Wing Notes

 

Newsletter of the

 

 

 

January 2009

 

Cleanest this lot have ever been!

What’s Inside?

 

 

The Editor Writes

The President Speaks

The Secretary’s Desk

Review-Nolan N102 helmet

Hunter Valley and Beyond

Farewell YELO 1

Queensland Ride Calendar

Victorian Ride Calendar

January Meeting Minutes

 

 

 

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:          2nd February 2009

7:30 pm

Breakfast Creek Wharf, 192 Breakfast Creek Rd, Newstead, Brisbane

 

 

New AGM Raffle supporter

Upcoming activities:

18th January           Qld Ride - Beerwah, Landsborough, Maleny

 

                               Victorian Ride

 

26th January           Australia Day Social, Qld

 

14/15th February    Turtle Ride, Qld

                              

14/15th February    Wilson Promontory,Vic

Notice:  Membership Renewals

Membership is due at the 28th February.  All renewing members must submit an application for renewal to enable the association to maintain correct membership records.

Renewals can be banked electronically to the association account and the account details are on the web site renewal form.  If renewing by post, there is a renewal form at the end of this month’s magazine.  Complete the form and either post the form and cheque to the Secretary or bring the form and the money to the next meeting.


 

The Editor Writes…..

The President Speaks….

The Secretary’s Desk….

Gidday all,

January 2009, another new year with all those things we love to do available to be done again.  Then again, you could always do something different like organise a ride day, contribute to the magazine or stand for the committee.  All good pastimes.

Anyway, this month I am going to punish you with a tale of the ride Therese and I have just come back from as there are limited contributions so that should fill a few pages.  And what a good ride it was. 

We visited Frans and Jeanie in Wollongong, Bob and Fran in Coffs Harbour and Meady dropped in and visited us while we were in Port Macquarie. 

It just shows what a great groups of friends we have in diverse places through the shared interest and enjoyment of riding Goldwings.

Catch you all on the next ride.

Ride safe and don’t become a statistic.

Bevan

Hi everyone,

Well here we are again at the start of the New Year. Do you remember all of the resolutions that you made a year ago and didn’t fulfill? The great news is that you now have another chance.

I don’t know about you, but I am going to focus on the small things that I can achieve, and that will make my life and the lives of those that I care most about happy. Too often we focus on big things, (don’t get me wrong; big dreams are good), but when we don’t achieve them we get down hearted and give up. I want to ride more, spend more time with my family, I want to go fishing, I want to go to the beach more, I want to laugh more, and not to take my job so seriously that it affects my health, and that is just a few. What do you want 2009 to be like?

There is one big resolution that I hope you all share with me and that is to be around to say “Happy New Year” in a year’s time. Every time you get on your bike you need to balance enjoyment with vigilance so that we are laughing with you on rides, not crying at your loss.

We have just had our first meeting at the Breakfast Creek Wharf, and from the people I spoke with, it was a great success. I look forward to seeing you all there again.

The AGM date & venue has been settled. It will be on 3rd, 4th, and 5th of April at the Big 4 North Star Holiday Resort at Hastings Point just over the border. You can choose to camp, cabin, or luxury accommodate yourself on your own or share with others, but you will need to book your own on line at http://www.northstar.com.au or telephone 1800 645 790. Let them know that you are there with the AWRA when you make your reservations. They will accept 1 night reservations for those that will be arriving on Saturday.

Finally, it is time to think about putting your hand up to take a place on the Management Committee. As good as the past Committees have been, it is vital for the future of our club to have new faces and new ideas on our Committee. Updated Nomination Forms will be posted on our website shortly so keep your eye out for them.

Keep it up

Bill Carter

Hello everyone,

Happy New Year everyone, and let us hope this year will be especially kind for all of us.  We had a wonderful time at our Christmas Party, and we agree with Bill that the Bribie Island venue is hard to beat and the walks along the esplanade are very relaxing.  Again it was great to have our Victorian boys join us, but so sad that the Braks had their accident.  The story in the magazine was amazing, how careful and lucky we must be on our wings!

We had a brilliant time in Japan, with special thanks to Bear & Jayne and Meady because with their guidance we negotiated the airports, trains, buses, hotels, meals and sightseeing with complete confidence and lots of laughs.  I have to admit I was reduced to almost tears a couple of times – and I haven’t laughed that hard for a long time!  My story may have to be in the next issue as this month has been extremely busy for us.

