We had another great turn out for today’s ride to Seymour from Lilydale.
Lots of checking bikes and chatting occurred before Andrew
led us out towards Yarra Glen with Jack doing Tail End duties. Apologies as I will no doubt miss some names, but it was great to see Barry back to join us again after I managed to lose him last week and happily, he made it to the destination (Seymour) this time. Vinnie (I think) joined us after running into Andrew at a bike shop on Saturday. Colin and Pat were back from their OS riding tours. Graeme joined us for his first ride with us and showed great taste in bikes - his ST 1300 looked in impressively good order and apparently, he has more bikes in his stable. It was good to both Ian M, John M and Kal back with us. Tez and his son Shamus made it 2 weeks in a row and Carlo joined them this time. Colin, Jeff, Mike and Nic were among the regular riders.
Once through Yarra Glen, we rode a delightful back road through to St Andrews (I like it more than some others) and the scenery was great. We had a hiccup caused by road works between St Andrews and Cottles Bridge which led to another nice diversion through to Arthurs Creek and on to Lancefield via Wallan
and Romsey.
Rob joined us at Lancefield
for the second half of the ride
and we had a leisurely break and also spoke to other groups of riders. I saw another group of riders go through Lancefield while we were stopped. Not sure, but I’d suspect Macedon ranges or Geelong branch.
After our rest break Pat had a hiccup with the electronics on his bike and we eventually left without him. Happily, the RACV who arrived did sort the issue out and he was able to ride home. The ride north east from Lancefield
to Pyalong was delightful with great and dramatic scenery involving rolling hills and huge boulders - impressive. The ride east from Pyalong was also night but marred but too many inexplicable speed restrictions on often wide open roads in Mitchell Shire.
Lunch was a relaxed affair at several venues and the ride was over all too soon as people had to return to different locations all over Melbourne. I rode my son’s Africa Twin today as I took the precaution of not riding my normal bike as the battery is suspect and will be replaced this week. I fuelled up the Africa Twin as we left Seymour and Jeff and Mike joined me for the ride back to the Yarra Ranges via
Highlands and Break O Day.
It was a great day to be out riding. Andrew – thanks for putting it together and thanks to all who came along. Also great to see some newer faces along and people from quite a wide geographic home base. Do love all I get out of the Ulysses Club and have just renewed my membership for another three years. It is a bargain.
Cheers
John Cook