And  these photos provided by Michael Ross

Montville Via Mt Glorious – Jun 28, 2009 – by Michael Ross

Checking the ride calendar during the week I noticed a new ride had been posted for the coming weekend - July 28. Not much notice but "hey, if'n you're free" right? And even though I was working Sunday night I figured a ride up to Montville would be a nice treat prior to work. And maybe the last club ride for my current bike as I had plans to acquire a new ride during the week.

Arriving at the BP there seemed to be a lot of cars in our mustering area. And I needed to move my bike again to let a car out. But quickly parked it where the car had been to dissuade other cars from intruding into the Trike space.

Shortly after, Pinkie arrived – as a trike pillion not a rider!!! And we found out the trikes would not be joining us today. They would be having their own run as a kind of try-out and practice for Pinkie's upcoming “Trikes lead, corner mark and tail end Charlene” ride in July.

And while waiting for our departure time to come around a small group of bikes arrived - 3 bikes with 3 female pillions. The girls saw the trikes and headed for a photo op. We couldn't help but notice their riding boots - one was multicolored and the other was a pair of pink high-heel sheepskin boot things. Not very protective but it's all about looks on sports bikes, right?

Anyway. The ride, we were told, would go over Mt Glorious (a glorious day for it) with first stop around Samford or Dayboro and the rest of the route to Montville decided upon then.

So we set off. Crossed over the Warrego heading towards Esk. Through Fernvale and its weekend markets - which were being visited by another Ulysses branch - before taking the Mt Glorious turnoff. And as we headed along the foot of the mountain we were greeted by a couple of warning signs. Warning motorcycles that there had been deaths on this road due to speed. And a little further along a helmet stuck on a fence post as a reminder to Take It Easy.

As we made our way up there was no need to remind us to take it easy. Leaves littered the road, water ran across it on the apex of corners, bends with tightening radius were aplenty and there was Fog. Mouse had said before the ride his bike Felt Funny, like it wanted to Fall when he leaned it into corners. Spook, whom I was following, got caught out a few times with tightening bends and drifted wide, oh so close to those darn wet and slippery leaves. And I thought... conditions aren't that good, I won't be surprised if someone comes off their bike before we are off this mountain.

Prophetic thinking, it turns out. Either that or I'd just mentally put the mockers on the ride.

As we had hit the top we were now making our way down towards Samford. All was going well until I came out of a left hand hairpin bend too wide (its increasing radius turned into a decreasing radius and I'd not read it). This would not be an issue if the road then went straight. But the road didn't go straight. It bent to the right and then a Tight left. I was too close to the centre line - and still slightly leaning left to avoid crossing to the wrong side of the road - to take the right bend at the speed I was doing. I also needed to slow down for the next tight left. So as I am trying to lean right I need to brake for the upcoming left. Of course, leaning and braking don't go well. The bike sat up. My line is shot to hell. I'm drifting towards the bend's shoulder - a shoulder with wet leaf debris. I'm suffering Obstacle Fixation and looking at the looming ditch instead of where I want to go.

Instead of releasing the brake and countersteering to the right I am braking. Brake brake brake. I might just make it, I think. But then I'm on the slippery debris. Not much I can do now, there is a narrow ditch and we all know bike tyres like narrow ditches. They attract them like a magnet. The front wheel hits the mud in the ditch. I've lost it. From exiting the bend to ditch in less than 2 seconds. The bike goes down, front wheel turns into the right of the ditch and flips the bike onto its left. I am fine.

I get up, some bikes have gone by me (including Happy's other wife – it's complicated) - good, don't try to stop too quick on this very steeply declining blind left-right-left bend series. Others stop. By the time I get my bike upright, on the preceding bend Spook has come to grief with Lubo. Three bikes down. Spook landed heavily on his shoulder.

Spook's bike appears free of damage. Lubo's bike has some scratches. I've broken the right mirror, fractured my tacho housing, slightly bent the right brake lever, bent the left handlebar and have some scratches on the front wheel mudguard, plastic mini-fairing thing near the gas tank and the tank, and there are a few minor scratches on the exhaust pipe. Looks like a trade-in will have to wait now. Doh!

A man pulled up in his car in such a way as to protect us from traffic coming down the hill. He was an off-duty police officer whose wife is a nurse. And he made sure we were all alright. Thank you. Your assistance is appreciated. After inquiries I found out it was Sergeant Mark Simon from Police Beat in Fortitude Valley.

Spook said he was alright to continue to Samford - no Ambulance needed. And I was able to ride my bike Slowly down the winding road despite its bent handlebars. But the drama doesn't end yet...

Howza's bike is playing up. The brakes are overheating! Is it safe enough to ride or will it be an RACQ job? Decide after a cuppa.

While having a cuppa, reservations and dislike about that road come out from other members. I'd never ridden it before and didn't really have an interest in doing so due to the stories I'd heard of crotchrockets always tearing along it on the weekend. And figured I didn't need that kind of rider around me. Now that I've experienced it and its leaf, water, steepness and bends with decreasing radius hazards I can see why so many come to grief on the road. And Mouse asked about having the Mt Glorious route as part of any future rides and was greeted with a resounding "no”.

The ride cannot end here for everyone. Just not right for my misadventure to stop the ride. The ride must go on. But obviously not for all. And with the lost time, obviously not to Montville.

Lubo and Vic decide they'll go home - but - by going back over the mountain from which we'd just come. Howza, Spook and myself will head home via the City - Marmite leading the way with Ado and Amanda coming up the rear making sure the hobbled rides and riders all make it. And the rest will continue on. What started as 14 bikes saw the ride end for 9 at Samford after a cuppa, while the rest rode on - hopefully without any other incidents.

Thanks Marmite for your advice on riding with handlebars out of whack, Ado for the offer of transport should I need it, and both for escorting us all back home safely. And thanks also to those who helped right my bike and came to my assistance in the muddy leafy ditch.

My apologies for messing up the ride.

My bike? On Monday I took it into Dean at Express Motorcycles to get his Verdict. Insurance job it will be. And once it's fixed – or – I get the new bike I'd intended to get, I'll go right back up to the mountain and ride it again. Properly, this time. (NOT!... says my wife.)