Meanwhile, our wing has one new tyre, a Dunlop K77 and new brake pads – we have to wait for the other front tyre.  Then she will be ready for the big service at Harriss Mechanical, and it looks as though we have to get a new ring of fire, some lights have gone already – frustrating. 

Now I have to do the filing, and start getting paperwork in order for our Annual General Meeting.  Thinking helmets please – we need committee members, it is not hard work, it is very social and enjoyable and you can boss us around for a change!!

I haven’t made any resolutions – just made very special prayers in the temples in Japan, rang the bell at the shrine and wrote my wishes on a temple plate (at least three) and they are hanging in the Zen Temples.  It felt very special at the time, and hopefully it will remain with us for a very long time.

Here’s to a wonderful and safe 2009.

Cheers

Valerie and Thommo

Review - Nolan N102 helmet with N-Com headset

Our old HJC Symax lids were getting long in the tooth so it was time for new ones.  We are fans of the flip-front style of helmet for Wing riding so made our selection from among the various brands, taking into account cost, fitment, accessories and opening mechanism.

On the face of it, the Nolan N102 seemed to fit our requirements.  Cost for helmets plus sound system is about equal to a Shoei flipfront without sound.  So we opted for the Nolan and decided to go with their own integrated sound system, the N-Com.  Sad fact though, is that trying on helmets in a shop is much different from owning them for a long time and the accessories can only be tried out after purchase and fitment, making both items impossible to return if unsatisfied.

The helmets themselves are OK.  Fitment is reasonable but, like most flip fronts, they are noisy outside the confines of the GoldWing.  The N-com is a different story.  I have been asked by several people for my opinion and it is “DO NOT BUY THIS SYSTEM FOR A GOLDWING.”

The system comes in two parts.  A basic kit which must be purchased and an add-on, which is either the intercom kit or Bluetooth kit.  The basic kit covers the speakers and boom mike, which both fit quite nicely into the helmet – as they should.  But the sad part is they will not work alone, even with the rest of the necessary workings being already available on the bike.  Power, amplifier, volume control etc.  There is an adapter for the five-pin GoldWing socket, but it only allows three of the five pins to work, left/right speakers and mic.  Power and volume from the bike, although available, are not considered.

The cheapest and supposedly more reliable of the two add-ons is the intercom kit.  It adds power, cabling and a controller to the basic kit.  Power is from a rechargeable battery slotted into the helmet.  The controller snaps into the N-com patch in the left side of the helmet and cables run everywhere.  The alternative Bluetooth sets cost more and add connectivity drop-out and higher battery-drain problems to the mix.

The result is a helmet that has three – count ‘em – three cables hanging from it, all of which have to be pulled aside along with the two straps to don the helmet.  Yes, you have to hold on to five things to get the lid on the head.  Or alternatively, only hold on to the straps, and then dig out the three cables that are now sticking into your skull.  Then you have to switch on the helmet.  Yes, I know, I should have switched it on before putting it on, but I forgot and be blowed if I am going to take of the helmet unnecessarily.  So feel for the switches.  Then realise you cannot feel them, take off your gloves – don’t forget to stop the bike – and feel for the one with the concave surface, press and hold for two very long seconds and you will hear a loud beep and you are on line.

The other two buttons on the controller are for volume up/down and then there’s a very complicated list of combination presses to do various actions that really

only duplicate what is on the controls of the bike.

When you have finished riding, make sure you switch off the helmet or next time you go to ride the battery will be flat, and the helmet sound system useless.  Switching off entails holding the button for four seconds while listening for the correct sounding beep.  Yes yes, there is power available from the Wing.  Don’t tell me – tell Nolan.

No, instead there is one more thing you have to do.  Recharge the battery between nearly every ride.  I have found the battery will last about 18 hours of continuous use between charges, but it is best to recharge every time.  Naturally, we are also told to not leave the precious battery on the charger for long periods, so you not only have to remember to put it on the charger, but you also have to go out in the middle of the night to take it off.  Sheesh!  Of course on a long trip you will need to carry the chargers – one for each helmet.  Add them to your others – phone, camera, Ipod and computer.  Don’t forget the multi-socket power board.   Oh, you’re camping?

