December 2005 Who’s News

The MSTCV Home Page took 407 hits during December and has taken 27,129 since April 1996. I have added 23 photos including a few from the Mirboo North ride where Tim crashed, a few from the Yarram ride including group photos at the Toora wind farm and 10 from the Fairfield Xmas Party which features more dogs than people. Don’t forget to check out information on the Australia Day weekend at Towong.

Seen at Mark’s Place on the 1^st of December: Ben and Julie Warden, Pete and Liz Weyermayr, Ron and Daniel Johnston, Breht Emmerson and Libby O’Neil, Peter Philferan, Lyn Duncan, Ian Payne, Greg Jeffery, Stoimen Stojanov and Bill Wee. 14 people. Numbers lower than expected with various people forgetting possibly due to Thursday falling on the first day of the month catching people off guard.

Seen at the Xmas BBQ Fairfield on 10^th December: Ben and Julie Warden, Paul and Jo Southwell, Ian Payne and Kerrie Gooding, Dave Ward, Bronwyn Manifold, Troy (whippet), Oswald (Shiatszu) , Liz, Pete, and Danielle Weyermayr, Fritz and Frieda Weyermayr, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe, Darryn Webster and Julieanne, Ron, Kelly and Julie Johnston, Lyn Duncan and thor (Rotweiler), Tim Walker and Zoe (German Shepherd 4 month old puppy), Dave Moore, Allois Zimmer, Peter Feistl, Ern Reeders, Peter Philferan, and Martin Hastie. 28 people, tons of food and drink, lots of fun. Four dogs chasing each other was very amusing.

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. After eight months the scores are: Ben Warden (65.5), Lyn Duncan (52), Ian Payne (46), Paul Southwell (34), Ron Johnston (31), Ern Reeders (30.5), Joel Haley (24.5), Martin Hastie (22), Peter Feistl (22), and Breht Emmerson (20). No change to the top ten people, though Ron and Ern are closing in on Paul who was away in NZ for a few rides. To see your score at the two thirds mark, check out the table attached. If there are any discrepancies let Ben know.

Renzo Cunico finally received a starter motor clutch for his VFR750 and is back on the road again, done with push starting, though apparently the clutches only last 40,000 km. Alas, the bike sustained some minor cosmetic damage at the Xmas camp when he came to grief avoiding a stick on the Falls Creek road, running wide onto gravel mid-corner, washing out the front wheel. Nothing a can of paint won’t fix. Peter Feistl just happened to have a spare Honda clutch lever which, and given that Honda changes everything between models, remarkably, it fitted. Ben provided a big shifter and the experience to know the gear change lever wouldn’t snap when used judiciously to bend it back to straight.

Ron Johnston crashed his Bandit after running wide up the steep side of Tawonga Gap heading back to camp after a run to Falls Creek. The bike sustained minor cosmetic damage though rider and bike continued on. Luckily the engine cover was only grazed and not holed. A few engine cooling fins will require filing and painting and a couple of gouges in the top fairing will need bogging and painting. Expect to see the bike back to mint condition very shortly. Ron had earlier had a lucky escape on Hotham when he used a vacant car park to come to a complete halt after failing to negotiate a 45 km/h bend near the summit. Lucky again. It was his third incident of the week, with another effort resulting in him going up the right hand side of an oncoming cyclist. The Bandit was being pushed beyond its design envelope in an effort to keep pace with the more sporty company. Ron slowed down for the rest of the week.

A friend of Les Leahy’s, Peter Hill, riding a KTM950 joined us for a trip to Omeo on one of those extreme temperature days. He ran wide on the return trip down Mt Hotham near the summit. The bike sustained minor cosmetic damage including holing one of the tanks. The bike was rideable though Peter scored a swollen wrist which was diagnosed the next day as a broken scaphoid. He returned from the Myrtleford Hospital with plaster from his fingers to his elbow. Luckily it was his clutch hand otherwise he would not have been able to ride over the top via the dirt to Dargo and home to Stratford, let alone get his helmet on and off. We trust he made it home without further mishap.

Tim Walker crashed his Kawasaki ZX7R on the Mirboo North ride as reported in last month’s magazine. He sustained minor injuries to his hands – summer gloves, shredded his synthetic jacket and grazed his elbow and knee, but walked away all bones intact. His bike has been repaired and is back on the road but still waiting for stickers. Tim’s knuckles are on the mend and he is riding again.

Australia Day Weekend 2006 (Thu 26^th till Sun. 29^th Jan.) at Towong is filling fast. Grouse roads, sensational scenery, great company, excellent food and accommodation. Only a couple of places remain at The Ridge, the Snowy Mountains Cottages now all filled. See full description elsewhere in the magazine or on the Club web page. Julie Warden will be taking the wagon as usual so drop off your luggage if you want it transported.

It is likely we will have full tyre changing facilities (bead breaker, static wheel balance, air compressor, required skill set) care of Cliff Peters, Ron Johnston and Danny Hawker. If you want good second hand race tyres, currently Dunlop 209s, then contact Ron Johnston. Peter Feistl was forced to use one and has found the slow wear rate remarkable. Those present at the Xmas Camp will have seen the speed and efficiency of the operation with at least 7 tyres changed for various people.

Front Cover: One of the many times we stopped at Tawonga Gap over the Xmas Camp holiday period. Top row: Ben Warden, Cliff Peters, Ron Johnston and Ian Payne. Middle row: Peter Hill (crashed KTM950), Peter Feistl, Lyn Duncan and Darryn Webster. Front row: Renzo Cunico, Breht Emmerson, Danny Hawker and Dave Ward. A tourist took the photo(s) and Peter Feistl massaged the faces to get the best outcome. A day ride to Mt Hotham and Omeo with 12 riders with the temp. heading for the 40’s.

Email received from Geoff Jones re last Sunday’s ride to Eildon where only two riders made the start: Steve Cowburn CBR954 Leader 50% rear rider 50%, Geoff Jones   R1  Leader 50% rear rider 50%. Route: Yarra Glen, Healesville, up Chum Creek Road to Toolangi, down Myers Creek Road, Black Spur, Marysville first stop. Buxton, Molesworth Road, Yea, Kinglake West, ride end. Around 200 km ride distance. No incidents. Home (Gisborne) by 2 pm.

When editing the itinerary page on the web I noticed that this New Years Day ride was mistakenly not even advertised. But it was advertised in the Club magazine and on the white itinerary cards. Thanks to Geoff and Steve for making the effort knowing that most of the regular riders were still sampling the delights of the Club Camp at Porepunkah, or conversely nursing lack of sleep or alcohol induced hangovers.