December Who’s News  2004

 

Welcome to new member Stoimen Stojanov. Stoimen rides a blue Yamaha R1 very expertly after many track days, his preferred mode of riding. He joined us at the Christmas Camp with wife Vicky and two children Karl (4) and Nadia 7), with 18 month old Boris at home with Grandma.  The Smoke Trout Farm was the highlight of their 5 days camping. Stoimen managed to scratch his pristine R1 on the notorious Granya Gap road after running wide into a deep gutter, but remaining upright. It was only when he tried to ride out of the gutter that he lost traction and had a low speed fall. Minor cosmetic damage; more pride than physical damage. Stoimen can be reached via email on [email protected] or mobile phone 0431-951-263.

 

Welcome to new member Peter Feistl riding a blue Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird. After attending a couple of the most arduous Club rides, Yarram and the Great Ocean Road, he signed up for the Xmas Camp and Tasmania. He was one of only three people to camp on an unpowered site this year, arriving with a heavily laden bike including a director’s chair!  Totally enthusiastic and ready for anything, he soon found the limits of his big bike, first wearing out a tyre, then having a minor get-off coming down from Mt Hotham, wedging his bike under the armco at low speed, and finally wearing through to the metal a set of front pads after only 12,000 km. The cracked fairings were secured with the trusty silver tape supplied by Ben c/o Peter Weyermayr. Undeterred, he rode just as enthusiastically for the remaining 4 days, pushing the big bike hard, but now contemplating the purchase of something more forgiving with a better power to weight ratio such as a Fireblade! Peter can be reached via email on [email protected] or mobile number 0402-485-657.

 

Welcome to new member Wayne Pope, also riding a Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird, a black one. He is not so new, returning to the fold after 10 years. He is frequently accompanied by his partner Annette Lawrence, a robust pillion passenger. They have  attended the more arduous Club rides and Annette very generously has written a couple of articles for the magazine in her brief stay in the Club. We wish all the new riders a safe and enjoyable time with the Club. Contact details:  [email protected] or mobile phone 0408-159-646.

 

Welcome to new member Ern Reeders riding a Yamaha TDM850. He was last seen having fun on the Great Ocean Road ride. He has signed up for the Towong weekend. Contact details: email address [email protected] and mobile phone number 0408-530-106. 

 

Bill Wee sent me this email on the 7th of October. Would any of the club members be interested in attending the MotoGP in Malaysia next year? A three-day grandstand pass only costs approximately $18 Aus. and the return airfare is about $750 Aus. Accommodation in a three star, air-conditioned hotel in the middle of China Town would cost about $35Aus per night, twin share. Food would be about $2.50 per meal. Sounds like a fantastic deal. For more information contact Bill via email at [email protected]  So far Paul Southwell and Paul Grosser have indicated their intention to join Bill – 1 week’s duration is the plan. Another 4 people have come on board. It could be big!

 

Front Cover: Jindabyne, formerly Tai Chit Café, Wednesday 29th January 2004, day ride from Porepunkah Xmas Camp. Back Row: Stoimen Stojanov, Clifford Peters, Ken right, Ian Payne, Danny Hawker, Dave Ward. Front Row: Jason Peters, Peter Feistl. Behind the camera: Ben Warden.

 

The MTCV Home Page took 350 hits during December and has taken 22, 536 since April 1996.  The 1975 April Magazine is up on the web thanks to Liz’s typing skills. It makes amusing reading – boy have things changed.

 

Seen at the Club Fairfield Xmas Party on Saturday 11th of December: Ben, Fiona and Julie Warden, Paul and Jo Southwell, Pete Weyermayr and Liz Oliver, Ron and Julie Johnston, Wayne Pope and Annette Lawrence, Ian Payne, Melissa and Andrew McKenna, Jon Riddett, Martin Hastie, Peter Philferan, Kate Pondeljak, Nigel Hellyer, Dave Ward and Bronwyn Manifold, Dave Moore, Clint Vertigan, Darryn Webster and Julieanne, Bill and Kay Wee, Rob Langer and Kirsten Anderson, Geoff and Val Jones. 32 people

 

Liz Oliver 954 for sale? Sold. Peter is using the money to build a new bathroom. So much for a holiday!

 

December Social Sip. Spotted at the Whitehorse Inn were: Ben and Julie Warden, Pete Weyermayr and Liz Oliver, Bill Wee, Ron Johnston, Ian Payne, Dave Moore, Peter Philferan, Wayne Pope and Annette Lawrence, and Renzo Cunico. 13 people. It looks like we will be at the site for another year at least as the Hotel manager requested we make bookings for 2005.

 

The Committee is formulating a new itinerary for the February to May 2005 period and is looking for destinations and leaders. Any volunteer leaders or destination suggestions please forward to any of the Committee.

 

The Club Xmas Camp at Porepunkah was the usual success with 20 people (3 kids) attending. The weather was sensational, varying from cool to mild early in the week to warm to hot later in the week. No rain was recorded, unlike Melbourne that had showers everyday and cool to cold temperatures. Those seen include: Ben, Julie and Fiona Warden, Dave Ward and Bronwyn Manifold, Ian Payne, Ron and Julie Johnston, Cliff and Jason Peters, Danny Hawker, Les Leahy, Peter Feistl, Stoimen, Vicky, Karl and Nadia Stojanov, Ken and Louisa Wright, and Renzo Cunico. There were well-attended day rides every day with 7 to 10 bikes per ride. Most riders did over 2000 km for the period. Apart from the two incidents noted above, Les Leahy lost his key in Myrtleford on the way to Camp and had to wire for a spare one from Heathcote. The original turned up in Bi-Low a day later. Les also had a fall on the way up, doing some minor ankle damage that saw him limping around for a few days, but not enough damage to keep him off the bike. See main article for more information.

 

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. After 8 months, the top 10 scorers are: Ben Warden (60), Ian Payne (41), Ron Johnston (40), Paul Southwell (36), Robert Langer (26), Martin Hastie (24), Peter Weyermayr (23), Trevor Harris (23), Paul Grosser (18), and Nigel Hellyer (17).  No movement amongst the top 10 other than for Martin and Peter to swap places. A full listing of the second third of the Club year is contained elsewhere in the magazine. Any errors should be noted to Ben.

 

Rob Langer’s mother Tippy recently died after a long illness. On behalf of all members the Club extends its sincerest sympathies to Rob, Kirsten, family and friends.

 

Julie and Ben Warden are planning on seeing The Motorcycle Diaries at The Nova, Lygon Crt, 380 Lygon St, Carlton on Monday 17th January at 7.30 pm. The tickets cost $7.50. We will have a cheap meal in Lygon Court beforehand. If you would care to join us, ring Julie at work on 8344-7552 or mobile 0423 779 968 or email her at [email protected].  Below is a film revue/advertising pitch:

“The early days of Che Guevara envisioned by Walter Salles (Central Station). This is not a film for those looking for an anthem to the revolutionary whose face adorns pins and t-shirts around the world. Based on the actual written words of both Che Guevara and his buddy Alberto Granado, this film covers the motorcycle-based road trip that the two boys took over 10,000 kilometres of South American soil when they were still young and hungry for life, encompassing their on the road adventures, the girls, the elements, the downtrodden and ultimately, the leper colony at which the two doctors-to-be end up studying. From a relatively well off family, Che's eyes were opened by this journey and by those he met along the way, and having found his true passion, dedicated his life to making the lives of others better. Y Tu Mama Tambien's Gael Garcia Bernal stars as Che.”

 

Belated Committee Greeting: Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all; plus... a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2005, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed colour, religious, or sexual preferences of the wishes.

Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.