EDITORIAL MARCH ‘80

The Editorial this month has been cancelled due to severe lack of enthusiasm by your editors. We could not think of anything to write about.

Smithy & Jude

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MARCH RUNS

Weekend MT. BUFFALO NATIONAL PARK. Lake Catani Camping Ground

8,9,10 7.30am leave Fawkner.

Sunday 16 MT. MATLOCK. Smidge of dirt. 8am KBCP.

Sunday 23 CAPE OTWAY LIGHTHOUSE. KBCP 8.30am.

Saturday 29 SERVICE DAY. Tom & Jude’s place. 12 noon onwards.

Sunday 30 PITCHERS BRIDGE. KBCP 8.30am

APRIL

Wednesday 2 GENERAL MEETING.

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PROGRESSIVE SCORES FOR CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR.

Craig Dawson 52 pts Ted Marshall 34 pts

Fagan 42 Keith Harris 33

Chris Dawson 38 Les Leahy 30

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EASTER WEEEND – MT. GAMBIER

We are leaving Laverton at 7.30am, Good Friday to spend the Easter break, 4^th, 5^th, and 7^th, in Mt. Gambier. We will be staying at the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park, Lakes Reserve, Bay Road, Mt. Gambier.

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SERVICE DAY

Saturday 29^th is Service Day again. So come along any time after lunch to 6 Elizabeth Street, East Doncaster. Work on your bikes, watch others working on their bikes, or just come along.

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REMEMBER THE APRIL MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY 2^ND APRIL.

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To answer Darren’s article The Wiseman Syndrome.

I did not have water on the brain, I had not been eating mushrooms or practising for a cow milking completion (Wanking to those who do not know what that means.) Philip and I, along with several others while sheltering from the rain in Clare were told, you said that here were feet of water over the river into the Gorge. You said, that you had never said this, I can confront you with members of the club who heard you say this in Adelaide.

My saying that I bet Darren stayed in a Hotel was another way of saying that he goes on no camping trips which everybody knows, and was not meant as a critism. As to staying in a Hotel in Quorn. I thought Darren was going to the Rally, and when the S.A Golding Club arrived, I went over and asked were Darren was, and was told by one of them that he had stayed the night in Quorn, met the G.W.C. and rode to the end of the sealed road before waving them goodbye and returning to Melbourne. It was there that I formed the opinion that most of them were enthusiast owners and snobs other than enthusiast riders. No doubt if I owned a Goldwing they would have been more pleasant to me instead of looking at me as if I crawled out from under a rock. I have found out that the S.A.G.W.C. has a reputation of being mutual admiration society, snobs and enthusiast owners rather than a rider club, which extends as far as Darwin and Townsville.

I don’t think all members are like this but obviously enough are to give it this name. I rang up Darren to make sure he did not think I was including him, for one thing he is not, and that is a snob and he does use bikes though he certainly does not go everywhere, wet or dry on sealed or dirt roads he did when he owned 750/4 Hondas.

So Darren there is the answer you and your Goldwings want to know. You are different to 70 or 80% of Goldwing owners because you are not a snob, or an enthusiast owner of a Goldwing.

I am not jealous as I could buy one tomorrow. I prefer always to associate with enthusiast riders of motor cycles rather than owners of them who seldom use them as I have nothing in common with an owner only person. As to the T-shirt with the inscription GOLDWING OWNERS HAVE THE STIFFEST SHAFTS, I have this to say. I have no complaints with mine. I am definitely against bike owners wearing this sort of thing, and not because I am a moralist. While we know what it means, Mr. Average person would look at it the wrong way and it would give all motorcyclists the reputation bikies have.

Lloyd 750/4, 400/4, Yam 500

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***** DO NOT FORGET ******DO NOT FORGET********DO NOT FORGET*****

NEXT MONTHS MEETING DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SECOND APRIL 8.15PM.

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SWAN BAY 20.1.80

I woke Sunday morning to see the rain drizzling down. The breakfast that was cooked for me was eaten in haste. I was running late as usual.

On with the wet weather gear and a quick ride through the Boulevard to KBCP to meet the biggest group of bikes I have yet to see on a club ride. (approx. 20 bikes, 2 sidecars)

Kevin was the leader with Big D following at the rear on his trusty Honda. Arriving at the pick-up point at Laverton there was a long wait; after about 10-15 minutes, Big D, Tom and Phill (400/4) came into sight. Phill had broken his accelerator cable. (not carrying a spare) luckily Big D had a spare cable that fitted.

From Laverton we had a very uneventful run down the most boring piece of road I know. We arrived at Queenscliffe for lunch, to find the shops full of people. It was worth the wait; I was hungry by this time.

Lunch over, we headed down to the pier, where the pilot boats are tied up. In the meantime Greg Free had a flat rear tyre on his Ducati Darmah. Tom and Keith stayed back and helped Greg put a can of Finnilec in his tube, but after 10-15 minutes (the recommended riding time it takes to inflate the tyre) it was still soft.

Greg then pulled into a service station. To remove his rear wheel, he had first to remove his exhausts. The flat seemed to be caused by corrosion splitting the tube. As they (Tom, Keith and Greg) removed the rear wheel, the rear sprocket almost fell off. 3 of the 6 driving bolts were loose. Not very good for a near new bike, (918K), but common it seems.

Greg, Keith and Tom then joined the main group, where the braver people were swimming in the very cold water.

We left the beach at 3.15 after a stay of 2 hours. A bit of a ride around the coast and then a stop for afternoon smoko at this neat little shop. The club all bowled into the shop where we were served quite quickly, all except Craig. He was ignored and stamped his way out of the shop very noisily but returned 5 minutes later to be served.

From the shop we headed to the dispersal point just out of Geelong. It was a very easy, relaxing ride, unfortunate that a couple of members had mechanical trouble. But thanks to some members who had spare parts with them, they completed the days ride.

I would like to thank the MTCV for providing a very friendly and well organized atmosphere within the club.

Garry BMW R100S

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CLUBMAN RALLY 1980

Well, here we go again! I thought that after the last effort (World’s End 1979) I may not be invited (CONSCRIPTED)? To write any more Rally reports, but it looks like that idea backfired! Guess our Editors have to fill the pages somehow. We decided to make a real break of it and headed off on Friday morning, not having to be back home until Tuesday evening. A rather uneventful ride saw us in Jingellic around mid-afternoon. After discovering that the store in Jingellic was rather limited we headed down the road a ways to Walwa for our goodies (worm fodder) on the way back, between Jingellic and the Rally site we caught up to a couple of workmates. Together we rolled in and selected a camp site. Good spot, plenty of room, close to the river. Twenty four hours later it was as bad as Rosebud at the height of the holiday season.

To get the outfit out on Sunday morning we had to drop two tents and lift the chair over several guy ropes! Just prior to our arrival a couple of Hell’s Angels (they own an area several miles down river) had paid the Rally a visit and, being a little worse for wear, proceeded to stir up a storm by belting the hell out of a couple of Rallyists. Their timing was perfect as the man arrived during the height of the activities and demanded that one accept free board and lodging for the night. His mate took off stating, “We’ll be back for the bike”. The rally organizers suggested we send the girls up river and the fellows stick around just in case of any more hassles. A short while later a panel van rolled in, took the deserted bike and departed again, very quietly.

Around 10.30 Friday night, just after we had bedded down, 3 bikes rolled in adjacent to our camp and I recognised familiar voices. Horsham M.C.C. members. Nice people but boy, are they noisy. I don’t think anyone got any sleep until they bedded down around 3am. Half an hour later more H.M.C.C. members arrived. This time on the other side of our camp. More sleepless hours. Oh well, such is the way of the rally.

Saturday we just rolled around camp and yarned, to those already there and to those coming in. We (the club) had quite a contingent present. I’m not going to try and list everyone as I’m bound to miss out somewhere. During the day we did come across Mick though, sans bike (no ticket you know)! Seem to remember the suggestion that because he was so keen he walked! Doesn’t seem right to me. My guess is that he bummed a ride. Saturday evening a few of us decided that we would run up to Canberra and back on Sunday to have a look at the MRA 10,000 bike Rally. We rose at 5.15am (well, some did, others took a few shouts) coffee’s and rolled around 6.30am. there were only two objections to all tis early morning activity, one from some of the H.M.C.C members who informed us that they were trying to sleep and to which our reply was that perhaps they should have thought of that when they rolled in the previous morning, and the second form Kevin’s bike. The application of a kindly loaned Z1000 and jumper leads soon bought it back into line and we were away.

Jingellic, Holbrook and on to Gundagai for breaky. Back on the road through Yass and into Canberra. Lots of bikes about. Arriving opposite government house even more bikes, like, wall to wall! We were to late for the actual protest run, arriving just as all the riders were gathering outside gov. House. After leaving Gov. House we ran out to Fairbairn Park to take a peek at the Rally site. On the side of a hill and covered with rocks, we were rather glad that we had made the clubman site our base. After ordering badges, (badge collecting trendies?) we decided that again it was time to satisfy the worms, that Queanbeyan would be a good place to do so. After arriving at Queanbeyan the two leading riders, being so intent on tucker, failed to observe the “NO U TURN” sign on the end of the traffic island, much to the joy of the local man. $55 each! The remaining four did a quick circuit of the block and so missed out on this pleasure(?) from Queanbeyan to Cooma (fast), to Adaminaby (also pretty rapid), where we had a break, drink, ice cream and yarn to a fellow on a T3 who had been nailed for $80 at Cooma. $60 for exceeding 60Km and $20 for not carrying his licence. Take note, those who are venturing into N.S.W.

On through Khancoban, Corryong and so to Jingellic and home. A little slower for us on this section as the outfit gets rather tiring and Fay and I get left behind. On arrival at camp my trip meter shows 719km for the day and I’m ready for bed. Monday, and most are breaking camp to head home. We rest, they have to work Tuesday morning, but I don’t start until 11.30pm. Come Monday evening there are only three camps left, ourselves, several chaps form Sydney, and two couples from Adelaide. The highlights of the day are Fay falling down the bank of the river (see what happens when you wash immediately after rising), and I take a run (on the 550) into Walwa for some cool drinks.

On Tuesday morning we break camp and reluctantly leave. A steady and uneventful run sees us home at around tea-time. The only item of note was yarning to an XS1100 rider from Sydney. He was coming down for eight weeks of, on the job training. Riding down solo he’s hoping to return with a rubbish bin on the side, courtesy DJP. We left him with our phone number and an invitation to join us on a Sunday run.

So that was Clubman. We enjoyed it, had no mechanical problems, and are looking forward to it again next year.

Faye 550, Geoff Shitwing and chair.

(Writers comment: the world’s end report took 13 foolscap pages of hand writing. The clubman 3 1/2 . after two more rallies it appears that you’ll be lucky if you get two words!)

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Man goes to a doctor and says that he wants to become an actress. The doctor says, don’t you mean actor. “No, no I want to become an actress.” Can you help me.

Well if you go home and fill your bath with ice and then sit in ti.

Okay, but how long do I have to sit in the bath.

Until your Googie withers.

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DONT’ FORGET THAT NEXT MONTHS MEETING DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SECOND APRIL 8.15 PM. SHARP.

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AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND 26,27, 28.1.80

After a late start Saturday afternoon my first stop and resting place for the night was the Clubman rally. On arriving at about 9 o’clock I firstly collected my badge and then headed out to seek whom I knew to cam by (poor people) and who should I come across but no less than eight or so of my fellow club members chatting in the evening light.

I decided to put up my tent pretty well straight away as the light was starting to fail and I could talk to my friends a bit later; yes, I do have a few friends. But after erecting the tent I was really tired so the chit chat gave way to a good sleep, plus I had to be up early to make the Canberra rally in time.

Well, I was up at 5 o’clock so as to be on the road by six but it turned out the other members were going too, so as one thing leads to another the group finally made tracks just on 7 o’clock.

On making Canberra we found we had missed the actual protest ride but were in time for the speeches on the steps of Parliament House. It’s a real sight never to be seen again, 8000 odd bikes in one place for one solid reason and so many bikers trying to do good for all motorcyclists.

I decided to return to Melbourne via Comma and down the Monaro Highway to Orbost. Now for you dirt freaks, this is one stretch of mean road, if that what you can call it; all 85kms of it, but be sure you put a few spare hours away as you’ll need them.

If you don’t already know it, it’s wise to leave the Lakes Entrance to Melbourne road alone, especially on a Monday of a holiday weekend because it’s packed (like my pannier when I go camping) and very solid with cars, trucks, buses, more cars and more buses.

Ha, Ha, not my panniers as well, you dummies!

Your Roving Reporter,

Dave GTS & BM (god help it)

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SURPRISE NIGHT RIDE 2.2.80

The night ride started for me when Roomy picked me up at home and whisked me away for a night of adventure on the back of his wing. An hour or so later we were in Lilydale and waiting for the rest of the club to arrive. Arrive they did, we had approx. 21 machines turn up and don’t forget the night was far from warm.

Keith on the 750 led us to our destination while Leslie on his 650 brought up the rear. The ride from my point of view was interesting to say the least. Estimating the load of the machine at around 30 stone of dead weight it did a marvellous job. Without wanting to sound like an advertisement for wings, there’s very few other machines which could go through the Black Spur at that speed and more importantly acceleration and smoothness with such a big load.

Arriving at our mystery destination (Marysville Falls) it was out with torches etc. Most powered by battery but Harris’s powered by dynamo. The falls were beautiful and even more beautiful under floodlights. It is at this stage of the story that we take up on an interesting point. I made a statement (nothing unusual, EH? That the lights go out at 10pm (2200Hrs). Well, we left the place at 10.45pm (2245Hrs) and the lights were still burning, and so were my ears from the collective voices of quite a few peasants. I, myself mystified by the fact that they were still on got in contact with the Vic. Gov. Tourist Bureau and they informed me that the lights do in fact go out at 10pm but they said the lights go out at 10pm EST not ESDST which is what a lot of people get confused with. The moral of THIS paragraph? I was right, you was wrong, so there!!!

Anyway getting back to the story. After doing the required amount of oohing and ahhing at the sights offered to us a select few (read IDIOTS) decided that we would go up to the top of the falls. Now if one wishes to go up to the top there are two routes, one is a track which is on the right, and the other is near virgin bush on the left. You guessed it, we went up the left track. About three quarters up and seemingly on the right trail we decided to use the method of that African tribe of pygmies in long grass to find our way. There was also, strangely enough, a few talking or rather presuming about some Livingstone chap. Anyway to make a short story long we finally broke into clear ground and came upon the top of the falls. A quite magnificent sight, really, especially when one is looking directly into a couple hundred thousand watts of spotlights. One tends to walk around in a daze for a while after looking at them for a few seconds. The trip down was quite ordinary (we used the track). Upon arriving at the car park, where, very naughtily we had put our motorbikes, we had a drink, got dressed and headed home.

After a non eventful trip over the Spur and arriving at Lilydale we proceeded to overtake a cafe for hot chocolate and coffee etc. The fact that the place also had a pool table and pinball machines was not overlooked by us, as could be seen by members pushing all sorts of coin into all sorts of slots and having a good time.

My night ended by hitching a lift home with the Duffy contingent. I thinki I could safely say that it was one of the best night rides I’ve attended.

Mick R100/7

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NIGHT RIDE 2.2.80

Opportunities to attend Sunday rides have not been very great these days, so a Saturday night was not to be missed. Brendan and I made our way over Mt. Dandenong to Lilydale where 15 or so bikes were waiting, including Phil and his family with the outfit.

Keith led the ride so we set off towards Healesville and on thru the Black Spur. The weather was very mild as we made our way through the night. Our headlight on the Yam wasn’t too healthy, some people were known to lend us a Dolphin torch no less, to help us see our way! Travelling in the group, Brendan found himself being blinded by the continual brilliant flashes from the Gold Wings brake light ahead of us. Once he broke away and headed the small group he realised it wasn’t so easy to set a pace at night. Later on there was a moment of drama when a Suzuki in front of us extinguished his lights mid corner, fortunately we reached Marysville without incident and then headed up to Stephensons falls.

Here we left the bikes and walked down towards the falls; we gazed at the floodlit falls and some of us made our way up a track to the left of the falls and through the scrub, to the top of the falls. The track was fairly rugged going in belstaffs and medal boots. Had I known, I would have bought my hike boots! Anyway, we reached the top and here we were able to refresh ourselves with the cool water and rest awhile and enjoy the sound of the water and peaceful surroundings. We then headed down a tamer track and back to the bikes.

The ride back to Lilydale was without incident and the night was still quite mild. At Lilydale we stopped at a cafe for a while, some played pinball, others talked and drank coffee. Quite an enjoyable evening all round, I feel.

Sally

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PLEASE READ PLEASE READ PLEASE READ

THE APRIL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 2^ND APRIL

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DIAMOND BAY FEB 3

Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. It was either do the washing and ironing or go on the run – the choice was simple!

Upon arriving at K.B.C.P my hopes of a beaut day soared as I saw quite a few bikes already there. I had anticipated a small turn up considering the large number of bikes on the evening ride the night before. With approximately 16-17 bikes we set off with Tom in the lead. The ride out of the city was fairly tedious with plenty of traffic and red lights. Once out of the city, my legs soaking up the warm sun, travelling, or rather pillioning seemed to be the best thing invented next to sliced bread and waterproofs!

Of course, a ride down through the Peninsula would not be complete without a quick detour up to Arthurs Seat. The weather became a little brisk up at the seat but once we headed back down towards level ground the sun took over again. We stopped in

Rye for lunch which proved to be a very pleasant interlude. Once supplies were bought we settled ourselves down in a warm, grassy spot to spend a lazy time feeding our faces. The girls enjoyed the sun and the men enjoyed the local talent. Need I say more!

After lunch, a quick stop for petrol by Tom eventuated in half the club, for some reason or other, zooming off into the distance minus our leader. However, thanks to Keith re-grouping did occur and we were off again. Here Ian and I left the club to visit some friends but upon rejoining the club for the ride home we were assured that we had missed out on a lovely beach and Frisbee throwing session!

The ride home of course involved another trip to Arthurs Seat and from there a rather frustrating ride home along with 5 million cars and boats all travelling at 30-35 m.p.h. ah well, the weather was lovely.

Lynne (pillion BM R90S)

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DIAMOND BAY 3.2.80

There were quite a lot of familiar faces on the trip to Diamond Bay. I still have difficulty getting the right names with the right faces. This is why those “would have been mentioned people” weren’t mentioned in some of those “Mintie Moments”.

The gang met at KBCP at 10am and from there left, Tom leading and the outfit at the rear. We stopped off at a quaint little seaside town cafe for lunch and picnicked on the lawns opposite the cafe. The lunchtime entertainment was feeding the seagulls and watching other bird species which also inhabited the area.

The bikie gang after terrorizing a little kid at the cafe (and three goats later on) arrived at Diamond Bay. It was quite a nice day; a few of the braver males who came prepared for heatwave conditions went for a dip in the salty seaweed.

The land dwellers at one stage or another played frizbees on the beach. The guys had quite an audience of sunbathers (in bikinis) watching them, until, mysteriously, they moved around the beach away from the crowd. I think the section of beach they move to was known as “Bondi Diamond Bay”.

The most unusual part of the ride, I thought, was going up Arthurs Seat the same way, both ways! I don’t know if that lead rider got lost or was trying to fool the rest of the flock, but I did pick this small point up.

In conclusion, (including Arthurs Seat) it was quite an enjoyable ride, and it is great to be back supporting the MTCV.

Linda Delahoy

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MINI GOLF SCORE APOLLO BAY 24.2.80

Keith 30 Les 36 Chris 43

Kevin 32 Ian 36 Mick 34

Tom 37

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TURPINS FALLS 10.2.80

In what was a perfect day for cycling, Keith with Fagan on the back as pillion led a big group of bikes up the Tullamarine freeway, heading for Kyneton with Phil Duffy as rear rider. We were going to meet up with the Ballarat Club for a picnic lunch at Turpins Falls.

Everything was going along fine, until the Bulla Cutting where I came upon a few bikes about half way through. I learnt that Tom had, had a slight mishap with a car which had pulled out from the left lane. Luckily nobody was hurt. We then continued on through Riddell and came out on the highway not far from Kyneton. We got there just on midday and were greeted by the members of the Ballarat Club, who were there waiting for us.

After a good half hours break we were called together by Mick, who gave a small talk on our Club rules for the benefit of the B.T.C and said that he didn’t want anyone to get lost. This bought on some laughter. On arriving at our destination, which was only about 30kms from Kyneton, we discovered that there was a small group of people there holding a car trial.

It was not long before some were playing cricket and others swimming. After a while a big cricket match was started between our Club and the Ballarat Club. They went in first and scored 37 in the time limit of 20 mins. Mick having the best bowling figures. In no uncertain manner we passed their score. I managed to hit a couple of sixer’s. The second innings was not so easy, as we just got there on the last wicket. The “Umpire” being not to popular. We then dispersed and went back to Kyneton for a drink, with some showing signs of being through dirt!

The Ballarat members then farewelled us, and we headed for home. Refilling before going straight down the Calder highway to Keilor, where we dispersed after a day, which everybody enjoyed. Thanks to the Ballarat Touring Club.

Big D. 750/4

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Trip to Darwin and return. 6 ½ weeks.

Not a mile by mile account but a few things of interest. I left here the day after Cup day on the 750 Honda via the Hume Hwy to Campbelltown and next day to Surfers, where I stayed with friends who had a top floor flat there. However it just happened to be hotter in Melbourne for two of those days. After leaving Sydney there was rain ahead of me and wet roads, till Coffs Harbour where I caught up to it and rode with it right to Surfers. This was the only rain I struck in 17,500 ks although there were storms everywhere in Qld & N.T but these were only at night.

I stayed with relatives one night in Brisbane, two nights in Bundaberg and two nights at Yeppoon, then for the weekend at Townsville. At 5.30am I left for Mt. Isa 896 ks away. Now 896k’s is not far on good roads & in cool weather but with the temperature in West Qld. & N.T at 40 to 45 and the roads so rough, that at times because of the heat it kept my speed down to 80 to 100kph, it was a long day.

It was 896k’s, well almost, of watching the road and steering past as many holes or depressions as possible. The worst sections were between Townsville & Charters Towers & Mt. Isa & Camooweal. There is no need to carry petrol as the longest stretch is 200 odd k’s. Most but not all other places are about 130 to 140 KM apart and you need to fill up at each town. To jump ahead, Charters Towers to Greenvale (which is the road to Cairns via Atherton Tableland instead of via Townsville) is 220 K and about the same to Mt. Garrett with nothing in between, and the hours at Greenvale for petrol are Monday to Friday 8am till 5.30. Saturday 8.30am till 4pm. Sunday 9.30am till 12 noon which could be a trap. I went through on a Saturday.

From Bundaberg on it is a journey through death, and the prevailing smell is rotten flesh from kangaroos & wallabies plus cattle. Apart from these it is empty cans & bottles by the 1000’s, old cars and tyre treads and blown out tyres. Only a fool would travel at night on the roads due to roos and cattle. I spoke to a team of geologists at Daly Waters who had two Range Rovers with bull bars who still wouldn’t travel at night. If you were travelling on low beam because of oncoming traffic and couldn’t see the road surface you could hit a dead roo on the road or a full sized steer.

I left Darwin at 4.30 and missed 3 roos by 20-30ft and my boot brushed a small one. The dearest petrol was at Frewina 38 ½ cents and Bay caves and Three Ways 36 ½ cents. Away from the ports it was 33-34 cents per litre. Never take any notice of what locals say about road conditions outback anywhere. The service station attendant at Julia Creek said the road to Townsville was better than to Mt. Isa. It was the other way around, and some locals at Mt. Isa agreed, but said then that the road to Camoweal was as smooth as a billiard ball. Well, all I can say is that they must have gone across in a Citroen.

