The MTCV Home Page has taken 206 hits during December and 7380 since April 1996. See more information such as magazine articles in the Members-only section. Have your say on the Visitors' Page. It makes interesting reading. Note: it is edited from time to time.

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

Ken Wright is progressing well after his recent crash as is Mark Ayling We wish them a speedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing them back riding with the Club.

Seen at the Club BBQ, Saturday 16^th December at Fairfield Park: Ray, Katrina, Jye & Riley Walker,Tanya Walker - GPX250, Daniel Carr-Aprilia 250, Rob Wordie-GSXR750, Jon Riddett & Zara-K100RT, Davorin Zivkovic K100RS, Tim Walker (WRX), Enzo Cunico-YZF1000, Ben, Julie & Fiona Warden, Bruce Saville-VFR800, Ron Johnson-CB750, Rob Langer & Kirsten Anderson, Wayne Grant ZX9R, Ian Payne & Kerrie Gooding, Rob Matricianni & Mandy Flower, Craig Morley, Dianne Welsford-CBR600, Danny Kosinski, Dave Ward (748 SPS) & Bronwyn Manifold, Ken Wurster Ducati 996, Lyn Duncan-GSXR750 & Eddie, Andrew Dunn K100RS, and Greg, Amelia, Ryan & Callan Hales.

Special thanks to Dave & Bron for the supply of the excellent bread and Wayne Nimmo for the supply of the fresh sausages and hamburgers. This sort of help really benefits the Club and is much appreciated. Also Ben, Julie, Kirsten, Rob & Kerrie who prepared or cooked on the day. It was a perfect day with an excellent turn out of 37 people.

Welcome to Nathan Brown who joined the Club on Sunday, riding a 1999 Honda Fireblade. We wish him an enjoyable future with the Club and look forward to seeing him on many rides.

Father Christmas has been busy this year, dropping off lots of new toys: After Ben Warden's ZXR750 spontaneously developed a 12cm crack in the frame (where your knee bends) after the Mirboo North ride, a new Fireblade was called for, trading in the trusty Dominator. Other members acquiring new bikes include Eric Makin (Yamaha R1), Lyn Duncan (dirt bike), Craig Morley (new dirt bike), Geoff Barton (near new Kawasaki ZX7R as anticipated last month), Jack Youdan (sold CBX1000 and bought a Yamaha VMAX), Ray Walker (traded in his 1984 GSXR750 on a new 2001 GSXR600), Priya Munasinghe (2000 model GSXR600), and Dave Moore (2000 model R6). Expect to see Rhys Williams on something new soon. He's tested an R1, ZX9 and Aprilia Mille that we know of!

Ray Walker had a close call while riding his brothers RGV when it seized mid-corner. Even a quick declutch was not enough to stop a spectacular crash witnessed by Danny Kosinski.

Ian Payne has had the Presidential Fireblade down to Krooztune for suspension upgrades. The bike is now better able to cope with the back roads that comprise normal touring Club rides.

Priya Munasinghe’s new GSXR600 was involved in a head on collision with a Hayabusa on the Reefton Spur. Both bikes were written off. Both riders escaped with comparitively minor injuries, the other rider sustaining broken fingers and a collar bone. We hope to see Priya with a new bike.

Dave Ward was contemplating either upgrading his Ducati 748SPS with a big bore kit and suspension mods or trading up to a new Ducati 748R. His bike was for sale at Bike Barn and has been sold. It will be a three month delay before the new high spec 748s hit our shores. In the interim he will make do with his track R1 and Bronwyn's hotted up RGV 250. What suffering!