The next meeting on Thursday 1st February will be at the Club Hall, Inglesby Road, Camberwell, Melways Reference 59J2. Three times a year we meet for a formal meeting followed by a light supper. We may get to see a slide show and commentary from Dave and Darryn’s recent trip to Europe. We’ll certainly have photos from recent rides including Towong and the Xmas Camp. Come and see yourself on the big screen. Note: not only is meeting on the first Thursday of month, but on the first day of month.
The MSTCV Home Page accumulated 504 hits during December, down 50 from last month. Total visits 33,140 since April 1996. The new itinerary has been posted. Expect some more photos of Towong and Xmas camp and recent Sunday rides in a week or so.
Feedback about the Club from members is requested. The Committee is looking to add some testimonials to the web page so that visitors can get another perspective. Answers to questions like “Why you joined the Club? What is the best thing about the Club? What do we do better than other clubs?” or similar is what we are looking for. It can be anonymous if you wish. Send Ben your ideas and thoughts.
Seen at the Social Sip at Mark’s Place on Thursday December 7th: Peter Feistl, Ben and Julie Warden, Rhys Williams, Paul Southwell, Ron and Julie Johnston, Ken Wright, Ian Payne, Bevan Roberts, Jacinta Thomas, Chris Pointon, Stoimen Stojanov, Breht Emmerson and Libby O’Neil, Lyn Duncan, Renzo Cunico and Danny Hasnat. 18 people An excellent night with a couple of former members with interesting life tales to tell.
There are only two white 50th Anniversary T-shirts left, size XXL. The actual size seems to be one less than indicated. Price: $15. See Peter Feistl with your money. Collectors’ items for sure. We also have lots of club Anniversary mugs at $6 each.
The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, and 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating.
The top 10 point scores after eight months of the 2006/7 count are: Ben Warden (68.5), Ian Payne (47.5), Paul Southwell (45), Ron Johnston (35), Breht Emmerson (33), Ern Reeders (31), Lyn Duncan (26), Cameron Stevens (25), Trevor Harris (23), and Dave Ward (22). Quite a lot of movement this month with Joel (gone to Queensland) dropping off, Breht dropping a place and beginning the inexorable fall, Lyn jumping two places, Cameron jumping a place and Dave Ward making the top 10. See Excel spreadsheet for your tally and points for the last 4 months. Any corrections to Ben.
Front Cover: Marysville Ride, Sunday 7th January. First Sunday ride of the year saw a healthy 15 bike turnout, 14 of which made it to Lake Mountain, and 13 of which made it down Lake Mountain! Just before the rain we have, from left to right: Cameron Stevens, Danny Hasnat, Ern Reeders, Tim Walker, Lyn Duncan, Mick Zrakic, Clint Vertigan, Darryn Webster, Ron Johnston, Dave Ward, Ian Payne and Ian Murray (1st ride).
Club members, Eric Makin and John Clowes who made and donated the Club’s 50th Anniversary coffee mugs also make 200 different motorcycle themed coffee mugs. For details look up Awesome Mugs on “eBay” at http://stores.ebay.com.au/awesome-mugs
Dave Ward has sold his MV Augusta 750 SPR to a guy in Sydney who flew down to Melbourne and rode it home with only a couple of fuel stops. Dave and Darryn Webster have their eyes on the new Ducati 1098, orders possibly placed!
Congratulations to Liz Oliver and Peter Weyermayr who are expecting their second child around July 17th 2007. Danielle, now 21 months, can’t wait for a new playmate, whereas cats, Zozo and Arnie, who once took pride of place, aren’t all that impressed. We wish them all every happiness.
Welcome to new member Mick Zrakic riding a Honda CBR600 very capably. He has slotted into the Club way as if he has been riding with us for years. He is bitten by the bug and has signed up for Towong. We wish him happy and safe riding.
Congratulations to Clint Vertigan who has rejoined the Club after a few years absence. He recently turned 30, got married, is having a baby, sold his house, purchased the one next door which he is massively renovating, and acquired a new GSXR750. He noted that it was only $1000 dearer than the one he bought 10 years ago. He’s usually seen keeping Dave Ward honest. 2006 was big; 2007 bigger!
