Who’s News April 2009

The Club web site at www.melbsportsbike.net.au accumulated 787 hits during April, up 124 on last month. Total visits are 51,402 since April 1996. The counters on the other pages after another month indicate that the 2009 Calendar page took 657 hits (total 2575 since 28^th October 2008) and Great Roads totals 204 hits (total 1092). The number of visits is becoming very consistent, or would have been if I hadn’t captured the stats six days into the next month.

Seen at the Social Sip at Mark’s Place, Thursday 2^nd April: Lyn Duncan, Peter Feistl, Stoimen Stojanov, Tim Emons, Ron Johnston, Trevor Harris and Barbara Rolfe Harris, Rob Langer, Ian Payne, Paul Southwell, Ben and Julie Warden, Kate Stewart, John Rousseaux, Dave Ward and Bronwyn Manifold. 16 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 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 at the 2009 AGM in July. The count after eleven months is Ben Warden (96), Pina Garasi (77), Ron Johnston (66), Ian Payne (65), Dave Ward (62.5), Paul Southwell (61), Misho Zrakic (50), Geoff Jones (47.5), Cliff Peters (46) and Ken Goederee (42). Dave slipped past Paul and has Ian in his sights, though Paul has been bikeless for most of the month.

Front Cover: montage of five photos from the month thanks to Peter Feistl’s artistic talents. Top left: Ben and Darryl Lyon’s bikes covered in snow, top of Lake Mountain (Sun 26^th April, Reefton ride.) Middle left: Kinglake West break-up point at fire damaged General Store (19^th April); Bottom left: Euroa (19/4) ride break-up at Kinglake West. Back row: Geoff Jones, Chris Pointon, Simon Trubiano, Pina Garasi, Misho Zrakic, Ettienne Gous (1^st ride), Tony Stegmar, and Chris Tran. Front Row: Ern Reeders, Henry Wright, Cameron Stevens and Brad Murphy (1^st ride). Right photo: Loch break-up (3/5). Back: Dave Ward, Ian Payne, Pina Garasi, Tony Raditsis, Peter Feistl, Tony Stegmar. Front: Dave Chisma, John Rousseaux, Paul Southwell, Ern Reeders. Bottom right: accident scene (3/5) including Ben’s bike, Geoff Shugg’s K1200RS and Ron Johnston’s brand new VFR800 (F1) tricolour. Ben behind the lens on all shots.

Kurn Bridgeman rang me to say that after his check-up on his hip reconstruction after his Tassie crash it was discovered that it had set incorrectly and would have to be rebroken and more pins inserted. The operation was treated as an emergency and he went under the knife Thursday 30^th April. Having been self administering morphine for the last month, when given the normal amount after the operation, it had no effect and he was left in agony – until a boosted dose was administered. Kurn has since discovered that he should not exceed 60 degrees from the vertical ie he can’t sit, drive, work etc. It would have been handy to know this after the first operation. Kurn is somewhat house bound but would welcome visitors and phone calls on mobile 0405-197-248. He is likely to be incapacitated for up to 10 weeks.

Email from Dave Chisma, Sun 26^th April after Sandown Ride Day: Hi David (Ward), I forgot to thank you on the day for organising us. I have to apologise for being a bit dopey and getting into a different group. I was being timid about my first track day on a new bike and my first time at Sandown; I didn't know whether I could keep up or just be a speed hump. Anyway, I had fun and the F800 behaved nicely (better than I had expected really).

Email from Ron Johnston 23^rd April: I have bought a new bike, a 2008 VFR 800 F1 Anniversary model, tri-colour paint scheme. I take delivery of it on Tuesday 28^th. It will be strange to see me on something different; no more Dinosaurs...

A conversation on 19^th April: Simon Trubiano and wife Annalisa are expecting their second baby in 2-3 weeks. Their first child, Angelina, is 17 months old already. Making time for a ride is becoming harder and harder. We wish all a happy and safe birth.

Welcome to new member Tony Stegmar riding a Suzuki Hayabusa. He has been on a few Club trips and finally caught up with the paperwork. We wish him many safe and fun rides.

“There is a possibility that the bike will be written off and if that happens, then it's GAME OVER big time. I will hang up the (club) riding boots.” That was last month. This month Peter Feistl is riding around on an almost new, 2009 GSXR750. Yes, the other one was written off. We look forward to seeing Pete on a few rides.