The only thing the N-Com system has going for it is it will work without a GoldWing.  A cable is supplied to connect the input of one helmet to the output from the other and you can happily chat to your pillion on any kind of bike.  That’s good as we have two other bikes and often ride together on one of them.  It is also bad because the extra noise of the flip-front helmet on a bike without a GoldWing sized screen makes conversations impossible at speeds above 40kph, even with the system’s volume turned up full.

So my advice for Nolan 102 helmet buyers – stick with your J&M headsets.  Even if they are finicky to fit.  You’ll be much happier.

Cheers

Clint

Have Clint and Charleen got another Goldwing?

In the true spirit of journalism, I must always protect my sources and I recently received high priority news that Clint and Charleen had purchased a Goldwing in USA, ready for their trip later this year.  The story was accompanied by photos and I was confused by the fact that it was blue, not red.  I did the right thing and checked with Clint and while doing his best not to offend blue Goldwing owners, he assured me his was red and he also sent photos.  I’ll leave it to you to decide whose story is correct.

Clint claims the red one is his, on the trailer after being collected by Jack and that the frosting is not icing on the cake but snow.  He also hopes it is the only time that occurs, especially if he is riding it.  The blue wing however is obviously set up with GPS and radios etc for long distance travel for which Clint is well known.

Hunter Valley and Beyond

A couple of weeks before Christmas, Therese and I decided we would go to Sydney for her brother’s wedding.  The idea started out as a couple of days down and another couple back but we then decided that we do our trip to the Hunter Valley at the same time.  We had planned to visit the Hunter Valley in October last year but after two weeks on the road we had bypassed it and headed straight home.  Now was our chance.

A bit more planning meant we could drop in on friends in Wollongong and also come back via the Blue Mountains.  And so, planning started.  It looked like being about a week to a week and half until Bob and Fran in Coffs Harbour planned a weekend and Bear and Meady were heading that way so instead of coming home and going back, we decided to extend the trip to be in Coffs on the Friday.  And so it began.

Sunday 28th January

Today’s run is just a warm up of 180klms to get to Warwick and overnight with family.  For the ride from Warwick to Sydney we will be accompanied by Therese’s sisters, brother in laws and brother. They would be travelling by car.

Monday

We made an early start with the intention of overnighting at Gosford.  Refuelled and smoko at Glen Innes then through to Tamworth for lunch.  Beautiful day for riding, just enough storm clouds in the air to keep it cool.  By the time we leave Musslebrook the cool storm clouds start to threaten rain but we hope to clear the gap and not need wet weather gear.  We skirt most of it with the heavy showers still closing in.  Oops, a sudden rattle of hail stones gets our attention, and Therese a refreshing ice block to suck, I get a belt on the shoulder and we are past it.  Just hit the edge of it thankfully.  We run through to Scone with it looking more and more like rain so we put the wets on as we refuel.  The wets were not required though and we run on through Singleton, Maitland to Beresfield at the top end of the F3 freeway and decide to stop for the night.  If you are down that way and looking for good accommodation at the right price, try the Palm Valley Motel at Beresfield.

Tuesday

After breakfast it’s on the freeway and head for Sydney.  I have an e-toll tag but the car hasn’t so I do my best not to lead them astray.  Bugger, straight into the no-cash tunnel; I thought I was on the correct lane but apparently not.  Mick will have to sort it out later.  Over the big bridge and through to Randwick.  Isn’t the GPS a wonderful thing?  Leads to right to where you tell it to go and only stumbles a few times when inside the concrete canyons.

Check on the arrangements for the afternoon and check out the location of the venues and book into the accommodation.  Once settled it’s off to the wedding and enjoy some hospitality at the reception.  Nothing like a few coldies and a couple of wines after a long ride, and of course a wedding.

Wednesday (New Years Eve)

We spend the day looking around the sights and checking out potential venues for the viewing of the fireworks.  Should be different to seeing it on TV.  It is just after lunch and already people are settled in or arriving with

their eskys at the best spots.  I don’t have any desire to sit all day in the sun just to watch a few minutes of fireworks.

