“The Dark Knight” – 2008 Night Ride
by Nigel (Smokie)
This ride report was originally published in the November 2008 issue of the Motorcycle Tourers club magazine, ‘Chain Lube’.
Once upon a time there were 20 adventurous tourers [including 2 brave pillions, and a tourer who looked like a cross between a bunny rabbit, batman & hello kitty! – Nice outfit Brettles :-))) ] who headed out on a balmy October evening for a night of sightseeing, dinner & some special surprises.
We were suppose to be heading for the ‘Southern Star Observation Wheel’, but like all things phallic & big, they were delayed in erection & I had to come up with some last minute changes to prevent the night being a total fizzer!!!
After waiting for Pete & Tim (who ALWAYS run on queens time!) we departed Sth Yarra & headed through South Melbourne, Fishermans Bend (NOT Fishermans friend…thats a psuedo xxx film Im sure!)
We then made a brief educational stop @ the Swanson docks to view the large amount of crap being imported from China & the likes, 70 billion+ per year….. incredible when you consider how may pairs of gloves or helmets that must be!!!!
We then cruised through Seddon, Yarraville, Kingsville, Brooklyn & Altona before a quick ‘wee stop’ near the refinery; where our first surprise for the evening was revealed by yours truly. We then headed along the scenic route to ‘Eastern Hill Fire Station’, affectionately known by all us fireys as #1, as all MFB stations are designated by number not their physical location. FF Scott was kind enough to show us around the station & its appliances, very much different to the ULTRA LARGE beasts we all saw @ Melbourne airport 3 years earlier, but certainly just as interesting & fun to play with.
And as much of a coincidence as it seemed, I didnt plan the ‘turnout’ to an incident which gave us a first hand viewing of the hunky brutes & lasses in action!
We also got to peruse their recreational facilities including a huge gym, lounge areas & a kitchen big enough for Gordon Ramsay to say a few “F words” about!.
We then gave him a rowdy 3 roots, which I think might have made him blush just a tad; and headed on to our dinner reservation @ the very comfortable & accommodating “Mosskito” in Clifton Hill. If you haven’t been there, definitely go on an EMPTY stomach, the servings are out of this world!
The crew also had the bonus a ‘limited edition Batman Knight Rider Commemorative coin’ along with a swanky thank you card as a momento of the evening. We then headed off for a twisty part of the night, heading through Alphington, Yarra Bend, Abbotsford, Kew, & Burnley where we then had a breather as I had to arrange the final surprise of the night.
We then headed through the Domain tunnel to Footscray road where we rendezvoused again with our ‘Citylink response vehicle’ & up we go to our lookout 140 meters above the Yarra River, a superb warm night for such a view; & although slightly repetitive for previous participants it was a welcome surprise getting to ‘legally’ stop again on the top of the Bolte Bridge for THE best view of Melbourne.
The ride was officially over @ this point but 15 of us still decided to head to Williamstown for a coffee & mingle under a tree before parting our separate ways around 12.30am.
All in all it was a superb night, and Im glad it all went to (a hastily organised & altered) plan!
As for a memorable highlight of the evening, I cant decide between Dewy wearing BA [Breathing Apparatus], Dee absconding a female firey for a photo, or indeed the same female tourer sliding down the firemans pole @ the station, or seeing 3 tourers locked in a steel cage!.
Thanks to all the participants, its not a success without you & I look forward to planning the next one 😉
Ride Photos:
