With my bike in the van at 7.00 am I departed Invermay to Miners Rest to pick up Tom. My travel plan was to swing onto the A300 (Geelong Road) but Tom said I’ll show you the scenic route. Sure beats the boring highway. We traveled to Buninyong, Durham Lead, Garabaldi, Mt Mercer, Shelford, Inverleigh, Mt Moriac, etc.

A great country drive. I’m glad Tom was the navigator as I was lost.

Some years ago Tom worked for Pratt & Osborne in Geelong selling and servicing Suzuki farm bikes and traveled the district to farms delivering and servicing bikes. We drove past many farming properties and Tom could recall which model of bike he had sold them. Tom also picked out a number of landmarks of interest. He sure does know the area.

It wasn’t too long and we arrived at the start (about 8.30 am) Are we first? No! Bevars already there. Soon the urn was hot and a cuppa was in hand. More cars and bikes began arriving and with much activity; unloading, fueling up and general checking of machines and, of course, socializing.

Then a call to the troops to assemble in the shed for a run down of the days program given by John who was also to lead the run on a ’27 Norton.

This was to be my 2nd rally on my recently restored ’26 AJS 350 SV garage sale special. The first being Tom’s Goldsmith rally on which a nipup problem almost put me onto the back-up trailer. I’m hoping my filing off of high spots on the piston is successful. I must admit also being a bit apprehensive riding a section of the Great Ocean Road in possibly wet conditions.

Approximately 10.20 am we were off. 18 or so thundering machines and one mighty Monopole rode down Hendy Main Rd, Moriac towards the sea. With the Great Ocean Road still on my mind the quiet country road was a breeze. Just a little drizzle. So far so good. No nip-up. I’m feeling more confident.

John warned us the intersection of Forest Road and Great Ocean Road can be a bit busy. So Tom was to be on points duty to be our crossing supervisor – lollypop man and a job well done I must say. Thanks Tom. John was right. Zoom, zoom. So many cars and where are they all going in such a hurry?

After a successful right hand turn in light rain we travelled down hill, around some corners and then a round-about. Which way? I’d lost sight of the other bikes. Just about to pull left and stop and then whoosh. Past me goes Ben on the mighty Monopole. Great! I’ll follow him. Through the round-about, a slight left hander and suddenly hard left into a car park area. I applied both brakes. Funny, I’m sure they worked better yesterday. We had made it. Our first regroup at Anglesea, beside the Anglesea River.

Weather was now lifting to be a pleasant sunny day. After a short break we proceeded towards Lorne. I was told to enjoy the scenery while riding this road. I didn’t see a thing. Just the road. Too busy concentrating. I’ll look next time. Our next regroup was at Aireys Inlet and again near the memorial arch at Eastern View. Lunch at Lorne. Weather perfect. Bakery was popular and selling out rapidly. Pity the Indian Café was closed. Looks a very interesting place to have a coffee.

After lunch we headed back along the Great Ocean Road for a short distance then left up the hill towards the Otway Ranges. Where has the nice weather gone? Drizzle, wet roads, bends. However, not many cars. What a great ride. Great Ocean Road now off my mind I’m settling in well and no nip-ups.

Deans Marsh is our next regroup. Drizzle gone, very pleasant.

The run back to Moriac was again a pleasant ride. I think the AJ may very well make it. It did. A great afternoon tea was waiting for us at our starting point.

Thanks to Vicki and family for a wonderful ride and overall very pleasant day!

Bikes and riders include:

1913 Royal Enfield                1913 Rover

1914 Triumph                       1919 Triumph

1924 Monopole                    1925 Douglas

1925 Raleigh                         1927 Douglas

1926 AJS                              1927 Norton

1928 Triumph                        1928 Royal Enfield

1929 Velocette                      1929 Sunbeam

1930 BSA                             1930 Super X

1930 Norton                          1930 Scott