Wing Notes

Management Committee

President

Bevan Bradford (07) 3822 3512

E-mail: Bevan.L.Bradford@mainroads.qld.gov.au

Vice President

Lionel Jacobson (07) 3265 6000

E-mail: darling3@bigpond.com

Secretary

Val Thomas (07) 3848 0498

E-mail: ashgrovestationery@uqconnect.net

Treasurer

Eric Madjeric (07) 3886 9845

E-mail: magic@auswingriders.com

Meetings normally held 1st Monday of every month.

Next meeting:

3^rd May 2004

7:30 pm

Australian National Hotel
Cnr Stanley St and Wellington Rd
East Brisbane

April 2004

WING NOTES is produced with the object of keeping members informed about matters of interest to AWRA members. A copy of each issue is sent 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.

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This month is mostly Ulysses AGM stuff. Naturally. There’s even the “Bugger Them, We’ll Have Fun Even If We’re Not Going” story. Then a great one from Daniel Bradford, riding with his Dad. That gave us a full mag this time. Thanks for the contributions.

I notice that plans are well under way for the next three Ulysses AGMs. Just go to the Ulysses website, http://www.ulyssesclub.org and you will find all the necessary details. For 2006, Spirit of Tasmania will be running “Ulysses Special” crossings, 10 of them in all, two of which will sail from Sydney. Should be fun.

Contributions for this magazine can be emailed to info@auswingriders.com or posted to 47 Breslin St, Carina, Qld 4152. Photos and slides can be scanned and returned.

Well I trust everyone has had a wonderful Easter break, and fully stuffed with chocolate and Easter Buns, I can tell you we have! Washed down with plenty of red wine as well.

Now we are looking at our A.G.M. and I am listing all the people we have coming so far, if you need to get your name down please ring as soon as possible, and we will see you there.

That is it for me, and looking forward to a great week-end. Apologies to Clint – again – for holding you up.

How's this Clint, a week before the due date I'm doing my report. As I said at the meeting, my primary concern at this time of year is to encourage nominations for committee positions. As with any association, there always has to be someone processing the paperwork and handling the issues as they arise. I ask you to think about this and nominate people who you believe will have the best interests of the whole Association at heart and will deliver the best possible support for the next 12 months.

Why am I doing this report early? Well I know that it is Easter next weekend and Clint will probably want it early but also because I intend to be away for most of next week. After having to come back from Geelong early for work, I've talked my boss into letting me have a bit more time off and Daniel and I are off on the 'wing for a few days. Where to? At this time I don't know as the weather is looking a bit grim but the plan is to go to Bundaberg via Goomeri and Biggenden then work our way back down the coast staying where ever we end up after being tourists. Should be fun, it's the first time one of the boys has come away on the bike and Daniel is really looking forward to it. Hope it's not too wet. I'll report back next month.

It's on again. Holiday period and the campaigns start again, "Speed kills", "Every K over is a killer". How much longer will we allow the governments of all States to continue with their twisted statistics that attempt to prove that speed cameras are the answer. At the same time as the campaign, the advice is that again our road toll is up. The picture is the same in almost every state. This means that speed cameras are not working. If a fixed speed camera brings in $12,000 per week, every week, is it effective in fixing the problem? Governments claim that 40% of fatalities are the result of "speeding", but an independent estimate is that no more than 2% occur as a result of speeds in excess of the speed limit. Therefore, 98% of fatalities have causes that speed cameras cannot see. Speed cameras can never significantly reduce the road toll, just bring in revenue while the real problems of poor driving just increase.

Six bikes met at the BP Stapylton with Bevan arriving first and worrying if he was in the right place and time until more of us showed up.

Eddie came along to make sure we were under way and Winston had a friend there to see him off as well.

Bill and Mary had left days earlier and Charleen, Deb and Mary J were all making their own way down on faster wings.

