Geelong Nov. Ride

Geelong 1st Sunday of the month 5.11.2017

 

Apollo Bay was the intended location for this month`s ride, but with it being busy due to people taking a long weekend due to the Melbourne Cup carnival, we trimmed the distance going as far as Forrest.

We had previously planned a ride to Forrest earlier in the year but abandoned it due to heavy fog, so with good conditions today we took the opportunity as the Otway region can be a hit or miss affair with the weather. Only seven riders lined up, even though the conditions were excellent for riding, although it does allow the ride to flow more easily with no need to corner mark as I could see the tail end Charlie and the five riders in between quite easily.

Our route took us through Ceres on Barrabool Road and all the way out until it runs out onto the Princes Highway where we turned right along the said highway for a few kilometres, then a left at Buckley Road South and across a notoriously bad railway crossing that has had tragedy in the past, then turning right onto Cape Otway Road, around the back of the Wurdee Buloc Dam to the Deans Marsh Road. From here the country side becomes more tree lined and hilly, great for motorcycling. Bambra, Deans Marsh, followed soon after by Pennyroyal, Murroon, Barwon Downs and then Forrest being the furthest point. Not stopping at Forrest, we headed towards Colac before turning back to Cape Otway Road where we turned left and made our way to Birregurra for lunch.

Pies and Hamburgers were soon snapped up with some drinks to wash it down as we took time chat and relax. A local parked nearby in an old EK Holden that caught the eye of Rod Dutton, and all too soon he and its owner were off for a spin. As they took off a new looking Bentley Coupe filled the parking spot and I`m pretty sure it was Gary Dempsey (Footscray & North Melbourne fame) got out of the driver`s seat.

Upon Rod`s return and lunch done, we headed to Winchelsea for some to add petrol to the tanks and then made our way across to Inverleigh on the Hamilton Highway and then home to cap off a pleasant day with the roads left largely to ourselves throughout the day.

Steve Miller

Riders,

Andy Symons Kawasaki Z900 1976,

Rod Dutton Kawasaki Z650 1979,

Stan Rogers BMW R80 1985,

Ron Study Moto Guzzi 1000 1983,

Bill Carta Yamaha 850 1996,

Grant Dutton Suzuki GR 650 1988,

Steve Miller Triumph 650 1971.