Ride Report – 24th September 2017

With the promise of no rain and dancing leprechauns, I was eagerly awaiting today’s lumberjack ride organised by our club captain Sam. On leaving Diamond Creek in sunshine and accompanied by Reg Hammond we made our way to the starting point at the Caltex Servo adjacent to the Sanford Hotel via Ringwood, where the heavens decided to open up. On arrival at the starting point it seemed that all the riders had not escaped this downpour no matter what direction they travelled from. The rain had now stopped and the pressure was on Sam to keep it away and off course deliver the leprechauns. Ten riders were today’s participants with Sam leading and Tom Thursfield and his daughter Deborah riding a Can AM Spyder as tail-end-charlie. 

After our briefing from Sam we headed down Wellington Road with a short 35klm to a toilet stop at Gembrook. The next leg was a 41klm leg via Hoddles Creek and Gladystale to the Powelltown Pub. This is always a fantastic piece of road but today you had to pay it complete respect with the damp conditions and bark and small tree debris occasionally across the road. We were now in Powelltown and were greeted at the pub, come café, come post office with enthusiasm by the owners with the prospect of injecting some income into their business. Small banter between us prevailed, and at this stage I was wondering when the dancing leprechauns would appear. We were all drinking coffee and maybe a Guinness from the bar tap would persuade the leprechauns to dance but no such luck, I think Sam was leading us on!

Morning tea over, we travelled to Neerim Junction and Neerim North and then onto Sam’s apply named Goat Track to Noojee. Onto Neerim South for lunch where we would be able to digest what the ride had offered so far – no rain, no leprechauns, beautiful scenery and great company.

Neerim South was to become the finish of the club ride for some, with the main group following Sam to Longwarry North and Officer while Reg Hammond, Brian Wilson and myself back tracked to Powelltown, Warburton and then home.

In summary, it was a great ride even though we did not see a leprechaun, but maybe next time. Thanks to Sam for organising and leading the ride and to Tom Thursfield and Deborah Lunney for riding tail-end-charlie.

Richard Haughton

PARTICIPANTS:

Sam Panettieri Suzuki GSX 750F 1989

Robert Mullins BMW S1000R 2014

Richard Haughton Kawasaki W800 2012

Ian Snadden BMW R1100 1995

Brian Boulton Kawasaki 1200 2002

Reg Hammond Triumph Bonny 2016

Brian Shelton BMW 800 2017

Ray Isles BMW S650CS 2004

Brian Wilson BMW K100RS 1998

Tom Thursfield Cam AM Spyder 2015 and Deborah Lunney (Pillion)