Filled tank, loaded jam and packed my bike late on Friday night. Didn't sleep too well, as looking fwd to a real trip at last to catch up with many old friends, and meet a couple of new ones after all the restrictions for the past several months. Awoke around 5.30 am, showered and prepared to leave around 6.15am (daybreak). Weather was a little chilly, with light mist and occasional heavier spots, so I kitted up in my wet gear.
Had prepared GPS directions on Friday afternoon.
Very light traffic all the way to Hamilton/Dunkeld, turned off onto secondary roads before reaching Glenthompson, continued through Willaura and on to Maroona and Ararat, where I took a short coffee break at 8.50am. Weather had cleared up, and was comfortably warm after I passed through Hamilton. A good run thru Elmshurst, Avoca (where I didn't stop for a crocodile sandwich on this trip
) then thru to Maryborough where I had a chat with a young couple who were touring in a camper, they were heading to Mildura, on their way to Perth. Very little traffic all the way from Ararat to Castlemaine, and I made good road time. Only a little over 45 minutes from Maryborough to the Five Flags Hotel, where I arrived around 10.45am. Parked the bike, and waited for people to start arriving.
Russel and Lawrence soon arrived, and we had a coffee while waiting for the rest to arrive. Good turnout of bikes. (click on pics for a closer view) Great warm weather for the day.
A great meal and good service, jam was passed around, and it was really good to connect with everyone again. Many Thanks to Michael for organising the meet. Please add your own photos to enhance this post.
Being as I had the longest trip to travel home, I was the first to leave at around 2pm.
Diverse route home, very casual, just for helmet time. I refuelled at Ballarat, and arrived home at 6.20pm. Did not wear gloves on the way home, and have light sunburn on hands.
Total distance for the day, 740km.
Edit, forgot to mention ... just west of Ballarat, a bright yellow ST1100 and sidecar, eastbound towards Melbourne, couple onboard waved back furiously to me.