METEC

Sunday rides at Two Bays certainly have variety. That was demonstrated today when Kevin Moore led about a dozen bikes and a few pillions too, leaving Baxter promptly at 8-30 am as scheduled, including new member "Clubs".

With a destination in Bayswater, Kevin was keen to ensure a decent ride with not too much "suburban street" travel.

So off we went through Pearcedale, Devon Meadows, Five Ways, Clyde, Berwick, Harkaway, Lysterfield, and on through Ferntree Gully and Boronia before arriving at the Metec Facility right on time at 9-40 am.

The METEC facility cover a huge area providing driver and rider training roads and strips for cars, bikes, scooters, quads and Four Wheel Drives too. Intersections, level crossings, hills, skid pans, fast sections, slow sections and off road surfaces are just some of the challenges to be embraced and mastered by learners and those wishing to improve their driving/riding skills.

Today's open day was specially for young "pre-learner" teenagers to get a taste of what is involved before tackling the idiots on open roads. Two Bays were invited to show off the huge range of bikes owned by our members, Similar groups were invited to display rakky cars and to promote the virtues of joining a car club. Also displayed were ski boats, race boats, vintage and veteran cars in all stages of restoration.

Activities for participants and on-lookers included driving Formula 1 Simulators. WOW..... reckon that isn't half hard!!! Most of us managed to hit walls, spin out, crash in a multitude of ways, but Jack Froling's effort really earned the wroth of the Simulator.....!!!! It simply gave up on Jack, by shutting down and displaying a "DISQUALIFIED" sign. Oh well, that's Jack.

Another entertaining but very confronting performance involved putting on special set of goggles (which variably distort your vision and sense of balance - making you seem drunk), and then performing some basic tasks, like pouring water from a jug into a glass and carrying it as you walk between some obstacles. This was rude awakening for all who participated or watched.

Watching the teenagers tackle the skid pan at 60 kms was also very entertaining, but I think there were a lot of nervous laughs as many of us realised how deficient our own skills are...!!!!!

Also popular was the opportunity to passenger in a 4X4 in an off road experience.

The METEC facility is also home to a H.A.R.T branch (Honda Australia Rider Training). Bob Russell & Peter Baulch discussed the options for Two Bays to do a group training day at either Attwood or Somerton. More on that to come in the New Year.

Of course, catering was well supplied with various vendors in attendance, including Pancakes, Smoothies, Hot Dogs, Bacon & Egg Rolls, Great Coffee, Sausage Sizzle, Ice creams and drinks.

After a very entertaining and enlightening day, Baulchy had the task of leading us home. (to save Kevin a 200 km round trip to do it). So off we went back through Ferntree Gully, Rowville, Lysterfield, Harkaway, Berwick, Fiveways and back to Baxter.

With 2 bike to bike radios on this ride, safety and communication were again enhanced.

Hats off to Ride Leader-Kevin Moore for organising and leading a totally enjoyable ride and learning experience.

Staying at home is not an option when rides like these are organised for us all to enjoy.

Monday February 06, 2012