I had a doze at Mt Isa and apart from the mine town went out to Lake Moonara, one of the few lakes which ensure that even in the driest times they have water storage. Mt. Isa Mines (MIM) is very large. Their bill from the railways last year was 28 million dollars.

Automatic pollution monitors record levels around the town and when it reaches a certain level production stops. To eliminate some of the stops they built a high chimney on one of the blast furnaces which is just under 1,222 ft high, 71 ft across the base. They have 460 apprentices some of which are girls. Literally all wore safety lenses regardless of the trade. To eliminate the high security of shipping out silver bars (remember they produce copper, silver, lead & zinc) while still moulton it is poured into moulds of moulton lead. Girls, they have a barracks that holds 1300 single men in their own rooms which are air-conditioned, have carpets on the floor and are serviced for just $30 a week with 3 meals a day. They have their own banks, hairdressers & recreation facilities. Flats, if you have more than one child$25 per week & free electricity. Executive staff have 5 bedroom air-conditioned houses for $40 per week, gardening done free. M.I.M generates the electricity for the mine plus all the Nth QLD. Like Mary Kathleen & Cloncurry etc. But distributed by the QLD electricity board. I went from here to Daly Waters in one day, staying at the old hotel for $7. Some of these pubs and roadhouses have to be seen to be believed, also the furniture. A snooker table at Bay Caves had an 11’-9” tear which was stuck down with ducting tape, and where this was beginning to lift, with durex tape. They sell practically anything.

The stock of spirits at Frewina surprised me, as it would not have disgraced a suburban pub here. I asked why? Answer-it is an aborigine settlement. I thought, they can buy Johnny Walker Scotch & Gordons Gin etc and I can’t, poor people indeed. I heard a local in QLD say the halfcast people get long legs from jumping from one side of the fence to the other. If they are asked to leave a pub because they are black, they claim that they are white, and when it comes to getting Gov money they are black again.

At Camoweal pub, no draught beer, only cans at $1 each. One sign seen in a few bars. CREDIT IS LIKE SEX AROUND HERE, SOME GET IT, SOME DON’T. At Daly Waters I met up with John and Ruth, he is English, bought up in Africa. They had travelled up from Sydney on a two year old Yammie 500. We travelled together to Darwin visiting Mataranko Springs and staying at Katherine Gorge, going on the two hour trip was worth going on. The guy who runs the two hour trips and manages the c/park his name is Mike, and he has woned 750/4’s and is now on his second Yammie 1100, so all motorcyclists are sure of a friendly welcome.

Between Pine Creek and Adelaide River the road is narrow and windy, no good with the road trains which are always with us. However there are two completely new sections being built, each being 15 or so miles long, also the new high level bridge at Adelaide River is nearly finished.

There is still no speed limit in N.T in the country, but the limits extend a fair way from Darwin. They use radar and are very hot. It is like QLD only very much more so.

If you go there take shorts, long socks and shoes, because the public bars are very rough, and you need these to get into a decent bar. I am no snob but there is just too much to risk of being in a brawl in the few public bars there are. You need shoes to get in some public bars. It is not uncommon to see the barman lean over the bar to see if you have shoes on. Its common to see signs, no bare feet, no thongs, no runners, no rubber lolled shoes, no singlets and no t-shirts.

There is a Casino there, a lot of bars are open till 3am weekdays and 5am on Friday and Saturday. I know that because I stayed with worked there in the Casino & and a pub. It can be a very jumping place if you know people, I was taken to a lot of parties and B.B.Q’S.

I am seriously thinking of going there for a month this winter. I have 18 weeks leave this year and next. I was reluctant to leave there. It has 55,000 population and you have to look hard to see any pre-cyclone Darwin.

At Mt. Isa there are literally hundreds of motorcycles in the mine parks provided, separate from the cars, mostly small ones Only once in Qld did another Qld cyclist wave. Bikes are very in, in Qld due to the weather, and Townsville particularly has a lot. Outside the Seaview pub on the esplanade week nights 20 to 25 bikes were to be seen and on Sunday night 30 bikes, all big.

I left Darwin as mentioned at 4.30 and should have got to Camoweal, except I waited from 7 till 8.30 for petrol at Adelaide River. In MacKay nearly all service stations are open at 6am.

I met in the same c/van park in Cairns a guy on a K2 750/4 from Preston. He said he knew Darren. He was very surprised that he hadn’t anywhere struck a shortage of petrol, nor had I for that matter. But Darren, he said had told him he may have trouble in some places. It told him that you can’t believe newspapers as they over dramatise to sell papers. I recalled how papers once said, no petrol between Rocky & MacKay. In fact I could have got 1000 gals if I wanted it. But some other places had a $2 limit. I recalled this at the time when Keith Anderson and I went to Cairns and back, and how Darren had rung me at Cairns and we told him that we had no trouble with petrol. But he didn’t risk it as Gympie was short, apart from that Mark Coglan was still not well enough after his accident. The point is with strikes today there may be shortage somewhere, but why ruin a holiday by not going, you can always put the bike on a train.

The guy mentioned before complained about the rough roads. My reply was, you haven’t seen rough roads till you go west from Townsville. Anyway they had booked themselves and bike on the train to Brisbane. It makes me think, someone less my age doing that from Cairns. Yet I, at 51 can go over rougher roads to Darwin and back. Some young people have got stamina but others not.

The tyres, Bridgestone were new on at Melbourne. I replaced them at Mt. Isa. The bike was 100% reliable and nothing can beat 100%. Any make or model if serviced properly should be equal to a car in this regard. If anyone is contemplating a similar trip, do it now, like me before the cost of petrol prohibits trips like this. I probably spent about $400 on petrol. I came back via Surfers, Grafton, Glen Innes, Tamworth, Dubbo etc arriving back Friday 5pm and went to work next morning. January will add one trip to Mt Gambier and one to Sydney to the mileage.

Lloyd 750 FI

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DON’T FORGET THE CHANGE OF THE APRIL NEETING. WEDNESDAY 2^ND.

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Lake Jubillee – Rowing 17.2.80

The combination of a fine day & Lake Jubillee at Daylesford ensured that a large number of bikes turned up at the car park for the run.

After half an hour of milling around it was decided that the club would travel to Daylesford via Western highway, Blackwood & Trentham. At Daylesford we were joined by the Ballarat Touring Club and after refreshments, proceeded to invade the Lake Jubellee camping area.

For the afternoon the lake became the centre of activity, with mock battles on the floating platform until it was tipped upside down. Canoe splashing, and finally a cricket match that would have turned the West Indian side green with envy.

Shortly after 4pm we called it a day and returned to Melbourne again via the Western Hwy. The only incident of note being the unfortunate rider who ran out of petrol. (he had a 23 litre fuel tank and thought it would last the day. ED) at the dispersal point in Sunshine, Ron Hayward invited those of us there back to his place, where Darren served around the goodies.

So all in all a very refreshing days run

Roger GL 1000

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WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE IAN AND LYNNE WHO WERE MARRIED LAST MONTH.

ALL THE BEST FOR ALL THE COMING YEARS.

We would like a write up of the step by step events on your honeymoon by next edition.

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**************GOSSIP**********GOSSIP**********GOSSIP****GOSSIP*****

Rumour has it that a certain female club member is shifting, and will be living with a certain male club member in Elwood.

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Craig Dawson has swapped his 750 BM for David Sheath’s R90S.

David found out after the swap, that Craig had been riding with back tyre on back to front.

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People will go to any lengths to get points for Club member of the year award. Expect to hear the patter of tiny feet around the Dawson household in the future. Congratulations Christine and Craig.

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THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING, DO NOT FORGET THE APRIL MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY SECOND OF APRIL AT 8.15 PM. SHARP.

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