June Who’s News 2004

The MTCV Home Page took 289 hits during June and has taken 20,563 since April 1996. Don’t forget to check out the Visitor’s page every now and again. It sometimes contains information that is difficult to propagate any other way. Given recent events, it is also important that members provide an up-to-date email address and regularly check their email. Here are a couple of recent postings to the Visitors page:

On 15 June 2004, Bill Wee ([email protected]) visited the MTCV Home Page and had this to say: "Went on my first ride with the club on Sunday 6th June to Loch. Led by Ben Warden it was absolutely fabulous all the way. Having being away from bikes for 22 years I had my heart in my mouth for the first few kilometres of twisties before settling into the rhythm. Thank you to all the riders for such a warm welcome. I came away happy to have spent a delightful day with a great club. Looking forward to the next ride. By the way Ben, I did'nt feel exhausted on getting home and enjoyed the MotoGP. Thank you also for the club magazine that arrived the next day. Great read." At Bill’s next ride, Jindivick, 27^th June, he reported that he was off sick for a week and a half after this ride, with the flu. I had also noted that statistically he fitted the profile of a mid-life-crisiser and the additional chance of him falling off on a Club ride in the first 3 rides was about one in three. Risks add up. He didn’t get to three. See article.

On 8 May 2004, Leslie Luke ([email protected]) visited the MTCV Home Page and had this to say: "I rode with the M.S.C.A.V. in 1970's and 80's and had quite a ball. It was one of the most sensible clubs around then. The BMW club sprang out of it with Mick Fagan’s help. I was still a member when it changed names to the M.T.C.V. in 1984, I think. It is good to see that you still use the old rules. I hope to get back onto my old TX500 I was riding then, and joining you on a run again as I tried to in the 1990’s when I came down from the bush for a week. I love the web site: sensible and sparse. Works well for an info site. Keep up the good work. I wonder if anyone is aware of Darren Room’s or Big Daddy’s current whereabouts." I invited Leslie to the last Social Sip to catch up with Peter Philferan (aka Big Daddy). He turns out to be a fascinating bloke. And coincidentally the Magazine featured the man himself, Peter P.

Seen at the June Social Sip at the White Horse Inn: Trevor Harris, Ben and Julie Warden, Pete Weyermayr and Liz Oliver, Ron, Julie and Kelly Johnston, Paul Southwell, Danny Kosinski, Martin Hastie, Peter Philferan, Leana Polkinghorne, Leslie Luke and Rod Patterson. 15 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 1 or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating. The 2004/5 is now two months old. The top eight points’ scorers are: Ben Warden (15), Ron Johnston (10), Paul Southwell (10), Robert Langer (9), Peter Weyermayr (8), Nigel Hellyer (7), Martin Hastie (6) and Liz Oliver (6).

President Ian Payne and partner Kerrie have returned from their trekking holiday to Machu Picchu. As hoped, Ian has many pictures. He may present a slide show at the September General Meeting.

Rob Langer lost a front disk caliper on Sunday’s ride. It smashed off the bike while he was riding. See article for more details. Rob took the caliper to an engineering firm and, in their considered opinion, it was not correctly reinstalled after the front wheel was removed. That is, a mounting bolt was not tightened. In a way, this is good news: you would rather human error be the cause than equipment failure such as metal fatigue, poor casting etc. Rob had the bike back on the road Monday, the day after the event. Given that it is a twin disk setup, he just replaced the brake line to the remaining caliper. The wheel suffered some spoke damage and two spokes will be replaced. A new caliper will cost $400. There is a nick on the fork and front guard, and a few gouges on the wheel rim. Given the potential for serious damage, both human and bike, the incident has resulted in minimal damage. Luckily, Rob escaped unscathed, and a little wiser. Kirsten is reviewing processes at the moment with a view to making changes.

Welcome back to Ken Wright on his Aprilia RSV1000. It took 6 months to get fixed.