Wing Notes

 

Newsletter of the

 

 

 

November 2008

 

Geoff and Julie’s new bike

What’s Inside?

 

 

The Editor Writes

The President Speaks

The Secretary’s Desk

Two weeks on the road Pt 2

Victorian Ride  21 09 08

Victorian Ride  19 Oct 08

Navigation Ride

Seagulls Ride

Goomburra  Week-end

Queensland Ride Calendar

Victorian Ride Calendar

November Meeting Minutes

3

3

3

4

7

8

9

10

12

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

Bill Carter (07) 5564 8996

E-mail: carterbm @ bigpond.net.au

Secretary

Val Thomas (07) 3848 0498

E-mail: secretary @ auswingriders.com

Meetings are held on the

1st Monday of every month

 

Vice President

Rob (Bear) Harriss 0409 052 218

E-mail: RHMRS @ iinet.com.au

 

Treasurer

Geoff Mead  (07) 5529 5034

E-mail: meady @ auswingriders.com

Next meeting:          1st  December 2008

7:30 pm

New Farm Bowls Club, 969 Brunswick Street, New Farm, Brisbane

 

 

In the foyer of Seagulls

Upcoming activities:

15-16th November Tin Can Bay (Qld)

                               Yarram (Vic)

 

22nd November      Qld Social Ride

 

12th – 14th Dec       Qld Christmas Party

 

20th December       Christmas lights ride

 

26th January           Australia Day Social

 

14/15th February    Turtle Ride, Qld

                               Wilson Promontory,Vic

Anyone for lunch?

A little old lady sits at the luncheonette counter and orders a hamburger. The huge guy behind the counter bellows, "One burger!"

Whereupon the chef grabs a huge hunk of chopped meat, stuffs it in his bare armpit, pumps his arm a few times to squeeze it flat, and then tosses it on the grill.

"That's the most disgusting thing I've ever seen," the old lady says.

"Yeah?" says the counterman. "You should be here in the morning when he makes the doughnuts."

The Editor Writes…..

The President Speaks….

The Secretary’s Desk….

Gidday all,

Here’s one for the record books I think.  I’ve managed to get the magazine out early in the month, the weekend after the meeting no less.  How, you might ask?  Well, Val got her Goomburra story in early and I spent last weekend writing the rest of the stories.  Seemed easier than waiting for someone else to do them.

It works OK if I go on the ride but it is something we ask the ride leader to do so the ride is shared with those unable to attend.

Don’t forget the Turtle Ride in February.  Unfortunately, hard accommodation is very limited and all booked at the primary caravan park.  If you want to stay with the main group, you will need a  tent.

As I write this, it’s raining.  What a beautiful sound.  Unfortunately, we don’t hear it enough and I don’t mind how much it rains as long as I’m not either going to or home from work.  It did both today!

Next month we have the Christmas Party.  I hope you have booked your accommodation, got your after dinner drinks prepared and party mood switched on.  Should be a good weekend.

Ride safe and don’t become a statistic.

 

Bevan

Hi everyone,

Just last month I was having my say about supporting club rides, and then we have two functions that were very well supported. Great timing hey?

First of all, Geoff & Julie need to be congratulated for their wonderful effort in putting together their navigation ride. A lot of effort is required to make that work and they did an excellent job. Secondly, the ride to Seagulls Leagues Club for dinner organised by Ron Mead was fantastic. Great meal, great ride, and to see 12 or 15 bikes in the foyer was spectacular. Other guests appreciated it as well.

It was great to read about Bear and Jane’s 7 year boat project finally coming to a fruitful conclusion in the magazine. It is not easy to keep a project alive for that time, and there have been many who haven’t been able to keep a goal that long. Congratulations to them both.

I particularly liked reading about Bevan and Therese’s trip down south, and I am looking forward to part two. We buy these bikes to ride, and there is nothing better than a long trip on a Wing. I think an article or three about what we take and what we leave behind on these trips would be great too. Hints on how to pack, how to improvise, and where and what to buy small that won’t take up the room or have the weight of similar items would be a great help for fellow tourers. Send your ideas into Bevan and he will find room in the mag for them.

If you have any other ideas for stories in the mag, I am sure we would love to read them too.

Finally, it is only a few weeks until our Christmas party at Bribie Island, so I hope you all have your accommodation booked, and the time off arranged. This is one of the key events in our calendar, and we would love to see you there. Until then ….

Keep it up

Bill Carter

Hello everyone,

 

Well again the secretary’s desk is very quiet, but socially it is getting pretty hectic. 

 

2008 festivities are cranking up, and Christmas shopping is high on the agenda.  Remember the Secret Santa gifts – value up to $10.00 each only.  Also, contributions to the Christmas Hamper very welcome.

 

Disappointing to note that we had to hold our last monthly meeting outside on a narrow footpath due to maintenance being carried out in the Club rooms.  It has been suggested that we should look for another venue – it is a difficult task.  We do need a central position which can possibly offer a separate area for us to meet, and also serve reasonable meals.  The question has been asked – again – so we ask all of you to put on your ‘Sherlock helmets’ and see if we can find a solution to our needs.

 

Look forward to seeing you at our next club meeting, meanwhile;

 

Until next time, ride safely.

 

 Valerie and Thommo

Two weeks on the road..Pt 2

Ballarat… Sunday starts with a couple of light sprinkles of rain during the night but nothing to worry about; the heater keeps us dry for packing.  By the time we are ready to pack the weather is closing in and it becomes a rush.  You wouldn’t believe it but just as I drop the lid of the trailer, the rain starts.  We climb into the wet weather gear and get on the road but not until we pay a visit to the Beechworth Bakery in Ballarat to get the smoko supplies.  As usual, the rain does not persist but the gear is worth wearing as for most of the run to Melbourne the temperature is showing 10o. We confirm our arrival and parking space with the motel and head into the city arriving at

12 o’clock and are lucky enough to be able to get our room immediately. 

The parking is in the open beside the motel but I at least get to make the space selection and choose the one directly in sight of the security camera.  The afternoon was spent wandering around the Queen Victoria markets.

Monday and the bike is still where it was left and is OK.  The next two days are just to be a break and an opportunity to have a look around the centre of Melbourne.  We met up with John Gilbert for a coffee and he tells us that our former Queensland member, Lindsay Sacks, is now in Melbourne and has started to ride with them.

Back to the motel and I finally get time to complete the notes for the magazine and have internet access to publish it. 

Tuesday is more of the same and we finish our Melbourne days off by heading for Lygon St for dinner and enjoyed the atmosphere of the footpath restaurants. 

Wednesday and it’s time to load back up for the run up the east coast.  Once again, it’s not possible to get an early start but we are rolling not long after 9:00am and we head for Lilydale and Healesville on the way.  Why, well there is a Beechworth Bakery shop in Healesville, why else?  Once the smoko supplies for the next few days are purchased, we turn south and head for Warragul.  The smoko stop is made at Powelltown then we continue on down the highway enjoying some fantastic views as we travel the Yarra Ranges down through Neerim and other places that I normally only hear of through the rides of

the Victorian group.

Once on the highway and heading east we start to strike a continuous stream of bikes heading for the MotoGP.  This continues right through until we stop for the night at Lakes Entrance.  By this time my arm is getting tired from waving and many riders wave back.  Mainly cruiser riders more so than sports riders.  Not too many wings amongst them.  Maybe wing riders aren’t big MotoGP fans.  Nice spot, bit cold again and the heater comes into its own as we go to bed but proves more than a match for the weather.  We go to sleep to the sounds of bikes still passing along the highway.

Thursday and we are awake early as someone in the

caravan park had an alarm set for 5:30am.  Didn’t help with getting started any earlier though.  The plan for today is to get ahead of the planned itinerary and meet up with Wollongong member Frans early tomorrow morning.  The day starts surprisingly warm compared to the temperature when we went to bed.  The first sounds I hear, apart from the alarm, are more bikes heading south.  Plenty of police cars, both mobile and cameras on the road today.  A refuel at Cann River then on to Eden and have a bit of a look around before heading for Bega for a visit to the Cheese Factory and some lunch before continuing on to Ulladulla.

Arriving in Burrell, just short of Ulladulla we pitch

the tent, have a beer and a look around then make a coffee and plan tomorrow.  Turn on the GPS and it doesn’t work.  Bugger.  I’ve started to rely on it for planning as much as knowing where to go.  After many attempts to get it working I give up and we start to settle in.  I ring Frans and plan tomorrow telling him that I will need to ring him when I get to Nowra as the GPS has died.  Plans made, a couple of seconds later he phones back and asks “What sort of GPS?  TomTom? Try resetting.”  Apparently he had a similar problem with his.  I try it and it works, Frans address is punched in and we are right to go.  Needs to be an early start though as I need to be in Nowra by 8:45 and the GPS says 1hr 13 minutes.  A 7:30 start.  We haven’t done that to date!

