Who’s News October 2009

The Club web site at www.melbsportsbike.net.au accumulated 856 hits during October, up 222 on last month. Total visits are 55,293 since April 1996. The counters on the other pages after another month indicate that the 2009 Calendar page took 774 hits (total 6005 since 28^th October 2008) and Great Roads totals 162 hits (total 2001).

Seen at the General Meeting at the Tower Hotel on Thursday 1^st October: Pina Garasi, Dennis Lindemann, Rob Langer, Paul Southwell, Tonty Raditsis, Lyn Duncan, Ha Du, Craig Morley, Ben and Julie Warden, Trevor and Barbara Rolfe Harris, Peter Feistl, Peter Philferan, Tony Stegmar, Ron Johnston, Chris Pointon, Suzi Pollard, Dave Ward, Mark Rigsby, John Rousseaux, Kate Stewart, Kurn Bridgeman and Geoff Taylor, our guest speaker for the night. 24 people Geoff provided a fascinating insight into India with a thought provoking slide presentation – all taken from a mobile phone camera.

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 2009/10 year ending the ride before the 2010 AGM in July. After four months, the top ten count is Ha Du (36), Ben Warden (35), Pina Garasi (28), Dave Ward (24), Ron Johnston (24), Ian Payne (23), Dennis Lindemann (22), Paul Southwell (22), Cliff Peters (19), Misho Zrakic (15) and Cameron Stevens (15). Another big month for Ha with 11 points sees her stay a point ahead of Ben. Pina remains third. Ron moves up a couple of places with Paul Southwell overseas watching the Malaysian MotoGP, missing a couple of rides and hence points.

Front Cover: Taken on the Eildon ride at Torbreck River, Sunday 4^th October. Fourteen degrees cold and still 21 bikes and people. Back row: Phillip Hotschilt, Ken Goederee, Dave Ward, Dave Chisma, Cliff Peters, Ha Du, Tony Raditsis, Rob Jones, Cameron Stevens. Front Row: Rod Merrett, Rob Croft, Graeme Tattersall, Tony Stegmar, John Rousseaux, Misho Zrakic, Pina Garasi, Duane Rafferty. Ben Warden behind the lens.

Tony Stegmar has traded his Hayabusa on a new Suzuki GSXR1000 pear white K9.. Passing an un-marked policeman riding a K1200 on the Black Spur while leading last Sunday’s Reefton via Jindivick ride will see him walking for 28 days.

20^th October Update from Brien who crashed his VTR1000 on the St Andrews Road after a ride last month. “Hi Ben,  the bikes a total loss....due to its age and value.  I’m not too bothered as they have assessed it at $7500, which is what it's worth. NZ was wet!  Good to see the relatives.  I’m getting withdrawal symptoms from not riding so borrowed a Sachs 650 to go to the GP... it just made me realise that I want a proper bike to ride. I should get my cheque this week so I'm shopping at the weekend and looking at a GXR600 as they are on offer at $12,995 brand new!  We'll see what’s out there and I should hopefully be back on the rides by mid November. Take care and see you soon. Brien