Later in the afternoon we load up our stools, thermos, cups etc, grab a pizza and head for a vantage point on the sidewalk at Rosebay.  Yep, plenty of room, park beside a Honda 600 who comes over and moves it to give the wing a bit more room and we settle in with new friends from Penrith to wait.  This is a circus, complete with great entertainment.  Cars going every which way, people playing Russian roulette crossing the road, drop-off wherever a car can stop, even the police get in the act as two cars meet going each way and pull up in the middle of the street,

put on the lights and have a chat.  The crowd builds up to a point where it is impossible to move on the footpath.  Glad we got here reasonably early.  Later in the evening, just as the early fireworks start, one of the police cars returns, stops in the outside lane, switches the red and blues on and sits there watching the fireworks.  Good show and a great vantage point.

After the early fireworks, we head back to the accommodation to watch the late show from the back yard.  While we can’t hear the fireworks, we can certainly see most of them and we don’t have to fight the crowd to come home.

Thursday

Time to reload the trailer and head for Wollongong to visit Frans and Jeanie.  We have arranged to meet at the northern end of the Sydney Royal National Park for a different ride to Wollongong having done the freeway a number of times.  We’re early and it’s a fairly warm day.  This is obviously a popular spot judging by the number of cars lined up to enter the park while we wait for Frans. This is a great ride and easy to see why it is a favourite with local motorcyclists.  Out the southern end and we follow the coast all the way crossing the Sea Cliff bridge at Coalcliff.  This 1.6 km bridge is built on pylons out from the cliffs, curves around the headlands and is actually over the ocean in some places.  A beautiful

ride and thanks again Frans, it was not the way I would have gone.  There’s usually no substitute for local knowledge as we will again find out tomorrow.  It’s not always true though and we will learn that in a few days time.

We arrived at Frans’ place and he immediately drops a cold stubbie in our hands and fires up the BBQ.  Need a BBQ cook? Give Frans a call.

After lunch we were given a car tour of the Wollongong area and talked into spending an extra day so we could take a ride through the ranges tomorrow.

Should be OK, had an extra day on the itinerary anyway.

We had had a minor of problem with the trailer on the last trip where the tyre rubbed on the suspension.I had taken steps to avoid the problem reoccurring but when I start checking the left hand wheel, Frans commented on having had the occasional smell of burning rubber.  Sure enough, the mounting has loosened again and the tyre had been rubbing on the suspension.  Instead of one groove on the tyre from the last trip, there are now two.  We add some preload to the suspension and tighten the mount and hope that fixes the problem.  It is only wear on the tyre sidewall surface, no damage to the belts so it should be OK.  The wheels have to be aligned and the tyres replaced before the big trip next year, so no replacement today. 

Just to be sure, we do a quick trip to Bunnings for a couple of cheap spanners so I have the tools to tighten it if it loosens again.  (A suspension overhaul in Coffs Harbour by the trailer manufacturer has now identified and corrected the problem)

Friday

We head out from Mt Keira up the Macquarie Pass to Robertson and the old cheese factory then down past the

Fitzroy Reservoir and on to Kangaroo Valley for lunch at the local pub.  After lunch we continue south to Nowra then head north along the coast and back inland to Jamberoo for coffee at their local pub.  Back to Mt Keira and we covered about 180 kms for the day. Talk about a great spot to live, a bit like having the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast Hinterlands at your back door.  A very enjoyable ride and again, one I would not have taken without the local knowledge.

We are supposed to meet a friend in Cessnock on what I thought was Sunday night and I get a call from Trevor saying he had trouble getting accommodation on the way down and is almost in Cessnock and will be there tomorrow.  Apparently I’m supposed to be as

 well.  That extra day I had was next week apparently.  Well, if we get there, we get there, otherwise Sunday.

Saturday

Reasonably early start so we can at least attempt to get to Cessnock.  We head to Campbelltown and Penrith via the lesser roads then up into the Blue Mountains to Katoomba.  The plan was to play a bit of the tourist here but there are so many tourists here already that we cannot get within cooee of any of the attractions.  The decision is made to continue on to Lithgow but I make a mistake when I see the Jenolan Caves sign.  You see, the Jenolan Caves is the reason we have an extra day.  The plan was to stay in Katoomba then go to the caves in the morning to have time to do a tour. 

Last time we went there we arrived too late in the afternoon.  A decision was made not to go to the caves but I was silly enough to ask again and as we skipped Katoomba it was a case of why not.  It means that we won’t get to Cessnock but that can’t be helped.   Going in was OK but coming out was going to test the wing’s pulling power.  Arriving and driving through the entrance cavern with all the lights on drew gasps and camera moments but the real fun came when we couldn’t get into the car parks and then had to do a 40 point turn on an uphill corner in the gravel with the trailer.  Interesting! Finally we get into a car park and wander back down to the village.  

