Blue Rock Dam Ride
It was somewhat a colourful start to the Blue Rock Dam ride when our lead rider, Graham Boulter, introduced our new riding colours for our lead rider and tail-end Charlie. Orange and green jackets have been split and rejoined to one and other resulting in a stand-out garment that is hard to miss. A great idea that eliminates any confusion, and was well received today.
After our briefing from Graham, 10 bikes headed off through the back blocks of Lilydale before arriving at the Maroondah Highway and Killara Road intersection. We then followed the Killara Road through Guyere before turning left onto the Warburton Highway.
At this stage the weather conditions for riding were quite pleasant with lovely sunshine, but you could feel that the wind was slowing building in speed. We went through Woori Yallock and Launching Place before arriving at Yarra Junction. A right turn onto the Yarra Junction Noojee Road left us in anticipation of some of the best riding roads there are to offer in Victoria. After travelling through Powell Town we were entering the forest with sunshine streaming through the trees, giving that strobe lighting effect. As nice as it is, I find I have to up the concentration level to keep focus on the road, with other members agreeing to this observation.
We were now in Noojee for morning tea, and a notable absentee was the lass that serenades us with her guitar at the general store. Word has it that some of her favourites from our club are in Tasmania on a rally, and she just couldn’t be bothered with the rest of us.
Our numbers had now increased to 14, and one of that group, Paul Rayment had just ridden to us via the Willowgrove Road from Traralgon. We were headed to the Blue Rock Dam on this same road and he told us to expect a section unsealed with the last part to Noojee affected by recent storm damage. He was not wrong, and throw in high side winds, it made for an interesting ride to Blue Rock Dam. We had now crossed the weir wall at Blue Rock and stopped for that photo that everybody waits for in the Sprocket. If we seem to be leaning in the group photo, the reason being, it was blowing an absolute gale. Photo shoot over, we headed to Drouin via the Old Sale Road for lunch.
This section of road was complete exhilaration with all of us given a chance to put our bikes through their paces on a well-sealed, twisting and undulating road. FANTASTIC!
We had all arrived in Drouin with the noticeable absence of the tail-end Charlie and back-up trailer. It seemed like an eternity as the minutes ticked by, as we waited for their arrival, and then on the horizon they appeared……….. the back- up trailer with a bike of German heritage, all trussed up like a Christmas turkey. I know it was only a small problem, but I was absolutely devastated to see my buddy put in such a position.
After lunch and intellectual banter and story-telling, we all fuelled up outside of Drouin and made our way on the back roads to Nar Nar Goon, where we dispersed for our own individual journey home.
Thanks to Ian Snadden, the tail-end Charlie and Jack Youdan, the back-up trailer.
It was another high quality, well thought out ride that we come to expect from Graham – thanks heaps!
Richard Haughton.
List of participants
Graham Boulter BMW K100RS 1985
Ross Patrick BMW R80 1986
Richard Haughton Kawasaki W800 2012
Tom Myers BMW R100 1980
Garry Skerys Triumph 1979
Rob King Honda VFR800 2012
Adrian Nash Yamaha 1980
Ian Snadden BMW R1100GS 1995
Ray Isles BMW R80 1995
Phillip McArdle Honda 2007
Martin Boocock BMW R60/5 1973
Paul Rayment Moto Guzzi Jackal 1999
Brian Wilson BMW R90/6 1974
Nigel & Renee Mountford Kawasaki Z900 1976.