H’s ‘Ye Olde Time ride to the Old Country’ Ride

I thought for the April ride I’d try something just a little different to the normal fast paced and long distance MMT ride this time. Also as there are now so many BMWs in the club something just a little more laid back and gentile I felt was be fitting for our April ride. The theme was a “Ye Olde Time ride to the Old Country” and the group was in for a few surprises.

I didn’t make it in to the start of the ride at South Yarra so a big thanks to Bretski and his BMW for leading from town and making it to sunny Frankston by the bay right on time. Michael V, with his new BMW, was waiting with me for the group to arrive. We spent the time comparing my 1200 BMW to his 1200 BMW just to pass the time. Arriving with the group was Fab on his new Suzuki Hyabusa, he seemed to have got the message mixed up as for some reason he did get a new BMW!!! Obviously confused by this error he jumped back on the Suzuki and headed back home not joining us on the ride. (Seriously he was feeling a bit under the weather and didn’t think he could ride for the day).

After setting the BMW’s suspension to comfort, damping to road, engine map to comfort and the gear change to quick shift I was set to lead off. It does take a lot more decision making to ride a BMW than you think!!! We headed off from Frankston heading west towards Hastings on Western Port Bay. The ride was steady as there are lots of speed limits now on the peninsular. We idled our way right through the main street of Hastings on our way to a bit of a surprise. Heading back to the main road we made it to Bitter where we took a left into The Esplanade. A short way along we made a stop at the Submarine viewing area.

Yes we have a submarine in Western Port Bay!!!! A short walk through the recently burn bush and we ended on Woolley’s Beach and there was the HMAS Otama submarine. A few photos and we were back on the bikes to ride to the Submarine Museum.

Interesting to note that submarine restorers are just like train restorers so our John was right at home. The local made us feel very welcome and took us through all the exhibits with lots of stories. They are trying to raise funding to have the Otama located at Hastings Marina and be dry docked into a proper museum. Certainly a visit to our past. After just over an hour visit we were off to lunch. Our route saw us hugging the coastline as much as possible. We travelled all the way along the foreshore through Somers, but couldn’t find the nude beach, and back to Balnarring.

From here I found a back way up to Red Hill and it was like riding through a tunnel of trees. Quite a spectacular road amongst the Gum Trees from Merricks to Red Hill South. Winding our way up through Red Hill on a couple of back roads to avoid the Sunday traffic as much as possible we ended up on the foreshore
at Dromana. A ride to the Mornington Peninsular without a run up Arthurs Seat is inconceivable so of course there a left turn after Dromana to head up the hill. Luckily a stop at the bottom of the hill to allow BMW Bretski to find a photo point enabled me to reset everything from comfort to sport suspension, dynamic damping, sport engine map, reduce traction control increase wheelie control. It is very exhausting to ride a BMW with all the decisions you need to make.

A fun ride up Arthur’s Seat and a quick left at the top to take us to the Pig and Whistle for lunch. The Pig and Whistle is a kind of replica of a Liverpool Pub so was part of the theme. So far it has taken us about 3 hours to travel a little over 100 ks so it had been quite leisurely indeed. Lunch seemed to take forever as the place was amazingly busy. Once fed we headed toward Portsea again via as many back roads as I could find. Almost at Portsea a quick detour took us to London Bridge for a photo stop. From here a very short ride to the old Quarantine Station at Point Nepean. We all enjoyed exploring the many open to the public buildings from yesteryear.

Leaving Point Nepean we kept the bay on our left and headed towards home. All this was pretty sedate as we travelled through Portsea, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Rye and Tootgarook to join the Peninsular Freeway at Rosebud. Our final stop for coffee and hugs was at the mega service station on Peninsular Link. Thanks for all the MMT members who came along to explore the Peninsular, we had great weather, great food, fantastic scenery and as always amazing company…. “H”

Ride Photos:

Skills

Posted on

17 April 2016

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