Pyalong Sunday 27^th May, 2007

Ian Payne (rear rider)	Honda CBR1000	Andrew Bartolo (1^st ride)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Andrew Kennedy	Honda CBR1000	Colin Roads (1^st ride)	Suzuki TL1000S
Paul Southwell (leader)	Honda CBR1000	Ken MacKay (2^nd ride)	Suzuki V-Strom
Paul Stavrakas (2^nd ride)	Honda CBR1000	Renzo Cunico	Ducati 916 SP
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Matthew Milsom	Yamaha FZR250
Simon Trubiano	Honda CBR929	Martin Thompson	Kawasaki ZX9
Mirko Strasser	Honda CBR929	Geoff Jones	Yamaha R1

Apart from my helmet, I left all my riding gear in Sydney with the BMW. So it was a mad scramble this morning to dig up my old stuff out of a box in the garage. The old gear still served me well, however, remaining as comfortable as my new stuff is. If anything, the old winter jacket is a tad warmer than the Joe Rocket jacket I have been wearing. I might keep this one as my winter jacket from now on.

So adorned with an old pair of Motodry Textile dacks, a Dragon water proof jacket, my old AXO boots and an old pair of Dainese winter gloves which have survived a crash, I rolled out the gate at 9.15am with Whittlesea being the meeting point.

Upon arrival in Whittlesea, there was a gaggle of about 10 bikes already, and more rolled in as I filled up in preparation for the first leg. After the usual preamble and pre-ride warnings...."ride at your own pace...it's not a race...overtake on the right...etc, etc., we attempted to leave. However, Colin on a Suzuki TL1000S and a dead battery soon held us up briefly, till Colin decided bump starting a 1 litre V-twin all day wasn’t his idea of fun and called it quits. We then remounted and headed up to Kinglake West and on to Flowerdale. I still had a tinted visor on and didn't notice the damp patches, thus found myself feeling very comfortable. It's funny how well you ride when you can't actually see how wet the road is! I was informed by one of the guys at the next stop with the usual "Didn't you see the water?" Obviously not!

We turned left at Flowerdale and headed for Strath Creek. I tagged onto the tail of Ben, who I have done probably over 100,000 kms with over the years! I reckon he is responsible for most of the stone chips on my bikes from about 1990 to 1997! So it was almost deja vu, apart from both of us having different bikes. We settled into that all too familiar pace from rides long past and quickly caught up to Paul our Fireblade mounted leader. We corner marked at Strath Creek, where the group turned north towards Yea.

This bit of road must also have had some moisture as the chasing pack never came. We turned right onto the highway and headed towards Yea and turned left just before town to head along the Highlands road. A nice piece of tar in places, challenging and slippery with dirt, sand or gravel in places also. I held Ben (954) and Renzo (916) up along here, having not ridden this road very often and also not for some time. Working out which way the road went under the shadows of the trees was challenging at times, so I opted for cruise mode to ensure I got through.

At Seymour it was fuel and an early lunch stop. After almost losing a couple from the group and having to give chase (lucky they had spotted us just after they passed the turn in, so I had to go all the way up the street to find a U-turn spot, so I chased in vein). The burgers at this particular spot were average to say the least! Especially considering you all expect a country burger when eating at a country burger joint! Actually, come to think of it, they are always crap at this joint...dunno why we didn't stop at the tasty little cafe around the corner serving awesome lattes AND eggs Benny! I must talk to Ben about that!

After lunch and the usual lies, we suited up again and did a little run over to Pyalong, Emu Flat and Lancefield where we stopped again for PM tea. At one of the corners, a certain Suzuki toppled over …while stationery! Best to check the ground out either side when we are pulling up!

On to Broadford, Strath Creek, and Flowerdale for the final run back to Kinglake West where the ride ended and we went our separate ways home. All up, it was about 450 kms door to door. Good roads, crisp but sunny weather with enough breeze to do the rights cranked over to the left in some places!

As a side note, after 2000k's on the BMW armchair, the 9 feels like a little toy! Thanks to Paul for leading and for that little bit just before arvo tea!!! I had a ball mate. Thanks again to Ian for handling rear rider duties!

Martin Thompson