Bevan, Lionel, Winston, Eric and I got under way and headed south down the long boring Pacific Hwy, keeping our spirits up with CB banter and the excitement of finally being on our way.

Around Ballina we met up with a few trikes, including Members Chris and Sheryl now with Subaru power on the trike and travelling with a recently triked GL1800 Goldwing. With campers attached they made an awesome sight.

At Grafton we refuelled, having to find our own servo as most were full of bikes.

We left the main highway here, finally locating the elusive Armidale Road, we almost had it to ourselves.

Lots of fun on the twisties climbing up the eastern side of the Great Divide but a large black cloud reared it’s head over the top. At the first signs of rain we stopped and put on the wets, then rounded the next corner into heavy rainfall. We were still on twisties but going much much slower now. Somewhere here Winston went to the wrong gear and the resultant back wheel slip put him down. Nothing more than a broken highway peg mount and wounded pride. I was returning to help when they all came past me putting me at the rear and Bevan now the leader.

The rain soon eased a little. Bevan missed a turn-off and pulled a Club-standard U-Turn. Eric and I managed to make the turn and now Eric led the tour in to Armidale. Fun roads.

A stop for lunch and fuel. The weather had fined up so we stowed the wets. South to Uralla then left turn to Walcha and off we went down Thunderbolts Way. Good roads but we didn’t get too far and saw a lot of fog ahead. Another stop for wets.

Into the rain again, but it soon got better and we had a great ride all the way into Gloucester. We found a pub and took over it’s back yard to bed down the bikes for the night.

Next morning as we were uncovering our steeds, the rain started again so the day started with the wets on. We travelled in off and on rain until Dungog where we had brekky with it showering.

Next town Singleton and the start of the Putty Road and it was pelting down. The first of many corners were taken very gingerly but the further we went, the better it got. By the Half-Way Roadhouse it had almost stopped. We fuelled and coffeed and met lots of bike riders and Austin Healy-Sprite drivers also putting up with the weather. Some of the local sports riders had good bikes and leathers but pretty flimsy rain gear.

After here the weather improved somewhat and I let Lucille stretch her legs out then had a heap of fun in the corners. At one stage I got 5km ahead of the group but as there were no turn-offs, no one got lost. We re-formed at Como and went across to the Bells Line of Road and away to Lithgow through the clouds and mist.

A stop here for lunch and Winston took the chance took the chance to dry out his socks on his aerials in the first sun we had seen for a full day. A local even took a photo.

From Lithgow the weather fined up and was to stay that way for the rest of the holiday. We motored on to Bathurst and of course, straight to Mt Panorama for a run around the race track. It is always a surprise just how steep and how narrow the Bathurst raceway is.

A few photos and a couple of practice stoppies and we headed off towards our overnight stop at Young.

It dawned fine and cool and we made our way to Cootamundra for Brekky then south to the Hume Highway for a short time then south again through Tumut and over the hills through Batlow and a refuel at Corryong. Here we heard from Bill that he was a couple of hours ahead of us and I also left a message for John Gilbert letting him know where we were.

Having grown up around Wodonga, this was Eric’s old stomping ground and he gave us lots of local knowledge. We did get a little lost following his directions though, causing another U-turn.

Back on the right road, we topped up at Dederang, where Bill had left a message for us.

A little further south and we had to go over a range to get to the bottom of the Mt Hotham road. I was leading and calling cars as I went past them so Eric could use all the road with his trailer. I did miss a couple just to keep him on his toes. Now on the Great Alpine Way, we met up with John who had heard us coming via the CB calls. We only had 100km to go but it was all corners over Mt Hotham and a great ride all the way.

Pulling into Omeo we met up with Bill and Mary and booked into the Hilltop Hotel for the night.

Another early start after brekky at the hotel and the road followed a creek with lots of corners all the way down to Bruthen then on to Bairnsdale where we joined up with Highway One again.

