Aug 2008 Issue:
Bubba’s Thoughts.
Hi Wanderer's
Is spring ever going to get here as I sit and type my thoughts this morning looking out side at the frost and ice on my car it has been a very cold winter, but spring is only around the corner and we can start thinking of Places to go and getting the bike ready for the summer months of riding, if you are the type that put it away all winter then you have a few more things to check when you do get back on it, tyres, fluids, chain lube etc etc. And most importantly your own skills always remember before you hit the road in earnest try a crash stop and give the tyres a good bit of counter steering to bed them in again.
We have now moved to our new kick venue and from all reports most are enjoying the place the turn out every Saturday is double what we were getting for winter months. We are averaging 50 to 60 bike's most Saturday mornings and people seem to be staying longer.
I am disappointed as are a lot of member's that have approached me regarding the group that still gather at the M1 on Saturday's. They are entitled to go where ever they want and that is thier decision. I have no problem that they feel this way and have decided to stay at the M1.
The problem we have as a club is that there are people turning up there looking for the Westgate Wanderers and they are not always getting directed in the right direction. I hope our member's at the M1 realize that we as a club now meet at the Caltex Highway lounge and we as a club The Westgate Wanderers have no affiliation with the M1 any more.
John Edwards T2 has now taken hold of the ride co-coordinators roll and is getting on with it so remember to give him your support it is a big job and he needs the support.
Well that’s all for now to bloody cold to ride to bloody cold to think.
Ride safe.
Bubba
Ride Report
Sunday 13 July 2008
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich did not front up on the morning of Sunday 13 July for the ride to Yea but others did. Bubba, Des, Tony, Jeanne,3 x Daves (Eds) (BMW) (Djuric - Triumph) Hans, Martin, me (Doug/Dodgy) and John (T2) who lead the ride. Following a warming ‘Caltex’ coffee, & waved goodbye by Rick (what a sentimental guy he is) we headed off into the fresh morning air & slight crosswind around 9.00am & that’s the last time I looked at the time other than I think we got home around 3.30 ‘ish
We moved along pretty briskly early on taking the highway & Ring Road thru’ to the end then hanging a’ lefty’ towards Kinglake. Just an aside here, if ever you find yourself stopped at the lights with Tony & Jeanne just behind but either side of you, you are forgiven for thinking, for just a moment, that you are back in your youth at a disco. Their pulsating headlights throw you for a moment when your peripheral vision picks up a flashing/strobe light effect. Anyway, back to business. The Heidelberg - Kinglake Rd, a twisty little bugger I’d call it, made all the more interesting by the light mist, damp & in numerous places wet road, & odd gust of wind. But that didn’t deter the boys up the front of the pack & they made the most of the challenges before them giving due respect to the conditions. Did I mention cyclists…… well they were out in numbers making it a little squeezy in spots particularly when encountered on a bend.
Kinglake greeted us with a host of motorcycles (Peter Stevens Honda Group I believe), a number of cyclists & some rain. But in the time it took to find a spot out of the wind, have a coffee & donut the rain moved on & so did we. Kinglake West, then right & follow the Whittlesea - Yea Rd thru’ Flowerdale to Yea. Now I have to be honest here. Being new to riding (still on my L’s) I had deliberately dropped to the back of the pack to make sure I didn’t slow anyone down. Having said that I was, dare I say, at times, a little over the speed limit but to tell the truth it was just me & poor Eds, who was tail End Charlie ….. the others …. they were ‘gone’. By the time I ( & poor ‘tail End’ Eds) hit Yea the others had wrapped up lunch, cleaned their teeth, refueled & had a corner marker out telling the two of us which way to go…..not true. But they were all smiling at the success of the first half of the day.
Essentially, we hadn’t sighted a straight bit of tar from the moment we pulled off the Ring Road. We had taken on cyclists, wind, rain, the odd branch covering half our share of bitumen, little bits of tree, well sticks, but sufficient to throw you off your line if connected, an old white van creeping across the double lines & yet we were all smiling, happy & safe & ready for the next challenge, LUNCH.
