Who’s News August 2007

Congratulations to David Moore and Tamsin Ashdown on the recent birth of son, Blake Hamilton Ashdown Moore, born Friday 17^th August at 5.10 am, weighing 7 lb 12 oz and 50 cm long. Mother and baby doing well, dad somewhat frazzled. We look forward to seeing them soon.

The MSR Home Page accumulated 694 hits during August, 181 more than last month. Total visits are 37,629 since April 1996. I have added a PDF of the itinerary for easy printing and changed the Members’ access password. The new itinerary will be up in a few days.

Seen at the Mark’s Place on Thursday 2^nd of August: Ben and Julie Warden, Mark Rigsby, Paul and Jo Southwell, Ron and Julie Johnston, Jacinta Thomas, Lyn Duncan, Renzo Cunico, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, David Ward and Bronwyn Manifold, Peter Philferan, Ian Payne, Peter Feistl, Marino Cattapan and Rob Cuzner. A bigger turnout than usual with 19 people

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 is for the 2007/8 year ending at the 2008 AGM in May. Top ten totals after 4 months are: Ben Warden (39), Ian Payne (32), Dave Ward (24), Paul Southwell (22.5), Cameron Stevens (20), Trevor Harris (14), Geoff Jones (12.5), Ron Johnston (11), and Misho Zrakic (10). No positional changes to the top eight but Geoff jumped a couple of places after a solid month.

Email from Peter Jones on 16^th August, a new member riding a yellow and black R1 in desperate need of suspension work: Just picked up the R1 from ProMecca, all the bike’s suspension done and ready to ride.  Ohlins shock like you and Kteck  forks like Ian. I told Peter from ProMecha I was riding with you guys and he said you are all mad! He told me he did Ian's suspension "very special", a wolf in sheep's clothing.  Ian loves carving people up into corners; he goes in very hard, breaks late and those who follow, perish. I told Peter I ride within my limits and watch you all pass as I develop my skills. I haven't been able to come for a ride for a while as the bike was out of service for two weeks and the weather looked too ugly last Sunday. I'm looking forward to a fair weather ride, so hopefully this Sunday it will be good. I received the monthly news letter and thanks for showing my best side on the cover. My wife and daughter got a great laugh.  I look like Quasimodo's big brother. I also saw the details for the ride over Melbourne Cup long weekend and would love to participate. Can you tell me how to book and who to give a deposit to? Anyway, here's a picture of my bike so you can keep it next to your bed.

Paul Southwell crashed his beloved Fireblade while leading the Loch ride on Sunday 26^th August. He was really enjoying himself out front before he hit a pothole mid-corner and lost the front end. The bike low sided and slid across the road, down an embankment landing on a taut barbed wire fence. Five days and $1500 later the bike is repaired like new and ready to ride, with mainly new left hand side panels and nose cone. Paul did the repairs himself with a bit of time to spare. The right hand side didn’t get a scratch thanks to the barbed wire “catching” the bike – and a little bit of luck! Paul is repairing his leathers to near new – the knees were shredded. His sore ankle is making swift progress with no medical intervention required. We expect to see him riding shortly, another commitment preventing him riding last Sunday.

Paul Punicki arrived on the Loch ride with a new Honda Blackbird CBR1100XX. He was last seen riding a Suzuki GSXR1000. He was certainly hustling the big Bird around the tight corners though it looked like relatively hard work! It will be an interesting comparison.

Front Cover: Brisbane Ranges ride (outside Meredith General Store) followed by a magnificent feast at Val and Geoff Jones’ daughter’s residence. Back Row: Geoff Jones, David Ward, Darryn Webster, Clint Vertigan, Kurn Bridgeman ? (2^nd ride), Dave Twentyman, Duncan Ferguson ? (2^nd ride), Dave Wilson ? (2^nd ride), Darran Porch (1^st ride), Hans Wurster, Renzo Cunico and Rob Langer. Front row: Ian Payne, Ron Solomon, Paul Southwell, Mirko Strasser and Chris Pointon. 17 people in shot, Ben behind lens, Peter Jones wandered off. 19 people on ride, another 4 people at the lunch.

Melbourne Cup Long Weekend Road Trip, November. The plan is to ride into NSW and visit the south east coast and Snowy Mountains via all the good roads. We intend to stay in a different location each night. The proposed itinerary for the period Sat 4^th –Tue 6^th is:

Day 1 Orbost Pub with Whittlesea leave heading for Mansfield, Bright, Mt Hotham and Omeo Highway (670 km). Day 2: head for either Bombala/Adaminaby/Towong pub accommodation picking up the Canne River Highway, Kiah Road, Eden, Cathcart, and Snowy Highway. Third night: Mt Hotham lodge accommodation via Cabramurra, Elliot Way, maybe Thredbo loop, Jinjellic, Murray Valley Highway, Granya, Bright Hotham. Last day Mt Beauty, Mt Buffalo, Tawonga Gap, Happy Valley, Mansfield, Yarck. Put $100 in to the Club coffers to secure a spot asap. Near new tyres essential. Will be booking accommodation in the next few weeks. Around 8 starters so far.

Ron Johnston reports that he had his plaster cut off last week and he is mending slowly, another six weeks before he can rejoin the work force. (He crashed his Bandit 30 metres from the front door five weeks ago.) We wish him a spedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing him out riding again.