Southern Region midweek ride report, 7 December

Start – Chirnside Park
Six hopeful riders turned up to Chirnside Park. They were hopeful that the weather would improve once we traversed the Great Dividing Range. Were their expectations realised? Read on.
BMW’s figured prominently with four out of six being BMW’s, 2 being nice R90S’s. After a short briefing by ride leader, Mike, we were on our way.

1st Leg – Lilydale to Seymour
We travelled to Coldstream then on the Melba to Yarra Glen and then turned off the highway at Glenburn. Traffic was very light and we were able to soak up the green countryside. We passed thru Flowerdale, Strath Creek and Trawool before arriving at our morning tea stop at Seymour. Here we meet up with John, Vicki, Reg and Arthur. One more BMW and two Triumphs. The weather – It was fine but cool.

2^nd Leg – Seymour to Malmsbury
Nine bikes travelled past Puckapunyal, Tooborac and Baynton. There is a magnificent ‘display’ of granite rocks in the paddocks here, well worth a visit. We then travelled through Kyneton and then onto Malmsbury for lunch. Our intended lunch venue, the Motobean (now renamed ) was closed, due to staff shortages we reckoned, so the bakery won out for takeaway in the park. I can certainly recommend the Cornish pasties, delicious.  We then took a short stroll to visit the viaduct. This is also well worth a visit, a magnificent, historical bridge.
Wikipedia ‘The bridge is over 100m long with five 18.3 metre spans, standing about 25 metres high. 132,000 cubic feet of bluestone for the bridge was quarried at the east end of Malmsbury and carted to the site by horse and drays.

The foundation stone for the viaduct was laid on 25 October 1859 and the bridge was completed on 24 October 1860.

The weather was fine but cold.

3^rd Leg – Malmsbury to Home
We headed back now thru Carlsruhe, Lancefield and Broadford. Here a few peeled off for the northern suburbs. The main group travelled to Murchison’s Gap, Strath Creek and Kinglake. Kinglake was bloody cold with thick fog and drizzle, not very summery at all. Yarra Glen, Lilydale, Monbulk and finally home at 5.30pm with 444 kms in total for me.

It was a big ride, but a good ride. Thanks to ride leader Mike for organising it all and tail end Charlie, Ian.

Graham Boulter

Participants