I arrived at the rally start at 10.59 exactly, with two new tyres for Evan’s Triumph. He needed them to complete this rally, say no more!!

The weather was quite reasonable and was only a little overcast, (forecast weather was overcast with patchy rain at times), which just about sums up our self professed accurate and detailed weather meteorologist’s predictions!!

The participants arrive on time and gather in the organiser’s rear yard to enjoy a nicely planned welcome BBQ lunch before embarking on a short tour northeast of Ararat of a distance of 44 miles, (my Speedo reads in miles, ok.)

Catrina is our designated lead bike for the two days and is well organised with a route scroll holder on her Scott, carefully planned out. So we assume there will be no errors made or excuses. Colin gives a rundown of the rally proceedings and questions were answered before we commenced our start up at 1.00 pm.

It was quite noticeable that Lois was rather impatient to get started, as she motored off up the street first! What was that about not passing the lead bike? Although Lois could be excused as she hasn’t ridden for 18 months.

18 motorcycles including 5 outfits worked their way out of the Ararat Township and onto Warrak for a regroup. That certainly brings back memories of the 2004 Annual Rally at Ararat held on a weekend of 44°C temperatures. At this spot back then, both Evan and I reluctantly agreed to push start a Chief Outfit in temperatures too hot to walk around in, let alone push this outfit for 200m on sticky asphalt.

The dryness of the countryside is still evident now, as it was then, " Dry as …" The roads this afternoon had little traffic and we were all on time for afternoon tea at Buangor Coffee Shop and Art Gallery.

This building is a converted mechanics garage and even had a glass cover over the pit. A very enjoyable occasion, (cakes laid on), whilst taking in the imaginative décor and art work. Next door we could participate in wine tastings from the local vineyards, and outside was a community Scarecrow Exhibition called "Off the Beaten Track".

We rode back to Ararat along roads that wound their way around the Challicum Hill wind farms and a caravan museum. There appears to be more turbines installed than previously on our 2004 rally.

We returned to base by 4.00pm, in readiness for our evening meal at Ararat’s historic "J" Ward Prison. To say the least, the spit roast at the gaol proved to be exceptional by everybody’s standards.

Most of us opted for the night "Ghost Tour" of the gaol, after tea, where we learnt that it was once used as a Lunatic Mental Asylum, in its former years,

1860’s – 1900’s, then subsequently as a correctional prison in later years, up until it closed in the 1970’s. I’m not sure about the ‘ghostly’ side within the prison walls, yet our tour guides did impress us with their vivid recollections and yarns. Surely it was the sound of possums making all those weird noises and creaking’s at night!

Sunday - Distance 99 miles.

I rose early to the sound of an A.J.S. warming up in Ian’s garage at 7.00am; it required some fixing I believe.

We all departed at 9.00am, with no additional bikes turning up, riding through some misty weather at first, to reveal a bright sunny morning. We arrived at Elmhurst with my 1926 Scout running very happily indeed, the same with Ben’s Monopole, at long last! Tom arrived on his" Flying" Scott in total confusion after he took a wrong turn to smell the roses

.

Moving on, we arrived at Avoca a short time later and lo and behold there was Jenny and her crew serving up coffee and tea. More cakes than what we could usually consume in a week, making for a very much extended morning tea. At least an hour later, after thanking Jenny, Merralyn, Nola, Cliff and Cherie for their great efforts, we mounted our bikes and headed off in an easterly direction towards Landsborough.

The lightly forested countryside and 25°C temperature gave perfect vintage motorcycling conditions. Approaching Landsborough I spied Evan and his Triumph waiting at an intersection, presumably corner marshalling, or was it for something else; I wonder? We all regrouped outside the only Local Hotel, before adjourning inside for lunch.

A quick tighten on a loose engine nut and we are all on our way returning to Ararat via the hamlet of Crowlands, population; 3 Wedge Tail Eagles, high in the sky. It was quite a pleasant if uneventful ride back into Ararat, arriving at approximately 4.00pm, with the Monopole successfully completing yet another day. Everyone returned safely without any serious problems, and we were welcomed to another afternoon tea before saying our farewells and loading up.

It’s with sincere thanks to Jenny and Ian with special mention to Merralyn, for putting on an extraordinary catering service, not to mention a very enjoyable weekend for all the club members who attended. Special mention also goes to Cliff and Nola who provided back-up, and to all those who helped out in many different ways to make the 2009 Annual Rally a great success.

P.S. It was also good to catch up with our Queensland member, Brian, who came down for this event, riding in the rally on a borrowed 1929 Scott. The whisper is that he is seriously thinking about buying a Scott in the not too distant future!

Cheers for now and safe riding for 2009,

1919 Triumph                     1923 Royal Enfield

1924 Monopole                  1925 Indian Outfit

1924 Indian                         1924 Indian

1926 AJS                            1927 AJS

1926 Indian                         1926 Indian

1926 Scott                           1927 Harley Davidson

1927 Douglas                       1928 Indian

1929 Royal Enfield                1929 Scott

1930 Norton                         1930 Scott

1930 BSA Outfit