From here on the travelling was quite placid on the long straight well-made roads and freeways. John took over the lead as we neared Melbourne and led us down toward Portsea to catch the ferry. He did prove himself to be a ridgy-didge AWRA member by leading us astray and causing yet another U-turn.

The crossing was very calm and once across the other side we made our way into Geelong and didn’t have any problems locating the Registration point at Kardinia Park.

Well, it was our first one. “AGM Virgins” lots of people called us. I guess so. Losing our “virginity” was certainly a lot of fun.

Wednesday was a day of getting settled in properly, getting the lie of the land, booking in for a few test rides and of course heading up to Melbourne Airport to collect Charleen. Then it was all sit around with a few drinks and try out the foods on hand at all the on-site outlets. The day finished with us all back at our tents sipping port and chatting.

Thursday saw Charleen and me try out some of the bikes. My first booked ride was on a Harley! I figured that I have been bagging them for years but had never actually ridden one so I should really find out what I had been talking about. Suffice to say in my opinion I have been right all along.

Next was the GL1800. Sheer Bliss. Bevan was nearby on an ST1300 but we hardly noticed as we were having such a great time ourselves. Definitely on the wish list.

After that I had a go on a couple of sporties. Not just any sporties but this was my chance to ride the best and fastest that Honda and Suzuki had to offer. First the Blackbird. What a goer! And those brakes! Wow! Next was the Hayabusa. Talk about get up and go! My personal choice between the two was the Hayabusa, even though the Honda has several better features. The Suzuki just seemed to “fit” me better. All dreams of course, I can’t see me ever owning one. That Suzuki salesman sure could though.

The rest of the day was spent getting around, meeting heaps of people and looking at heaps of bikes. Ended up trying out more of the local food and that evening ended up back at our tents sipping port and chatting.

Friday, everyone was off somewhere different and Charleen and I went for a ride down along the Great Ocean Road. We had done it before in a car and today it was a bit slow, being careful to stick to the limits and contending with lots of traffic. At Lorne we stopped for coffee, had a chat with some fellow Goldwing-owning Ulyssians and decided not to continue west. Instead we turned north and found a wonderfully twisty road leading us away from the coast. Limits were almost forgotten as we had the road practically to ourselves. We rejoined the Princes Hwy after making only one wrong turn and made our way east again to Geelong. Back in the Showgrounds we had a wander around and found some lovely people offering samples of local wines. Now, normally at wine tastings we get only a small sip of each wine. Not here. It was about a quarter glass each and we tried quite a few samples. Of course after such generosity we had to buy a few bottles. Which we also drank. Getting the picture?

Nearby we heard some rock music playing and so we went and had a dance or two to our very own band. There was practically no one else there! We soon remembered why, the Friday night dinner had started. As our tickets were back at the tent, about 500 metres away, I left Charleen at the door and did the kilometre walk there and back. If you refer to the previous paragraph you’ll understand just what a feat that was. Finally back, Bevan had found Charleen and took us both to where they had saved our seats just in time for the meal to be served. We had a great night and I won’t elaborate any more except to say that I was later told we all ended up back at our tents sipping port and chatting.

Saturday dawned. At least I think it did. We somehow got ourselves ready and all travelled down town to Maccas for brekky then joined literally thousands of other riders for the Grand Parade. It was a very slow Grand Parade but a grand parade it was.

We all ended up (5000 of us) in a park with comfortable grass and listened to a few speeches.

After that the actual AGM was held nearby but it would have been just a little too much for us. So we went back to camp, had a little lie down, then went and did some chores around town. We found all week that the local townspeople were very friendly, helpful, and just a little bewildered as to why so many bike riders were in town.

That night was another dinner in the big marquee and it was a great meal once again. The caterers managed to serve over 4000 hot meals in about an hour. Also the volunteer ushers did a great job shepherding Ulyssians up to get served and back again.

A great dinner, but Charleen and I had an early night. Not to worry though, the rest of our little group ended up back at our tents sipping port and chatting.

