Who’s News                June 2009

The Club web site at www.melbsportsbike.net.au accumulated 579 hits during June, roughly the same as last month. Winter is here. Total visits are 52,540 since April 1996. The counters on the other pages after another month indicate that the 2009 Calendar page took 494 hits (total 3536 since 28th October 2008) and Great Roads totals 146 hits (total 1386). All counters very similar to last month.

Seen at the Social Sip at Mark’s Place, Thursday 4th June:  Ben and Julie Warden, Chris Pointon and Suzi Pollard, Kate Stewart and John Rousseaux, Trevor and Barb Rolfe Harris, Dave Ward and Bron Manifold, Dennis Lindemann, Ron Johnston, life member Les Leahy, Ian Payne, Renzo Cunico, Tony Stegmar, Mark Rigsby, Tim Emons, Peter Feistl, Ken Goederee and Ha Du. A remarkable 21 people given the very cold conditions. Note: the bill is per table. This keeps the price down. There is no point arguing the toss with the hired help. It is the policy. Always was. Likely always will be.

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 June 30th for the 2009 AGM in July. Given we used to have the AGM in May, this is a long 14 month “year”. The top ten final count is Ben Warden (109), Pina Garasi (89), Ian Payne (77), Dave Ward (74.5), Ron Johnston (74), Paul Southwell (73), Misho Zrakic (57), Geoff Jones (51.5), Cliff Peters (51), and Ken Goederee (47). Honourable mentions go to Cameron Stevens (43.5) and Dennis Lindemann (40). Next month I hope to do a little statistical analysis, for instance, if we count just pure Sunday rides (no Social Sips, articles, leading, etc) people like Cliff, Misho and Cameron may figure more prominently in the top 10.  What was the average ride length? Which ride had the most attendees? Which function? What is the average number of riders per ride? Per month? See elsewhere for the final wash-up including details for the last 5 months. Of course, if you reckon you have been robbed of a point, let me know and I will amend the records.

Front Cover:  Taken at Thompson’s Dam, Sunday 28th June. Back row; Cameron Stevens, Misho Zrakic, Pina Garasi, Cliff Peters, Tim Emons and Dennis Lindemann.  Front row: Paul Southwell, Jared Wade, Martin Govett and Ron Johnston. Ben behind the lens, Ha waiting for RACV back in Noojee, Tony Stegmar playing catchup, Ian Payne at daughter’s afternoon tea, Rob Croft left earlier.

Kurn Bridgeman celebrated his “21st” birthday last Sunday (28th) night. He is going stir crazy waiting around at home for his busted hip to mend. At least he has Foxtel to feed his addiction to watching the World Superbikes and MotoGP bike racing. Ian Payne and Dave Ward represented the Club at the bash. We wish Kurn a speedy and full recovery, and his beloved Haga the same after a similar crash.

Cliff Peters is back riding, albeit gingerly, still sore from the crash with Paul back on Easter Sunday. A couple of Saturday’s ago we celebrated his 50th surprise birthday party in Geelong organised by Barb and son Jason.  It was good to catch up with the clan including Katrina and Danny. I spoke with 10 year old Jarrod who is competing in the under 16, 65cc dirt bike racing and can report that all the practise at home around the home-made track is paying off: 10 races, 8 firsts, 2 seconds (to a 16 yo). Brilliant! And not unnoticed. The local bike shop is considering providing sponsorship including a new 150cc race bike. Danny is the mechanic, skills coach, mentor and chief bike cleaner – saves on wheel bearings and electricals.  Go Jarrod!

Paul Southwell crashed on the Gembrook Road 25 minutes into the Noojee ride on Sunday 14th. The usual combination of rider error, dodgy road conditions, a sharp corner and an on-coming car, melded into a rather spectacular destruction of one 10,000 km old 2008 CBR1000. Paul walked away with a scratched knee and a little wiser, especially after enduring a knees-around-your ears pillion ride back to Fairfield on the back of the trusty 954 which gave him time to ponder the error of his ways. And he was still having trouble with fluid on his hip from the previous altercation with Cliff and his ZX10.  A minor op to clean up the damage will see him back fighting fit in a few weeks, though he did return last week as rear rider. We wish him a speedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing what shade of black his next CBR will be.

Dave Ward emailed a few of us a photo of his latest acquisition, an orange  Z1000, upgrading Bron’s Z750. The thou has better suspension components and … more power! He rode it back to Melbourne from Adelaide via Mt Gambier last Saturday and Sunday and then headed off to Kurn’s shindig.

Rob Langer is home serving out a month’s suspension. He completed 9,000 km riding to Perth and back in a month with lots of tough outback roads in between including the Gun Barrel Highway.  Lots of fantastic outback photos to view with his excellent new camera. Give him a call and talk the talk. Or drop around for a chat.

Reminder:  Membership ceases as of 30th June and hence fees are now due. Deposit your $40 in to the Club coffers using the following details: BSB 803-143, account Number: 14304721 and Name: Melbourne Sportsbike Riders. Don’t forget to put your name in the appropriate field so that the Club can identify who paid. Send an electronic receipt to [email protected] as confirmation.

 

Club Financial Statement in a nutshell:

 

Opening Balance                                                         $3110

Closing Balance                                                          $3885

 

Towong Weekend profit                                             $Nil

Jindabyne Trip – profit                                               $97

 

Tasmania  – ferry                                                        $84

Tasmania  - accommodation                                       $93 loss

Tasmania - pending reimbursements                           $499

 

Memberships – Financial                                            73

Memberships – Life                                                    5

 

Total Members:                                                         78