Sure enough, the finish times to the tours was going to make us quite late even into Lithgow, so, again, failing to do the tour, we lunched from the esky, ran the camera gauntlet again, wound our way back up out of the valley and headed back to the highway. 

Through Lithgow and the GPS is telling me we can be in Cessnock by 8:00pm.  Let’s go.  So it’s over the Bell’s Line of Road to Windsor, another great bike ride, then up the Putty Road to Singleton. More fun corners and thankfully only light traffic.  With a couple of stops for fuel, drinks and fruit, we roll into Cessnock a bit after 8:00pm.  Five nights on the road and we still haven’t pulled the tent out of the trailer.  A local tells us the caravan park has closed so we check out a couple of motels that are full then ring Trevor to find where he is.  We book in, grab dinner and start planning tomorrow.

Sunday

Decision is we do a bus tour of the wineries today then we can do whatever tomorrow and move on if we like.  We book onto the Cheers Bus and begin a good tour that takes us to 5 boutique wineries, a boutique brewery, and olive plantation and then to a cheese and chocolate tasting to end the day.  The first place we went past on the tour was the caravan park the “local” had told us was closed; so much for his local knowledge.  The bus driver who it turns out rode an old Triumph Tiger gives me the good oil on which winery to visit for a good port.  After the tour it’s back to the motel and plan tomorrow.

Monday

Packed reasonably early, we load the bikes and trailer and head south to Wollombi just for a look.  Nice ride, bit rough in places though.  We pull into town and the next thing a bloke in full BMW riding gear waves us down.  He needs a hand to pick his bike up.  A BMW GS1250 with full touring kit and he parked it on a slope but it tipped off the side-stand downhill and needs to be picked up back up hill.  No problem for the three of us.  Turns out he’s from Germany and has been in Australia for a bit over two months riding around Tasmania, Victoria and NSW and is on his way back to Sydney to fly out the next day.  We roundly chastise him for not visiting Queensland.  Our good deed done for the day we drop into the local coffee shop before heading back to Cessnock.  Unfortunately, it’s Monday and most of the tourist things we were interested in are closed.

We drop into Drayton’s Family Wines and sample some really good port.  I will be getting some of this shipped up for the cask.  We try all their varieties, including their smooth 21 year old.  Very nice.  From here we head for the Hunter Valley Gardens and spend a couple of hours exploring this beautiful setup.  All different types of gardens laid out but it’s just after Christmas and looks like the maintenance guys have only started back today.  Bloody hot though.

After lunch we head for Maitland.  I need a replacement bladder for my hydra-pack and we have intentions of visiting a place north of the city the following day.  Maitland is hot; we have to drive kilometres in traffic to find an outdoors shop that has

a bladder.  We then go looking for accommodation and the two caravan parks leave a lot to be desired, a motel again becomes an option but as we head back into town the heat and frustration at the traffic layout becomes too much, Maitland just lost three tourists, tomorrow’s stop is forgotten and we head east to Raymond Terrace and find a rough motel for the night.  Travelling in peak times is not advisable.

The GPS finds us a hotel for dinner close by so off we go, parking across the road from half a dozen Harleys.  It’s not until we get up onto the veranda that we see another 20 or so Harleys on the side street and we are with a visiting chapter of the Gypsy Jokers.

Tuedsay

We head north then turn east to Hawks Nest to follow the coast line, another fun bike ride, up to Forster and across the bridge into Tuncurry for a smoko break.  Jut as we are putting our stuff on the rest area table, an old chap rides up on his push bike and sits down.  We join him and gradually get him into our conversation.  He’s 84, of Dutch origin, and tells us of his time during the war and he used to ride motorcycles.  Therese notices he has a camera with him so we give him the opportunity to sit on both bikes while we take his photo.  He insists we also get in the photos.  I’m not sure he will remember the incident, so when he gets the photos developed, he may be in for a surprise.

From here we head for Nabiac to visit the Australian Motorcycle Museum.  I love wandering through this place and looking at bikes you will find almost nowhere else.  The owner tells us there is a group of riders turning up in about 30 minutes.  Sure enough, 30 minutes later, in rides the Gypsy Jokers chapter.  The situation repeats itself later after we head to the pub for lunch.  It’s beginning to look like we’re the forward party.

