Midweek Ride Report Combined Northern and Southern Region, Tuesday 4 October 2022

Midweek Ride Report Combined Northern and Southern Region Tuesday 4 October 2022

BBQ at Greg’s house at Fairhaven

Eight of us met up at the Laverton meeting place under cloudy skies although less cloudy in the West so we were optimistic about avoiding the rain. Our ride leader and host for the day, Greg explained that three more riders would join us along the highway and there would be no need to stop. Interesting! Sure enough there was a trio of motorcycles at Little River on the slip road and soon enough they joined the group almost unnoticed. One rider even said to me at Moriac “What happened to the three bikes we were supposed to meet up with on the highway?”

So yes it was a somewhat straight run down the Geelong Road but with only light traffic and trouble free. We turned off at Moriac and followed Cape Otway Road to Deans Marsh where we stopped to regroup and some of us had a discreet toilet stop. The temperature had certainly dropped and it was time for another layer to try and keep out the cold. Alas the lovely Deans Marsh road into Lorne was wet so we proceeded at a leisurely pace to the Great Ocean Road where we turned left towards Fairhaven. There were plenty of roadworks along this mighty road with the cliff-side lane being closed along many sections and the whole of the GOR is limited to 80kmh now.

We turned off at Fairhaven and Greg treated us to a briefing on how to navigate his steep driveway without dropping the motorcycle! The barbecue followed and the spread of food was sumptuous to say the least. Thanks to Greg for a great catering job and to the barbecue chefs, mainly myself and Rob, and those who helped ward off the hungry magpies. The biggest old man magpie swooped while our backs were turned and got away with a chicken skewer and later on Vince kindly fed them some leftover sausage.

We left in different groups with some of us going back via Geelong and some heading to Queenscliff for the ferry across to Portsea and home to the hills in the East. Thanks again to Greg for his kind hospitality.

Damien Lewer

Fairhaven Barbecue Riders 4 October 2022