Sunday Rides

Sunday August 24th Ride

Six bikes..... well three BMW's and some Japanese stuff.... met at Baxter, only to be gobsmacked by the appearance of Peter Baulch who had WALKED all the way from his home to wish us a safe ride. We assume Peter walked home again, cos none of us offered him a lift !!

The riders were Alan( Mr Prez), Les, Bob, Gary, George and yours truly.
Les said he would be happy to lead and Alan went tailend. We did the Tooradin bit then turned off to Longwarry, up to Jindivick then to Nilma, Bona Vista and a brunch stop in Yarragon. The roads were a little damp and quite potholed in places, but enjoyable. Being a newbie, I am not sure wether the "country smells" you inhale at times are from the cattle we are passing....... OR from the rider in front of you who just happens to be standing up on his bike pegs for a few seconds!!!!

Brunch was takeaway sitting in the Rotunda at Yarragon.... very relaxing.

Les then took us onto Thorpdale, Mirboo North, and into Leongatha for a coffee stop at Macca's. Again we rode some beaut roads.... lots of twisties AND two dogs running all over the road at one point.
Talking of twisties.... I am one of the slower riders through bends and am quite happy to see faster riders come past me.... I would rather see their tail-light than their headlight..... but it's in this situation when the "string of pearls" really works.... as it did on this ride cos the quicker guys slowed a little when on the straight stuff.

After coffee Les led us thru Korumburra and onto Nyora via Poowong to finish at Tooradin for farewells.

A great day out... thanks Les and thanks also to Alan for keeping my backside company thru the twisties... AND for letting me know where we had ridden.... I had my eyes shut most of the time...

Brian Burling

What a wonderful part of the world we live in… Just fantastic for those Sunday rides our members like to do. Hills, valleys, great scenery, a diversity of twisty and straight roads, fine weather (sometimes) and of course, the great company of fellow Two Bays Ulysses members.

Sunday 3^rd of August was no exception, with 7 members (Ron, Alan, Peter, Nick, Brian, Les and Ian) meeting at Baxter for a warming Cappuccino and a brief discussion on “where to today?” before departure.

Ron led the way along the much travelled route via Tooradin, Lang Lang, Nyora, and Poowong to Korumburra, for the usual coffee and pee break.

Alan took the lead for the next sector through Leongatha, Dumbalk and on up to Mirboo North for our hour long Lunch break in glorious sunshine and 15 degrees.

Les then became Ride Leader, taking us on a very windy and hilly road through Boolarra, Churchill, Hazelwood, and looping back through Delburn to Mirboo North, Leongatha, and back to Tooradin for departure home.

With a variety of “Ride Leaders” and “Tail-end Charlies”, everyone (particularly newer members) are gaining not just ongoing ride experience, but also very valuable experience in these key ride positions. With just one slip up – Nick failed the first rule “not to pass Ride Leader on a 250”, maybe a tail wind. Nick is looking forward to changing bikes shortly.

Sunday, 6th July 2008

The three of us, Peter Baulch, Brian Burling and I left Baxter just after 09:30 and headed down the Moorooduc Highway towards the Peninsula. Peter led the way on this pleasant morning even if the weather was slightly overcast and chill it wasn’t raining! With Peter leading, we made out way down through Balnarring, Merricks, Red Hill and Shoreham to Flinders. We detoured inadvertently into the National, but decided not to stay as we weren’t dressed for the occasion and nobody had their clubs. Then off down the twisty Flinders-Rosebud Road to Sorrento finishing up in the café on the Back Beach for a coffee and a Bacon & Egg sarnie. A heart stopping moment in car park whilst dismounting I accidentally touched the side-mirror on the ST1300 which promptly fell apart and lay dangling by, what appeared to be, a thread off the side of the bike. There was no chance to blame this on a passing seagull as Peter had seen the left hand side of his bike collapse before his very eyes. It was a great relief, particularly to my wallet, when he explained these mirrors are designed to do this on contact and quickly reassembled the parts and ‘stuck’ it back on. It may well have occurred to him that this could be a money making idea – be warned for future rides. Brian led the return trip, avoiding all golf courses, on coast as far as Rosebud then the Nepean Highway as far as Safety Beach and back on the coast road again. An excellent ride, as always, the weather held, the roads were great and the company good fun.

Nick Swales

Sunday June 15th Ride

Five riders met at Baxter (Bob Russell, Bob Froling, Gary, Ron and myself ) all keen to follow our front wheels.
Ron was leader from Baxter to Tooradin then the Lang Lang turnoff heading to the twisties. We rode through some misty rain up in the hills which made the concentration level go up a notch. On through Poowong along more great roads into Korumburra where ONE of the riders had to get petrol cos he forgot to fill-up on his way to Baxter (why do we put up with these forgetful people and welcome them into Two Bays ??? ). Anyway, after I filled the BM at the servo, I joined the guys for morning tea at the coffee shop.

