Wing Notes

Newsletter of the

April 2006

Phil and Vicky at the Ulysses AGM

What’s Inside?

 

 

The Editor Writes

The President Speaks

The Secretary’s Desk

A few busy weeks

Victorian ride on Sun 9/04/6

BBQ on the deck at Yeronga

Beer And Your Health

17 Days of the Ulysses AGM

Qld Ride Calendar

Vic Ride Calendar

April Minutes

3

3

3

4

7

9

10

10

15

16

17

www.auswingriders.com

Australian Wing Riders Association (Qld) Inc

PO Box 719

Ashgrove    Qld     4060


 

Wing Notes

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION QLD INCORPORATED

 

 

EDITOR:.............Bevan Bradford

Phone:  07 3822 3512

Mobile 0408 714 000

E-Mail:     mail @ auswingriders.com

 

Wing Notes is produced with the object of keeping members informed about matters of interest to AWRA members.  A electronic copy of each issue is available to every financial member of the AWRA.  Copies are also distributed to selected motorcycle dealers in the greater Brisbane area

Submissions for inclusion in Wing Notes should be with the Editor no later than the Friday following the monthly meeting, i.e.: Friday after the 1st Monday of the month.

DISCLAIMER:  Although Wing Notes will endeavour to reproduce submissions in their original form it reserves the right to edit submissions as it sees fit.  Views expressed in contributed articles in Wing Notes are not necessarily those of the AWRA or the Editor.  Wing Notes is produced with care, in good faith and from sources believed to be accurate at the time of writing.

 

 

Management Committee:

Meetings:

President

Clint Lovell (07) 3398 3437

E-mail: clinton @ lovell.com.au

Meetings are held on the

1st Monday of every month

Vice President

Rob (Bear) Harriss 0409 052 218

E-mail: RHMRS @ bigpond.com.au

Next meeting:     1st May 2006

7:30 pm

Secretary

Val Thomas (07) 3848 0498

E-mail: secretary @ auswingriders.com

Pineapple Hotel
706 Main Street, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane

Treasurer

Eric Madjeric (07) 3886 9845

E-mail: magic @ auswingriders.com

 

 

 

Special Notice

Upcoming activities:

Membership Renewals

All members are reminded that memberships were due at the end of February.

Renewal forms are to be completed by ALL members and forwarded with renewal fees to the Treasurer.

 

23rd April                Ride and Social to Weise’s restaurant

 

                               Reg Jeffrey ride

 

5th – 7th May          AGM at North Star Resort

 

12th May                Vic group Dinner

 

21st May                 Ride to Maryborough

 

AGM Accommodation

 

If you haven’t yet booked accommodation for the AGM and want to share a Chalet. Give Mary or Lionel a call.

 

 


The Editor Writes…..

The President Speaks….

The Secretary’s Desk….

G’day everyone

 

Here it is the April magazine.  Late again but a bumper magazine and worth waiting for.  Preparing a magazine and writing about our Tasmanian trip is certainly not as much fun as when we actually were there doing it.

 

So, we now have double demerit points if you speed by more than 20klms per hour twice in twelve months.  Great, I don’t have a problem with that and it has some potential to affect some people where they are persistent offenders and actually get caught, as did the first one on Saturday where he got both within a few kilometres.

 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a lot of effect on the ones I see each day cruising along using the mobile, eating their breakfast and going through red lights.  And at some sets of lights, it’s not one vehicle, it’s the ones still coming through when the opposing light has already gone green.  I have to assume it happens at every light change ‘cause I don’t believe it only happens at the change that I see.  If it’s so frequent, why is there no enforcement?  Is red light running less dangerous than speeding?

 

Having a mobile phone user drift into then back out of my lane while I was in the car on Saturday, again reminds me that it’s not motorcyclists they don’t see, it’s any other road user.

 

Keep your eyes peeled and ride safe

 

Happy reading.

 

Bevan

Hi all,

 

I apologise for failing to do a report last month. Much too self-involved.

Life is all swings and roundabouts.  Having been able, as most of you know, to purchase a really well priced GL1800 we now need to sell the GL1500.

 

I merrily took it along to my favourite bike shop to get a roadworthy, only to be told, after inspection that it failed miserably.  It will need a couple of thousand dollars worth of important bits (brakes, tyres, suspension) to make it saleable.

 

Oh well, on the bright side, Charleen and I won’t be riding an unsafe bike, as apparently we have been, and someone is going to get a tip-top machine.

 

Whilst at the shop, I got roped into a “customer service” exercise whereby I was sent to approach salesmen in other shops (where I’m not known), pretend to be buying a bike, then writing an assessment of the service.  Good fun, even if a bit mean to the salesmen involved.  But it turned out they were excellent so I was able to turn in good reports.

 

A quick look into a nearby GoldWing dealer whilst in the area revealed that all the Wings on sale are being fitted with handgrip heaters, which are apparently standard on the 06 model.  Also the 06 will not be released officially until all the 05 ones have been sold.  Good deals on 05 models abound

 

 

Clint

Hello everyone,

 

Well we have been reasonably busy for the past month.  Mainly confirming details for our up and coming Annual General Meeting.  Our committee members are making only one main change with the nomination of Geoff Mead “Meady” as our new Treasurer.  Congratulations Meady, but we are not going to totally miss Magic, as we have asked him to look after our Regalia for us – Thanks Eric.

 

I am also looking for someone to look after our social and special events for us.  As we are becoming an increasingly busy club, we really need extra hands to assist with organising you boys!

 

We spent a great week-end with our Emerald Kids, and they seem keen to see more of our club as they have purchased themselves a home in Landsborough.  This will give us another reason to tour around the hills, and another spot to rest for us.

 

Don’t forget to barrick for my Lions this week-end, they need all the help you can give them.  I can’t face them losing!!

 

Looking forward to the chocolate and wine week-end – Easter.  Ray will be busy making nests for our littlies, and then eating the chocolates!

 

Happy and safe Easter everyone – see you at our next ride.

 

ValerieandThommo

A miracle

An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut. The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He says, "Sir, have you been drinking?" "Just water," says the priest. The trooper says, "Then why do I smell wine?" The priest looks at the bottle and says, "Good Lord! He's done it again!"


 

A Busy Few Weeks

Where to start.  We noticed early that the 2006 Ulysses AGM was to be held the week following Phillip Island Superbikes, and a friend who goes regularly to the Island had been asking us for some time to join in.  As it turned out, his business forced him to miss this year, but we had already planned just about everything.

Furthermore, we were being surreptitiously recruited into trailer relocating.  A Ulyssian from nearby had requested via the web for anyone travelling up from Melbourne who could tow up his recently purchased Shadow.  As we were going that way anyway, we volunteered.  No sooner was that arranged than another Ulyssian from down south wanted one to be taken down from here.  It worked out perfectly that we would be able to travel with a trailer on behind for the whole journey.  This was to be an excellent opportunity for us to try out riding distance with a loaded trailer.

Due to sailing dates and Superbikes, we forwent travelling down to the AGM with other AWRA members and instead took up with a group of sports bike riders who we were to spend the weekend with at Phillip Island.  So we set off on our own and met up with them all in Nelson Bay Just north of Newcastle.  We had a wonderful night getting to know people we had only met casually before.

 

 

Next morning our group consisting of a CBR1100XX Blackbird, a VTR1000SP2, an FJR1300, an R1150S, a Ducati 749 and our GL1500 complete with Classic trailer, set off.  You can see how out of place we were in this company.  But of course the GoldWing/trailer combo proved to be very popular by the end of the trip.  You see it had an ESKY.  Nothing better than pulling up after a long day’s sport bike riding and by the time the leathers are off, up pulls a mobile bar with cold drinks on ice.

We travelled via Wiseman’s Ferry to Lithgow, then across to Bathurst for the obligatory lap and on to Cowra where we managed to get a room that accommodated all seven of us.  Up early next morning and down past Wyangala Dam and Boorowa to Gundagai then south to Victoria where we pulled up in Bright, under the famous Mt Hotham.  I had a scare towards the end of the day whilst trying (foolishly perhaps) to keep up with everyone down a particularly twisty road.  The foot brake system boiled.  That takes out one front and the rear disk and leaves only the one front disk operated by the handbrake (as we all know).  Scary moment over I slowed right down and crawled down the last part in second gear, trying to not use up our last remaining stopping mechanism – if you discount the dismount method of stopping.

All was well next morning for the climb up Hotham.  Great fun as usual but we were a little more careful descending the other side so they were all waiting for us at Bruthen for morning tea.  From there it is a long and boring ride to the Island, but we made it a little after lunchtime and settled into our house for the weekend.  Charleen and I had use of our own room with ensuite so we were very comfy.

Superbikes was a lot of fun and although we didn’t have the only GoldWing there, we did manage to stand out amongst the myriad sport bikes.

 

 

We certainly had the only bike that picked up trackside broadcast.  Wherever we parked it, there was usually a crowd of people poring over it, respectfully not touching.  As it turned out we had the only red GoldWing there.  Maybe that explains it.

The weekend over, we bade farewell to out sporty mates who all had to return home poste haste, and went to visit our son in Hawthorn and wait for our sail time on the Spirit of Tasmania.  Meantime I picked up the second trailer, a Shadow and parked it at Adam’s place ready to be swapped over on return from Ulverstone.  We also went to meet those who were sailing out on the Monday night only to find they were confined dockside under the watchful eye of an over-zealous security guard who held them prisoners – or something, Bevan will explain.  Meantime we met John and Karen and Doug and Preeta for a dockside fishandchip dinner nearby then went back to Hawthorn to await our passage.

Having learned from other’s mistakes we arrived after 6pm next evening and only had to wait an hour or so on the dock then a couple on board before we too sailed across Bass Strait.  We made what we consider to be a mistake in taking sit-up class.  It was certainly cheaper but we got no sleep all night and were pretty tired when we disembarked in Devonport.  We led Turbo and Wendy off in the wrong direction but soon corrected ourselves and shortly later were arriving at our caravan park in Ulverstone.  Only to be told our cabin was not ready yet, could we go away and come back later.  Aaagh.

So we went and registered then around to the Ulverstone RSL for a nice brekky.  Then it was back to the C/P and the cabin was all ready so we settled in and caught a few Zeds.

Mind you it was only a few, because there was soon a knocking on the window.  Apparently we never even heard the doorbell.  Bill and Mary had arrived and wanted to settle in as well.  So we gave up any idea of sleep that day and promised ourselves an early night.

The next few days were spent enjoying a wonderful AGM.  The people of Ulverstone were very friendly and helpful.  Many of the shops had dressed up their windows with motorbikes and everywhere we went there were “Welcome Ulysses” signs.  This wonderful welcome extended out to nearby towns and by all reports, across the whole island state.

An example of the friendliness was when Charleen and I were on a lone ride and filling up at a servo in Burnie.  A local approached us, admired our bike (naturally) and asked where we were going.  We told him and he suggested a more direct route out of town and a scenic road to our destination.  How very nice.

The dinners were a lot of fun as usual and I even attended the actual AGM.  The parade was very well attended by the locals with the Mayor reporting later in the paper that 10,000 people lined the streets.  That’s about Ulverstone’s population.

After the AGM, many of our club were staying on and visiting other areas of the state, but we had booked a Monday morning boat and after a very wet couple of hours waiting to get on board, we were on our way back to the mainland.  Incidentally the second day of the whole trip and that morning were the only two wet-weather parts of our whole journey.

Back to Hawthorn and swap trailers over, then we headed off down the eastern side of Port Phillip bay and caught the ferry over to Queenscliff.  Whilst on board we managed to sight the SOT heading back out towards Devonport and also caught a glimpse of a couple of fairy penguins swimming away from us.  The penguins were a first for us.  First time we have seen them in the wild.

Then we headed west for the Great Ocean Road and had a very nice ride along there, almost having the run to ourselves.  Our previous time there was during the Geelong AGM when there were hundreds of motorcyclists giving it a go.  We pulled up at a nice looking motel for the night.  The lady took one look at our bike and started enthusing –as people so often do.  But there was more to it, it seemed.  Last Christmas, she had played host to a group of GoldWing riders and told me they were a wonderful bunch of people.  She even had a photo of them all on her fridge and proudly took me in to show it to me.  I recognised most of the faces as being our Victorian members.  They had stayed there for the club Christmas weekend.  Good to see our members leaving a favourable impression.  We got a great room.

From Warrnambool we headed north for the Grampians and had a very nice ride through the area.  The roads were good, but the area had been recently burned out and was just starting to regrow.  Many of the national park areas were closed, probably due to safety measures.

From the Grampians we headed out onto the plains of western Victoria and made our way to Kerang, not far from the Murray River.

We decided to then go home the quickest way and headed up the Newell and were home two days later.  Travelling at speed with a trailer for long distance sure uses up some petrol, with the GL1500 using 20% more than average for that part of the journey.  All up with the two trailers, we only used 10% more than our average, so taking into consideration the fast section, trailers probably do not use too much more fuel so long as you take it easy.

Back home and back to work again (sigh), Charleen back to the grind and me ferrying trucks up to Townsville for Energex.  Whilst waiting for a plane, I got a call from John Gilbert, letting me know of a GL1800 that was for sale on the Ulysses website.  The owner was apparently in need of fast cash and the 1800 was going cheap.  That night Charleen and I had a long talk and decided to chase up the advert.  Turns out we were only the second call he had (John being the first) and I made him promise me first refusal.  By the time we met a couple of days later he had received quite a few calls so he was firm on his price.  But it was still good so we put down a deposit after viewing a few photos of the bike and made a booking to fly to Adelaide with bank cheque in pocket to make the transaction.  The deal was as is where is and the owner took me to a property north of Adelaide where he opened up the tin shed to reveal a very dirty and dusty GoldWing sitting in the corner.  He had owned it for 18 months and only done 900km in that time.

Despite the dirt and dust, it looked in good order to my trained eye (chuckle) so I handed over the cheque and rode off on our new GoldWing.

The ride home consisted of 400km the rest of that day, 1200km on Sunday and about 600km on Monday.  Monday afternoon was spent washing off the grime and applying liberal amounts of polish so Charleen could proudly ride it to the meeting that night.  I followed on the 1500 and we really enjoyed riding side by side along Wynnum Road on our two Wings.  Can’t last though, the old girl, Lucille that is, has got to go so our sorry-looking bank balance can once again poke it’s head above water.

 

Clint


 

Victorian ride on Sun 9 April 06

The ride for today started off with an usually cold morning for this time of the year in Melbourne. With a very cloudy morning I thought we would be in for a wet trip however I thought, “have faith in the weather reports that reported fine and 24 degrees”. Whilst getting ready I heard on the radio that the tunnel was blocked due to some fun run with school kids.  I think to myself, “that’s OK, as I will just go around Batman Ave to the start point”.  As I near the tunnel the signs soon tell me that Batmen Ave is also closed and Punt Rd is open.  Thinking again, “no problems just ride down Flinders street back onto to ring road”.  Good thought process however ALL streets in the central business area of Melbourne were closed.  After some cursing and looking at my watch thinking that the rest would have left earlier and missed the closing.  Time was getting short and with some precision speeding, I got to the start point with minutes to spare only to find no one there.

I had a well deserved hot chocolate and some brekky while wait for the rest when an older rider arrived and proceeded to talk to me about the ride we were going on today.  I didn’t know this guy from a bar of soap and finally got to tell him that I was waiting for some other riders to go to the show and shine in Riddells Creek, however this did not seem to deter him from thinking I was coming on his ride, (the people you meet on a bike).

 

 

 

 


After some time I finally found out that he belonged to the three wheeler club of Victoria, as they started to arrive his attention was diverted to other things however he must have told their ride leader that I was coming on his ride as he come over and introduced himself and proceeded to tell me the ride destination.  As he was telling me this was finally saved by Steve and John arriving and I think only then did they get the message that we were separate to them and doing our own thing.

With the rest arrived and a hot coffee under the belt we headed to the show and shine at Riddells creek, this was the first year it was held and thought we would see what it was like, I also had arranged with Ben a prospective member to meet him there as he had found us on the internet and was interested in joining, Ben is restoring an 1100 and doing a great job. The show and shine was not well attended.  A few Goldwings from the Goldwing Club of Victoria; with a category for tourers and $20 to enter we decided to get on our way and enjoy the rest of the day riding.

We left Riddles Creek and headed towards Lancefield and then across to Daylesford on some roads that I have not been on before.  A hot pie and a drink at Daylesford, the day was as predicted, beautiful and sunny.  After the food and with the sun on my back I could have been somewhere else but on the bike, but the road was calling to head home.  We headed towards Ballarat where Ben asked us over for a cuppa.  We accepted and he lead the way to his place.  After a cuppa, we headed straight back to Melbourne and with approx 400 kms under the belt we headed home.

Regards to all

 

John Gilbert 

Lost

 

A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper "Hello?

"Is your daddy home?" he asked.

"Yes," whispered the small voice.

"May I talk with him?"

The child whispered, "No."

Surprised and wanting to ! talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mummy there?"

"Yes."

"May I talk with her?"

Again the small voice whispered, "No."

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?"

"Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman."

Wondering what a cop would be doing at

his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?"

"No, he's busy", whispered the child.

"Busy doing what?"

"Talking to Mummy and! Daddy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer.

Growing more worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?"

"A hello-copper" answered the whispering voice.

"What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.

Again, whispering, the child answered, "The search team just landed the hello-copper."

Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?"

Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle: "ME"

 


BBQ on the deck at Yeronga–25/03/06.

We had been looking forward to this week-end.  We were catching up with everyone after the Ulysses A.G.M. in Tasmania, and the ‘other’ social weekend in Coffs Harbour.  We also had the added fun of having the Lapslie’s and Harriss’ sleeping over, so Saturday morning began with a very relaxing breakfast, before setting up for the barbeque.

Firstly, I had banned Bear and Thommo from the bar before 2 pm!  But shortly after it was open – and at 4 pm KevinandMorag arrived – let the fun begin. 

Meady and the Jones’ with their flash computer satellites got lost finding their way – funny that.  We may have to hold more socials on the deck – any excuse for a party anyway.  Steadily, our deck filled up – wow – we have 27.  The loudest cheer was reserved for BevanandTherese who made it, after leaving another party.

Thommo fired up the barbeque and promptly handed over the cooking to Bear, along with the apron and bottle opener!  The cooking went smoothly, and the table groaned with the weight of all the dishes on display – what a feast.  What a great night – plenty of stories told, fun and

wonderful company.

We even had room for deserts, luckily we were able to use the micro-wave as my conventional stove has died.  Followed by the very welcome tea and coffee we were reluctantly saying good-night.  Very slowly though, as lengthy discussions continued downstairs between the 1500’s and 1800’s.  PaulandSheree did not trust their satellite, and waited to be piloted out of Yeronga following ClintandCharleen! Thank you for a great night everyone, it was fabulous to catch-up with you all.  We didn’t sleep in Sunday morning either. 

We were up at 6 am to see the ‘kids from Emerald’ off. Ray was most impressed at how I jumped out when the alarm went off, but MikeandMarie were already relaxed on the deck with a cuppa. I wasn’t going to make my effort go unnoticed, so I made the kids have some

toast with their cuppa!  Then we sleepy four waved MikeandMarie away at 6.45 am, and decided we would stay up for breakfast.  It was a great week-end. 

Thanks again to a great bunch.

Love

Thommo and Valerie


 

Beer And Your Health

 

Rich in Vitamins and Good for the Nerves

Beer is rich in important vitamins - most are delivered to you by the beer's yeast. Vitamins B1, B2, and B6 and H contained in beer are food for the nerves: They improve your ability to concentrate, support the production of red blood cells, have a positive effect on your blood circulation and stimulate your metabolism. 

Minerals for the Metabolism

A scientific study undertaken at the Technical University of Munich concluded that the collection of minerals and trace elements in beer have a favorable effect on nerves and muscle strength, electrolyte usage, enzyme activation and hormone levels. In addition, iron and copper help blood production, phosphorus supports metabolism and magnesium strengthens the heart muscle. Zinc is necessary for your pancreas' production of insulin and fluoride protects your teeth from cavities. Finally, Maganese also helps in the production of beer's Vitamin B, which is very valuable to the human body. 

Beer helps you relax

A hectic lifestyle, stress or problems with your job or family often lead to nervousness and sleeping problems-your blood pressure rises. A glass of beer before going to bed is the "best medicine" against all of that: The hops in beer (with all four important B vitamins) have a calming effect on exhausted nerves and relax your muscles. The small amount of alcohol (4.5 to 5.5%) and the carbonation relax your body. The commentary of the Munich study concludes: "The life expectancy of people who drink beer in moderation is longer than of people who abstain." 

The calorie count rises...

Beer is comparably a low-calorie drink. A twelve ounce glass of beer has about 160 calories; only mineral water, coffee and tea (without milk or sugar), skim and butter milk have fewer calories than beer. "Hard drinks", wine, champagne and liqueurs as well as fruit, lemonade and whole milk do not. Additionally, beer, because it has practically no sodium, promotes tissue drainage and sodium expulsion. 

Beer gives you momentum

Beer is healthy-sport medicine specialists have also recognized that fact and have drawn uses from it. One example is the two Italian sport doctors Antonelli and Romano who came to the conclusion that a litre of beer a day increases performance, concentration and reaction and strengthens muscles. The American cardiologist Sheehan maintains that after long distance running, jogging, cross country skiing or marathons, beer ideally replaces bodily fluids and energy. The French doctor Gulpin discovered decades ago that beer increases lung capacity and speeds the lung's ability to process oxygen. 

Beer in old Age

Doctors and geriatricians have recognized that beer - in addition to all of the previously mentioned health effects - works against the possible breakdown of the aging human body. Also noteworthy is beer's sociological aspects: Beer is cheerful, makes one sociable and makes it easier to make contact and win new friends. In an opinion poll of German general practitioners, 81% were convinced that one or two beers a day could "beautify" retirement. 

From Spaten Bock, a Munich based brewing company

http://www.spatenusa.com/3_products/3_4_beer_health/index.htm

 


 

17 Days of the 2006 Ulysses AGM

Larry and Annette, Des and Joan and Therese and I left McDonalds, Goodna in showery conditions and the closer we got to our first stop at Armidale, the wetter it got.  In Armidale we caught up with Simon and Carol who left earlier in the day.  Next day was still showers until lunch time with a plan to get to Cowra and tour the Breakout Museum.  Time beat us but we had time to look over the site then with daylight to spare, we headed for Young.  Would you believe it, country town, wedding on, everything booked out.  We found room at the pub and settled in for a few drinks and a meal at the RSL.

Sunday, and the goal was Seymour.  A couple of hours on the road and road works.  Why do we always get to road works just after the water truck has gone through?  In this case, the truck dropped plenty of water turning it into a very slippery, sticky, clay surface that caused a few problems for heavily loaded Goldwings

We all survived but the bikes had a layer of clay distributed inside the guards and a couple of inches thick under the motor.  At Seymour we farewelled Simon and Carol and negotiated an accommodation deal that included some truck wash, a washing area and a bucket and hose.  A social afternoon and night of washing, thirst quenching and relaxation followed.

Next morning we met up with Eric and Deb in Melbourne.  A tyre check revealed a split rear tyre on Des’s bike so that meant a stop for tyres.  We were supposed to meet John and the Victorian crew near the terminal at 6:30pm but we were ordered to be back at the bikes no later than 5:30pm.  What a farce, we sat around until about 6:00pm, then progressed to another point on the wharf where John found us about 6:30pm.  Then we sat until 8:15pm before being allowed to load.  The smart ones arrived at 8:15pm and just rolled straight on.

We sailed into Devonport just after dawn and were heading for Ulverstone by 7:30am.  With Des and Joan off to their accommodation, Larry and Annette and Therese and I headed into Ulverstone to get established in our tents.  What a great site.  Lush green grass, no dust, football club at our back door, close meals etc.  Could only have been better if it was also the AGM site, or at least if it was in easy walking distance.

Our first trip was due west along the north coast to Stanley for a visit to The Nut.  Apparently it was a typical north-west coast day with showers and cold.  From Stanley we continued west to Dismal Swamp.  This area gave a real eerie feeling as we rode through some of the wooded areas.  The ride back to Ulverstone was a bit more relaxed as we played tourist, stopping at various sites and travelling minor roads to really get a feel for the area. Wednesday saw us heading east along the coast where we visited Port Sorell then headed toward Exeter.  From Exeter up to Point Beauty then back across the Tamar, north, east, then south

back to Launceston.  Therese had spotted wild blackberries growing along the fence lines and wanted some. We stopped so she and Larry could have a fruit picking session.  The wild apples were out of the question unless identified 200m in advance.  The best laid plans always seem to go astray and we arrive in Launceston too late for the city tour and the Boag’s Brewery tour, so we did our own tour of the old buildings and fascinating architecture then back up the Tamar valley to Exeter and Ulverstone.  On the way, eagle eyes Larry had spotted tree stump carved in the shape of a bull so that had to be found.  No one actually believed him but sure enough, we found and photographed it.

