It was officially the first day of spring, fathers’ day and the weather forecast was a bit grim.   Nine of us still gathered at Lilydale to enjoy a ride anyway.   

Mike was on his Triumph

We had a couple of Hondas too

Lots of BMWs including two new 1300 GS models

and a "trespasser" at our start point 😉

After a chat and exchanging greetings, we rode off east with Andrew doing tail end duties.  We left the highway while still in town and rode back roads in light traffic to Mount Evelyn and then explored some rural farming and orchard properties and even saw people picking strawberries.  

I suspect I was enjoying the roads and scenery a little bit too much and that inattention led to me providing the entire a group the opportunity to practise doing a “feet up” U Turn!  Oh Dear!

We stopped briefly to take in the view near Yarra Junction

and the weather above Mount Donna Buang was much worse than where we were.  

We had a cuppa break at a bakery near Yarra Junction and the staff were a bit stressed about being booked out for lunch, but we managed a cuppa and snack before riding on.   

We then explored more back roads via Gruyere and Healesville before riding past Yarra Glen and looping past some vineyards and rode back to our home in Montrose where Kris, a grandson and some friends had the BBQ fired up ready to feed us. 

We enjoyed some simple food, a chat and a drink while sheltering from the winds – which became much worse later that evening. 

The ride was only about 150 km and we never left the “Shire” where we live.  I reckon it was still a pretty good way to enjoy a day with fellow Ulysseans.       Thanks to Kris for the efforts at home and to all who came along.  

John Cook