The MTCV Home Page has taken 210 hits during September and 6914 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.

Seen at the October Social Sip at the Blackburn Hotel: Ian Payne, Ben Warden, Ken Wright and Evonne, Peter Doak and Penny Reynolds, Dianne Welsford, Bruce Saville, Rob Langer and Kirsten Anderson, and Rhys Williams. It was a cold, wet, wintry night. Thanks to all who attended.

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 half of the year, commencing at the May AGM, the top 9 are listed: Ben Warden (37.5), Ian Payne (36), Ron Johnston (22), Wayne Grant (20.5), Geoff Jones (16.5), Rob Matricciani (16), Rhys Williams (16), Jack Youdan (13), and Rob Langer (13). Geoff Jones and Ron Johnston were the big movers, though new members like Greg Hales and Ken Wright will soon be on the leader board at their current level of participation.

Coming up in November is the annual Melbourne Cup Weekend which will see us heading to Orbost, Bombala and Walwa over the 4 days. Those who went on it last year have already indicated they will be there again this year. Probably the best roads in the country. We avoid the highways where possible. Big days, big kays. In some ways the defining essence of the Club and motorcycling. Probably stay Orbost first night and Walwa the next two nights. Orbost pub rough as guts, Walwa Pub silky smooth. We’ll probably get roped into the Calcutta again. No more than $20 a night and that usually includes breakfast. Get motivated. Put your leave form in. Just do it.

Welcome to the many new members who have joined the Club during October.

It has been a big last quarter of the year for Ben Warden. Thanks to all those members and friends who helped him celebrate his birthday roast in September. At the event Julie and Ben announced their intention to marry on the 11th of November, a simple family affair. They are also selling their house and looking to buy another. Throw in the Olympics, Grand Prix, Sunday rides, Editor and family commitments, maybe selling the bikes, and then Christmas and it is pretty hectic.

Danny Carr crashed his 250 Aprilia into a van at a roundabout. He is okay but the bike is a writeoff. He is looking for another bike.

Dave Ward has purchased a new Honda CR250 dirt bike – and loves it.