Thursday was a planned rest day at the AGM site and catching up with the rest of the AWRA crew.  So much for a rest day, Larry wasn’t feeling too well early but with the washing done we headed for the AGM site but by smoko we had Larry on his way to hospital.  Shades of Canberra and Lionel all over again.  After finding Eric, also sick, and Deb, Phil and Vicky and Rusty and Maree and receiving and giving all the news, we utilised Clint and Charleen to get Larry’s bike back to the camp ground.  During the afternoon, we were unable to contact Annette but the hospital confirmed Larry had been discharged. With no option but to wait we went, back to camp and the clubhouse for a beer.  Larry and Annette were already there waiting for company.

Friday and with Larry OK we headed for Leven Canyon and Cradle Mountain to enjoy some scenery.  We were joined by Bill and Mary and as usual, regardless of where we rode, there were dozens of other bikes out and about.  As usual, we took a wrong road then back tracked to find Leven Canyon where those who didn’t like heights had to hold their breath for the photos.  An interesting sideline on the way back was a collection of old motorcycles.  Mainly Nortons and Vincents with an Indian Chief and a few other old bikes thrown in, half the bikes were fitted with side cars which of course had my interest.  After following some great roads to and from Cradle Mountain with the beautiful Dove Lake at its base, we ended up in Sheffield where every second building has a mural painted on the front and/or side.

Saturday was the grand parade and with a couple of thousand bikes and the town turning out to give every one a wave.  These AGMs really are appreciated in the smaller towns.  It was much better than last year at Canberra or even Geelong.

On Sunday we packed up and said say goodbye to tent city and headed south.  The weather was still great, as it had been except for the north-west coast on the first day.  South to Perth where tree stump sculptures made an impressive tribute to the railway workers. .  Then on to Ross which had to be one of the more fascinating places we saw.  This town has more convict buildings within a few blocks than

 

anywhere, most still in use.  Structures included a bridge built by convicts and still in every day traffic use.

Monday and a big storm during the night and looked like it would hang about for a while.  A quick reschedule conference and we booked a bus tour of Hobart and caught a cab into town.  Of course by this time the rain had stopped and we had a great tour in bright sunshine and learnt heaps about Hobart.  In the afternoon we rode south for a walk on the Tahume Airwalk.  A terrific ride through old forests followed by a walk through the treetops with great views of the rivers below.  As we headed for the bikes it started to rain so it was into the

wets and back to Hobart.  On the way back we stopped at a roadside apple stall so Therese can get fresh Tasmanian apples.  They were great too, much better than out of cold storage.

Tuesday and time to leave the motel but we had an afternoon tour booked at the Cadbury factory.  The morning was spent doing a loop through Margate, Cygnet to Huonville for an early lunch at a great little bakery with lovely fresh pies.  A fellow Ulyssian tells of his cold wet trip from Queenstown to Hobart during Monday’s rain.  A few souvenirs and back on the road to Hobart to ride up Mt Wellington before the chocolate factory.  Time is getting a bit fine but how long can it take to get to the top of a mountain.  A good 25 minutes actually and then we had to look around and take photos, way longer than we had time for.  It was well worth it though.  On a clear day, you can see one third of Tasmania from up there.  Down the mountain a lot quicker than we went up and we rushed through town and into the Chocolate factory only a couple of minutes late for our tour.  Thankfully, we haven’t received any photos of that ride yet.  Loaded with chocolate we headed to Eaglehawk Neck for the night.

Wednesday and up early before breakfast for some sightseeing.  Breakfast at a roadside caravan was fresh locally made curried scallop pies.   On to Port Arthur which was a real eye-opener.  Certainly learnt a lot of history I wasn’t previously aware of.  Shame so much of the place was destroyed by fire many years ago but the work goes on maintaining and restoring.  While looking around we ran into Eric and Deb, Geoff and Julie.

With a ferry to catch Thursday night and still a fair bit of the east coast to see, we headed off after the most expensive lunch ever, ask Larry about his sausages.  If you get the chance, ride the east coast, if you were there and didn’t, I guess you missed as much as we did by not riding the west coast.  Into Bicheno right on schedule to collect the tickets for the penguin tour that night.  We spent an hour or so wandering about the shoreline looking at the Little Penguins coming ashore for the night; apparently they’re no longer called Fairy Penguins. Thursday, bugger, overcast.  There are three things to do today, ride over Elephant Pass, visit a new friend in Derby and get to the ferry on time.  Elephant Pass was great but apparently we should have left before breakfast so we could stop for pancakes on the way up.  The rain held off and we headed for Derby for coffee with Ulyssian “St Clem” who had been camped in tent city near us.  He adopted his nickname from the old church he is converting into his residence. 

