Thanks to a last minute suggestion by Paul last night, three of us enjoyed an impromptu ride today.  Graham, Paul and I met at Lilydale in perfect autumn riding weather and rode off through orchards and up the Yarra River valley via back roads to Warburton and then up the “Reefton Spur” to Cambarville.  Traffic was minimal and the road up was in great condition apart from some damp corners which probably didn’t get to see any sun all day and quite a few small trees partially blocking lanes of the road.   Caution was exercised and it was still a very enjoyable ride up. 

From then on, the road surface deteriorated badly as far as the Lake Mountain turn off.  A wallaby had the good sense to run away from us rather than into us and I also had a lyrebird cross my path as I started the descent –…

Six of us gathered at Ardeer

for the ride to Portarlington and enjoyed good riding weather.  After a good chat, we set off shortly after 10.00 a.m. and rode west to Rockbank, left the freeway and made our way through Exford and Rowsley before the spectacular (but narrow and bumpy) climb up from Glenmore.

All oncoming cars got half off the narrow road to let us stay on the bitumen which was great roadcraft by the drivers.  We had a brief photo stop and rode on to Meredith for our cuppa break and a chat.  Andrew and Sam then headed off their own way.     We then rode through Steiglitz and some very enjoyable roads and scenery despite many new 80 KPH zones.  Pat then left us to go to a social gathering so then it was down to Jeff, Peter and me.  We descended one more spectacular drop near Maude…

After a brilliant Saturday, Sunday was a bad forecast and so it turned out. Cevat, Sam and Roger met me at Lilydale in dry conditions. It was never going to last though as from the city direction very dark clouds were coming. Roger is now the proud owner of a 2022 BMW R1250 RS Exclusive. As he is going to the National Rally he will have lots of riding time to get familiar with it and discover what a great bike it is.

We agreed to ride until the conditions became wet and at that point pick an ideal spot for coffee, cake, chat then depart home in the interest of enjoyment and safety. Our journey was Wandin, Seville, Cockatoo and stopping at Gembrook where it became very wet. We used the local Coffee Shop, agreed in the good sense to depart home and rode together as far as Fer…

Another beautiful autumn day for Brian’s ride to Neerim South via Willow Grove and over a dozen of us joined him for the start at Officer.

Sam handled TEC duty with aplomb again

and it was good to see Graeme join us again on his DR650 again.

  New participants were Dan on his CF Moto 450MT