January 2003 Who’s News

The MTCV Home Page has taken 310 hits during December and 14,475 since April 1996. We continue to generate new members via the web. Our ads in the bike magazines are also doing well. Check out the Visitor’s Page to keep track of the latest information and gossip.

Seen at the December Social Sip: Trevor and Anne Harris, Martin Hastie and Carmen de Bono, Ron Johnston, Dave Moore and Mandi Wearne, Ian Payne, Peter Philferan, Liz Oliver, Ray Walker, Pete Weyermayr, Ben and Julie Warden, Jon Riddett, Jennifer Burns, Bruce Saville, Ian Hinson. 18 members and friends

Congratulations to Ron and Julie Johnston on the announcement of the marriage of their daughter on Australia Day Weekend, late January, and a new grandchild due in August.

Dave Ward’s partner Bronwyn Manifold has added a new Aprilia RS250 to the fleet. I hear a Ducati Monster 620 purchase is almost complete as well. Maybe we will see Bron on a ride or two?

Dave and Bron have been doing some serious travelling recently with a trip up to Dubbo on the BMW R1150GS. They left the day before Christmas. According to Dave, the 910 km on the first day resulted in a very sore backside, despite how good they say the seat and seating position are. From Dubbo they headed east to Port Macquarie (450 km north of Sydney) and then back home via Katoomba, the Snowy Mountains (Cooma, Kiandra) and Whitfield, arriving on the second of January after 4000 odd km. Dave reports that he only managed 10,000 km out of his tyres, two up, with heavily loaded panniers. It’s tough.

While out pre-riding his future Daylesford ride, Rob Langer had the key of his BMW and gloves stolen from a table outside a café in Guilford while he ordered a latte by the local kids. He ended up catching a bus to Castlemaine and a train back to Melbourne, returning the next day with the van to collect the bike.

There was a serious crash on the Marysville Bakery ride resulting in a severely broken leg for a first time rider. High drama: police, ambulance, fire brigade, CES. See more information in the article.

I received the following interesting email from Rob Langer a couple of days ago:

Thanks for getting me down Mt Hotham safely in those atrocious conditions. With zero visibility I stuck to your tail light like glue. It was the worst I've ridden in. (See more info in Xmas Camp write-up …Ed.) Once back at camp I decided the consistent rain would dampen any of the evening’s planned festivities. So after a convincing phone call from Kirsten I packed a day early and spent New Year’s Eve with her and her family at Strathbogie. After leaving Porepunkah at 5 pm in light rain I ran into a rain storm after Benalla, so heavy that I had to pull over in places, and that was on the Hume. I arrived at Strathbogie at 7.30 pm to lashings of home made and grown blueberry pie and King Island cream.

I have now owned my 1150GS for a year and during that time I have used three front tyres,six rear tyres and, amazingly, four sets of rear brake pads. Two of the sets were genuine BMW pads and two were SBS sintered pads with negligible difference in their wear rates noticed. Interestingly, I am still on my original front brake pads. As a contrast, I owned my VifFeR for nine years and 88,000 kms and was only on my second set of rear pads when I sold her. Apart from that, and a few broken spokes last month, I have enjoyed a trouble free year from the GS.

The Points System. The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, extra point for leading or rear rider, 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). It runs till the May AGM). The top points scorers are: Ben Warden 59 (Blade), Ron Johnston 40.5 (Bandit 1200), Rob Langer 39.5 (BM1150GS), Pete Weyermayr 32 (Blade) and Liz Oliver 32 (Blade), Ian Payne 28.5 (Blade), Mark Easterbrook 24 (Ducati 750SS), Geoff Jones 19 (R1), and Kate Stewart 16 (CBR250RR). See attached sheet elsewhere for last four months breakdown of points.

Who’s News continued:

I received the following depressing email from Danny Vits, former Committee person and very active motorcyclist:

It’s been a while since I've been in touch but it hasn't been a good year for me. After fracturing my left knee-cap in May (not a bike related accident) which kept me on crutches for two and a half months I have now managed to write-off my VFR800 on 20^th November. I crashed on the Walhalla Road between the Thomson River bridge and the Rawson turn-off on a very wet, slippery and gravel infested stretch. Not really sure exactly what happened but I somehow managed to lock-up the front for an instant and it was all over. A broken collar-bone, broken ribs and a broken ankle all on the left side is my early Xmas present. It could have been a lot worse if there had been oncoming traffic or if I hadn't been wearing my most protective gear. Hope next year gets a bit better. Greetings to all the boys and girls. Danny can be reached at [email protected].

Tasmania Trip is a goer! I have booked 10 return seats leaving Saturday 8^th March and returning Sunday 16^th March, daylight crossings. This period includes Labour Day holiday on Monday March 10^th and hence only 4 days off work. I have firm bookings from 9 people: Tim Walker, Rhys Williams, Orlando Iluffi, Martin Hastie and Carmen DeBono, Ben and Julie Warden, Rob Langer and Ian Payne. A $40 deposit will secure the final spot. Total cost for the return boat trip (including vehicle) is $200 per person. Pub/cheap motel accommodation and itinerary will be organised shortly. Preference will be given to members.

Walwa Resort, Australia Day Weekend Friday 24^th to Monday 27^th

Those on the Melbourne Cup weekend away will know just how good a location the Walwa Resort is. I have booked three double storey modern cottages sleeping between 4 and 6 people (6, if couples) comfortably. The cottages are fully equipped – all you need to bring is yourself. The cost is $115 per cottage per night (3 nights) per couple, then $10 a head. It works out at around $40 per head per night. The cottages are very widely spaced, offer spectacular views across the Murray River flood plains and far off mountains. The resort is part of a Dutch owned winery. Kangaroos and bird life abound. There are two swimming pools, canoe hire, bush walks, games room, on-site restaurant This venue is suitable for our other halves – lazy days by the pool or river, bushwalking, sight seeing, etc.

The plan is to ride up on Friday leaving Yarck at 2.30 pm. Alternatively, trailering your bike up after work Friday is another option. Ride around the hills Saturday and Sunday - some of the best riding country in Australia, if not the world - then head home Monday. Otherwise, spend a day enjoying the facilities at the Resort. Lots of good options. Deposit of $50 payable to Ben as soon as possible to confirm a bed. Preference will be given to members. Ten people have booked so far.

Welcome to the following new members: Tony Grande, riding an R1, with Rob Langer’s encouragement, Clifford Peters, riding a Kawasaki ZX12R, and a regular Xmas Camp rider. He is related to Ron Johnston by marriage and lives in Portland. Occasional rider Darryn Webster, with a Suzuki TLR100, also renewed. Welcome one and all. We wish you many good riding years with the Club.