The new itinerary has developed a few holes where once there were leaders, with Geoff Jones taking an enforced one month absence over January, Ern Reeders taking 10 months off, Breht Emmerson maybe out of bikes for a year or so, the Weyermayrs making babies, and Joel Haley gone north indefinitely. If you can spare a Sunday or two, any help would be much appreciated. The new itinerary has not been printed and is still quite fluid. Check the web site for possible dates and destinations.
Danny Hasnat is moving to Queensland for a year following his doctor wife. He will work in the Hasnat family international food business as a sales rep. He is looking for lockup storage at the moment.
The big blue “Bird” is no more. Recent committee person Martin Hastie has traded in his Honda Blackbird at Redwing for a new black VTR1000. He was looking for something lighter. He has kept the “Bird” number plate. Once he recovers from a chronically sore coccyx he should be out riding again.
Paul Southwell bit the bullet recently and purchased a new radiator for his CBR1000. The final straw on the old one was the temperature gauge sitting on 96 degrees down the freeway (normally 81/82). The radiator had become blocked with tar and road grime. Hitting it with a high pressure hose and bending the fins had hastened its demise! And after a day’s telephoning, he discovered that no wreckers in Australia could supply one. They retail for over $900 so be careful when cleaning yours.
Treasurer Peter Feistl has purchased a new GSXR750. He is back in full time employment now and the Blackbird was not doing it for him. After various test rides of the new 600 and 1000 Suzys, he finally settled on the 750. He still has the Blackbird, negotiating with the Bairnsdale Council to repair damages sustained when he fell off due to unsignposted, roadwork-related gravel mid-corner.
Last Sunday first time rider, Ian Murray, on a Kawasaki ZRX12, fell off at low speed coming down Lake Mountain in the rain, about 6 km up from the T-intersection. The bike hit a concrete drain cover and smashed the front wheel rendering it inoperable. Ian sustained a cut across the bridge of his nose from the glasses he was wearing which bled profusely. Ern rendered medical assistance consisting of staunching the flow with an Elastoplast bandage across the bridge of his noise. Lyn set off for Marysville to raise an ambulance (precautionary) and a tow truck. Ben caught the rest of the ride at the Bakery in Warburton, battling welcome rain across the Reefton Spur. Lyn and Ern made their own way home.
Text from Ian Murray: Ben, having difficulty with your email so texting instead. Good day. I am all stitched up and good to go even though I currently look like Frankenstein. Wanted to drop brief note thanking you, Lyn and the other gentleman (Ern …Ed.) who provided immediate assistance yesterday – very professional. Bike repairs, etc are in progress. I gave your name and contact mobile to TAC as witness - hope you are okay with that? In summary I found myself on a road yesterday on a bike I was still getting used to, in poor conditions. In hindsight I should have held back and crept down the hill. Other than that, I was having a fine day and enjoyed the scenery, a little too much as it happened.
A follow up call on Wednesday night confirmed that Ian’s nose was broken in three places as a result of his glasses crushing his nose, but that it is straight and the stitches will minimise scaring. Plastic surgeon to confirm all is well tomorrow. He ended up at Alexandra base hospital on the day with further x-rays at the Epworth along with the follow up treatment. Bike is at Brighton Kawasaki and shouldn’t be too much of an issue: new wheel, new handlebar, minor paintwork repairs to right hand side panels.
If you are leaning towards a new bike, after that regular maintenance item, or plan to update your riding apparel, visit Scott McConnell at New World Honda, 518/552 Princes Highway, Narre Warren or give him a call on 8794-0000 or even email him at [email protected]. Mention the Club and he is sure to look after you.
Email from Marty Thompson: Bike (ZX9) fell off the stand and duffed an indicator as well as scratching a couple of panels and busting a tab. Then I overbalanced while stationery on some loose stuff, scratched panels the only damage to the bike, but managed to tear a hamstring in the process!