Sunday and it was all over. People were packing up all over the place and our group had lots of plans on how to get home. All of them were executed.

Charleen and I went up to Melbourne where we spent a couple of very pleasant days with our son, then took four days to get home, going via almost the same route as the southward journey.

Refuelling at Gundagai, another rider pointed out our rear tyre was a little low. We pumped it up and kept a check on it for the rest of the trip. It needed some more air at Uralla but we got home OK. Next morning it was flat as a tack from a nail in the middle of the tread. Now that was lucky.

To sum up, we had a great week and a wonderful “first” Ulysses AGM. We will surely be back for more.

Work beckons, not because I want it too, but because I have been developing a project for the past 18 months and it is about to go up for approval. I have to be there but I also had to be at the Ulysses AGM. To satisfy all needs, this means leaving Geelong on Sunday and being at work on Tuesday. Winston also has to be back earlier than the rest of the group so he elects to come along.

Sunday morning, up, pack, say hooray to everyone, one last showing of ID and out the gate. Onto the highway to Melbourne, speed limit maintenance the key here so cruise control set right on the mark. Going through the measured speed showed that the speedo was spot on. We then catch the tail of a convoy of trucks under police escort. Big day organised for kids with heaps of trucks and we never get to the head of the convoy. Conversation with one truckie and we get directions to the Hume Hwy turn-off and still nearly miss it.

On to the Hume highway, maintaining the speed limit is still the aim even though we are envious of those steaming on past in complete disregard. One of these drivers is pulled over shortly after he passes us so our self control is rewarded. Going to be a long day though, boring speed battling a strong easterly crosswind. Not far past Holbrook I'm down under the handlebars trying to read my route notes when a police car goes past at some phenomenal speed with sirens wailing and frightens away about 3 of my 9 lives. I politely ask Winston why he didn't warn me. He uses the excuse that by the time he recovered from his fright, the car was already past me. I'll bet the Falcon ute driver he pulled over wishes he had stuck to the limit. One or more speed traps later we turn off the Hume at Coolac and head for Cootamundra and Young.

We are making good time so if we keep moving it will make Monday shorter. Cowra and Canowindra roll past. Outside Canowindra we pass what looks like a bad accident at a crest. An ambulance is on the way and there are people assisting so we keep moving. We hit rain so it's on with the wets and eventually we cruise into Wellington just after dark. With the rain, the possibility of animals and a unknown ability to get fuel, we decide to stay overnight. 900 klms travelled; 1/2 way. It's Wellington Cup race day but we are to get the only available room due to a cancellation.

Monday dawns fine and we are on the road at sun-up. I love this section of road as we wind up through Gulgong, Coolah and into Gunnedah for a late breakfast. A message on the phone asks me to be at a meeting in about 20mins. I ring back a message that I somehow don't think I'll make it. Over to Tamworth and up the New England Highway. In and out of showers, a couple of light snacks and we roll into Stanthorpe for a late lunch about 3:00pm.

Back on the road and with brilliant timing we hit Archerfield about 5:15pm right into the afternoon peak hour traffic. We say our goodbyes and I arrive home about 6:15pm.

What a great ride, two 11 hour days, 900klms each day, no time for being the tourist but no stress from excess speed and concentration either, so each day I finished feeling I could have gone further no problems. What a life, a Goldwing, great riding companions and lots of miles to travel. I should do this again next year.

While the rest of you were gallivanting across the country getting wet, sore and tired we had a WONDERFUL TIME. The WE were Ray & Valerie, Brian & Ann, Larry & Annette and Bear & Jayne – on the week-end of the 20^th/21^st March. We met-up at Bear & Jayne’s place in Rosewood, and what a beautiful spot it is – they have a magnificent view from their home. I couldn’t live out there though, it is much too dark at night, and I have to have lots of lights, and bitumen.

Our destination Saturday evening was dinner at the Helidon R.S.L., so we duly set off and traversed their driveway very carefully, and then enjoyed a very scenic ride on to Helidon. Now Bear & Jayne insist that they do not socialise a lot, but the country hospitality at the R.S.L. was very special so I Wonder? Anyway, the locals welcomed us and the meal was sooo good, we just kept salivating at the flavours it was just like Grandma used to cook – it really is worth another visit for all of you to appreciate what a pleasant place it is. We also contributed to the raffles that were being promoted, but they were won by locals – but it still made the night a very reasonable one even with that couple of dollars.

Then it was a pleasant night ride back to Rosewood, as Ray & I had accepted the very generous offer to sleep-over at Bear & Jayne’s. Brain & Ann said good-bye and headed for home, and we turned into THAT driveway, in the dark and I just kept saying to Thommo “Be careful, please be careful” Whew we made it – Ray was very pleased with himself too, not a slip that time! Then it was time for drinks and reminiscing, so with the enjoyable company of Bear & Jayne, Larry & Annette we chatted and joked until the reasonable hour of around midnight – not too sure of the exact time.

An interesting topic came up on ride way home from the R.S.L. – Australian sayings that we do not hear so much today. I have to admit that Bear came up with some pretty good original ones, my favourite is Fair Dinkum which I used to use all the time when I first arrived here, it sounded so Aussie (not so much when it is said in a strong Pommie accent though!), but it took a long time before that one came up after

Good Dai, Hooray/Hooroo, Good Onya, Bonza, and quite few more which I should have written down – but they popped up through the conversation all night.

Anyway, we were off to bed and we had a water-bed! Now for us who have not experienced a water-bed before it was very ‘interesting’. I have to say for a short person the getting on and off is the funniest – not very elegant either, so there was a few whoops and laughs for us with the water-bed. That is all I have to say about the matter – apart from a very special and warm thank you to Bear & Jayne for such a great time, and to their son who gave up his bed for us – thank-you, thank-you.

We had a great sleep, and we were the last to make an appearance for breakfast. It must have been the country air! What a breakfast we had as well, Bear was cooking it on the barbie, and the smells were delicious – how we could feel so hungry again after what we ate last night is amazing. Anyway – we did, and we ate it all as well with plenty of coffee this time.

What a morning, and then it was time to pack-up and head for home. Escorted by Bear & Jayne, we negotiated THAT driveway again, and Ray was feeling very confident now, and the three bikes all made it safely. We then had a leisurely ride via Karana Downs, Moggill and Kenmore where we stopped for a coffee and farewell chat at the Coffee Club.

Our good-byes to Larry & Annette, Bear & Jayne we rode home thoroughly relaxed and refreshed, great week-end, great company, great hospitality – what a great life!!

Bundaberg and Back

Hi, I’m Daniel Bradford. I’ve been on a couple of previous rides with the group but this ride is one I went on with my dad. Our ride up the coast of Queensland lasted three days.

Our first day started when we left our house at around 7:30. The night before we had struggled to fit everything in/on the bike. Unfortunately Tuesday the 6^th was overcast and sure enough, we encountered rain shortly after leaving the Gateway Bridge. Nevertheless we continued through the rain and were rewarded with a break. Just as we pulled in for fuel, it poured down. Preparing to have to wear wet weather gear, the downpour stopped as suddenly as it started.

After riding through Gympie, Kilkivan and Goomeri, we stopped at Ban Ban Springs for lunch. Beginning our search for the Lake Coalstoun volcanic crater, we originally missed the turn off and had to u-turn. We thought there was only going to be a 100m walk, but we were wrong. As we didn’t want a punctured tyre on the rough track, we began the climb up the mountain. Reaching the top we were able to view the crater and then had an easier walk back to the bike.

All day while riding we experienced more scattered showers but we were soon through them. Next we pulled up at the Mystery Craters near Bundaberg. After thirty years of wondering, there is still no definite explanation for why they exist. We were baffled by them and noted the even distribution of red ochre through the sandstone. Almost like a cake mix. Some of the craters were empty, others were filled with either milky white or murky brown water.