Gary was our ride leader out of Korumburra and he led us over to 'err'..... somewhere and then to that other place on the way to 'thingamy' passing through Mirboo North on our journey toward 'whatsitcalled' on some really great roads before reaching the Princes Hwy for a lunch stop at Yarragon ( I think ! )(Sorry Gary ).

After lunch Bob Russell took the lead and we ventured along some terrific quiet country roads, passing through Ellinbank... left...right... Lardner Park on our right and then ...left...left...right...right...left...oops..u turn..right and another left or two before passing through Bayles into Koo-wee-rup and ending the day at Tooradin.

Yes it was chilly and a little damp at times, but we had a great day on good roads with good company ( apart from the wayward cow on the road ) travelling the best part of 300ks.

Thankyou guys.

Brian Burling.... "the newby"

PS...I strongly urge you NOT to use this ride report to plan a future ride...... you may end up in Tassie !! BB

Owing to the fact that I had been unable to ride with the Wednesday Warriors for the last two weeks I thought I would take the opportunity to go with the Sunday mob yesterday. With the sun beaming down in Rye on the early morn I took off for Baxter at 8.45 am only to be bogged down in heavy fog at the half way mark. Being my first Sunday ride I assumed there would be a few new faces I had not met however I knew every one on the scene. After waiting till around 10.00am for any stragglers we decided to start planning the route and Peter Baulch was elected ride leader unopposed. Much to my delight every bike there was a Honda 1300, so this immediately put my mind to rest, re mechanical failures on the day. I might also add no two bikes were the same colour. We made our way to Lang Lang, Poowong, and then stopped amidst lovely warm sunshine in Korumburra for coffee. We then set off for Leongatha, Dumbalk, Meeniyan, then stopped at Tarwin Lower for lunch and a chat to the people fishing opposite the pub killing worms. We then made our way to Inverloch then back home on the Bass highway. Another perfect day’s ride was had by all, pity Peter and I were the only ones there to enjoy it.

A lovely sunny morning bode well for a pleasant Sunday Club ride. With no wind, clear skies, and forecast temperatures up to 19 degrees, conditions were perfect.

After a warming cappuccino, and a last minute consultation with the map; they departed Baxter right on 9-30 am.

Travelling comfortably through Tooradin, Koo Wee Rup, Longwarry and Jindivick, onto Neerim South for a leisurely break, a morning coffee and something to eat.

Then on to Powelltown, Yarra Junction and Warburton and after a short detour up Mt Donna Buang, we arrived at the very popular Reefton Pub for a well earned lunch break.

With tummies satisfied we set off for home travelling through Warburton, Launching Place, to Gembrook for afternoon tea. Puffing Billy pulled into the station laden with Sunday tourists. A relaxing stroll through the Sunday Markets complete with a junk food indulgence of a gourmet Hot Dog, and a refreshing cold drink really put the cap on a great day.

Eventually we headed for home on through Emerald, Upper Beaconsfield, and Berwick; arriving back where it all began in Baxter at 4-30pm.

It had been a great ride and a most enjoyable day for the two members who went!!

''No one wanted to play''

Turning up for the obligatory cup of coffee I was greeted by myself. Any way not to be a person that is easily put off I waited. Had a wonderful conversation with Chris Barton who had come over to do her shopping. At this point I would like to thank Ride leader [myself] also thank Tailend -charlie [myself] also the scribe of the ride report [myself] and finally all who turned up for the ride [myself] .See you all on a ride one day,.....Alan [pres]

Ten of us headed out on what has now become known as the "The Baron's Ride". Some of us had done it once and some had done it twice and at some time you will have done it too. Read below for the description of where we went.

Brian Burling

Sunday 6th April

One of the impromptu Sunday rides this week was led by THE BARON [Mike Schuett], this is was so great about these rides everyone gets a surprise. About 12 of us headed towards Lang Lang through to Poowong down to Bena, Kooweerup and coffee at Leongatha. Leaving our coffee area proceeded to Meeniyan turn to Dumbalk doing a big loop back to Leongatha ,Kooweerup along the top of Poowong finally arriving at Drouin. All had lunch at the Robin Hood out in the garden great meal good prices to. Leaving this venue we headed to Longwarry and ended up with a coffee at the Tooradin Airport. Another great ride good roads good company great weather thanks to Mick Ferran for doing tailender and Mike Schuett for leading. Alan [new President]

Tiny's Mystery Ride

Sunday the 9th March dawned cool, fine and clear, with a warm day forecast... Just great weather for our regular Sunday ride. Around 8-50 am they started to appear at our departure point in Baxter Central Shopping Centre. By 9-10am it looked like a Honda Club ride as all the ST's, Blackbirds, Deauville's, VT Cruiser and even a CB250 lined up ( ridden by new member Nick Swales - welcome Nick). But then an assorted arrangement of BMW's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's, Kawasaki's, and a Triumph Rocket arrived...... Along with Tiny's trusty Scooter. (But No Harley's.....??????.....)

