Heathcote Two Day Rally 19th & 20th September 2009
Friday night saw gadget man Pat Muratore at the farm gate awaiting my arrival. Pat had put his tent over the fence and prepared his bed for the night. Saturday had ten motorbikes take off for a run after lunch to the local area. Phil Long volunteered to be Tailend Charlie and it was a case of me leading the pack and on turns someone stopped until Phil caught up We stopped for those who wanted petrol in the main street of Heathcote heading towards Bendigo. I told Mick and son Eli to go ahead and sit at the T intersection about 3 km up which had a white sign to Boat Ramp and to turn us left. Shortly after we took off and on approaching the T intersection I saw that someone had pinched the boat ramp sign and no sign of Mick and Eli. We continued on along the highway expecting to catch up with them at Knowsley which should have a sign to another boat ramp but soon after we saw them travelling the other way so we all did a U turn and went the right way meandering on a country road until we reached Mia Mia and then detoured to the Australian flight memorial to the Duigan brothers for their first flight. At this regroup Bob Douglas was telling us of a kangaroo that came to a screaming halt just short of heading for some of the motorbikes. After a regroup we then headed back to Heathcote and took advantage of the nice fire that gadget man had going. Weather was cool but comfortable with no rain but rain clouds in the area. We had the usual campfire dinner and drink to wash it down. Bob Douglas assisted Pat in keeping the fire roaring.
Sunday morning was a nice day and we headed off to Kyneton this time with marshalls. We had a regroup at the historic Redesdale Hotel and the eager waitress rushed out with pen and paper to take our orders but all declined. Next leg was over the historic Redesdale Bridge and through the February 2009 burnt areas of Baynton where olive plantations had not recovered from the fires.
On reaching Kyneton we kept the local bakery busy with our orders and some ventured into the Antique shop next door. We returned the same way and had Pat Fisher needing Phil’s assistance to remedy a fuel problem, shortly after Chas Lipscombe came to a halt and it was discovered that the inlet valve was not moving due to a mechanical failure.
We again stopped at the Redesdale Hotel and most of the members saw a very fancy helicopter land next to the hotel and six people get out all dressed up and the ladies apparently had expensive handbags. The hotel workers then took photos of the helicopter and we overheard them saying the copter cost $2500 an hour to hire. We did not find out who they were or why the chose that particular hotel. Simon and John Street I am told raced to the nearby junk shop and Simon found some brand new bicycle mudguards at the right price for a project.
On arriving back at Heathcote the BBQ was soon overflowing with food.
Thanks to Simon Fisher for back up, marshalls Pat Fisher, Robert Parker and Kiara, Mick Guilfoyle and Eli. Phil Long for being tail end Charlie.
John Parker
Those attending were:
Mick and Eli Guilfoyle |
1942 Harley Davidson |
Phil Long |
1942 BSA |
John Dargie |
1934 M100 Red Wing Panther |
Chas Lipscombe |
1927 New Imperial |
Bob Douglas |
1934 Red Panther |
Ken Miller |
1942 Harley Davidson |
Adrian Newman |
1937 M100 Red Wing Panther |
Pat Muratore |
1941 BSA outfit |
Pat Fisher |
1948 Triumph Outfit |
Jim and Jen Brownlee |
1938 Harley Davidson |
Bob Hayes |
1928 AJS |
John Street |
1916 EWB |
Simon Street |
1917 Jap |
Robert Parker and Ciara |
1942 BSA |
John Parker |
1925 BSA |