With usual enthusiasm we launched ourselves at the Bakery & typically caused a traffic jam akin to East Link on opening day. Numerous hot pies, pasties, fresh cakes & drinks disappeared off the shelves & spirits were heightened even further by the chatter & outpouring of friendly derogatory remarks made at each other. An inspection of the Yea public toilet (very clean) & a drink of petrol for those bikes in need & we were off again.
Exit Yea, look out Broadford here we come. We retraced our steps back along the Whittlesea – Yea Rd as far as the Broadford - Flowerdale Rd then turned right & on to Broadford via Strath Creek. The road was good & held plenty of interest for all riders, both fast & less fast. The weather had improved, sunshine had broken thru’ & the conditions were far more friendly than those of earlier in the day. The pace of the ride definitely stepped up a couple of notches, a consequence of these improved conditions.
A short hop from Broadford to Kilmore & from there on to Sunbury …. Which road …. Dunno. No, I didn’t have my eyes closed (that would be silly). I assume it was the Lancefield Rd but being new to these roads I get ‘lost’ sometimes….. Did we see anything dangerous, like a policeman or anything. Yep, one police car, travelling in the opposite direction during one of our faster sections of the day but curiously, or thankfully, everyone was within the statutes.
The health & safety story of the trip… Riding into Sunbury we hit the first round-about. As I changed gear I got a cramp in my left leg. Stand up on pegs, sit down, next change “bloody ouch!”, next round-about I can only imagine child birth would be worse. Pull into a fortuitously located bus stop & crawl off the bike. Eds to the rescue, “I’ll rub it for you, where’s the pain” he askes, “my inner thigh to my groin” I respond agonizingly. “You’d better give it a rub then” he says backing off diplomatically. Well, as they say, it’s the thought that counts. Anyway, I struggled on to the coffee stop at Sunbury, recovering from my experience to the tune of “better you than me” chorused by all present.
We said out goodbye’s at Sunbury & made our way home after what I think we all agreed was a most enjoyable ride & day of variable weather conditions mixed with a good bitumen surface the whole way.
I would suggest it could have been called ‘Ducati Day’ given the pace at which the majority attacked the twisties, in all conditions, except we didn’t have a Ducati in tow so I guess we’ll call it ‘T2 Day’ in recognition of his contribution to a great days riding.
Doug (Dodgy)
Sunday 27.07.08
Hi
new to this !! Here goes !!
After fiddling with my wonderful classic 1983 Honda CX650E on sunday Morning I arrived a fraction late in the rain to join John & 4 of us in a simply great ride.
I had just purchased [with Bubba's guidance] some new warm wet weather pants. Problem was my Honda seat and new pants defied friction and I kept sliding all over seat and bike. Some improvisation with fabric and off I went late.
With only a tiny bit of rain had a great run down freeway to Geelong approaches. Then WOW! off through North Shore around the beach side of the Shell refinery and industrial area for a traffic light free adventure tour.
Then along the Geelong foreshore, through the eastern beach parklands and out again, then through the hamlets of Moolap, Leopold, and Drysdale, before having a brief stop overlooking the pier at Portarlington.
A few photo's and other details and decision made to head for Queenscliff in time for the 1100 Ferry [Fairy]. Some great riding along near deserted tree lined Bellarine country roads and into the ancient town of Queenscliff[e]
As T2 has said -- somehow magically riding between the rainfall.
Pleasant but brisk trip on the ferry, and off for a quick ride around a number of roads and streets in Sorrento. Down to the main street and one of several bakeries filled with tourists, we had a terrific light lunch. Lots of laughter and sharing experiences and "war" stories of both bike and non bike varieties.
The the fabulous Five took to their machines again.
Rain stayed mostly away for a beaut run up to Rye / Rosebud / the freeway past Arthurs Seat and up through Mooroduc / Mt Eliza to Frankston. Your erstwhile correspondent decided to refuel and visit his aging mother in Frankston whilst the other brave 4 went directly back to the west.
On a personal note I then discovered that my treasured Honda was making some serious unwell engine noises, so after a phone call to a senior CX650 fanatic advisor, I decided to chance it and had a successful ride home without incident. 1 Honda booked into workshop for exploratory surgery this week.
1 great ride I would love to repeat with 50 of my mates, whatever the weather.
Harold
To Ayres Rock and Beyond –Another Hans On Adventure.
8/10/87 to 14/10/87
As I had 3 weeks leave, I decided to have another go at seeing Ayers Rock etc.. My wife didn’t want to come along in the car so I decided to take the K100RS of course. Much cheaper. Changed the engine oil and filter and pumped up the tyres and after a quick the bike was ready. Made some calculations re costs, fuel stops and stopovers. Checked weather forecasts and maps and determined that I would have to leave the following day if I was to get back in time for other commitments. This gave me 7 days for the planned trip. Packed a few things on to the bike and I was ready as well.
Thursday, 8/10/87, I left home at 0400. Odometer showing 74302 km. Headed into a strong westerly out to the Western Hwy to Ballarat where it is always cold and wet that time of the morning. It stayed like that all the way to Horsham, my first scheduled fuel stop. From there the weather started to improve but the headwind persisted all the way to Adelaide. En route to Port Augusta it became progressively warmer although it was still very windy. On to Pimba and Glendambo where I arrived at 1545 after covering 1290 km. As this was my first overnight stop, I pitched the ‘Tarp’ in the camping area ( for nix ) because I didn’t tell anyone or book in. As this place consists only of a Hotel / Motel and General Store, I give you one guess where I spent most of my time. It wasn’t the store. I spent a few hours in the Pub talking to other travellers before turning in for the night.
.....
Friday, 9/10, after packing up left for Coober Pedy at 0630. As the road is now sealed all the way up the centre, I didn’t have the problems I had encountered on previous occasions. After Coober Pedy rode on to Marla, Kulgera and Erldunda where one turns off to go west to Ayers Rock. After the usual fuel and drink stops arrived at Yulara at 1515.
As camping is not permitted anywhere but in prescribed areas, one has to stay here either in the luxurious Hotel/Motel or the camping ground…Again I give you one guess where I stayed. I booked in to the camping ground for $6.00 and set up camp. It had been very hot all day so a few refreshing drinks were called for to settle the dust. Today travelled 970 km.
After a few drinks and a look around Yulara which is a very modern tourist village ( and expensive ). Later in the afternoon I rode out to the ROCK to scout out the area. One has to buy a permit at the Ranger Station for a $1.50 to enter this ‘ sacred ‘ area. The Rock or ‘ Uluru ‘ is 20 km from Yulara. There is a road that goes around its circumference. I took photographs of this monolith from all angles and enjoyed the views. I decided to tackle the climb to the top the following morning. After being advised by the Ranger of the road conditions to the Olgas some 25 km from the Rock, I decided not to go there this time. Later returned to Yulara and really settled down to more relaxing activities until stumps. It is an expensive place to stay for too long unless one is well heeled.
Saturday, 10/10, packed up and rode out to the Rock at 0645. It was again very windy. I attacked the ‘Rock ‘ at 0705 precisely.. Being a fast mover I went up along the guide chain likewise, passing other tourists at speed. It was quite obvious that many of them would never make it to the top, and others should never even have thought about starting the climb. Where the chain ends at the initial very steep section one has actually only covered 1/3rd of the distance to the very top. I took a number of photographs from various levels and arrived at the summit proper after ¾ hour. There were some German tourists already up there and I asked one of them to take a couple of photos of me to prove that I did in fact make it to the top..I also signed the visitors register provided there. It was blowing a gale up there and on some tricky sections one had to be careful not to be blown over the side..Going down took me just 20 minutes with a tail wind.
Shortly after left and headed for Alice Springs, my next overnight stop. En route topped up the fuel at Curtain Springs at a whopping 78.4 c/lt. Then on to Mt.Ebenezer and Erldunda by 1100. Here I caught up with the fellow who was camped next to me at Yulara. He drove a Mazda 323 S/Wagon and told me that any vehicle was most economical at 80 km/h. I’d rather pay for the extra fuel eg. We both packed up together that morning. I covered 280 km and climbed the Rock as well, where he just drove 240 km from Yulara to here and beat me by about 5 mins. We talked for a while before he headed south and I north.. I arrived at Alice Springs at 1320 after travelling 541 km that day. Booked into the Heavytree Gap camping ground for $ 4.50 and set up camp.. I then spent some time looking around Alice Springs and did a bit of shopping before returning to camp and then adjourning to the Pub next door. It had been a very hot day and I felt that refreshments were in order. In fact it was so hot that I continuously took in cold fluids ( not always beer) . I don’t know where it all went as it didn’t go up against the wall like it usually does. When I went into my ’leanto ‘ later on, I disturbed this big Spider checking out my gear. I chased it out and I was amazed at its speed as it jumped and ran out. I guarantee it was at least 3 inches across the shoulders. After another session at the pub decided to call it a night about 2230. It was still very warm and I slept with only my shorts on, on top of the sleeping bag.
I was awakened about 0300 by something walking on my stomach up to my bare chest. This thing was the same Spider I had met earlier. After some urgent encouragement it ran right up my chest and over my head out into the darkness. Just as well I am not particularly frightened of spiders or I might have s--- myself.
Sunday, 11/10, left Alice Springs at 0645 and headed for Ti Tree, then on to Barrow Creek. Whilst refuelling I saw a small helicopter pass overhead going north. I left shortly after and lo and behold I was catching up to this chopper and then passed it. It was following the road north. When I got to Tennant Creek I had refuelled and had a drink when the same chopper caught up and flew on. Shortly after I again passed the chopper, ‘just cruising’ along. At Three Ways I turned east to Barkly Homestead for fuel and a drink before continuing on to Camooweel just over the border into Queensland where I arrived at 1445.
Just prior to that I was caught up in a very heavy downpour for about 20 km. Today covered 970 km. It had been very warm all day and I felt a bit of comfort would not go astray and booked into the only local Hotel for $17.00.
There is nothing much to see here really and the population is 90% Aboriginal. They are not allowed to drink in the Pub. Many tourists stop here when passing through and I met many people that night and we talked a lot of nonsense until very late.
Monday, 12/10, left Camooweel for Mt.Isa at 0615. There were many roos and birds on the road making for cautious riding. Then on to Cloncurry and Kynuna. From here the road was terrible for 55 km. Deep sand and corrugations on side tracks made it very dicey to even think of going fast. Managed to get through there after a few near falls where I had both legs out as a last resort to avoid disaster. After this section on to Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine and then Blackall where I arrived at 1725 feeling dehydrated after riding 1033 km for the day. I again camped for the night for $3.30. Again it had been very hot that day causing each stop to be more lengthy. Cattle alongside and on the roads approaching this place made for very careful riding and continuously anticipating evasive action. After setting up camp again checked out the place and then, yes, you guessed right, I ended up in the local watering hole to replenish lost body fluids before turning in for the night.
Tuesday, 13/10, left Blackall for Charleville at 0615. This section was particularly bad for Roos, Cattle, Emu’s and large birds feeding on the fresh carcases on the road. At one stage a large Hawk, the size of a chook, was a bit slower then his mates to take off. When I arrived at this carcase at about 140 km/h plus he was just 5 feet off the ground when he suddenly made a ‘U’ turn. I had just enough time to lower my head when this bird hit the top of my helmet and right shoulder with terrific force, nearly knocking me out. I’d hate to think of what would have happened to my bike’s fairing if the bird had hit it. I also managed to demolish a few Galah’s. When they collide with the bike at speed they literally explode in a ball of feathers. Quite spectacular. Most wild animals near the roadside are intent to cross the road in front of a vehicle for some suicidal reason or another. At one stage a large Emu was pacing me and tried to cross in front of me. On another occasion soon after Mrs. EMU and her 4 chick managed to cut me off successfully. Most Horses and cattle seemed to be reasonably road trained but everything else from Donkey'’, Camels, Roos, Sheep and all the birds including the many large Eagles were a constant danger in many areas on this trip. At Charleville I had to wait ¾ hour for the Bank to open to replenish my dwindling cash before heading to Cunnamulla. I there noticed ( noisy ) that my aftermarket muffler had broken off where it joined into the 4 into 1 adaptor. I took the muffler off and strapped it on to the back.. From there to Melbourne I travelled without it with the 2 inch outlet making a hell of a racket. From here tavelled over the border into NSW to Bourke, Nyngan, Narromine and to Peak Hill where I called it a day at 1730 after riding 1130 km for the day. Today had been the hottest day so far and the country was flat and barren. I again booked into one of the local Hotels for $12.00 and after a short look around town, shower etc relaxed downstairs in the pub with a counter tea a few ales and a yarn with others there.
Wednesday, 14/10, Left Peak Hill at 0530 for West Wyalong. It was quite cold up there. I reckon I woke everyone in town when I left at that time. The noise without the muffler was terrible. After the usual stops for fuel etc. travelled via Narrandera, Jerilderie, Tocumwal, Shepparton to Melbourne where I arrived at a particular ‘ Muffler /Exhaust System Manufacturers ‘ premises in North Melbourne at 1205 after riding 738 km so far. After looking at my broken muffler, this maker of this product, whom I have known for a number of years, ‘ accepted liability ‘and even though the muffler was about 35,000 km old, replaced it with a brand new one on the spot without charge. I was naturally very grateful and told him I owed him a beer.. he is actually an ex-member of our bike club. Obviously his reputation is important and I for one can vouch for his after sales service. I was refuelled and back home by 1315 with the speedo now showing 80,996 km.
Apart from the first few days the weather was very warm to hot, in the mid 30’s. I only struck rain once. The bike ran like it should have and the muffler was the only thing that broke on this trip. I met many people at the various overnight and other stops including a few other bike riders with whom I exchanged info. And road conditions, animal activities and hazards en route. Although I did’t attract any Police attention, I am sure that I startled some motorists as I rode past. To me this trip was something I wanted to do for a while, and having completed it, for now at least have it out of my system.
Tommy’s Corner
Re-vamp of old songsMy mother, who is 87 years old, went on a blind date with a 90-year-old man. When she returned to my sister's house later that night she seemed upset. "What happened, Mom?" my sister asked. "I had to slap his face three times!" "You mean he got fresh?" "No," she answered, "I thought he was dead."
She got out of a speeding ticket because she told the cop that she had to get there fast before she forgot where she was going.
Gossip Column
Shhhhhh You Didn't hear this from me! (Gossip Column)I hear on the grapevine we have 3 new lady “intruders” a little investigation is needed to find the goss on these ladies!
Someone also told me a certain member of the board was soooooooo hungry he ate everyone’s dessert at the Christmas in July dinner......Naughty Naughty.
I also hear a certain little Hot wheels has a new bike??? Can anyone confirm this?
Ohhhhhhhhh did you know the ladies are out on the town again 9th August for Lunch a Two course meal, a glass of Victorian wine and tea/coffee for $35.00! Sitting at 1.30pm ...If you haven’t already contact Mags wink wink.
Get to Know you "The Prez"
Ok so who’s next??? Email me your profile and pic of you and your bike! debbie.do@bigpond.com
Raffle Winners
Hope You all enjoy! Take Care and Safe Riding
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YOUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS
| Position | Office Bearer | Telephone Contact |
| President | Glenn (Bubba) | 0418 395 786 |
| Secretary | RickH | 0418 138 885 |
| Treasurer | JohnT | 0407 427 361 |
| Ride Co-Ordinator | John Edwards (T2) | |
| Social Co-Ordinator | Ornella | 0422 639 845 |
| Quartermaster | Lex | 0439 728 435 |
| Webmaster | Tony | 0412 459 566 |
| Newsletter Editor | Debster |