Ride Reports

Red Plate Monday Ride Report – 19-08-24

With a Crisp morning and a temperature of 8c at 9:00am a group of 18 Sporting Motorcycle Club riders met at the Barrabool Rd meeting point, This week’s destination – Ferguson Plarre’s Bakehouse Bannockburn.

The group departing promptly at 9:30am heading out through Highton Valley, regrouped at the top of Ceres before heading out into the Barrabool hills, then off to the Hamilton Highway, Dog Rocks, Bakers Bridge Rd, Sutherland Creek, Russell’s bridge then on into Bannockburn, the group encountering heavy fog most of the ride made riding conditions interesting.

Once at Bannockburn the group were soon enjoying warm drinks, and sweet and savoury treats.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the ride and helped to make it another successful Monday Red Plate ride, hope to see you on the next one.

Red Plate Monday Ride Report – 12-08-24

With the expectation of near perfect riding conditions, a huge group of almost 26 riders gathered this morning in Barrabool Rd at the meeting point.

Glen & Bernie stepped up as lead and tail riders respectively, and Glen suggesting a ride out to Inverleigh with the attraction of 3 Cafes being open on a Monday.

Before the group departed, Guy was present (not riding due to sore back) to fulfil his previous weeks nominations for the Pigs Ear Award.

The 1st recipient was Bernie Simmons for being generous to offer to be tail rider last week on his Matchless, only to pull out after the first corner due to fear of failure.

The 2nd recipient was Mark, who decided not to ride last Monday due to cold conditions, only to change is mind after being told that the group was in Anglesea enjoying coffee and cakes, Mark hightailed it over joining the group without getting out of 2nd gear.

The group promptly departed the meeting point, regrouping in Ceres, then heading out through the Barrabool hills, turning right down Merrawarp road, left onto the Hamilton Highway, right into Bannockburn, on through Teesdale & Shelford, then turning left onto the picturesque and winding Inverleigh – Shelford Rd, turning left back onto the Hamilton Highway the group were soon pulling into Inverleigh.

With cafe options at Inverleigh being plentiful, the group divided into two with some venturing into Sonny Inverleigh and others into the Inverleigh Bakehouse, with both providing a delicious range of Pies, Cakes, Muffins & slices, washed down with coffee & other hot drinks.

Thanks to Glen and Bernie for stepping up to direct the ride, and well done to the 26 riders for all arriving at Inverleigh as a group, the corner marshalling system working flawlessly.

Hope to see you next Monday.

Red Plate Monday Ride Report – 05-08-24

Another SMCC Red Plate Monday Ride & another chilly start, but a group of almost 20 Riders had checked the forecast and were prepared for the fresh start but knew it would soon turn into almost perfect riding conditions.

The group met promptly at the Barrabool Rd meeting point, some members arriving slightly late due to the nearby servo being closed, so alternate fuel supply needed to be sorted quickly.

Bernie Simmons (on his Matchless) & Ross Johnston (on his Honda VFR) stepped up to address the members and directing the ride, choosing that today’s destination would be Poppie’s Anglesea

The group departed on time and headed out Barrabool Rd, Wandana Heights, regrouping just outside of Ceres, before continuing out through the Barrabool Hills, Crossing the Princes Highway and Cape Otway Road at Modewarre.

Once across Cape Otway Rd Ross got the group safely onto Forest Rd which had an excellent variety of straight stretches, sweeping bends & tight corners, with the warm sun now breaking through the roadside vegetation.

Joining the Great Ocean Rd at the roundabout near the the GOR Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, within a few minutes the group were pulling up at Poppie’s Anglesea

The friendly & efficient staff at Poppie’s Anglesea made short work of getting through the groups orders and loading them up with Hot drinks, Ham Cheese Toasties, Tarts & other treats.

After a good catch-up and time to warm up the group fired up their bikes and made their own way back into Geelong, capping off another great Monday Red Plate Ride.

From the highly successful ride this morning two members have been mentioned as nominees for the “Pig’s Ear Award”.

1st was Bernie Simmons for being tail rider until arriving at the 1st corner, then realising He was on the oldest and slowest machine for the day which he thought was most likely to break down and maybe not suited to be riding solo at the rear of the group! (BTW the Matchless performed perfectly).

2nd “Pig’s Ear Award” Nominee was member Mark who was reportedly at home enjoying a warm shower after deciding it was too cold for the Red Plate ride, but received a motivating text message from a fellow member telling Mark the group was already at Poppies enjoying Coffee, Mark jumped on his CB750 and made a v-line directly to Anglesea, arriving with ample time to enjoy a coffee with mates.

Thanks to Bernie & Ross for directing the ride, Thanks to Poppie’s Anglesea for the great food and service, thanks to all members that braved the cold start, it definitely paid off with a superb ride of almost 110km round trip, hope to see you on the next one.