Friday and an early start, wake Therese, prepare breakfast, load the gear, drop and pack the tent and we are knocking on the office door to collect the block for the esky at 7:20am.  Bloody miracle!

We arrive in Nowra at Frans’ office just before 8:30 and have a coffee and a good yarn.  I also get the good oil on the best way to travel thought the Sydney area.  We delay his first clients by about 10 minutes and are soon on our way to Sydney with the GPS programmed.  What a trip, heavy traffic, slow moving, plenty of traffic lights and 37 degrees temperature.  The temperature does not drop below about 32 degrees for the rest of the day.  Lunch is on the banks of the Hawkesbury River with a hot wind blowing fiercely and it stays with us for

the rest of the afternoon.  Any plans to visit the Hunter Valley area have now gone by the wayside but planning has started on a specific trip instead.

At the end of the F3 a sign gives us two options, home via the New England or Coastal highway.  Apparently only about 30 klms longer inland.  We want to visit Bob and Fran in Coffs Harbour so we stick to the coastal plan but I live to regret the decision.  What a trip, constant road works and signs reducing the speed to 80 klms per hour; I wish, if only we could go that fast!  What a trip, 36 degrees, blustery winds etc.  We make Port Macquarie and give Bob and Fran a ring to see if they have accommodation; no such luck, full house so we continue on to Kempsey and as it’s the

last night, late, and it’s been a bad day, we grab a motel room and go next door to the restaurant for dinner.  Bob phones to make sure we have found somewhere to stay.  It’s great to have caring friends, it’s what our AWRA group is all about.  We make arrangements to meet in the morning and settle down for the night to a Saturday forecast of similar weather

Saturday’s practice has worked wonders and we are on the road early again arriving in Coffs Harbour about 9:30am and spend the next hour with Bob and Fran catching up on news etc.

Back on the road and the plan calls for fuel at Grafton then straight to Qld so we can fill the maximum amount at

Queensland prices rather than NSW prices.  This plan was good until I took Meady’s short cut that bypasses Grafton and the fuel stops.  This meant we had to start looking for fuel along the road.  No problems, we refuel before the light comes on and have a neat 285 klms to get home.

As we go through Ballina, and from there on up the highway, there are motorcycles everywhere, all Harleys.  Apparently there must be a HOG activity on over the weekend.  Now I don’t usually care what sort of bike anyone rides, just the fact that someone is a fellow rider is good enough for me.  But what is it about Harley riders?  Are they castigated by their peers if they dare wave to someone who isn’t riding a Harley?  It was just so noticeable from the previous days how few riders actually waved back or even acknowledged that we existed.  Very poor spirited I thought.  Ah, what the hell, their loss, not mine.

The lunch stop means finishing off the last of the Beechworth Bakery goodies and other bits and pieces from the esky and back on the road until Therese gets distracted by the thought of macadamia nuts.  A quick stop at the Macadamia Castle to stock up on nuts and then the final leg home.  After a short stop to visit one of the boys, we rolled up our driveway at 6:10pm, 2 weeks and 10 hours after we left.

This was a great ride and a great holiday.  Thanks for the opportunity to share it.

Bevan and Therese

Victorian Ride  21 09 08

This month’s ride started from the base of the West Gate bridge as we were heading out towards Bendigo and then on up to Echuca. Today we met an old friend of the association, Lindsay, and he promised to join again as he had finally found us to ride with. The ride started in great weather and as we approached Bendigo it became colder and we all wished we had worn warmer clothing. Some of us had heated clothing not naming anyone Marg but no wonder she was happy when we reached Bendigo. After a break at the bakery in Bendigo it was

 

 

 

 

 

decided that we would be pushing to make it to Echuca so we headed out of town and cut across towards Nagambie coming out just above the township, from there we headed into Seymour and down the back roads to Melbourne via Yea and some wonderful green country side and bend after bend back into Yarra Glen and then we parted ways to home. 

Riders on the day: John, Marg, John, Karen, Steve, Lindsay, Craig.

John G

Victorian Ride  19 Oct 08

This day in Melbourne followed a 30 degree Saturday and with a forecast of 21 degrees we thought we would be in for a good day, with all the riders assembled or we thought (as Lindsay missed us by that much) although we did leave a little bit early. We were able to skip the rain most of the day as the ride took us down the southern parts of Victoria from Melbourne through Lang Lang and on through Poowong to Wonthaggi where

we hit rain. It was time to take a break for an early lunch and coffee to see what the weather was going to do.  After the break there was blue sky for a short while with clouds brewing we decided to head back home before we got wet again.

As we approached Melbourne the clouds were getting darker and again we were able to skip around and miss the rain.  

Another good day of riding and good company.

Riders on the day: John, Steve, Craig, Ken and Christine, and we can count Lindsay as he did ride just not with us.

John G

Navigation Ride

On 19th September a navigation ride organised by Geoff and Julie challenged members to follow a set of cryptic instructions and find their way around the Brisbane area.  Doesn’t sound too difficult but Geoff had suggested that splitting partners just may save a couple of friendships.

Following a briefing where Geoff told everyone to read the instructions very carefully, bikes and riders headed out to hopefully meet up again at smoko.  Within minutes of leaving the servo, there were bikes heading in multiple directions making it appear that we each had separate instructions.

It didn’t take long for Geoff’s words to start ringing in our ears as the turning points failed to line up with our physical locations.  It was funny to see the looks on other riders faces as we doubled back having realised that we were wrong, but the other rider thinking they were on the right path.  You have no idea how many interpretations can be put on what constitutes a traffic light, and intersection a painted traffic island and so it went.

One minute we would be behind someone and a few minutes later, the same bikes would come up behind you from a different direction.  Following someone was therefore no sure way of getting to the correct way points and therefore smoko.

With about 12 bikes starting out, we arrived at smoko about forth or fifth and there were a number of bikes that never actually arrived.

After smoko, where Geoff held us to ensure that Julie would be ready at the lunch point, we headed out again to try and find the elusive lunch stop.

As it was to be an individual event, it was different to be participating in a club ride but have no-one else around and no CB chatter as Geoff was scanning to punish those wayward enough to seek help other than from him.

Eventually arriving at Geoff and Julie’s place and handing in our results and the various collected objects,

we settled down to wait for the remaining bikes.

Geoff had been on to some to tell them where to find us.  Other had not been seen or heard of so their eventual arrival was awaited eagerly.

Eventually it was time for accounting and Geoff and Julie had prepared some beautiful trophies for both winners and losers.

Winners                              Phil and Vicki

Most miles covered Kevin and Morag

Worst performance Bill and Mary

Thanks Geoff and Julie for a great and different ride.

Bevan and Therese

Seagulls Social Ride

Saturday 25th October and we met at the BP Staplyton for a ride to Seagulls Club at Tweed Head.  I had been watching a storm come toward us and just as Therese and I were about to leave home, down it came.  Absolute downpour with light hail as well.  Glad we didn’t get caught in it.  Apparently Geoff and Julie hit one similar on their way.

Plenty of bikes at the start including Lindsay Sacks on Winston’s 1500.  A chance for a last minute shine as the idea of the ride is more than just dinner, the bikes are to be presented in the front foyer of the club while we are at dinner.  Sounds like fun and an opportunity to show our pride and joys off.

The run to Tweed Heads was uneventful if you don’t count the usual idiots that have the need to pass half the group then cut into it to access an off ramp at least 10 – 15 seconds earlier than would have been possible if they had just followed.

Arriving at Seagulls we pushed the bikes into the foyer with Geoff’s custom paint taking pride of place.  A touch up to get rid of the ride bugs etc and then a bit of a light show and some time with the staff and customers it was in for dinner.

After dinner it was back down stairs, push the bikes outside, mount up and head for the Gold Coast and coffee.  Or at least we did after the apparently obligatory u-turn followed by some other wrong ways.

After negotiating approximately 100 speed bumps, if that’s an exaggeration, then not by much, we arrived in a crowded Surfers Paradise.  Not a pleasant place as we moved through drunken crowds at walking pace.  It left many people feeling quite vulnerable.

With little chance of getting parking, we headed for a nearby McDonalds for a coffee.  Yea, right, no soft drinks, nothing in the McCafe, not a good place so it was onwards to the next McDonalds which had much more friendly staff and suitable coffee and eats.

After coffee and social chit chat, it was back on the bikes for the run home on a beautiful but cool riding night.  Thanks Ron for organising the ride.

Late for Work

Tom had this problem of getting up late in the morning and was always late for work. His boss was mad at him and threatened to fire him if he didn't do something about it. So Tom went to his doctor who gave him a pill and told him to take it before he went to bed.

Tom slept well and in fact beat the alarm in the morning. He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work. "Boss," he said, "The pill actually worked!"

"That's all fine" said the boss. "But where were you yesterday?"

Goomburra  Week-end  2008.

As always we look forward to our social week-end with our wing friends, and it is so easy to prepare as all the arrangements have been made by Bevan, and it is fully catered – no cooking – Bliss!

Packing is a synch (I think that is how it is spelt?)  Just my favourite tops with jeans, track-suit for the obligatory visit to the ladies in the middle of the night and toilet pack.  How easy is that?  I just have to remind Thommo to choose his shirts, and make sure his toilet pack is complete.

Now that is my packing done, Thommo is responsible for the camper and his bar contents which usually occupy the top box of the bike!  Well – Thursday night we have to have everything ready for the dash on Friday afternoon, and as usual Thommo is frantically polishing everything and we get to bed at 1.30 am exhausted.

It is Friday, and we get away at a reasonable time to meet at Aratula in plenty of time to order a pot of tea and eat our sandwiches (I was so organised).  Someone is missing – where is he?  No response on the mobile, shall we wait?  With that the heavens opened and our wings together with jackets were absolutely soaked in seconds and then to add to the moment hail came down as well.  Thank goodness we hadn’t left when we originally planned – it was all over in approximately 15 minutes.  Then it was mop up time, and we even had the cheek to use the Merlo’s little chamois to mop our seat covers and Thommo proceeded to wipe over his freshly polished bike while Vicki was standing waiting to wipe her seat and jacket!!   *Apologies Vicki!!

Time to go, we cannot wait for the owner of the Blue/Chrome bike any longer, we are now 40 minutes behind schedule.

We set off carefully on the wet road only to find it absolutely bone dry just a couple of kilometres down the highway – how bizarre!  Goomburra here we come, over the Gap and glorious views and in no time at all we are winding our way through the hills and as we turn into the camp grounds – Meady is there!!  Well he was greeted by us all and hopefully appreciated our waiting time at Aratula had saved us from getting very soggy anyway!

I think I have to mention here, that ticket sales to watch us set-up camp must surely be almost forgotten soon as we are really improving greatly, not getting faster, but thanks to Bear who remembers where our door-way faces and saves a true Thommo tantrum!  *Thanks Bear. 

Voila – time for a drink – where is the Scotch?  You have forgotten my Scotch!!  Not only had I forgotten Thommo’s Scotch, drinking glasses as well!!  Nothing to drink, nothing to drink with – how can you forget that!!  This is going to be a great week-end.

I was so organised – NOT!!  So relaxed, and I hadn’t packed casual shoes either.  What next?  Would you believe, our lights – we have the battery fixed on the camper and we can have lights to our hearts content.  Not this week-end, not even a torch.

Thanks to the Harriss’, Bradfords and the Tacons we have “O.P.”  lamps to brighten our tent.

Loan tumblers for our rather depleted bar supplies, and Thommo takes solace with Bear’s Rum and coke.  Now it is time to party, as we make our way over for dinner and jokes and chats around the camp-fire.

Whoops, no camp-fire folks, management decision - as there were too few members to warrant setting up the fire and the Karaoke machine!  Huh, well we finished our meal and duly made our way round to the Tacon’s caravan where we made our own unofficial camp-fire accompanied by genuine country music via Ken’s portable CD player – *Thanks Ken and Doreen. 

A very pleasant and relaxing evening under the stars, and an amazing array of nibblies appear as well, and the word “Cook-Up” sent all manner of strange goodies being put onto the small hot plate for our impromptu grill!!  Rather reluctantly we say goodnight, it has been a long day and we actually have plans for tomorrow.  Now this is a very different schedule for us, because Thommo wasn’t reduced to sleeping under a tree, or with a tarp tossed over him as I had previously threatened – we are planning on going for a ride Saturday.

There were a few different destinations chosen but we all left camp under the expert guidance of the Bradfords and we rode through the picturesque hills, and out onto the highway.  This is where we started our ride with the Harriss’ out towards Inglewood to look up a friend on a large property.  This was a fabulous ride and we stopped for lunch at a very curious Cafe/Garage at Omanama, we then made it to the Harriss’ friend who I have to say we call ‘The Horse Whisperer’ as that is his purpose for being out on this property and he literally looks after horses.  What interesting tales he had to tell, so we (I) sat absolutely spellbound with his stories, and an excellent cup of tea.

Then it was time for us to get back to our camp and fellow wingers at Goomburra.  In time for dinner and catch-up time with the late comers.   With the fire stoked up we huddled around for a while but we ignored the efforts to join the Karaoke (a couple of reasons why - but that ‘stays in Goomburra”!)  Then we gradually moved out to our tent where again we relax and yarn (this is hard to take!)  Photos!  What photos?  Forgotten our camera!!  Now the Long’s tent pole saga has paled into insignificance compared to my packing prowess this year!  Thommo again reminds me very loudly that he doesn’t have his Scotch either!! 

Starry night, a little chilly but we talked and drank with Bevan stirring Bear and Thommo into mischief, but it all came to a halt when Therese snapped at Bear’s antics.  Time to call it a night and prepare for tomorrow’s activities.  Thommo and I are really keen not to be last this year, can we do it?

We are making it up for breakfast when we meet the Madjerics – they are heading home to see their brand new grand-daughter who has just arrived, now that is keen!  We have our breakfast and then start the packing up beginning with returning all the OP items we have used, and again our ticket sales must be getting slower as we are almost on time albeit we had a few less items this time!  The competition was reduced as well because Meady was making a later departure (packing without an audience), and we passed the Merlo’s – yahoo!

Bye- bye Goomburra - we start our way home, it is lovely countryside and we are all pretty quiet just soaking up the views and admiring the flowering trees and handsome horses in their paddocks.  We will have a coffee break at Aratula, the Harriss’s wave and head for home.   The rest of us are not keen to end the week-end yet, and are only too happy to tag along with the Bradfords and check out a possible venue for our next A.G.M.

Interesting ride along a gravel track, our obligatory U turn as we had passed the narrow turn-off, and we checked out a Bed and Breakfast homestead on the banks of the Moogerah Dam.  Camping facilities were available, but the amenities might be difficult with our larger group.  It was a delightful set-up, but probably more suitable for couples – honeymooners/lovers.  Pleasant ride though and we debated about checking another venue on the other side of the dam, but distance and time proved too late.  Now it really was time to say Good-bye and thanks for a great week-end.

We had a great time, always enjoy our social events with our wing friends.  Thanks again to Bevan for organising Goomburra for us, and to all of you who joined us in the fun.  See you soon, and ride safely.

Cheers

Thommo and Valerie  

October 2008.

Let Work Be Your Salvation

When Joe's wife ran away he got so depressed that his doctor sent him to see a psychiatrist. Joe told the psychiatrist his troubles and said, "Life isn't worth living."

"Don't be stupid, Joe," said the psychiatrist. "Let work be your salvation. I want you to totally submerge yourself in your work. Now, what do you do for a living?"

"I clean out septic tanks." Joe replied.

When the Jacaranda Blooms

 

When jacarandas bloom

and it starts raining,

There's a carpet on the lawn

like purple snow,

When thunder rolls across

from far-off ranges,

And lightning fills the sky

with fiery glow.

 

 

When Poinciana shade

fills leafy gardens,

With scarlet blossoms

floating all around,

The evening brings a cricket's

raucous calling,

And hungry possums

scamper all around.

 

 

When tiny mangoes form

and give the promise,

In months to come of

luscious fruit to eat,

That's when we welcome days

of brilliant sunshine,

And evening cools

to bring relief from heat

 

 

It's then,

That summer comes to call

in South East Queensland,

And magpies wake us up with morning light,

And cockatoos fly home

in early evening

And moonlight gives

the brightness of the night.

 

Margaret Gibbons


AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INCORPORATED

QUEENSLAND RIDE and SOCIAL CALENDAR

Date

Start Point

Destination

Ride / Social Event

Ride Leaders

25 October

Social

BP Stapleton

3.00 for 3.30pm

Seagulls Club

Tweed Heads

Smorgasbord Dinner and Free Entertainment.