After coffee we were back on the road heading for Scottsdale.  A couple of klms out we hit our first shower of rain and only just made it into the edge of town and under a covered shelter in time for it to absolutely bucket down. Wets on and we headed for Launceston.  Half an hour later we rolled into Bridport on the north coast.  Oops, missed a turn in Scottsdale while following the logging truck in the rain.  A quick check of the map, a few choice words and we were back on the road along the north coast with all thoughts of Launceston gone.

After lunch, we retraced roads of a few days ago and returned to Devonport via Exeter arriving about five o’clock.  After locating the terminal and looking for a coffee shop, we the AWRA crew that were also returning that night.  Lining up for the ferry we were close to the front of the queue but it rained while we are waiting to load.  Finally the queue started moving but only to line us up in another queue.  Shades of Melbourne here. Sure enough, we sat for another hour or more, getting wet from another passing shower.  Finally loaded, we settled into our cabins and seats for the overnight run to Melbourne in relatively calm conditions despite some threats of 13 metre waves.  I think he was just trying to scare Carol.

Friday; off the ferry and through the city to drop Deb off then we headed north toward home.  Geoff and Julie were taking their own route so it was Eric, Larry and Annette, Des and Joan, Simon and Carol and Therese and I.  We rolled into Cowra and looked for a motel.  After finding a likely one, negotiations started for a fair rate.  A young boy wandered over, quickly chased by his mum who wasn’t impressed about her son talking to some bikers.  Apparently the kid wanders off to talk to anyone.  In an effort to discourage this type of behaviour, I took him for a ride around the car park and give him some lollies.  Negotiating didn’t go well as the lady was confident that it’s Friday night and there will be plenty of others along.  We move to another motel then Geoff and Julie turn up as we finalise the arrangements.  Later that evening as we head off for a Chinese banquet, we note our motel has a no vacancy sign but the first one is still available for the non-existent travellers.

Saturday and we continue up through the NSW back country to arrive in Glen Innes for the night.  After we go through the routine of negotiating a motel we head for one of the local pubs “that does a good steak”.  Boy, did they do good meal.  Ask Larry about his kids meal of sausages compared to the meal he got at Port Arthur.  After a night having a few drinks with the locals we adjourned to the motel for final drinks to enjoy our last night on the road.

Sunday and we left early for breakfast in Tenterfield.  We met up with a few local Ulysses members who offer us the hospitality of a hall should we want to do an overnight ride to Tenterfield at some time.  While eating breakfast, two red 1800s arrive and it turns out they’re from the Redlands area.  We exchange details and gain a couple of new members.

Not much to do now but ride the last couple of hours to Amberley were we stop for the final photos, coffee and goodbyes before heading our separate ways to home.  What a great holiday.  17 days on the road and there were only two of them on which we didn’t do a substantial number of kilometres.  I clocked up just over 6,000 klms.  It was a first for Therese, having previously only done a couple of two day overnight rides maxing out at about 1300 klms and it was her first Ulysses AGM.  Did she enjoy it?  She certainly seemed to; didn’t have to look after the kids and me for two weeks and had all meals etc done for her.  Don’t know whether I will be able to talk her into another but if not, it won’t be because she didn’t have a good time at this one. 

 

Shame next year is at Coffs Harbour, that’s not far enough away.  We may need to plan a long route to get there and back.

 

Larry and Annette, thanks for the company all the way round.

 

Bevan

 

 



AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INCORPORATED

QUEENSLAND RIDE and SOCIAL CALENDAR

Date

Destination

Ride / Social Event

Ride Leaders

23 April

Ride and Social

Toowoomba

Meet BP Blacksoil at 9.30am for a 10.00am start Lunch at Weise’s Restaurant

Jason King

5th, 6th,7th  May

AGM

North Star Resort, Hastings Point

AWRA AGM. North Star Resort, Hastings Point. Come down Friday night (optional) – meet 6pm for a 6.30pm departure at BP Stapleton. OR  Come down Saturday what ever way suits you.

All types of accommodation available from camping to 5 star, BUT YOU MUST BOOK YOURSELF! Quote AWRA for a 10% discount

 

21 May

Ride

Maryborough

Meet at BP North Caboolture to ride north. Bring smoko, buy lunch

Des and Joan

27 May

Social

TBA

 

 

18 June

Ride

TBA

 

GeoffandJulie Sheather

24 June

Social

Capalaba

10 Pin Bowls challenge with Redlands Ulysses club. No experience necessary. Meet at Capalaba Bowling Alley, at 6.30pm, or Shell Service Station, Mt Gravatt Capalaba Rd,Mckenzie at 6pm for a 6.15 departure.  Ride to Mt Cootha for coffee after.

Notify Ken Tacon, (his details are on the website), with your booking

Ken Tacon

18 July

Ride

TBA

 

 

22nd,23rdand24th  September

Social

Biker’s Dream

Weekend at Biker’s Dream; Bunkhouse has been booked for the group.  Members contact Bevan for bunkhouse

Bevan and Therese

Ride Coordinator  - Bill Carter – Tel: (07) 5564 8996 

e-mail: carterbm @ bigpond.net.au Bill’s a/h mobile 0428 248 160

RIDE DATES; Unless otherwise arranged, rides will be on the 3rd Sunday of the month, and Social rides, the following weekend, with other social events as announced through the year.