After the mandatory group photo and a briefing by Ride Leader Tiny, 16 bikes and 21 riders/pillions, set off at 9-30, through Pearcedale, Five Ways, and on up through Pakenham Upper to our Morning Tea stop at Gembrook. After refreshments on our way again through the delightful Dandenongs (and enjoying the hills, bends, cooler air and welcome shade along the way).

With the legendary Two-Bays corner marking system working perfectly and a good pace being set by Tiny - confident in her newfound skills in braking and cornering - we arrived in Sassafras for our extended lunch break where there was a huge choice of eating places available to satisfy every dietary fancy.

A short ride after lunch, again taking in the terrific twisty bits that the Dandenong Ranges offer, saw us take another break at the picturesque lookout over Lake Seville and more group photos.

Eventually we headed for home through Cardinia, Emerald, Upper Beaconsfield, Berwick and on the the BP Servo at Thompsons Rd. Lyndhurst, where the ride concluded, with everyone well satisfied with a great days ride. All of us, including our newer member/riders, were very appreciative of what was a really great fun ride. Tiny is to be congratulated for organising and leading this "Mystery Ride" for TwoBays. We all say, "well done Tiny".

Peter Baulch.

P.S. Autumn in Melbourne always provides us with fine, calm weather..... Just the stuff for good rides. So to those "not regular" Sunday riders...... Come join us in the fun, fellowship and mateship of riding with your fellow club members

Sunday 24th February

Well, it was a Mystery with the weather all right. I was sorry to have to cancel the ride, but the weather was not good enough to go for a pleasant ride in the hills.

I did go to the coffee shop in Baxter, and only two turned up. Thanks' Rob and Rick for keeping me company.

I did find out, the people in the Bakery are very nice and friendly, and they reckon it is great to have our club there on Wednesday's and Sunday's. So, there you go. I will do my ride very soon and let you know the date.

See you all at Steeples Monday the 3rd of March.

Tiny

Sunday 3rd February

Sunday morning rolled around again so that could only mean one thing -----it's time to play. So off to The Baxter shopping centre to see if any one else can come out to play. After having a leisurely cup of coffee other members start to arrive namely Peter, Mick, John and Ian. Well where are we going they all enquired ? that way I said which really didn't give anyone much of an idea. We headed out towards Cardinia veered towards Upper Beaconsfield thru to Emerald for a cuppa. From there we meandered thru hills and paddocks to Seville [as of yet still only doing one left turn, don't like lefters]. Passing thru Wandin, Launching Place upto Yarra Junction where we turn right. That is a great road to Powelltown and Noojee. Thought we were going guns until we passed by a Ducati as if we were standing still. Didn't actually get to Noojee as you have to turn left and I haven't mastered that yet. Stopped at Jindivick for more refreshments, wandered down to the freeway where we said our goodbyes .Another great day, great company, and as always it's great to be alive....Alan [pres]

Sunday 20th January

Good Evening, I guess some members have still not caught up with the Sunday Ride scenario, every Sunday there is a ride on somewhere, don't always know where but we go somewhere. his is exactly the same as the Wednesday rides .Today we had 4 people turn up, guess what, all committee members.. I realise that we can't always go on every ride every day, but we were asked by members why we don't have more Sunday rides so we organised them, so to be perfectly frank it's disappointing when we ain't supported.. Having said that the four of us a good ride out around Poowong, Korumburra, Inverloch and Grantville. The weather came good after some threatening skies. One of our group has certainly coming to grips with his new S.T, a far cry from a cruiser, and they go further on a tank of fuel don't they Peter? Well having had my whine I'll calm down and have my dinner, see ya all soon...Alan [pres]

Ride Report by Kevin Guiney.

A short note to let you know of a very enjoyable ride had by all on Sunday the 6^th of January.

Six people on 5 bikes turned up at the Baxter Shopping Centre at 9.30 am and had a coffee and chat as to where would be good to ride for the day. Michael volunteered to lead and we got away about 10.00 am.

Had a great day riding all around the Dandenong ranges, much of which I hadn’t seen before. Morning tea in Sassafras where we met a large group from the BMW Club, who knew quite a few of our Two Bays Members.

Then more riding until lunch at Monbulk, and finally home by 2.45 pm.

Many thanks to Michael and his daughter as pillion, and Thea, Bob Russell, and Iain for a pleasant ride , also the food wasn’t bad either where we had morning tea and lunch. This was my first Sunday Ride and I must say it was very enjoyable.

KEVIN

Monday October 20, 2008