Who’s News June 2007

The Club extends its condolences to Peter Feistl and family on the recent death of his 18 year old son Tyler who died after a long illness. Ben and Julie Warden, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, Ian Payne, Paul Southwell and Bill Wee attended the funeral service at Springvale Crematorium to celebrate Tyler’s inspirational life, followed by a wake at the family home. Tyler was an avid sports fan and memorabilia collector. Red and black “Bomber” balloons were released to the Essendon Football Club theme song at the end of the service, a fitting farewell. On behalf of the MSR members, a donation was made to the Starlight Foundation.

The MSTCV Home Page accumulated 492 hits during June, down 231 from last month. Something about being the middle of winter and it rains every Sunday, so who would want to go for a ride anyway. Total visits are 36,422 since April 1996.

Seen at the Mark’s Place on Thursday 7^th June: Ben and Julie Warden, Ian Payne, Dave Ward and Bronwyn Manifold, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, Ron Johnston, Jacinta Thomas, Paul and Jo Southwell, Peter Feistl, Dave and Tamsin Ashdown, Cameron Stevens, Corbin Spurr, Peter Philferan and Marino Cattapan. 18 people

Front Cover: Taken outside Stuty’s Bakery (Broadford) on the Nagambie Ride (Sunday 1^st July). From the left: Cameron Stevens, Misho Zrakic, Ian Payne (Life Member), James Melford, Les Leahy (Life Member), Paul Southwell and Dave Ward. Ben Warden (Life Member) behind the lens.

Email from Pina Garisi: Dear Ben, its Pina here (Yamaha R6). I was a first time rider with your club who went on last week's ride to Redesdale. Thanks for making me feel welcome. I found it to be a friendly club to ride with. However, I'm not at all skilled enough to ride with you fast boys and was conscious that by holding the ride up I was taking away the joy of speed from other riders.

Was wondering whether tomorrow's ride from Whittlesea to Thresherman's Bakery in Carlton will be quite a fast-paced one? Regards, Pina.P.S. Any chance of you emailing me the photo from last weeks' ride?

Pina #2: Dear Ben, good to hear from you and thanks for your kind words of encouragement - much appreciated. I think you're right about not being warm enough on the last ride; definitely I was underdressed by one extra warm layer - I had forgotten how cold it can get and how your brain starts to "freeze up". Several times throughout the ride I had to remind myself to concentrate.

Even though I hadn't heard back from you regarding the ride to Strath Creek on the Queen's Birthday, I had decided that I would go if it wasn't raining, but alas it was. I would have come to the Thresherman's Bakery if I had have realised that it was okay for people who hadn't gone on the actual ride for the day, to also come. Ah well, next time. Still living and learning.

Thanks for organising to send me out your magazine and thanks also for offering to email the Redesdale ride group photo. I'm not sure if my "hotmail" address can handle the file size; if not try sending it to me at work. Look forward to receiving all the stuff and look forward to another ride with the club. Thanks once again for all your support. Kind regards, Pina. 11-6-07

Pina #3: Hey Ben, just received your newsletter and had much fun reading it although I did blush ever so slightly upon reading my comment of the "meaning of a mono". You've got a good memory!

So ironic that you mention passing the Ulysses Melbourne Club meeting up at Donnybrook on your way to the Sunday Redesdale ride because when I was riding down Bell Street, Heidelberg, on the same Sunday morning. I still hadn't decided whether I continue riding down Bell Street and on to Sydney Road for the Ulysses ride or turn right towards Plenty Road to get to your ride. My bike decided right and I turned up on your ride! Felt a slight pang of guilt also that we passed Ulysses Melbourne on the ride, almost as if I was being unfaithful.

The photo on the cover looks great; pity you're missing in the photo - should get a passer by to take the photo next time. Anyway, thanks once again for the photo, newsletter and your kind advice and support. Regards, Pina 14-6-07

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 count has started again for the year 2007/8 ending at the 2008 AGM in May. Top ten totals after 2 months are: Ben Warden (20), Ian Payne (17), Dave Ward (11), Paul Southwell (9), Cameron Stevens (9), Ron Johnston (7), Trevor Harris (7), Geoff Jones (5), Rob Langer (5) and Misho Zrakic (5).

Cameron Stevens has had a spot of bad luck lately. Three weeks ago he suffered a puncture on the Eildon Ride, missing a great trip. He didn’t even make morning tea before being sent home. Quote of the day: “I don’t carry a tool kit because Suzukis don’t break down.” Learning: carry a puncture repair kit. Next week, half way down Mt Macedon on Trevor’s Daylesford ride he holed his radiator. A bottle of gunk saw him on his way – home. It wasn’t even lunch time. Learning: carry a tool kit. Last week, he almost saw the day out before scoring a staple and double puncture. Rode home in the rain by himself. Learning: if you are going to carry a foot pump in your tool kit, make sure it works! And don’t temp fate.

Lyn Duncan has sold her house and moved out, settlement this week, all going well. She’ll split her time between Stratford with partner Peter Hill and home with Mum in Pascoe Vale South. We look forward to seeing her out on a ride sometime.