Shine up your ride as the bikes will be on display in the club foyer.

Dinner is approx $25.00 per head for all you can eat, seafood is in abundance.

Ron Meade

15-16 November Ride

BP Blacksoil

8.00 for 8.30am

Tin Can Bay

Ride via Crows Nest, Bunya Mtns and Kingaroy to Tin Can Bay. Stay overnight at a Pub and Travel home on Sunday via Maleny. Contact Ride leaders direct if you intend on going.

Kevin and Morag

22 November Social

BP Stapleton

4.30 for 5.00pm

                Geoff Meade’s Place

Address on website            Pot Luck Dinner

We all know the drill         Geoff Meade

12-13-14 Dec

Social

Your place

Bribie Waterways Motel

Bribie Island

AWA Inc Christmas Party

Book your accommodation at the Bribie Island Waterways Motel

No official ride at this time

Committee

20 December

Ride

Shell Nudgee

Time TBA

Brisbane Burbs

Clint and Charlene’s infamous Xmas Lights Ride.

Tour the suburbs viewing the best displays of Xmas lights Brisbane has on show. ( and show off the bikes as well )

Clint and Charlene

18 January

Ride

TBA

TBA

Ring Phil NOW to get in for this much sought after ride.

TBA

26 January

Social

TBA

Bevan and Therese’

Address on website

Australia Day BBQ

Don’t miss this celebration of Australia’s past A fantastic feast put on by your wonderful hosts.

Bevan and Therese

13, 14, 15 Feb 2009

Extra Ride

BP Nth – Caboolture

1:302:00pm

Bundaberg

Turtle Sands Caravan Park, Mon Repos Beach

Mon Repos Turtle Rookery.  Learn about and see the turtles laying eggs and the hatchlings heading for the ocean.

Bevan and Therese

RIDE COORDINATOR:      Phil Merlo – Tel: (07) 5533 7260; Mobile 0419 140 957.  E-mail: pme75181 @ bigpond.net.au

RIDE DATES:                         Unless otherwise arranged, rides will be on the 3rd Sunday of the month

SOCIAL DATES:                  Social rides are 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 Val Thomas.

                                                  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.

                                                  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 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.

·                      Ride at your own skill level and respect the road rules. Monthly and social rides are for the enjoyment of members and guests.  They are not race or competition events.

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.


AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INCORPORATED

VICTORIAN RIDE CALENDAR

Date

Start Point

9:30 Sharp

Destination

Ride / Social Event

Ride Leaders

15/16 November Overnight Ride

Mobil Service Station at the corner of Springvale road and Hawthorn Road.

(Mel ways page - 62 D5)

Yarram

Overnighter to Tarra Bulga National Park.   Day 1 Ride to Walhalla then on down to Longford then to Yarram. Day 2 From Yarram up through the Tarra Bulga National Park and back to Melbourne. Accommodation would be the   http://www.shipinnmotel.com.au/

JohnG

18 January Ride

Westgate Bridge service station out bound lane.

 

Follow Ken ride

Ken

14/15 February Overnight Ride

Start point: Reg Jeffrey Honda

Toora

Overnight ride to Wilson Promontory   Day 1 will be from Melb to the Prom with an overnight stay at Toora and then Day 2 will be a rtn to Melbourne via some back roads.

Accommodation would be cabins at Toora caravan park , dinner BBQ or at local hotel

http://www.tooratouristpark.com.au

JohnG

15 March   Ride

Start point: Reg Jeffrey Honda

Ferntree Gully

Kalkallo to Ferntree Gully via Yea Euroa Marysville

http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/KalKallo-to-Ferntree-Gully-the-scenic-route

Craig

19 April     Ride

Westgate Bridge service station out bound lane.

Queensland

AWRA AGM. Qld ride

JohnG

 

 

 

 

 

RIDE COORDINATOR:        John Gilbert – Tel: (03) 9803 0243;  Mobile 0423 550 233.  E-mail: mywing @ optusnet.com.au

RIDE DATES:                          Unless otherwise arranged, rides will be on the 3rd Sunday of the month

SOCIAL DATES:                    Social events as announced through the year.

RIDE LEADERS:                     Please check the details of your ride and let me know of any changes.

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

                                                    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 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.

·        Ride at your own skill level and respect the road rules. Monthly and social rides are for the enjoyment of members and guests.  They are not race or competition events.

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.