From here we continue up the highway to Port Macquarie, found a caravan park and settled in.  Trevor preferred the comfort of air conditioned accommodation and grabbed a motel in town.  Getting together later in the afternoon, being in NSW, we

were entertained by the rabbits enjoying the grass of the caravan park.  Dinner at the local sports club topped of a good day.

Wednesday

Relaxation day today.  Little to do but use Trevor’s internet access to check our emails then we all headed for the beach for a little R&R.  Meady dropped in on his way to Newcastle, after leaving the Gold Coast in the very early hours of the morning.  Said gidday and continued on his way.  We took a bit of a look around town, gave Therese a bit of a look at the shops went back to the tent, knocked over a bottle of red, went for dinner and then called it a day.

Thursday

Never do things the easy way when there is a better road to ride.  With only a short hop to Coffs Harbour and no need to be there until Friday, we headed west instead of north and played tourist visiting Timbertown at Wauchope.  Good fun wandering around, riding the steam train and watching the bullock team.  After that, it was back on the road taking the Oxley Highway to Walcha.  Another great riding road through the mountains and one I hadn’t ridden before.  Are you seeing a trend here?  From Walcha it was north to Armidale chasing a storm but not actually catching it.  A fuel stop and the need to go north-east on the Waterfall Way to Dorrigo

 

Obituary

It is with deep regret and with great sadness in our hearts that we announce, on Friday the 19th of December, at 9.15 am, after a short illness, the death of ‘YELO 1”.

She gave us such enjoyment and pleasure in her short life. We have taken many a journey together throughout this great land and she shall be sadly missed.

A private wake was held at the “Glen Waverly R.S.L” on Saturday the 20th of December, with friends and family.

John and Marg

was an opportunity to put the wets on even though we sweltered for the first few kilometres.  Pleasant ride with just a few light showers to Ebor, then east into the mountains to Dorrigo and more showers.  About 18 klms from Dorrigo what appeared to be heavier rain appeared and the next minute we were in fog with about 20 metres of visibility.  Not good but eventually I caught up to a car which although slowing us, gave us some frontal protection.  Another vehicle settled in behind giving Trevor some additional protection and so we continued into Dorrigo.  With the rain and fog continuing there went another camping opportunity so we checked into the motel with the hope of a better day for sightseeing in the morning.

Friday

We awoke to the same rain although the fog was much less than yesterday afternoon.  Not good for being motorcycle tourists though so a bit of a wander was in order.  Just like Wollombi, the attractions didn’t open until 11:00 or later and as we had to check out, there was no sense in hanging about in the rain so it was down the mountain for coffee at Bellingen then into Coffs Harbour to Bob and Fran’s motel.

Trevor elected to continue on to the Gold Coast and I borrowed some space in Bob’s store room so I could empty the trailer and take it to the manufacturer for some work on the suspension and the leaking lid seal.  By the time this was done, Bear and Jayne had arrived

 

after a wet ride from Yamba.

Once we were settled in, Therese headed off for some shopping and Meady arrived later in the afternoon after being held up by a serious truck accident to the south.  Needless to say, Friday night was a fairly social one and late in the evening Bob produced a bottle of that 21 year old Draytons port I mentioned earlier.  His bottle was even better than the sample.  That may have had something to do with the fact that there was more of it and we didn’t have to ride afterward.

Saturday

With Fran looking after the shop and Therese and

 

 

Jayne going shopping, Bob, Bear, Meady and I head out for a ride.  After two weeks with a pillion and a loaded trailer I had forgotten how a wing feels; took a few blocks to get it all under control.  We head south to Macksville then to Taylors Arm to the Pub with No Beer for lunch.  After lunch it was back up the highway and into Sawtell for a look around and out across the beautiful Coffs coastal views.  After a cold drink we continued up the coast to Coffs Harbour and back to the motel.

Amazing really, the way we travel big distances then go for a ride.  By the time we started in the morning, I had covered around 2900 kms in the previous two weeks and then I go for a day ride.  Just like our Victorian friends who take two days to get here, then go for a day ride then take two days to go home.

