What
VCoM’s Classic Scooter “Blue-Smoke” Ride is on once again. This year we’ll be riding in the cool dry days of Autumn on Sunday 7 April.
Note: This event is not open to modern auto Vespas. The event is also for VCoM members only.
This ride is organised especially for club members who own classic scooters. The event acknowledges the passion they have for older geared two-stroke motor scooters while also celebrating the joy of riding them. The older your scooter, the better. Vehicles from the 1940s - 50s are particularly welcome. Pillions are welcome too. If your ’stable’ includes more than just a Vespa, then feel free to choose a scooter of another marque to ride on the day. This event is not a race and will not be conducted as such. Slower scooters can ride at any pace that suits them.
You need to be a member of the Vespa Club of Melbourne to participate. Due to the logistics of a big ride, places are capped at 40 so we ask you to register on this event page to reserve a place and to help us cater for lunch. Its free! Attendees will also receive an event sticker on the day.
Destination
This year we thought we’d be a bit more adventurous with our “Blue-Smoke” ride and get out further away from Melbourne. Last Monday (Labour Day Holiday) six classic Vespa owners tested the proposed route to Warburton. It has been designed to stay away from the busy highway with only two short 2-km sections of 80 km/hr to contend with. In spite of above 30 degree temperatures, the test team had a great morning out and endorsed the route as being suitable for all classic scooters. It is only 30 kms longer than previous Blue Smoke rides in the Hurstbridge area.
Warburton is an attractive town nestled in a valley between mountains 75 kms east of Melbourne. The brooding hulk of Mt Donna Buang frames the town. Behind the row of old quaint timber shops in the main street there is a delightful picnic spot along the banks of the Yarra River. Here you’ll find dogs, ducks and kids splashing amongst the rocks in its bubbling waters. In days gone by grand guest houses provided a retreat in fresh mountain air as an escape from the grimy city. The town still retains its health resort reputation. Pretty houses with woodfire smoke drifting from their chimneys set in lovely English gardens make “Warby” a very picturesque town. In the old days steam trains used to bring in flour and wheat for the Sanitarium Health Food Factory. A new factory was built in 1936 after floods washed away the original one. Although no longer in use, the building is considered a modernist architectural gem. Early Autumn colours should provide some postcard pretty views.
The Route
The route provides sensational riding with magnificent picturesque rural scenery. It will be a lazy meandering ride on delightful sealed back roads. Mountains form a constant backdrop to rolling pastoral landscapes, farmhouses, vineyards, orchards, berry farms, creeks and rivers. At times our road provides an intimate experience where the forest canopy cocoons us, at others it presents an open vista as grand as a Wagner Opera. These are great roads for two wheels and for those who enjoy curves and the unfolding ever-changing narrative of a winding road. The route to Warburton is via Park Orchards, Wonga Park, Coldstream, Gruyere, Woori Yallock and Milgrove. Just before lunch at the cricket ground we will all fill up at the only petrol station in Warburton. Our 52 km return route to Mount Evelyn is via Yellingbo and takes us through the attractive red soil fruit and berry growing district around Wandin East. The ride totals about 128 kms. The ride will finish in Mount Evelyn with a farewell coffee. Participants can make their own way home from here as Canterbury Road is just a short distance away.
Ride Support
The ride will be corner marked so you don’t have to worry about navigation. Just follow the directions given by the rider who will be marker at each turn. We have organised a van capable of carrying two scooters in case of breakdowns. The van will sweep the route at the rear of the ride. The ride is covered by the VCM's Public Liability Insurance.
Lunch and Refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Vespa Club of Melbourne. After refuelling, we’ll assemble all our classic scooters for display at the Warburton Cricket Ground which is our lunch spot.
Farewell Coffee break at Mount Evelyn.
Please be sure to indicate your attendance on this page as we need to know the numbers for catering purposes.
Departure Point and Time
Britannia Mall, 485 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham (about 24 kms east of Melbourne). Pull into the left (north side) service road at the start of the Mitcham shopping strip before Mitcham Road < map > Please consider other Britannia Mall patrons and quietly park your scooter neatly along the west wall of the Pet Stock Store as this side of the mall wall has no doorways.
Since daylight savings time ends the day before this event, we’ll head off earlier than normal in order to keep some extra light up our sleeve in the afternoon. Departure will be at 9:30 amsharp (AEST). Arrive earlier if you need coffee and breakfast beforehand. Remember to put your clock back 1 hour before going to bed on Saturday night. Please arrive with a full tank as there will be no fuel stops until Warburton. If your scooter can’t manage a distance of 80 kms on a tank, then you will need to carry fuel.
A full ride brief will be sent out to all registered participants in the weeks prior to this event.
Volunteers Required
We are calling for several experienced volunteers to act as corner markers for this ride. These people will ride at the front of the pack and drop off at various corners as required. The ride will be halted briefly at a number of safe locations to allow the corner markers to ride up to the front of the group once more behind the leader.
Comments
Thank you David. Can't wait. Happy to help with corner marking.
Thanks David, I'll be there!
Hi Marc, wonderful that you can join us on Sunday. Although a 1951 rod model Vespa would be a treat to have on this event, it will be great to see you on whatever scooter you choose. It certainly isn't a race. Our corner marking system ensures that everyone can ride at their own pace without fear of getting lost. We have about 5 hours to complete 128 kms so that's an average of around 26 kms/hour. There are some unavoidable hills however. Let's talk more on Sunday with other enthusiasts about future slow rides organised especially for the older Italians. Best wishes, David
I'll be comming along too!!!
I Was thinking of taking my old 51 Rod model, but I don't think it will keep up for a 128kms. So I'll take the next slowest thing. A 125 super.
Stickers have arrived just in time for next Sunday's Classic Scooter event. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!
Coming along.
I can corner mark
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