Southern Region Midweek Ride Report, 13th Nov 2018

This run was re-scheduled from the week before due to wet weather and what a good move it proved to be. Today although the sun only appeared briefly now and again it suited us fine, not overly warm, no glare and bone dry all day giving us perfect riding weather.

Nine of us were briefed by Ed and after buddying up and welcoming a guest rider off we left from the service centre at Officer at 9:05 am.

We were soon off the M1 freeway heading down to though Koo-Wee-Rup then riding along the Asparagus growing fields to Lang Lang. We then climbed up through the winding hills to Nyora, Poowong then down to Bena and onto our favourite Kelly’s Bakery/café in Korumburra for morning tea at 10:15am and 76klms. Up in these hills we enjoyed wonderful roads for bike riding, plenty of twisties, great views everywhere and plenty more to come.

After our morning tea we then headed for our lunch spot at Mirboo North via Kardella, Ruby, Leongatha, Nerrena, McKinnon, Dumbalk North, Mirboo, Boolarra and arriving in Mirboo North at 12:15 pm and 164klms. Here we enjoyed our lunch at the Strzelecki Bakery and a few of us had a bike fuel top up.

On our last leg we rode a lengthy section of the southern end of the famous Grand Ridge Road picking it up at Allambie South and what a delightful run this leg was! A narrower road, no white centre line so had to take extra care on the many bends but nicely sealed and a delight to ride on. As we were now again in higher country there were many more magnificent views. After Allambee South we continued on riding through the country areas of Hallston, Trida, Ferndale, Seaview, Tetoora, Topiram, Athlone and Yannathan arriving at our dispersal point in Bayles at 2:30 pm and total run 253klms.

On conclusion yet another magnificent run by the master himself Ed who again never once put a front wheel wrong at any of the intersections and this extended run had quite a bit more than usual. How does he do it? Thanks Ed and also to Paul White who did a great job as tail ender.

My “people’s choice” bike on this run: Paul White’s 2015 Triumph Bonneville. Red and black and the first of the new age Triumph modern classics. It looks magnificent.

Reg Hammond