The MTCV Home Page has taken 260 hits during november and 7174 since April 1996. See more information such as magazine articles in the Members-only section. I have added a couple more months’ magazines for 1999. Have your say on the Visitors Page.

Road Conditions Reporting Line: 9854-2899 where motorcyclists can report road conditions and give suggestions for improvement on any road in Victoria.

Ken Wright crashed his R1 on a 35 km/h bend 15 km south of Dargo on the first day of the Orbost Walwa Epic. It was quite a spectacular crash with the front wheel breaking all the spokes, catapaulting him into a tree 2 or 3 metres above ground, from whence he fell down a steep embankment. He stood up, climbed a fence, and turned the ignition off, and then had a lie down. He was air lifted by helicopter to the Alfred Hospital where he was diagnosed with 3 broken vertebrae and a broken leg. He is now out of rehab, resting at home, waiting until he is fit enough to return to work. He states that Swan Insurance has been quite prompt with the settlement on his written off bike and hopes to be looking for another one soon. We wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Mark Ayling crashed his ZX9 on the Bass ride (26^th November) sustaining a broken left arm. The arm has had a permanent plate inserted and he is now home. He hopes to arrange with a couple of friends to retrieve his bike the first weekend in December. Similarly we wish him a speedy and full recovery.

The Lavers Hill via GOR ride was an epic in its own right. Ian Payne lost his wallet, note book and small bag including all of his credit, membership, medicare etc cards. He also chased an errant 1^st time rider, failing to catch him, in the process losing the Club ride, eventually catching up at Anglesea to discover his wallet lost. He retired hurt. The lost rider made his way to Anglesea also and later in the day failed to heed another corner marker direction. Once again he was retrieved. Meanwhile our leader, Ray Walker, almost ran out of petrol and coasted into Moriac. Not to be outdone, Ric Bribbin on a ZZR250 managed to destroy his engine completely. I have a big end bearing sitting on my desk. It fell out of the sump when he negotiated the Lara roundabout, finally seizing the motor, having ridden with one cylinder and no oil for quite some time. Ho-hum.

Seen at the October Social Sip at the Blackburn Hotel: Ian Payne and Kerrie Gooding, Ben Warden, Dianne Welsford, Bruce Saville, Rob Langer and Kirsten Anderson, Rhys Williams, Danny Kosinski and a couple of his friends, Ray Walker, and Tim Walker. Plenty of photos of the Walwa weekend changed hands including Peter Doak doing monos down the main street of Whitfield for the benefit of the video wielding kids. Would you believe a 10 year old kid if he said the cops didn’t care and weren’t there anyway? Peter did. To finish off he proceeded to do a doughnut outside of the milkbar, smoking the place out. This is the guy that got 1800 km out of a rear tyre and had the temerity to complain about it! Peter and Bruce swapped bikes for the next stint to Mansfield. I’m not sure if Bruce realised that Peter expected a "reception committee" at Mansfield or not. I suspect not. See Bruce or Ben for documentary evidence.

Points towards the Club Participant of the Year are awarded on the following basis: 1 for attending a ride (or Social Sip or meeting), an extra one for leading or rear riding, and a point for magazine articles up to a maximum of 2 per month. Half points are awarded when people share, for instance, the rear riding position. After 7 months commencing at the May AGM, the top 10 are listed: Ian Payne (47), Ben Warden (46.5), Ron Johnston (26), Wayne Grant (22.5), Bruce Saville (21), Geoff Jones (20.5), Danny Kosinski (20), Ray Walker (20), Rhys Williams (19) and Rob Matricciani (18). Danny Kosinski was the big mover.

Welcome to Andrew Napier (Honda Blackbird), Dave Skitt (Suzuki TL1000) and Samantha Allan (Honda CBR600) who joined the Club during November. Look out for them on upcoming rides.

Craig Morley finally got to the bottom of his fuel problems on his YZF750. After much soul searching it turned out to be a broken wire to the fuel pump, intermittently making connection. Nothing to do with dirty fuel or blocked filters or faulty switches. Ah, the joys of motorcycling.

Dave Ward wins at the "Stars of Tomorrow", Phillip Island, as reported in Australian Motorcycle News: 1st in the 250 GP, 1st in the "Up to 250 Final", 11th in the "Stars of Tomorrow" after starting 17th. He won a helmet and 2 trophies. He was riding ex-member Tony Schrader’s TZ250 as Tony is now a B grader and was not eligible. The MTCV cheer squad in attendance. Paul Tallents & Craig Morley. Well done Dave. And to think he joined the Club on a ZX10.

Peter Doak has sold his Suzuki TL1000R and bought a Harley. Of course he is hotting it up - head work, exhaust, cams, etc. The Harley gives the same sense of speed at 80 km/h as the Suzy did at 240 km/h he claims. Apparently he has had Harley’s before. Don’t worry, he’ll be back!

Mark Turner has sold his battery acid damaged (and repaired) VFR750 and is now sporting a brand new Honda CBR600. But he is too busy crashing model planes to ride with the Club much these days.

Geoff Barton, after riding Ben’s sweet handling ZXR, has seen the light. His second bike, a necessity if you own a BMW — to ride while it is getting fixed - is a venerable old CB750F. The missus has given him permission to update. Don’t be surprised to see him on a Kawasaki ZX7.

Christmas is all but on us and it is time to make bookings at our favourite Xmas Camp destination, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park.

Situated on the fork of two rivers it offers a range of activities from swimming, fishing and bush walking. Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Mt Buffalo is a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookout. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam. Or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap. On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain ranges offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bike, and the 4WD.

The Club has booked three unpowered sites. Last year a few couples rented log cabins for the week, another good option. Ring Kelly on 03-5756-2235 to secure a cabin or powered site. Otherwise tell Ian Payne of your intention to camp with the group. Do it now. And book your annual leave.

Great location. Good people to ride and socialise with. Bring the family. Be there.