Soon afterwards we hit the road again and entered Bundaberg, becoming lost as dad searched for where they used to live. Eventually we found the house and it was much the same as they left it. Then we rode to Mon Repos where the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. We set up camp and, much to our disappointment, discovered that turtle season had finished.

The second day also started at around 7:30. Leaving the tent we were greeted with a clear sky with no rain in sight. After struggling with packing up a table for twenty minutes we set off once again and headed back into Bundaberg. Our first destination for day two was Schneider’s Cooperage and Craft Centre. We looked at many different things for sale then began to watch a glassblower at work. Fascinated, we then went to see a cooper working. The wood was being shaped so it could fit perfectly without any glue.

The Bundaberg Rum Distillery was our next place to tour. Once we signed up we were told no cameras or any other electrical appliances, as this could start a fire. The tour began by watching a short video on the distillery then entering the main area of the building we saw all the molasses. Informing us of the name of the yeast used, we were challenged to remember it. After viewing more parts of the process we were asked who could remember the ingredient. I was the only one to put a hand up and I had the general sounding of the four syllable ingredient correct (I can’t remember it now). I was rewarded with a postcard and tattoo. We then saw the vats where the rum is stored for two years to mature and finally we saw the bottling process as the bottles were cleaned, filled, capped, labelled, and then boxed. After receiving complementary alcohol and soft drinks, we visited the souvenir shop and left.

Our next spot was the Bert Hinkler museum. Hinkler lived in the early 20^th century. He piloted planes on pioneer flights to various cities and one of his achievements was flying solo from England to Australia. The museum is his actual house that they had shipped from England. His Australian house had already been demolished.

We then decided to go to Maryborough and look at another house that our family used to live in. Dad found this house with ease and we began to head south. The place where we would stay tonight would either be another caravan park or a friend’s house. Dad had tried to ring the friend earlier but the phone wasn’t answering so we left a message. As we were leaving Maryborough the phone rang. By the time dad tried to answer it, the ringing had stopped. As we called back we were told the phone was unavailable.

Beginning our journey to the stopping point we drove past many cane fields on our way. While we were still riding, the phone began to ring again. This time dad pulled over and hit answer before he took his helmet off. For some reason there was no one on the other end. We stopped at Gympie for fuel and continued south. After five minutes the phone rang. This time a conversation took place and we were going to stay in Mooloolaba for the night. We drove through Tewantin where we had planned to stay and down the Sunshine Coast arriving in Mooloolaba a little after dark. We caught up over dinner.

We left the house on the third day at 7:00. The plan was to go to the Glasshouse Mountains. On the way through Montville we saw a turn off for Kondalilla Falls and decided to visit as we had a lot of time. Walking through the rainforest we reached the large waterfall and decided to go down for a better view and completed the whole 5 km circuit.

Maleny was the first lookout we planned to visit for a view of the Glasshouse Mountains. Thursday was also a little cloudy and while this obscured our vision, it wasn’t too heavy and we managed to view some of the mountains. Visiting Maleny, we saw many of the art and craft stores that are in that town. Finally we rode near the mountains and I took some more photos as we rode and from another lookout. Arriving back home at 3:30, we set about unpacking our gear.

Thank You - Thank You

Just a short note to thank you all for donating to the World’s Greatest Shave For A Cure. From me and the Leukaemia Foundation. I raised $264.00. Not bad for me hey?

The Wing Riders were my major sponsors along with Sundance Pools at Forest Lake and J H Pools at Alexandra Hills. Also Thanks to all the others.

Larry.

Before

After

Other contributors were Eddie, who lost all his hair for the cause and Eric, who’s hair went a bright shade of green.

‘Onya both.

Newsletter of the

April 2004

What’s Inside

Bundaberg and Back