mark Easterbrook – Triumph 955                   

Kate Stewart – Honda CBR600F4       (R/Rider)          5 bikes, 5 people.

                                                                       

From the forecasted “rain and occasional hail” I guessed this ride would not happen but Sunday in Springvale dawned cold but fine. So with slightly more optimism I proceeded to Hallam, only to find the roads out here quite damp! It looked like a few others had been “snookered” by the sun and ventured out as Mark, Ben and Kate arrived followed by Rob.

 

We headed off down the highway, as using Hallam road is difficult with the medium strip now in place, turning north at Fountain Gate and finally leaving the stream of Sunday drivers as Harkaway came and went. While it was still damp it was not raining so speed increased as we explored the grip of the road. Out through Upper Beaconsfield, Cockatoo and Mount Burnett, then onto the Pakenham/Gembrook road. This stretch is notoriously bumpy as the road has been patched quite a few times and is a “real” workout for the suspension. But surprise, surprise it had recently been completely remade and was quite a hoot, even in the wet.

 

It was now extremely cold and I contemplated a quick coffee stop at the Gembrook bakery, but a look at the map showed it would be only a little over half an hour before we stopped for lunch at Emerald.

 

We pushed on to Cockatoo, Avonsleigh and Yellingbo before tackling the Wandin roads. The stretch from Wandin East to Monbulk is quite pretty with a mass of market gardens covering the hilly terrain but in wet weather the abundance of dirt and mud placed on the road by all the tractors makes progress slow. Through Monbulk and into Emerald and, once past the hordes of vehicles heading into “Wombat Gully Plant Farm”,  we could settle down for some lunch.

 

After lunch, Kate was heading home. As it had now started to rain a decision was made to end the ride here. Although quite a short ride, everyone had enjoyed it. For me riding in the rain forces one to be smooth with the brakes, throttle and steering, so it is a very good way to improve one’s riding skills.

 

Thanks to those brave souls who ventured out!

 

Ian Payne (Honda CBR929)