Australian Wing Riders Association (Qld) Inc

P O Box 719, Ashgrove

Queensland 4060

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.

Meetings normally held 1st Monday of every month.

Next meeting:

1^st August 2005

7:30 pm

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Here I sit, going about assembling a magazine for all of you to read. "Want do I put in it?" I ask myself. To be honest, the choice starts easy. So few contributions, so much space. That means everything I have goes in, but that’s not much. I guess that putting a magazine together could be quite fun really, especially if there were some articles to put in it.

Never fear, I’m sure the internet and e-mail will come good with a few jokes. Maybe even a picture or two. Don’t blame me for the content. I’ll do the best I can.

I will try not to complain in future months when I get overwhelmed with contributions and I will try not to complain when I get very little.

It’s your magazine and the res of the members want to hear your stories. It keeps them entertained and gives then some one else to either laugh at or to be envious of.

So start writing now and get those stories and photographs to me. I really don’t mind if they come in early.

Origin Blues

A seven year old Brisbane boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama last week when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy had a long history of being beaten by his parents and the Magistrate duly awarded custody to his Aunt. However, the boy stated that his Aunt beat him more than his parents and refused to live there.

When the Magistrate suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they beat him more than anyone.

The magistrate then dramatically allowed the boy to choose who should have custody of him.

Custody was granted to the Queensland State Of Origin side this morning as the boy firmly believes that they are not capable of beating anyone.

My highlight this month was the week-end in Stanthorpe, for the Xmas in July Party with the Stanthorpe Ulysses Club, and what a brilliant time it was. The weather was very kind to us, the venue, meal, music and hospitality was excellent. I will definitely get a story ready for our next months magazine, just ran out of time this month.

I have a couple of projects to look into for us eg. Christmas venue, and meal format. Also a couple of thank you letters to get away, and get well wishes for Lionel.

Meanwhile, keep enjoying our glorious winter weather for riding (but don’t tell the southerners!), and ride safely.

My assistant has only one treatment to go, which we cannot wait for it all to be over. Thommo has not been feeling so well these last few weeks during treatment – so the quicker it is over the better.

Valerie.

Firstly, I’d like to thank Bear for chairing the last meeting in my absence. I was actually at home but catching up on some much needed sleep between two long-distance jobs.

Driving long distance, especially in a truck with no radio, gives one plenty of time to think, and one thing on my mind was driving in convoy. A mate and I were in two identical trucks, both speed limited to 100kph. If I got away from a break first and held up to the limiter, he could not catch me. Sound familiar? I was having a bit of fun with only two in the "convoy" but you can imagine how it would affect a large group if the front few bikes got ahead. It is up to everyone in the convoy, not just the leaders to help keep the group together. Try not to get too far from the bike behind.

By the same token, those behind should do their bit by keeping up as best they can. I find that riding a motorcycle at well below the speed limit is more dangerous than sitting on, or even exceeding it by a small margin. Imagine the frustration of other motorists faced with a convoy of 15 or 20 large motorcycles blocking the road by sitting on 80kph in a 100 zone. It doesn’t take long for someone to get frustrated and attempt overtaking manoeuvres that endanger the riders.

A ride leader should attempt to travel at the speed limit wherever possible, keeping an eye on his mirrors and adjusting his speed accordingly when the tail-enders have been delayed by traffic. We usually have the added advantage of being in CB contact with our tail-end-Charlie.

A ride participant should make the leader’s job as easy as possible by keeping up with the leader’s set speed wherever possible. If you are on a ride and find you are not comfortable keeping up, then maybe that ride is not the place for you. Riding in convoy with other Goldwings can be an enjoyable experience if we all do the right thing by each other.

As yet this club has no set rules for group riding, other than we must always obey the road rules. But we have usually fallen in to a set pattern of riding staggered formation with a leader and tail-end and all travelling at the speed limit. Overtaking is very rare in our group, probably due to having similar bikes. It is a comfortable way to ride and we are quite capable of covering long distances with comparative ease.

Let’s keep it that way.

Clint

It was a fairly cool morning and the Official AWRA Ride was to start at a more sensible hour, but a few of us had volunteered to supply our Goldwings for the annual Cassie Doyle Ride for Leukaemia, hosted by the Gold Coast Hog club.

