Northern Region mid-week ride report, 15 December

DESTINATION:  YEA

Today’s ride will be something special, not because it is going somewhere that is very exciting or unique, it’s because there has been 273 of non-riding days all brought about by the Covid 19 Virus and lockdown in Victoria. As a club we have had to keep our members protected against this terrible virus that has caused serious health problems for all in our age group.

11 riders/bikes with 12 members turned up for a great day of riding through the scenic country roads of Victoria, with a warm day of 35 degrees forecast in this area, our day will be finished when the heat arrives.

We all head north toward Whittlesea, turn left towards Upper Plenty where the green hills of Mt Disappointment roll along within eye shot of us. With the countryside still looking its best before the onslaught of summer arrives, we have a great view from inside our helmets.  Still riding North our journey takes us through Wandong and along the tree lined roads towards our morning tea stop in Kilmore.

With conversation rampant there seems to be a lot of catching up to do and time goes fast.           “Let’s head off” I tell the troops, 5-minute warning till we depart. We now head towards Pyalong and Tooborac, then turn right towards Puckapunyal and through Seymour.  This road from Seymour to Yea is a great cruising road that flows along very nicely, especially mid-week with little traffic on it, we are soon on the out skirts of Yea.  We enter the township where some of us refuel (fill the tank), some empty the tank (toilet stop), then we sit in the shade of the trees on the centre strip and continue our catch up of the past months, quench our thirst and fill our bellies with tucker.

By now the temperature is heating up and my bottom is feeling the lack of riding I have done in the past months (sore arse). “Head em up, move em out” we are heading home, lucky the warm north wind has not arrived, and the temperature is still ok. Unzip the jackets slightly and the breeze is still comfortable, not hot.

I have always loved riding this road (Yea to Whittlesea) it brings back great memories for me, great mates, great bikes, great times. I’m still on that same bike 43 years later my 1974 Kawasaki 900 “can you believe that!”

Heading south to Whittlesea we travel up Junction Hill then through the small townships of Flowerdale, Hazeldene, Kinglake West then down the mountain to Whittlesea. It is only then when I feel the heat of the day as we ride the flat country and out of the tree lined roads of the mountain.  Members peel off for home as we head towards our starting point.

With good times shared around and smiles on our faces our day is complete, it’s not long before we head home and bikes turn of in their different directions.

Thank you all for a great, enjoyable day and to my TEC Keith.

 

A great journey of approx. 256kms

Until next time stay upright Wally Walsh

 

NORTHERN REGION MIDWEEK RIDERS PARTICIPANTS LIST 15/12/20: