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 January 2005

7:30 pm

Australian National Hotel
Cnr Stanley St and Wellington Rd
East Brisbane

December 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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Thank you to all those who heeded my call and provided content for this issue. I wasn’t aware my call went all the way south, but there you go.

I’m a little late this month but Sunday was a big Charity Ride Day everywhere. Charleen and I opted to spend the morning with the friendly people of Ipswich on their Toy Run, but I got a call from a north coast friend at Yandina saying he heard motorcycles rumble past for about half an hour. (see President Report) There were at least two other charity runs on as well so I hope we all had a great time. By the way Eric, Big Dog was a hit. Thanks.

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 2004 is coming to a close, and it has been another year of great rides – long and short. To all of you wonderful people, thank you for your special friendship and for all the fun times we have, especially the u-turns!

From our desk – Ray and I wish all of you and your families a very merry Christmas, and an even better New Year. Keep safe and well and we look forward to a fantastic 2005.

It’s not a good day; so far I’ve spilled my cup of coffee all over myself and the bike, I’ve been given heaps because I wasn’t late and last to arrive and I’ve been called “Chad” just because I had to buy the only hat in the service station that fitted me. Its a blue floppy with a neck cord and it seems to look at its worst if I turn up the front brim. A few of us are at the BP in preparation for the Daniel Morecombe Memorial ride and its stinking hot. There is no way I’m going to stand around in the hot sun for an hour without a hat. Deb reckons the real worry is when she later attempts to get my attention across the room by calling “Chad”, and I actually respond.

What a turnout. The discussion later makes noises of 2700 bikes and 12 kilometres of bikes on the highway. What a fantastic sight and response for the Glasshouse Ulysses. Sure, it was hot on the run to Cooroy but once we headed for the coast we were amongst the trees and then got some sea breeze. It’s a shame that the same idiots always have this burning desire to overtake on the left, right or between just to get a bit closer to the front then seem to pull up for one reason or another and then do it all again. This went on the whole time. About 10 minutes out of the servo I realise it’s Sunday and this has not been written and sent to Clint. (Bugger, late again. Sorry Clint.)

On these types of rides there is always the need for smooth consistent riding and those with a lack of concentration will always be a problem. Sure enough, the first roundabout we hit, some fool guns across to beat a car without realising that the bikes on the other side are stopping. The inevitable happens, and the bike on the right between me and Eric and right in front of Winston hits the bike in front of him and goes down. Luckily the hit rider stays upright and the fallen rider is OK with a few bruises, dented pride and some serious crash damage to the bike.

Almost back to the end point and we hit rain. Who cares, it’s a refreshing cool break after the heat of the morning. Problem is, the shower we pass through becomes a real downpour as we stop and park for lunch. Goldwing fairings don’t keep you dry when you’re stopped. Thommo kept going and headed for home; we know how much he loves the rain.

All in all a great day and it was terrific to see the support that turned out for the occasion.

The Ride That Wasn’t

I got a phone call at a busy moment from Pete that he was unable to lead the November ride day. Back to business and I forgot to contact anyone else to see if we all knew about it or not.

Morning of the ride, the weather was a bit iffy and the meeting point wasn’t far away so while Charleen gardened, I moseyed on over to the Shell Virginia to see if anyone would turn up.

I was the fourth bike there and inside were Lionel and Mary, Bill and Mary and Larry and Annette.

After a coffee, it looked like no one else was coming so Lionel volunteered to take us for a tour up around Maleny way.

With just four bikes, it was comparatively easy to merge with the Gateway traffic and we turned off the highway at Caboolture, through some back streets and out on to the new by-pass. We made fairly quick time to Woodford then a right turn towards Maleny. I mentioned to Lionel that I knew a fun way up the mountain so he let me into the lead and we turned off into the Bellthorpe Road. Apparently this was the route taken by the previous month’s ride, but only one of our group had been on that ride. Up the twists and turns we took it fairly easy. I even managed to stay inside the lines on THAT corner (no passenger). Then over the spectacular hills and valleys east of Bellthorpe and rejoined the Maleny Road. Ahh! My favourite piece of road. I got a break in the traffic and I only just heard a reminder from Lionel that we were meeting at Mary Cairncross for coffee. After a lovely run over those hills, I only had to wait a minute or so for the poor souls who had been caught behind slow-moving cars.

In to Mary Cairncross where we had a leisurely morning tea. Leisurely, as it was now raining so covers on the bikes and we weren’t in a rush to go anywhere.

Once it had passed, we were off again with Lionel back in the lead. Down the mountain we went, towards Palmwoods. But we caught up with that rain again so we had a very wet and slippery run down the mountain. No one wanted to stop as we would just have got wetter.

Out of it again at the bottom and Lionel led us on making our way to Kiel Mountain Road. Remember that bridge on the Bruce Highway that is at a very steep angle across the road? That one!

It is a great ride, although best done at a leisurely speed as it is mostly settled and 60K limited anyway. But well twisted and much to look at along the way.

We came out through Diddillibah and Bli Bli and made our way to Caloundra, through a little rain and a lot of traffic, to have lunch at Kings Hotel. Good meals at cheap prices. Very popular though and we had to squeeze the four bikes into one parking spot out the front of the pub. There was probably room elsewhere but who wants to walk?

After lunch we pretty well split up and made our own ways home, with Bill taking Mary and I chasing wild geese around Bribie. At least Mary has an excuse for following Bill, I don’t.

Members’ Profile

When did it start, this passion for motor cycles? I grew up on a property in Inverell in NSW, after trying to join the NT police force and was told I was too young. I joined the Army in 1979 as a Transport driver. Having ridden before on the farm it was a natural move to go on a formal course and get my licence, from there during my 22 years in the Army the bike riding passion was always fulfilled with military bikes (Suzuki 400) from dispatch riding in Sydney where I had my first serious accident on a motor bike, the sergeant was not impressed as I happened to take his bike this day, instead of my own, he swore I would never ride a military bike again, next day I was on my way into Sydney on my dispatch run. During my time in the Army I have been on some great rides and ridden in some great places. The best ride was from Melbourne to Darwin and return on a Yamaha 650. What a ride. I suppose I was young and stupid.

From there I taught on many motor cycle courses and participated in a lot riding that today would be considered as too dangerous to under take due to injury that may occur. (Various trail road bikes that the army had at the time).

As I progressed in the ranks of the Army, it was not in my interest to keep riding due to the possibility of injury, which would mean I would miss promotion courses and career opportunities, so career overtook my immediate passion for riding.

Life took many turns for me, as it does in the Army, posted from one place to the next and many life lessons were learnt along the way.

Whilst posted to Melbourne, I met Karen and another life road was travelled. Posted from Melbourne to Sydney and back to Melbourne as the Regimental Sergeant Major of a Logistics unit, I found myself being asked if I would like the position of Group Sergeant Major of the peace keeping force in Bougainville.

I was in Bougainville four weeks later contemplating where to from here as I was reaching 21 years in the Army and a decision had to be made to serve to retirement age and become a grumpy old RSM or get out. I decided to get out whilst I was still happy and young enough to give someone else 20 years.

Karen and I bought a house in Glen Waverley and I was asked by one of my old mates if I was interested in starting up his Melbourne office of his logistics training company for the transport industry which I took up and three years later I am still here.

During this time Karen and I found ourselves looking for an outlet. After trying many options it was suggested by me that maybe I buy a touring bike like a Goldwing, (the passion reignited). Karen was a little sceptical to start, and I borrowed one from Reg Jeffrey Honda and we went to Bairnsdale (Karen’s home town) for an overnight ride and Karen was impressed, so started the search for a bike, found the 1500 in Canberra in brilliant condition.

We flew to Canberra to pick the bike up and rode back, leaving Canberra we hit some of the heaviest rain I have ever ridden in so I thought this would be the end to the riding outlet, but Karen was happy (saved by having the right wet weather gear) and we still enjoy the riding and compare wet days to the first trip from Canberra and to date nothing has compared. I consider myself lucky to have someone like Karen, who although does not have a passion for motorcycling like me, still enjoys the rides and is happy to go places on the bike.

In 2003 we went on our first major ride around Tasmania, great ride, see article on the web page.

Where to from here, to grow the riding group and gain more members in Victoria, enjoy riding on the weekends when weather permits, the ride around Australia is on the radar in years to come however have some other goals to complete first.

Rides that I have owned, Kawasaki 500, 900, 1000 (remember when it was “in” to have a Kwaka 1000), Suzuki 250 and I think I am missing one other that I can not remember.

Why the wing? Always had an interest in the Goldwing, had a poster when I was a kid, and I finally reached an age when life presented itself with the opportunity to own one.

Victorian Ride

27 Nov 04

Sat 27 Nov, Well what a day, it started with the weather reported to be very hot, and it did not let us down although once on the road and up in the mountains it was alright and with the forecast for a shower in the afternoon the weather got better during the day.

The ride started from Reg Jeffrey Honda in Ferntree Gully with eight wings and 1 BMW

Again due to a work Xmas party I was riding alone this time as my co-rider was in no state to be on the back of the bike with a helmet on.

The ride was going to be around 350 km from Melbourne to Mirboo north and back to Melbourne

We headed from Reg Jeffrey Honda up into the Dandenongs and down to Pakenham for the first break.

After the break we headed for Kue wee rup were we lost one of the riders who went straight ahead and onto Drouin the rest of us pushed onto Drouin the back way and were hoping to meet up with the lost rider there, in Drouin we took a break.

From Drouin we headed to Poowong were the rode and country side was magnificent bike riding country, however this is were the day ended, with one of the riders Graeme coming to grief on one of the bends, with Graeme crawling back up the embankment, John & Marg who was following helped Graeme with any immediate injuries luckily Graeme was OK, with a saw thumb and ankle, with the help of Danny we were able to take Graeme to Warragul were we contacted RACV etc to organise recovery, with a check again of Graeme he seemed OK. Danny and Graeme went back with the tow truck the rest of us went and had a cup of coffee at Macdonald Warragul.

As we had not found our lost rider in Drouin we assumed he went on to Mirboo North it was later found out that he was in fact was behind us and had taken another road to Mirboo North just missing us at the accident scene.

From MacDonald’s it was decided that it was far to late to go the original trip so we took a back way from Warragul to Melbourne were we split and went our own way home.

Contact with Danny that night indicated that they would need to go back on the Monday to recover the bike as it was too far down the embankment to recover without blocking the road with this done the bike was taken to Warragul for assessment.

Sunday morning Graeme awake with an ankle and thumb very sore and took him self to the doctor to discover he had in fact hairline fractures in his thumb and ankle.

For the month of December and January there will not be a ride however 26/27 February we will do an overnighter up through Omeo and Bright and back around to Melbourne.

Wings 2004 Christmas Party Week-End.

It is here at last, our club Christmas Party, and all the arrangements have been confirmed. Our bags are packed, Ray has put our favourite drinks in our little esky and the Wing is being washed!

We have started our week-end early with a social evening with Jayne & Bear, and the two Wings are in the driveway being washed – what a lovely sight. We are loaded up and on the road at 11:35 am, and heading up the highway for our rendezvous at the BP North Coast. We arrive comfortably at 12:30 pm and already our group has re-arranged table and chairs to accommodate most of us for our obligatory coffee and chat.

Spirits are high, and we have been notified that Bevan and Therese have been unavoidably delayed, so we linger longer and take our time to assemble before Ray confirms our ride details with the condition that Lionel & Mary take-over the lead into Noosaville. We are up and away by 1:15 pm under perfect blue skies, it is a wonderful day to begin our holiday week-end.

16 Wings on the highway, and we turn-off at Mooloolaba for the David Low Way, and enjoy those glorious coastal views along Coolum and Noosa. Then it is the tricky round-a-bouts through Noosaville, one u-turn and at 2:-20 pm we are turning into the driveway at The Entrance Resort. Our units are allocated, we have 4 only 3 bedroom units, and 2 only 2 bedroom units and the Wings have a lockable garage. I have to admit that at this point it was rather hectic, as everyone sorted themselves I wanted to confirm everyone was settled and final funds collected.

Let the party begin – well we did, some took to the pool while the rest of us opened the bar and settled down on the lawn by the canal. Thank you to the elves who magically set-up the party table, chairs and goodies, it is wonderful how it all ‘just happens’. We sold a whole book of raffle tickets for our Xmas Hamper, thank you everyone for your support, and the terrific contributions to the Hamper. The afternoon was soon over, and we girls had to make a hasty retreat to shower and dress for dinner. The boys only need 10 minutes, but our Taxis had plenty of notice and they were still very late! Very annoying to say the least, and only after Thommo had made an extra call after my hurry-up call did the first Maxi Taxi arrive! Why does that happen? Is it the male dominating factor – again!?

Eventually the last 4 couples arrive at the Tewantin Hotel and they have set us up on 4 large tables with a special Menu for our club. The meal was served very efficiently and it was pretty good for the price which was very reasonable. The company was great, and we made plenty of noise, hopefully not disturbing the local customers. One of the highlights was filling Bevan’s party hat, perched on his head, with the Xmas cracker remnants! I believe Turbo took the honours with the most jackpots!

We then made another call for the taxi’s to pick us all up from the hotel, and we were hopeful that the response would be quick. Wrong, we were all anxious to get back to our resort and resume our party, so waiting was not an option for us. Quick thinking Bill spied a local council bus, and walked quickly down the road and then hailed us.

Much to our amusement we caught the local bus, and left a Maxi Taxi driver rather bemused at our hasty retreat. We entertained the bus driver, and fellow passengers to a very slurry version of the Playschool song “The Wheels of the bus go round and round”, and we were lucky enough to have a very helpful local lad give us directions when we had reached our bus stop, and how far to walk to our resort – which was only a block across the road. Thankfully, as I was teetering on high-heel shoes!

Ah! Back at the resort we settle down to some serious entertainment, and again those wonderful elves have set-up our Xmas fare, and I retreat to have the raffle tickets ready for the Xmas Hamper – which - incidentally is huge, so there is an executive decision to split it into 2 – what a prize. We ask our newest members to draw the tickets, and first ticket is drawn by Doug Harper for Doug Harper – congratulations Doug & Preeta. Vicki dipped for the second ticket, and it was won by Eric & Debbie, congratulations and your trailer will not be much lighter going home after all! Now it is time for our Secret Santa, and Bear & Jayne volunteer to be Santa’s helpers. Here I was given the surprise of having first ‘dip’ and thank you for a rather special prize, it definitely was a lovely treat. Thank you Santa!

We were all enjoying our general banter when it was all rudely interrupted with our squeals as were suddenly sprayed with water – where was it coming from!? Would you believe, that night sprinklers caught us all off guard. So, with our usual ingenuity, plastic chairs were strategically placed over the offending sprinklers and our group re-assembled and we pleasantly settled into sessions of stories and some even more risqué stories from Doug! Ray and I wilted at 11 pm, which is pretty good for us, I cannot confirm how much longer the party raged, but it was arranged that we would meet up at 9 am for breakfast.

7:30am! Wow! Thommo, we had better start moving, as we could hear movement and voices. Not only that, but everyone (well almost everyone) was hustling around and bikes were rumbling – the mob were ready to move! So, I really had to get a move on, as I had to settle the account with the Resort, which took so much longer as Michelle tried to workout the balance on the computer! In the end we resorted to pen and paper, and I have to confess I should have double-checked my calculations with my very able assistant, Thommo, who would have worked it out much more easily. It was 8:30am and the word was we were heading for the Coolum R.S.L., and those luckily enough to sleep-in would catch up with us there.

We are on the road, and again it is a perfect day. What a wonderful life! A very pleasant ride to the Coolum R.S.L. and we do our spectacular park of our Wings in the park adjacent to the car-park. Unfortunately the R.S.L. breakfast was disappointing, not only was it painfully slow, the content was very strange. So, we will not be recommending this venue again. Example – it took 4 attempts before Turbo & Wendy received a reasonable mug of white coffee – their meals were refunded! It is now 11 am and we are ready to ride a scenic route headed by Gecko and Kay. We are all geared up ready to go, alas Eric & Debbie are not going anywhere, their bike has ‘gone into holiday mode, wants to stay at the beach”. So, with Clint & Charleen and Mal & Tina to keep them company, we bid our fond farewells to them, and we start our tour home.

We turn-off and head towards Yandina, enjoying those spectacular views again, and rolling hills. Also included here was a quick turn-off where our obligatory u-turn came into its place again. A rather hairy one it was too, a narrow gravely track just over a narrow bridge – thanks Gecko and Kay! Back onto the old highway, and we made our way to Montville and Mary Cairncross Park for a very welcome rest and ice-cream. What a magnificent view from here, even with the haze it looks spectacular. It was here that Thommo decided that we would leave the main group and head for home, so we hailed our farewells to the main pack and rode down the highway with Lionel & Mary where we peeled off for Mount Mee, and Lionel & Mary headed for Caboolture.

We waved to a few bikes, but mostly we were passed by those crazy Mick Doohan wannabes who seem to have a death wish on those rolling hills. We made our leisurely way home through Dayboro, Samford, Everton Hills and back to my great city – how I love that skyline. We pulled into our driveway at 3:15 pm and we were tired, happy and tired. What a great week-end.

Thank you everyone for being a part of another fond memory. It was a great week-end, spent with our very special friends to whom we wish you all a very Merry Christmas. For those of you who can only read about our escapade, remember there is always next year, and enjoy the festive season. Ride safely everyone.

Imbil Rally.

Personal Ride

We met up with a friend at the Glen Hotel to hit the open road at 9am as we were meeting up with other people on the way. The weekend almost didn’t happen as we found a 3” nail hanging out of the back tyre just before we were about to leave. As the tyre did not seem to be deflating we thought we would let it grind off rather than trying to extract it. Prudent decision as the nail eventually ground down and dislodged itself and it would appear not to have entered the inner sanctum (phew!!!).

Travelling with “Duck” and Carmel on their recently acquired GL1500SE was a delight as previously they rode a ZZR600 towing a trailer which at times slowed things down considerably. We met up with “Sick Puppy” at Burpengary in good time and rode on to Imbil.

The weather was hot most of the time and the traffic was reasonably good. Luckily the beer was cold and there was plenty of like minded rally goers to talk to.

By 2pm we had set up camp and kicked back for a well earned refreshment (or two). Camping spots can be at a premium from Friday afternoon onwards, so if you plan to go next year, I suggest that you arrive by lunch on Friday. This year they had 960 people turn up about 160 more than what they had last year and at the rate it is growing I would say that next year could see it up around the 1100 mark. There is plenty of sites, it’s just a matter of how far you are willing to walk to the amenities and the amount of shade you will get. All this taken into consideration, people will still set up camp uncomfortably close to your site and sometimes in the most stupid of places. When they secure their tent to the tow ball of your bike, you can only laugh.

The roads are good seal all the way to the camp site. Food was available all weekend and also refreshments and at reasonable prices. The Leisure Riders Club can be commended in the running of the whole Rally.

On Saturday, we arose to a sea of empty cans and the safe knowledge that the price of Bundaberg Rum shares must have doubled overnight. So after a big cook up of the local butcher’s best sausages and bacon (very good butcher at Imbil) we headed back into town for some more supplies and a look around at this very picturesque township. There is a lookout behind the convenience shop that gives you a good panorama of the valley and is well worth a look.

On Saturday afternoon, the Gymkhana kicked off at 3pm and was well organised as there was no shortage of participants and spectators. Saturday night was disco night and meet and greet with everyone from previous rallies. The band played well into the night and the price of those shares doubled again.

Sunday morning was a slightly wet affair as we received a measly 5mm but it was certainly enough to test the waterproof of everyone’s accommodation. It was certainly wise to set up camp in daylight hours and after assessing the surrounding terrain so as to avoid the possibility of being flooded during the night.

After packing up on Sunday, we headed off for brunch at Dicky Beach and returned home by lunch for a well earned rest. It was a good weekend and a great rally. We will be back next year.

Editor’s Note (Simon and Carol supplied pictures with the original submission, but the rain got into my letterbox.)

1986 GL1200 Ltd Ed Goldwing, excellent condition, has all the extras, EFI, CB, AM/FM radio cassette, adjustable suspension and lots more. $10,000 contact Eric 0417 964 478

AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INCORPORATED RIDE / SOCIAL EVENT CALENDAR
DATE	DESTINATION	RIDE / SOCIAL EVENT	Ride Leaders
19^th December RIDE	Mt Tamborine	Brekky ride and beyond. Meet BP Stapylton at 7am for a 7.30 departure. Scenic ride through Mt Tamborine and Beechmont. Stopping for breakfast on the way.	Clint & Charleen
25^th December	Xmas Day	No ride. A merry Xmas to all from Wendy & Turbo
16^th January RIDE	Kyogle	Meet Stapylton Plaza 8.00am for 8.30am departure, over the Lions Road( if it is open) or over Mt Lindsay to Kyogle for lunch and then points beyond homeward bound	Turbo & Wendy
Australia Day	Bevan & Theresa’s	Australia Day Holiday, Ride and Aussie BBQ afterwards details TBA	Bevan & Theresa
20^th February RIDE		TBA	Mal & Tina
26^th February SOCIAL		TBA	Eric & Deb
20^th March RIDE		Bill will, once again, trot out his “Old Faithful” Gold Coast area ride.	Bill & Mary
26^th March SOCIAL		TBA	Andy & Donna
17^th April RIDE		TBA
23^rd April SOCIAL		TBA	Bear & Jayne

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

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

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.

It is the personal responsibility of each motorcyclist to be responsible for at least the following;

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

WOO'S WOES: Sometimes there are other rides of interest that some of us would like to go on ,but can never find the details, so here are a few that we have found. I will try to keep it up to date.

Newsletter of the