The idea is to "rent out" the back seat of the bike for people who pay money to the charity. Many thousands are raised for this worthy cause each year. This was my second year attending and it proved to be just as enjoyable as the previous year.

The five bikes left BP Stapylton, waving to early arrivals for the "real" ride, and headed for Sharks Club on the coast. It took us a little while to find it but were directed there by friendly Harley riders. We parked amongst the 200 plus bikes and were given a numbered sticker for the windscreen. This was to enable our pillions to find us. Mine nearly knocked me over with joy when she found out she was lucky enough to have drawn a Goldwing. A couple of the others had trouble finding their lucky passengers.

Coffee and a snack was provided by the army then we were given the welcoming talk.

Soon the place erupted in a roar of starting motorcycles – not something our sensitive ears are used to – but it quietened down soon enough when it was realised that the Police, who were to block intersections, had not arrived. After a short wait it was decided that was enough and we went anyway.

The ride took us, under threatening skies, down the highway to Melaleuca Station for a re-group, then on through Murwillumbah and over the Burringbar range. The old Pacific Highway is still in pretty good shape here and our pillions were getting a thrill-a-minute ride.

Then it was back towards the coast and the skies carried out their threat and rained on us while we travelled up towards Cabarita. Arrival at the morning tea spot coincided with a heavy squall and winds threatening to knock the bikes over. We all crammed under the building and helped ourselves to coffee and cake.

It took a while to get under way again after a hilarious attempt at a group photo of all 450 of us from the top of the building.

Here we were treated to a lovely lunch, expertly served in good time, considering the numbers.

Most people settled back to enjoy an afternoon’s entertainment, but Bevan and I had pressing business with a computer, so we set off for Brisbane. In the rain. In heavy traffic. What fun! All the traffic caused any rain to hover above the road as a mist, kept there by thousands of wheels. Visibility was only about two car lengths. That was the second scariest ride I’ve ever had up the motorway.

However, the day was worth it knowing that we had done our bit for a worthy charity that is making a difference for so many. All in all about 10 AWRA Goldwings were involved this year.

I for one will be doing it again next year.

We met at BP Stapylton at 8.30 for a 9.00 departure. 9 bikes turned up including Howie from Logan City (an Eric recruit). Many riders were doing the Cassie Doyle Memorial ride

Leaving Staplyton we go under the highway to Stanmore Road. Turning left, we proceeded through many roundabouts and back roads to Ormeau the onto the highway turning left at the Strawberry Farm at Pimpama. From there it onto to Mt Nathan to pick up Phil's wife Vicki. So far the rain has held off

.

Up to Nerang-Murwillumbah Road we go, then right into Beachmont Road, glad the rain has held off for this section. We pulled up at a rest stop at Lower Beachmont for the back markers to catch up then down to Canungra for smoko at Possums Cafe. A fine establishment if you’re not in a hurry. It took an hour to be served even though we rang ahead.

While we waited, the raffle was drawn by our guest Howie, who drew his own name out. Second was drawn by Paul, who also drew out his own name.  LUCK of the draw.

Beaudesert decided to put SOME carnival on forcing us to use a detour through one of the muddiest and slipperiest stretches of road I have ever been on. (sorry guys)

We proceeded onto Rathdowney and out past the Maroon Dam turn off to Boonah for lunch at Flavours Restaurant. Raining all the way made for a very steady ride, so the fire place at Flavours was very welcome.  I feel the food and service at Flavours will see us back again.

After much jovial conversation we broke into two groups to head for home, some going via Yamanto and some coming back through Beaudesert, Jimboomba and Waterford to our place for coffee.

Apart from the weather I feel it was a very good day out on our Gold Wings, the greatest bikes of all.

Till next time

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 time & location, 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.

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.

An old man was sitting on a bench at the mall. A young punk walked up to the bench and sat down. He had spiked hair in all different colors: green,red,orange, blue and yellow. The old man just stared. Every time the punk looked, the old man was staring at him. The punk finally said sarcastically, "What's the matter, old timer? Never done anything wild in your life?" Without batting an eye, the old man replied, "Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my son."