“Go for Gold!” Walhalla Weekend tour
by Darren B
This ride report was originally published in the January 2010 issue of the Motorcycle Tourers club magazine, ‘Chain Lube’.
A great weekend was enjoyed by all, including some exuberant learner riders, a car driver, and the local Freemasons.
We gathered as usual, and after a fuel stop, then morning tea at Noojee, headed to the top of Baw Baw. It was beautiful at the top, and we enjoyed a lunch of toasted sandwiches outdoors with great views to the south. In tow were Adam M, John F, David W, me, John, Evan, Ross King, David P, Mark D, Geoff (joining us in Noojee on GSXR1000), Brett & Leslie (BMW 1-series), and I think that’s it.
At the time of writing this I can’t remember many details, other than the fact the new Aprilia was track tuned and rattled my bones the entire time (now adjusted). Never the less, despite not being able to carry cornering speed on bumpy roads it was still a rocket out of corners pulling away from the GSXR each time.
After lunch John and Adam left for Melbourne, and we headed further south along a nice twisty road toward Tanjil South. Into Moe for fuel, I thought we were about to disperse as someone went straight at a roundabout, but all was ok. Time was getting away, so I expressed through the fire-break road workers to the Erika Hotel where I paid for our accommodation. Eventually we arrived at Walhalla, to be greeted by Michael, and Chloe his travelling companion. As it happened there was barely time to relax before making our way to dinner, where we sat outside and partook of the famous Walhalla Chicken and a few ales. I had an ice cream, and apparently I have let myself go now.
Following dinner was the ghost tour. It happened that a huge crowd gathered for the tour, enough to scare the ghosts away, as there was a flock of Freemasons and their wives in town. Oddly enough, on this occasion the tour now included the Masonic hall, which we were able to peer in. It looked somewhat like a church to me, as we made various observations and comments about never stepping inside again.
Well we did escape the Freemasons hall, and had an early night ready for breakfast the following morning. Out first detour was Thompsons Dam, and we were able to see first hand just how low Melbourne’s water supply is, and it didn’t look good. On route I also received news that Ian had passed his bike Leaners. We headed south, and after a short stint on the highway headed back up toward Poweltown for lunch, where we waited yonks for a sandwich, whilst attempting not to pay extra to sit inside. We moseyed back to Melbourne in the heat having toured the countryside, climbed mountains, surveyed dams, scared ghosts, and avoided recruitment by the Freemasons.
Ride Photos:
