Southern Region midweek ride report, 3 May

The previous week’s run to the pub and grub ride at Mansfield must have taken its toll on some club members as there were only 4 riders for the start at Chirnside Park. With so few riders there was no need for the usual corner marshalling.

The temperature was a chilly 13 deg as Mike took us north through Yarra Glen, past the Chocolatier establishment along one of the scenic back roads into Healesville. From Healesville we headed back along the Maroondah Hwy with the warming sunshine on our backs. We turned off the Hwy at some point zigzagging along the lane ways past a number of boutique wineries on our way through Gruyere along Killara road to the Warburton Hwy.

From here Mike led us from Seville winding through some of my favourite roads passing through Wandin East, Silvan and eventually on to Monbulk where we met Graham Boulter waiting for us at the local cafe for morning tea.

After thawing out sitting in a sunny spot enjoying a coffee and a chat we headed off winding through more favourite roads through Macclesfield, Yellingbo, along Schoolhouse Road through to Yarra Junction. From here Mike turned off to take another classic back road – Old Warburton Rd into Warburton.

From here we took the road up to Mt Donna Buang. We stopped here where some had a look around. It was bitterly cold with the wind biting and I was anxious to leave.

It was at this point that John mentioned he had an electrical problem with his BMW. Luckily John carried spare fuses and the light problem was fixed. There was still the uneasy feeling that his “volt meter” was also playing up. A little cold comfort for John was pointed out that at least it was all downhill from there to Warburton.

We headed back down keeping an eye on John all the way. We made it back to one of the cafe’s that back onto the river in Warburton. All was good. John was relieved to find his volt meter was now working.

Many thanks to Mike leading us on some of Melbourne’s great roads for motorcycling. We all enjoyed magnificent homemade pies and another good chat before we made our way home.

Gary Moore

Ride participants