Mid Week Ride to Erskine Falls with the BMW Club, Wed 10 May 2023

Ride Report and Pics: Peter 'The Scribe' Townsend

Thirteen riders (12 bikes and 1 Spyder) fronted up at Maccas car park in Waurn Ponds to take part in this month’s mid week ride. This ride was a bit of a milestone as it was Sheryl’s first ride with the group as ride planner and leader, and also, because of Sheryl’s involvement with the BMW Motorcycle Club in Melbourne, she had organised it to be a combined ride with the 2 clubs. The plan was for the BMW riders to meet us at our morning coffee break in Inverleigh for around 11:00am.

Fortunately, as Rob Pow fronted up to the start already wearing a hi viz vest over his jacket, he was democratically elected to be TEC – so no need to call for a volunteer! So, after a ride briefing and the usual happy snap (where’s “The Lens” when you need him?!) we mounted up and headed off through Highton and made our way to Inverleigh on roads well travelled. We rode through Ceres, Bannockburn and at Teesdale cut across to Inverleigh through the flora and fauna reserve.

During the morning coffee break a total of 11 BMW club riders joined us swelling our number to 25 – it was quite an impressive gathering with bikes everywhere! Most of the BMW riders seemed to live in the outer eastern suburbs of Melb. and the Mornington Peninsula and one person I was talking to was up at 6:00am to have brekky and then get on the road – pretty good effort on his and all the other BM riders behalf. After the break we headed off again with the BM club providing the ride leader and the TEC – Ian, I believe was the ride leader (I could be wrong, but I do know he was riding a BMW!) and, I think Mark was their TEC (again, pretty sure he was on a Beemer also!?)

Two of our guys headed home after the coffee break so we now had a total of 22 riders – 11 Ulysseans and 11 BMW members – nice symmetry!? Not so with bikes though – there were 14 Beemers and 8 others! From Inverleigh we made our way down to Winchelsea and then on to Bambra, Deans Marsh and then Lorne. A couple of sections of roadworks (with those pain in the arse timed traffic lights) managed to successfully break up the group and I know of 2 Melb. BMW riders who had an absolute hoot catching up with the main group just before we arrived in Lorne. We then meandered through Lorne and as a bit of a diversion on up to Eskine Falls behind the town for a break and a stretch of legs. A noticeable temperature drop was experienced as we rode up to the Falls car park, and the road was quite damp – it probably won’t see the sun again until about the end of September!

Some more happy snaps were taken at the falls, and chatting with one of the BM guys he was remarking that he had dismissed the idea of joining the Ulysses Club because he didn’t think he would enjoy riding with a bunch of “old” people – however, I think he was reconsidering this wisdom as he gazed around at some of the riders he had come down from Melbourne with, realising they looked around the same vintage as some of our guys! However, looks can be deceptive, as, speaking from experience, BMW ownership can certainly cause premature aging!! (linked with diminishing cash reserves!)

Dennis (“Biggles”) led the ride back into Lorne as he was keen to have the lunch break at his favourite bakery in the main street – we parked outside the bakery and he was congratulating himself on even getting parking space right outside the bakery. (Kept saying “what a clever fellow am I!”) We wandered up to the front door of the bakery, which was very much shut and read the sign on the window that very much said they had closed for their annual leave break until early June! Well, at least it explained the vacant car parks out on the street! Plan B was then swung into action, which involved the Fish and Chipperie a bit further along the road!

After an enjoyable and relaxed lunch break, which was the end of the planned ride, we parted company with everyone making their own way homeward bound – quite a few people obviously had a long afternoon’s ride ahead of them! In summary though, it was a great day out on the bike, and really good to meet up with some new faces (as well as some of the “old” ones!) The weather was cool, however riding conditions were quite pleasant with little wind and no rain  - after the wintery blast we had experienced over the previous 4 days we were fairly lucky! Also the shorter ride distance (for the local crew) meant there was plenty of time for breaks and socialising. Well done Sheryl on your “maiden” ride leader venture (well, half ride in fact!) and thanks also to Rob, Ian, Mark and Biggles for your efforts in TECing and leading.

                 Peter t.