Who’s News November 2008

The Club web site at www.melbsportsbike.net.au accumulated 328 hits during November, down 150 on last month. Something to do with the world economic downturn? Total visits are 48,058 since April 1996. The counters on the other pages after a month indicate that the 2008 Calendar page gets the most hits (532), then the Great Roads (175) and then the 2009 Calendar (102). It looks like people have book marked the 2008 ride calendar page directly and hence we have historically been under counting the number of hits, eg 200 hundred different this month with 328 on the home page and 532 hits on the calendar.

Seen at the Social Sip at Mark’s Place, Thursday 6^th November 2008: Vittoria and Stoimen Stojanov, Ron and Julie Johnston, Ben and Julie Warden, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, Jacinta Thomas, Peter Philferan, Dave Ward, Ian Payne, Peter Feistl, Tim Emons, Willem Vandeveld, Paul Southwell, and Dennis Lindemann. 17 people It was like a mini-reunion of the riders/survivors from Towong as we had only just returned on Tuesday. Peter Feistl left the meet early with a heavy cold and Ben was still photocopying and stapling the magazine, not arriving till 8.30pm. The plan to review everyone’s Towong photos on the laptop was forgotten in the excitement.

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 2008/9 year ending at the 2009 AGM in May. The count after seven months is Ben Warden (57), Pina Garasi (47), Ron Johnston (42), Ian Payne (40), Paul Southwell (38), Dave Ward (31.5), Misho Zrakic (31), Geoff Jones (29.5) Ken Goederee (29), with Cliff Peters (23). Quite a bit of movement this month with Misho jumping Geoff, Ken dropping a couple of places and Cliff moving into the top 10.

Email from Ron Johnston, Wed 19^th November.

Just a short note. On Sunday on the Kangaroo Ground / Warrandyte Road I got done for doing 95 in a 60 zone as well as passing on double white lines. Got pinged at Floods Road. There was a motorcyclist killed there two weeks ago and they were having a blitz.

I didn’t know the divvy van was behind me until I was about to cross the bridge, looked in the mirrors and there was the van with lights flashing behind me. Farck! Crossed the bridge and stopped outside the toilet block. Watched him get out of the vehicle and he came and started talking to me. I was making hand signals to him whilst taking my helmet off and ear plugs out, and said to him I couldn’t hear him.

Usual questions followed: why were you speeding, passing on double white lines. “I thought you were doing a runner.” He must have followed me for a couple of kays.  I never even heard his siren. Didn’t even look in the mirrors, too busy watching where I am going. Good ear plugs! 

The officer informed me that I would be walking for 4 weeks, 3 demerit points, $227 fine. I was waiting for “We are going to take your bike” as well, but it didn’t happen. Phew!

I explained to the officer I had been out riding and I was in tune with everything and you forget about what’s happening around you, offered no excuse for speeding or passing on double white lines, (things aren’t looking too good here.)

“Can I have your licence please, recite your name, address and DOB, to which I did. “Wait here while I issue you with a ticket.”

Walking for 4 weeks. Hmm, be alright for Xmas. Bit of an inconvenience though! Haven’t had a ticket for a couple of years.

He comes back from writing ticket. WAIT FOR IT; I have only booked you for 24 kays over, and he’s just given me a warning for passing on double white lines. 3 demerit points, and a $227 fine and I don’t have to walk for 4 weeks. Phew! Relief, how lucky was that?

I didn’t see the divvy van hiding anywhere; must have had my eyes painted on.

Cheers, Ron

Email from Dean von Schill, Mon17th November . He supplied lots of photos of his bent and busted GSXR1000 (K3?)

Had a slight mishap at the entry into the flip/flops at Winton last weekend. Went in too close to the curb at about 130k’s and the right foot peg clipped the curbing and launched me into the turf. All okay now, nothing broken (except pride) bruised lung/chest cavity. Made me stay in Wangaratta Hospital overnight for observation. Just have to repair bike now and get back into it again.