 

 

 

 

After an enjoyable BBQ hosted by Fran and Bob, we headed to the Ex-Services Club for some entertainment by a group, “Frogs on Toast”, who are friends of Bon and Fran and were staying at the motel.  Now, what goes on at these weekends stays on these weekends but I tell you, I don’t think we’ve ever laughed so much.  Not at the entertainers, but at the antics of some of the club patrons and of course the banter that was ongoing within the group.  It must really be a bugger to be young and be picked on by your elders and have to continue to treat them with the respect they probably don’t deserve.

After a few more social drinks which Bob was smart enough to avoid, something to do with cooking breakfasts in the morning, we called it quits for the night, (morning?).

Sunday

No trailer to bring home so we load the bike, place anything else that we don’t need into Bob’s storeroom until next weekend.  Before we leave, Bob lines us up for a photo he can use in his advertising to show it is a bike friendly motel.  We say our farewells and hit the road.  Bear and Jayne and Meady have decided to leave later and won’t be coming all the way anyway.

Heavy traffic most of the way but we roll in home almost exactly 2 weeks after leaving.  Two weeks towing the trailer with the tent and we only used it for two nights.  Another good trip safely completed.  All that remains now is to go back to Coffs to collect the trailer and clear out Bob’s storeroom.

Get out there and ride

Bevan and Therese

 

Some statistics

Kilometres Travelled                 3456

Fuel used                                  224.2 litres

Fuel Consumption                     15.41 kms/litre; 6.49 litres/100 kms; 43.1 mpg

 

 

 

 

 


AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INCORPORATED

QUEENSLAND RIDE and SOCIAL CALENDAR

Date

Start Point

Destination

Ride / Social Event

Ride Leaders

18 January

Ride

BP Nth-Caboolture

8.30 for 9.00am

Beerwah, Landsborough, Melany

Ride through the hinterland via Beerwah/Landsborough/Melany and back to Burpengary. Morning tea can be purchased at the break, a BBQ lunch will be supplied at Burpengary after the ride.

Peter Mitchell

26 January

Social

TBA

Bevan and Therese’

Address on website

Australia Day celebration BBQ breakfast 7.30 am at Bevan & Therese Bradford’s home. Bevan has requested number so please get back to him.

 Breakfast cost will be about $8-10.00/head

WEAR YOUR AUSSIE GEAR AND WAVE AN AUSSIE FLAG

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.

Make sure you have read the email from Bevan and let him know if you are participating

Bevan and Therese

21 Feb

Social

TBA

TBA

TBA

Eric and Deb

15 March

Ride

 

 

TBA

Gecko and Kay

21 March

Social

TBA

TBA

Ten Pin Bowling

(Well done Geoff, you beat all the others that were trying for this social)

Geoff Mead

 

3-4-5 April

Your home

North Star Resort

Hastings Point NSW

Australian Wing Riders Assoc Queensland Inc. AGM

Ring the resort ASAP to book your preferred accommodation. 1800 645 790

Committee

19 April

Ride

TBA

TBA

Great interest has been shown for this date, ring me before you miss the chance to organize and lead this ride.

TBA

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

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 is arranged and the contact details is Melinda Phone: 03 5682 2022  Tell her your part of the wing riders bike group. I have negotiated a deal for $90 a room and blocked out a number of rooms until the 1 Feb 09.  After that you are on your own and that price will not apply and the rooms will be open for general booking.

http://gippsland.com/web/ComfortInnFoster/

 

JohnG

15 March   Ride

Kalkallo service station

Ferntree Gully

Kalkallo to Ferntree Gully via Yea Euroa Marysville

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

Craig

3-4-5 April Ride

BP service station on hume high way about 5km past turn off for northern hwy (new service station in old truck stop on left)

North Star Resort

Hastings Point NSW

AWRA AGM. Qld ride

 

Ring the resort ASAP to book your preferred accommodation. 1800 645 790

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.

Useless in the Parking Lot

A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication for her daughter.

When returning to her car she found that she had locked her keys in the car. She was in a hurry to get home to her sick daughter.

She didn't know what to do, so she called her home and told the baby sitter what had happened and that she did not know what to do. The baby sitter told her that her daughter was getting worse.

She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."

The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car.

Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."

So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.

The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful.

The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"

He said, "Sure". He walked over to the car, and in less than one minute the car was opened.

She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank you so much! You are a very nice man."

The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour."

The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God!

You even sent me a Professional!"