Muster 2014
October 25th/26th
DAY 1
For the first time since the Muster had started. We decided to run the event away from our comfort zone and run it interstate at Maldon in Victoria. We still ran the 2 traditional rides, a dirt ride and a road ride for those with restored bikes and those not that experienced on dirt roads.The event was to be based at the Bill Woodfull Reserve, otherwise know as the local football grounds. For the 2 rides, we all met up near the tennis courts from 9.30 am, from where a short riders briefing took place before heading off in the 2 directions.
The Dirt Ride
There were 6 of us that went out on the dirt ride which took us up over Mt Tarrengower past the lookout and through some great back roads through the forests. I went on the sidecar and had to go around 1 section via the bitumen road as it would’ve been too difficult on my own with no passenger. I was able to do the rest of the track with 1 minor excursion and then a short time later having a flat not far from our lunch stop. We all went to refuel before we met up with the road ride guys for lunch at the Daylesford round about in town.
After lunch, 1 of the guys decided to go back with the road ride so that left 5 of us to travel back the way we came, back to the Maldon oval it was just as interesting riding the sidecar in this direction as I ended up having 2 close calls, but I had fun and was glad I stuck to doing the dirt ride. We all got back around 3.30 and headed off to clean up for the evening dinner to be held at the Maldon Hotel.
The Road Ride
There was a mix of bikes that assembled for the ride on the Saturday morning at the Bill Woodfull Reserve in Maldon,a few road bikes an SR and some very nice XT and TT 500’s. After a chat about directions and the destination for lunch we headed off toward Harcourt some 20ks away, up over Mt Alexander and down around past Golden Point reservoir. Had a little break and waited for people to catch up, it was good that we had a couple of back up vehicles, Peter who has an XTC broke down so they put the bike in the ute and continued on with us to the Moto Bean Café in Malmsbury for a short break, the coffee is great, there’s a nice collection of motorcycle to look over and the food is excellent as well. We still had some 35 minutes of ride time to Daylesford where we would stop for lunch. Our timing was pretty much spot on, the boys on the dirt ride arrived about the same time.
After the lunch break Andy on his SR and his mate headed back home and one of the rider’s from the dirt ride decided to ride back on the black top. Meanwhile Peter found the problem with his XTC(mechanically fine) but it helps if you put PETROL in it. So we headed of down through the valley to a little place called Blampied turned right and headed north to Werona,West to Campbelltown then through to Joyces Creek and around the shores of Lake Cain Curran, Baringup and back into the reserve at Maldon. Round trip was 215ks,a great day,cheers. A very big thank you to all who came on the ride(road/trail),and a very big thank you to Dean and Bevan for driving the backup cars.
Saturday Night Dinner
The evening meal saw 45+ people take part at The Maldon Hotel from 6.30pm were we all had very enjoyable meals.
On Sunday, we saw 66 bikes turn up for the show’n’display day with 40 new registrations being taken at the sign in. It was great to see so many new bikes show up to help make this another successful event. We ran our monster raffle which was extremely well supported along with the 12 items in the silent auction we raised some good money to cover all the expenses that occurred in the running of the Muster in Maldon.
DAY 2 SUNDAY
On Sunday, we saw 66 bikes turn up for the show’n’display day with 40 new registrations being taken at the sign in. It was great to see so many new bikes show up to help make this another successful event. We ran our monster raffle which was extremely well supported along with the 12 items in the silent auction we raised some good money to cover all the expenses that occurred in the running of the Muster in Maldon. The day got underway from 10.30 with a large number of bikes being set up on the oval already. The judging of the bikes started from 11.30 with the last of the bikes to turn up was around 12 noon. At some time between 1.30 and 2pm, the silent auction was closed off and then the trophy presentation commenced.
The raffle prizes, over 100 to choose from
The 12 items in the silent auction.
In 2015 the TT/XT 500 Muster will be back in the Barossa Valley at the Bethany Reserve. The format will be similar with a poissibility of something a little extra for those not on either of the rides. The muster will be on the Oct/Nov weekend which is one week later, but weather wise it should still be about the same unpredictable!
Please let other 500 enthusiasts know of the event and plan a holiday while you are here. We look forward to seeing you all again, and I’m sure that we will hit the magical 100 bike barrier soon!
Thankyou and please check back from April onwards.