Front Cover: photo taken at Moriac near the end of the Lavers Hill via the Great Ocean Road ride, last Sunday 30^th November. Back row: Peter Jessup (1^st ride), Dennis Lindemann, Cliff Peters, Pina Garasi, Willem Vandeveld and Peter Jones. Front row: Ben Warden, Rob Zivanovic, Misho Zrakic and Bruce Fleming.

Xmas Camp, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park, Porepunkah

Friday 26^th December to Sunday 4^th   January 2009

Over the past 10 years or so the Club has camped for about a week at the Mt Buffalo Caravan Park. Situated on the fork of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers it offers a fantastic range of activities including swimming, fishing and bush walking. Close by is the Smoko Trout Farm, the “Wandi Pub”, the Hedge Maze, various berry, deer and nut farms, and an alpaca ranch. The famous Milawa wineries and cheese factory are close by. Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Supermarket shopping is available at Bright, 6 km away.

Mt Buffalo offers a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookouts, the normal early evening activity, once the guard at the gate knocks off. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap? On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain tracks offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bikes, the missus and kids, the 4WD, pushbikes, swim shoes, and truck inner tubes or li-los to float down the river.

Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne Australia Day Weekend 2009

Saturday 24^th to Tuesday 27^th January, 2008

The Committee has booked the Torino Lodge at the NSW Sport and Recreation Centre in Jindabyne. This style of accommodation has 2 or 3 beds per room (7 rooms) with communal bathroom facilities (3 showers, 3 toilets), and a large kitchen/living area with a big screen TV. We have stayed here a couple of times and have been so impressed with the cost, quality and food, let alone the location, that we are always keen to come back.

The Australia Day holiday falls on Monday 26^th of January. Given the distances involved (700 km first day and last days), a four day weekend allows us to take full advantage of the great location, sensational roads and spectacular scenery. The plan is to ride up on Saturday, ride around the snowy Mountains Sunday and Monday including as far east as Eden and as far north as Tumbarumba, and return to Melbourne on Tuesday. This means three nights accommodation. You'll need to take annual leave for the Tuesday. Typically temperatures are in the 40’s at this time of year, but at this altitude the temperatures will be at least 10 degrees cooler making for ideal riding conditions.

As usual, this special event is offered on a strictly first come, first served basis. Preference will be given to members. All you need is your toothbrush, a change of clothes and near new tyres. Street legal, race replica tyres will not last much more than two days so regular road tyres are a more sensible option, unless you can find a motorcycle shop open and willing to change them.

The Club has booked and paid for 14 people, twin share, at a cost of $1643.30. $120 is required to secure a bed. This buys you three nights accommodation and a three course evening meal (on-site restaurant) on the first night.

Tassy 2009

Wednesday 4^th to Saturday 14^th of March

The Club has paid a deposit of $300 for 12 people, 10 bikes and two cars for passage on the Spirit of Tasmania leaving Wednesday 4^th March 8.00 pm, arrive Thursday 7am, depart Saturday (14^th) at 9 pm, arrive Melbourne 6 am (in time for Sunday ride); 10 full days touring.

The costs are $384 night sail (4 berth cabin) plus $82 for the bike, each way. A car will cost $116 return. Meals are not included in the fares but can be purchased on board. A $20 cancellation fee applies to all passengers who cancel within 30 days of departure.

The plan is to go nights both ways making a total $466 (was $562 before group discount) for fares. Seven people have indicated strongly of their intention to join the tour. Unless we reach the twelve people, the charges will be revised upwards, so if you are coming, please stump up with the money. The first 12 people to pay will have boat and accommodation organised. After that, make your own arrangements. Full payment required around mid January.

Prices in a nutshell:

· Person plus bike: $466 return

· Person plus car: $500 return

· Deposit $200

Key Dates:

· Deposit by January 5^th (remembering, first in best dressed)

· Your name, car/bike make, model, and registration number by the Wednesday 14^th January.

· Final payment must be made by Wednesday 21^st January.