** Ride Leaders: Please check the details of your ride and let me know of any changes.  Ride leaders are also asked to organise 2 raffle prizes for their ride. Suggested value approximately $10.00 each. Raffle tickets will be made available from Eric Madjeric.

IMPORTANT: Even if you have not finalised the details of your ride, just supply the start timeandlocation, the general direction of the ride, and the meal arrangements.

*** Ride Leaders: Please provide a short pre-ride briefing that outlines the basic safety precautions that we in the AWRA like to observe when riding in groups, and a little about the ride and the rest stop locations.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ON RIDES:

·        Each motorcyclist is responsible for at least the following;

·        The roadworthiness of your vehicle (including trailer)

·        That you are in a fit condition to control the vehicle, (including trailer)

·        Make sure you have a full tank of fuel before departing on a ride.

·        That you obey all the traffic rules and ride in a safe manner.

·        That you ride in a considerate manner that does not endanger, or unnecessarily inconvenience other road users.

·        To be correctly attired for safe motorcycling.

·        To have fun and enjoy the day, and the company.

Thanks for all those that have offered to organise rides and socials, that is what makes this club so great.  If you are yet to conduct a ride or organise a social, please start to plan something so that when your turn arrives you will be ready. You don’t have to wait to be asked, just let me know.

Members

If you haven’t been on the ball and have forgotten about our AGM, hurry up and to book your accommodation.  See the January magazine for details.

 



AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INCORPORATED

VICTORIAN RIDE and SOCIAL CALENDAR

Date

Departure Point

Ride Details

Ride Leaders

23rd April

Reg Jeffery

Ferntree Gully

Reg Jeffery Ride;  Support Reg and the boys as they support us.  Details later, check Reg’s web page for up to date details  

John G

3rd - 9th May

TBC

AWRA AGM   Ride to Qld for the AGM last year was a great ride; if you can spare the time don’t miss this one. Intention to leave on the Thur 3 May  and return on the  Tue 9 May

John G

12th May

 

Dinner Location (Eastern side of Melb)

 

 

 

JUN,JUL,AUG rides are held on impromptu notice due to the weather

Dinner’s will be held over these months

 

8th September

 

Dinner Location TBA

 

17th September

McDonalds, Pakenham

Tarwin Lower.   Pakenham(SP), south to Koo-wee-rup and Phillip Island visit Churchill Islandandmorning tea, from Phillip Island, back to Anderson's corner, then Wonthaggi, and Inverloch via Cape Paterson.  East Tarwin Lower for a counter lunch at the pub, then north to Meeniyan, Dunbalk, Mirboo Nth, Thorpdale and final coffee at Trafalgar.(FP)  Straight down the Princes Hwy to home.

Denny

-- September

McDonalds,

 Western Ring Road,

Malmsbury Bike show (Not AWRA Event) Bike show for the inmates at the juvenile detention centre with the God Squad Motor cycle club, well attended  by Goldwings and other bikes.

John G

6th October

 

Dinner Location TBA

 

15th October

McDonalds,

 Western Ring Road,

Sth side heading west

Castlemaine loop ride  Melbourne(SP) Heathcote onto Bendigo through to Bridgewater left to Maldon, Castlemaine, Woodend into Melbourne (FP)

Denny

10th November

 

Dinner location TBA

 

18/19th November

9.00 am

Shell Service station on the northern side of Lilydale

Overnighter to Corryong ( with side trip to Kiandra)  Day 1 Melbourne (SP) to Mansfield, Whitfield Myrtleford, onto Bright left at Bright on up to Tallangatta via Gundowring out to Corryong (overnight) side trip to Kiandra for those that wish to go around 160 km rtn. Day 2 Corryong to Towong following the Murray River into Albury straight down the hwy to Melbourne coffee at the Mobil service station Seymour (FP)     

John G

Notes:

·       Note: Rides depart 9.30 am sharp 3rd Sunday of every month. 

·       Social Dinners are also held around Melbourne on a monthly basis.  These are notified at least a month out

·       If interested in coming for a ride then turn up on the day and ride as a guest of the AWRA if you like what you see then join AWRA to enjoy future rides

·       Rides during the winter months will depend on the weather

Ride Coordinator:     John Gilbert – Tel: (03) 9803 0243 or 0423 550 233

e-mail:                         mywing @ optusnet.com.au

Each motorcyclist to be responsible for the following:

1.                    Your bike is to registered and roadworthy including trailer

2.                    You obey all traffic rules and ride in a safe manner

3.                    You are in a fit condition to control the bike according to state road laws 

4.                    You be correctly attired for safe motorcycling

5.                    You ride in a considerate manner that does not endanger other road users or other riders

6.                    You have a full tank of fuel before departure on the ride

Remember to have fun and enjoy the ride and the company