“About Bloody Time” Ride
by John H
This ride report was originally published in the November 2007 issue of the Motorcycle Tourers club magazine, ‘Chain Lube’.
This was the ride that almost didn’t happen. First we managed to pick the same Sunday that the Australian MotoGP was on, leading us to wonder who would show up for a ride on the same day. Then as we got closer to the ride date, weather forecasts got bleaker and Brett’s bike fell due for a major service. Then just four days before the ride, I was unfortunate enough to ride over a shard of metal on the road and wreck the rear tyre of the SV.
What pleasant surprises then that we managed to get Brett’s ZZR serviced and new tyres fitted on the SV just before the weekend, had eight riders show up on the day, and the weather was absolutely perfect. It turned out to be a really great ride day.
Arriving at South Yarra, Brett and myself were soon joined by Michael Van D (lately of Highett) on the so-called “Cagina”, Tim H with the mighty Harley Yamaha, Hosko on the R6 and Phil R on the Aprilia. A quick run up to Lilydale and we were soon joined by Glenn on the VFR750, and erstwhile non-member but frequent guest Kevin on the Fireblade. I nominate Kevin for best-dressed-on-ride award for his colour co-ordination of bike and fancy Dainese leathers.
Phil, John and Kevin ignoring the view at Lake Eildon.
Off we headed to Healesville for a quick cuppa, and then on for a spirited run through the Black Spur to Marysville. Apart from the occasional blind and/or stupid person in a Chrysler Vogager or Ford Territory, we pretty much had this wonderful stretch of road to ourselves – all the other bikers and policemen with their speed cameras having relocated to the Island that weekend. Brett, our intrepid ride leader, let Hosko. Michael and Glenn race ahead while he got some action photography of myself, Kevin, Phil and Tim on one of the corners. Riding our bikes, that is.
At Marysville, Michael and myself took the opportunity to compare notes on the glorious 645cc Cagiva Vtwin that powers both our bikes. Michael of course rides the very stylish Cagiva Raptor, while in my case the same Cagiva motor has been fitted to a bike of Oriental manufacture from some outfit called Suzuki. Michael’s Cagiva uses a Madaz exhaust system to amplify the exhaust sound to a volume level comparable to the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Whereas my SV directs the exhaust into a large, chrome-plated Rheem hot water service strapped to side of the bike and pays tribute to its Japanese heritage by emitting a noise not unlike Mum’s Janome sewing machine.
We swapped bikes for a while: I was loving the way anyone within a 5 km radius could hear exactly what I was doing with the throttle on the Raptor, whereas poor Michael kept having to check the tachometer on the SV to make sure the engine was still running. Phil (our other Italian V-twinner) very kindly offered a ride on his very seductive Aprilia RSV1000 Tuono, however none of us was able to come up with the police check, three signed character references and DNA samples necessary for Phil’s insurance company to cover us.
A stop at Steavenson Falls near Marysville for a few group photos, and on we went to Buxton for lunch at a delightful eatery so named Butters Café, which operates in a building made out of rendered hay bales. The ladies who run this fine establishment have known Michael and David for some time, but fortunately still let us in anyway. A quick ride up to Lake Eildon and the picnic area at the spillway wall, a massive concrete structure which separates the muddy puddle that is Lake Eildon these days from the other muddy puddles downstream from it. While we prepared for the next part of the ride, Phil demonstrated the onboard computer features of the Aprilia, while Michael – who was not to be outdone in showcasing Italian high-technology – demonstrated the banana peel launching capabilities of the Cagiva’s exhaust system.
Fuelling up somewhere near Alexandra, the TV above the counter in the servo relayed the news that Stoner had just won the MotoGP. We wondered how the Tourers contingent on the Island were enjoying their weekend – Michael having informed us that David P had caught a cold specially for the occasion. We headed back via Yea, and Kevin waved us goodbye as we turned onto the Melba Highway. Michael and Hosko headed off somewhere near Coldstream, and the rest of us just disappeared amongst the Camrys on Maroondah Highway as the sun set ahead and our tinted visors earned their keep.
A great day, great weather, and wonderful company for this ride.
Here are the ride photos:
