Who’s News February 2011

The Club web site at www.melbsportsbike.net.au accumulated 699 hits during February, up 137 on last month. Total visits are 66,937 since April 1996. The counters on the other pages after another month indicate that the Calendar page took 521 hits (total 15,562, down 8) since 28^th October 2008 and Great Roads 130 hits (total 4098).

Membership now stands at 83 (up 4 this month). Official kilometres for the month of February: 1057, down 3260 from last month – Jindabyne boosting the numbers last month. Official Club kilometres for the month (people x ride length) is 14,765 km, down 49,048 km on last month which was massively boosted by the Jindabyne five days of riding by 14 people. The 2011 year total is 78,578 km; average yearly total 314,325 since 2005. The people km per injury for 2011 is 78,578 – one serious crash this year; long term it is 122,930 km per (serious) injury.

Seen at the General Meeting and Social Sip in Hawthorn on Thursday 3^rd February: Julie and Ben Warden, Ron and Julie Johnston, Cliff and Barb Peters, Trevor and Barb Rolfe Harris, John Rousseaux and Kate Stewart, Jason Duff, Ben Fuller, Tony Raditsis, Rob Langer, Ian Payne, Tim Emons and Paul Southwell. 17 people Rob Langer provided an excellent informative slide show of his recent trip beyond the Arctic Circle.

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, and 1 point per magazine article (maximum 2 per magazine). Attending one or more days of a weekend event scores 3 points for leading, 3 for rear riding duties and 2 points for participating.

The count is for the 2010/11 year ending the ride before the 2011 AGM in July. After eight months the top ten positions are: Ben Warden (64.5), Cliff Peters (47), Pina Garasi (45.5), Ron Johnston (41.5), John Willis (33), Paul Southwell (31), Ian Payne (30), Misho Zrakic (29), Tim Emons (27), and John Rousseaux (24). All positions remained relative except Dennis Lindemann dropped off. Something to do with having a baby!

Front Cover: All photos taken on the Jindabyne weekend, 26-30 January. Red photo taken at Berwick at start of ride. Standing: Tim Emons, Ron Johnston, Paul Southwell, Damir Djikic, Pina Garasi, Misho Zrakic, Rob Langer. Kneeling: Cliff Peters, John Rousseaux, Bill Simpson and Phill Hotschilt. Bonang crash scene. Clockwise from bottom: Rob, Megan, Sky, Phill, Cliff, Paul, Misho, Pina, John, Tim, Rod, Damir, Ron and Bill. BMW over the edge. Eden Lookout. Standing: Pina, Misho, Damir, Tim, Rod, Rob Jones, Ben, Phill. Kneeling: John, Paul, Bill and Ben Fuller. Five CBR1000RRs lined up outside our NSW Sports and Recreation accommodation. Digital mastery by Peter Feistl.

Back Cover: Mt Macedon Ride, Sunday 6^th. Back Row: Rick Van, Jason Wilson, Ron Johnston, Ben Warden. Front row: Geoff Jones, Cliff Peters, Pina Garasi, Misho Zrakic and Marc Marais. Digital mastery by Peter Feistl.

Non member Yudi Iswahyudi crashed on the Reefton Spur Ride (13/2) between the Lake Mountain turnoff and the stop of the Spur. He suffered a compound fracture of the arm and was taken to Maroondah Hospital. See Ron’s ride report for the full story. We wish him a speedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing him riding again.

While leading the Reefton ride Peter Jones (R1) received a canary for an unroadworthy vehicle. He was a casualty of the current blitz on compliance: noise, fender eliminators, etc. a trip to the RTA with the bike restored to standard specifications and a roadworthy saw him riding legally a few days later.

Damir Djikic crashed his CBR1000 on the Neerim East Road on the Loch Ride (20/2). He suffered a sore thumb and a minor cut. His bike was damaged beyond repair and he is now looking for a replacement. He will be back riding as soon as possible. Thanks to Cliff who dinked him home and Ben and Pina who waited around for the tow truck to arrive.

Earlier in the day on the same ride second time rider Frank Ferreira crashed his Triumph 1050 near Drouin. He walked away. His bike looked repairable with bent (traditional forks). His girlfriend picked him up from Drouin and contact during the week indicated that the bike was being assessed.

Welcome to new member Steve Mudford riding an Aprilia 550 Super Motard. Steve’s wealth of experience working in the racing industry, particularly in the suspension arena, is already proving valuable to the members with a number of people seeking his services. He is usually seen riding with Cindy Lee who provides the mobile fuel re-supply source – the tank of her GSXR750. The Aprilia lasts about 115 km before needing to be refuelled. We look forward to seeing him on many more rides.

Welcome to new member Raj Malhotra riding a Yamaha FZ1. A lawyer working for the government in the liquor licensing/compliance arena, he has many fascinating insights and stories to tell. We wish him many fun filled and safe riding years with the Club.

Life Member, Tom Saville, is recovering from a serious illness. We wish him all the best and hope to hear he is fully recovered and back riding again.