February 2003 Who’s News

 

The MTCV Home Page has taken 394 hits during January and 14,869 since April 1996. We continue to generate new members via the web. Our ads in the bike magazines are also doing well. Check out the Visitor’s Page to keep track of the latest information and gossip.

 

Seen at the January Social Sip: Ian Payne and Kerrie Gooding, Ben and Julie Warden, Ron, Julie and Daniel Johnston, Daniel Kosinski, Ray, Katrina, Jye and Riley Walker, Jon Riddett, Andrew Symes, Kate Stewart and Peter Pondeljak, Bruce Saville, Derek Atkinson, Liz Oliver and Pete Weyermayr, Martin Hastie. Twenty people.

 

Dave Ward has acquired an MV Augusta 750 F4 and has been out on a Club ride already – the Great Ocean Road. Exotica at its best, though without any suspension tuning, the bumpy Great Ocean Road was not a rider friendly introduction. Nevertheless, it is a very slippery machine, the engineering a sight to behold. His Ducati 996 is back in the shop for sale. We probably won’t see much of Dave for a while as he is undergoing a knee reconstruction to tighten the ligaments, the result of years of trail bike riding (crashing). We wish him a full and speedy recovery. He’s down to lead late in the new itinerary, so come and see his latest toy.

 

Last month I wrote: “Dave Ward’s partner Bronwyn Manifold has added a new Aprilia RS250 to the fleet. I hear a Ducati Monster 620 purchase is almost complete as well. Update: Bronwyn now has a up-specked Ducati Monster 620 SIE – fuel injected, carbon fiber bits everywhere, ride height adjuster and bikini fairing. By all reports it has more power than the 750 it replaces and is a far superior bike. Sir Allan Cathcart was most impressed, according to Australian Motorcycle News.

 

Update on the serious crash on the December 15th 2002 Marysville Bakery ride resulting in a severely broken leg for a first time rider, Robert Swan. Robert is making a steady recovery after being air lifted to the Alfred Hospital. He also suffered a broken scaffoid. He is home, getting around on crutches. His leg is plated and screwed and has an “external fixation”. Sounds like something Mick Doohan had. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

 

On the last Reefton Spur ride John Clowes and Eric Makin presented with brand new blue 2003 Yamaha R6s.  They traded John’s RGV, Eric’s VTR-SP2 and one 2001 R6, leaving one R6 as a spare bike. Running in revs seemed to be around 9000 rpm across the Reefton. They certainly weren’t slow.

 

The Points System. The Club Participant of the Year is based on aggregate points accumulated at 1 point per ride, an extra point for leading or being rear rider, 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). It runs till the May AGM. After tallying last months points, the leaders are: Ben Warden 95 (Blade), Ron Johnston 65 (Bandit 1200), Rob Langer 62.5 (BM1150GS), Pete Weyermayr 60 (Blade) and Liz Oliver 60 (Blade), Ian Payne 48 (Blade), Geoff Jones 37 (R1), Dianne Welsford 31 (CBR600), Mark Easterbrook 31 (Ducati 750SS), and Renzo Cunico 25 (R1).  Geoff Jones moved up a couple of places, Kate dropped off and Renzo made the top ten. Otherwise the status quo was maintained.

 

Tasmania Trip is happening.  Ten people have committed their money and the tickets are bought. All that remains is to book some accommodation. Dave Moore has made his own arrangements to get to Tasmania for three people and will join the main group a day later.

 

Ron Johnston is about to go under the knife. An arthroscope is to be performed on his remaining “good” knee to clean out damaged cartilage etc. Ron is looking forward to the operation to relieve the pain.

 

President, Ian Payne, has finally succumbed to the pressures of modern living and purchased a mobile phone. His number is: 0407-838-532

 

 Similarly, please amend your membership lists: Dave Nimmo now lives at 42 plover St Melton 337.

Who’s News continued:

 

Welcome to the following new members: Rob Jones riding a CBR954 Honda Fireblade and Phillip Island ride day regular, Dave Hives riding a Kawasaki ZX9 who has been riding (getting lost, crashing) with the Club since 1996, and Darryn Hutchinson, also riding a Honda 954 Fireblade. Rob can be reached on phone number 0418-566-691, Dave hives lives in Mooroolbark, and Darryn can be reached on 0407-552-757.  Welcome one and all. We wish you many good riding years with the Club.

 

The (new) Demerit Points Scheme. According to Vic Roads Demerit Points Section, the following penalties apply: exceed speed limit by less than 10 km/h (1 point), 10-24 (3 points), 25-34 (4 points), 35-44 (6 points), more than 45 (8 points).  And “Driving with an obscured or improperly displayed number plate” (3 points. Furthermore: If you get 12 or more points in any 3 year period you will be sent an options notice which gives you two choices. Option 1. You keep your license, but you must not get any demerit points during the 12 month period specified on the option notice. If you get any points, your license will be suspended for double the amount of time you would have been suspended under option 2. Option2. Have your license suspended. This period will be for 3 months for the first 12 points plus 1 month for every additional 4 points as listed on your option notice. Let there be no doubt. 

 

Geoff Jones replaced his R1 headlight globes with higher rated globes after a “dismal” display on the night ride. The improvement was significant. Derek Atkinson (FZR1000) also spent much of his non-riding time adjusting his headlights, the tools working overtime. Did I mention late model Fireblades have three globes, 2 high, one low? Sensational.

 

Mark Easterbrook badly dinted his front rim on his Ducati 750 SS on the Night Ride, allowing air to escape. It will cost around $100 to roll the rim. See his article for more information.

 

On the Daylesford ride, non-member but frequent Club rider Aaron Karmiste dumped his Blackbird on liquid cow manure in Pyalong, in front of the whole group, the bike slowly spinning up the hill for a long way. Both he and his bike had to be hosed down. Damage: minor cosmetic, but he retired hurt anyway.

Ron Johnston has a few tyres for sale. He can be reached on phone number 9725-7303. Dunlop 208 GP 180/55ZR17 (rear) x 4 @ $80 ea., Dunlop 208 GP 120/70ZR17 (front) x 5 @ $80 ea.,  Pirelli Dragon SuperCorsa 180/55ZR17 (rear) x1 @ $50, Pirelli Dragon SuperCorsa 120/70ZR17 (front) x1 as new $120, Bridgestone Battlax BT 001R 120/70ZR17 (front) x1 @ $70, Michelin Pilot Race 120/70ZR17 (front)  x1 @ $100.

Congratulations to Wayne Grant and Verity Mayo who are getting married in March.

 

Tickets are now available for the Superbikes at Phillip Island. Tickets start at $30 (Friday) and to 3 day grandstand seats for $199. The packages include a 3 day pit roof seating, all food and drinks, pit access, etc. The organizers must be feeling the competition from the MotoGP!

 

Damian Codognotto from the MRAA is calling on all motorcyclists to donate blood/food/furniture etc to help the bushfire victims. He says: “The motorcycle community can do a lot to help: there are 260,000 Victorians licensed to ride road bikes and at least as many again who ride off-road. With that in mind I would like to propose to all clubs and groups that we go through all our clothes, utensils, garage, in fact anything that you don't need, and get it to the Salvo's. The other thing lots of riders can do is to give blood. It's quick, it doesn't hurt and it's a free health check. But most of all it saves lives. This time of year there is a blood drought with regular donors on holiday and increased demand on blood products from the road toll. To find a blood bank near you call 13 14 95.”

 

The Australian Air Show is on at Avalon on 14th -16th  February.

 

 

Who’s News continued:

 

The Yarra Ranges Council, through the Motorcycling Safety sub-committee of RoadWise, is planning organised rides. Motorcycle instructors will lead group(s) through the Reefton and Black Spurs! This is in response to the many crashes on the roads around Warburton, Healesville and Marysville. The next ride is on Saturday 22nd of February. For details email:   [email protected].

 

We also had correspondence from Trudy Stewart, the Road Safety Officer for Tumut, Tumbarumba and Gundagai shires. She went on to say: “Statistics tell us that a lot of crashes happen when we are out in groups, both large and small and both formal and informal. To reduce those crashes as much as possible, we are putting together a booklet to be a guide for group rides. But we need your help. To be really effective, the project needs input from riders with their real-world experience. We are offering you a chance to have your say, and to help us and other riders at the same time.” I responded to her request with my MSTCV Secretary hat on, pointing to our home page, the corner marking system we run, and our road rules. No response as of yet. If you would like a copy of the response, email  me at [email protected].

 

Portland Trip via the Great Ocean Road, ANZAC Weekend, Friday 25th April to Sunday 27th April. Ron Johnston has booked hotel accommodation. See him with your $50 deposit, places are limited.  He reports that there will be a BBQ on Friday and Saturday nights, weather permitting.  On Saturday he plans to visit Mt Gambier.  ANZAC day is a public holiday. Think about booking annual leave as it falls just after Easter.

 

The Big Bakery biker Bash at Marysville Bakery is being held again this year, on Sunday 23rd of February. If you can’t spare the time on Ron’s Licola ride, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of company in Healesville. Last year Kate Stewart walked off with a large trophy after sweet talking the judge(s).

 

Late breaking News (4th February)

I received the following email from David, a friend of Mario Ibeas, on Tuesday. Mario is a recent member and is fanatical about his bike and the Club, participating in a lot of rides in his short time with the Club. Here's the email:

 

      Hi Ben, It's David Deas. I've ridden with the group a few times. Just want to let you know that I did a ride day with Mario Ibeas riding an R1 He high-sided coming out of Honda. He has broken his ankle and pelvis in 3 places. He'll be out of action for a while. His bike is a bit wrecked ....

 

If you care to visit Mario, he is in Dandenong Hospital on David St, North Ward 1 Room 8. His direct number is 9554-8509. He’ll be there for a while …   (He’s out and recouperating at home. Call him. …Ed.)

 

 

 

Funny statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (via email):

     

  • 31 Australians have died since 1996 by watering their xmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.
  • 19 Australians have died in the last 3 years by eating Christmas decorations they believed were              chocolate.
  • Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling incidents.
  • 101 Australians since 1997 have had to have broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of their feet.
  • 18 Australians had serious burns in 1998 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.
  • A massive 543 Australians were admitted to casualty in the last two years after opening bottles of beer with their teeth or eye socket.
  • 5 Australians were injured last year in accident involving out of control scalextric car.

 

More Funny statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (via email):

 

  • 3 Australians die each year testing if a 9V battery works on their tongue.
  • 142 Australians were injured in 1998 by not removing all the pins from new shirts.
  • 58 Australians are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers, and finally,
  • 8 Australians cracked their skull in 1997 after falling asleep (passing out) while throwing up into the toilet.