Dargo via Licola Saturday 12^th April 2008

Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750	Ben Warden	Honda CBR954
Pina Garasi (rear)	Yamaha R6	Marty Thompson	Kawasaki ZRX12
Ian Payne (leader)	Honda CBR1000		5 bikes, 5 people

Paul Southwell was to be our leader for this year’s overnight trip to Dargo, but then he rang to ask if I would lead the run on Saturday as he had inadvertently booked a ride day on the same day! The plan was that Paul and Dave Ward would leave Sandown after lunch and meet us at Dargo late that afternoon. “No problem” I said. Though having to lead this ride over some of the best roads in the state added some pressure, it is always a great weekend away.

Saturday dawned fine, but with some showers predicted, the ‘wet weather’ gear was packed just in case!

From Berwick the small group headed north to some back roads through Guys Hill and Upper Beaconsfield before rejoining the Princess Highway at Pakenham. I was amazed at how deserted the old highway is now that the bypass is in place. We continued to where the highway merged with the bypass but I missed the roundabout so had to backtrack to the Nar Nar Goon turnoff and the familiar back roads to Bunyip where we crossed the highway to Longwarry North. We continued on to Robin Hood and Buln Buln before picking up the Old Sale Road to Yallourn North and Tyers for a well earned stop.

After a bite to eat and fuel we headed for Glengarry and Toongabbie where I missed the turnoff. We finally got back on track to Seaton and Glenmaggie before the run into Licola. As I was still having some neck problems I said to the group they could pass but no one did - something about kangaroos and cops! So with both mirrors filled with Ben, Marty and Misho, we pushed on to Licola for a break at the general store. Ben decided he would continue on to the end of the bitumen. During our stop Marty kept us amused with some strange tales about drinking vinegar and talking to policemen!

The return trip was a bit of a blur but with less pressure as the guys had passed and I just followed. After regaining the lead we cruised past Lake Glenmaggie which now looked like a lake and not some dried out waterhole! I missed the Maffra West Upper turnoff so headed straight to Newry, Boisdale and Briagolong for a short break.

Up until now we had been fortunate with the weather but a recent sprinkle of rain had dampened the roads so the run to Stockdale and Fernbank was taken a bit more cautiously. Once on the Dargo road proper the ‘slick’ looking sections of road really had me stumped: were they slippery or not, that was the question and I just couldn’t pluck up the courage to find out. After a small front end slide, my over cautious riding was reduced to a crawl.

We finally made Dargo and proceeded to the ‘Inn’ where Paul had booked our overnight accommodation in the form of two very comfortable cabins. Just as we were about to unpack, Paul, Dave and Bron arrived and also Paul Walkley who had missed us at Berwick that morning. Talk about good timing.

A quick look at Bron’s Z750 Kawasaki, then into the shower to freshen up before heading over to the bar. As Paul Walkley was staying down at the store with Dan and Maggie, he and Ben went for a visit. Meanwhile, Misho and Pina decided to ride up into the hills to the end of the bitumen while the rest of us settled in with a few cold ones.

The Dargo Inn was very impressive with the accommodation package also including a two course evening meal and a fully cooked breakfast. Coincidently, the owner was a friend of Marty’s so we were treated to some real country hospitality, the perfect end to a great day’s riding.

Thanks to Paul for putting the sensational Dargo weekend together as it combines great roads, good company and ideal accommodation. What else could you ask for!

Ian Payne