Xmas Party 2016 - payment info

If you are going to the Branch Christmas Party and would like to pay online the following message from Andrea will answer your questions!!!

Hi All,

Can we please let the members know that they can pay via bank transfer if unable to come to meetings.

Details are:

NAME: Andrea Lanagan

BANK: National Australia Bank

BSB: 082-926

ACCOUNT: 81-245-9968

Please include your NAME in the Remitters advice.

I also ask you to contact me via text/email to notify me of the transfer so that I can confirm payment and add you to the list.

You can contact me on: 0421 901 960 or andrea.lanagan@icloud.com

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Cheers

Andrea

If you have missed the Dinner info click here!
 

M.A.S.T.E.R.S. COURSE 26th November 8.30 – 4.30 pm

M.A.S.T.E.R.S. COURSE
 
Mature Age Skills Training for Experienced RiderS or “M.A.S.T.E.R.S.” training is a defensive road skills course initiated by the Motorcycle Riders Association of the ACT, developed and conducted by Stay Upright Rider Training and partially subsidised by the ACT Government. For this reason the training is available to ACT and region riders only.

TARGET GROUP:
Long-term licensed riders from the ACT and surrounding region only who have not had any formal rider training in the last 15 years and who are returning to motorcycling after a lengthy break.

CORE OBJECTIVES
Receive individual assessment and tips to improve your riding enjoyment and improve mental and physical control skills. Increase confidence and build a systematic and safer approach to riding.

CONTENT
•    manoeuvring (body english),
•    normal stops,
•    quick stops,
•    braking,
•    steering (curves, slaloms etc),
•    lead and follow the instructor.
All activities are optional and conducted at a pace to suit you – no pressure, no performance targets.

TRAINING ENVIRONMENT
Closed circuit

DURATION
11 hours (3 hr classroom session, 8 hour practical training)

COST
$160 (remember, M.A.S.T.E.R.S. is subsidised - Ulysses members may be able to claim a further subsidy if they have not previously claimed it in their 3 year membership cycle)

LICENCE PRE-REQUISITES
Open rider licence holders only.

BOOKINGS
The Qualification Questionnaire must be filled prior to booking and then,
•    Phone 6297 1144, or use our online enquiry or booking form.
•    http://www.stayupright.com.au/masters-course

NEXT COURSE:
26th November 8.30 – 4.30 pm (with the 3-hour classroom session 6-9 pm the previous evening) 
 

Motorcycle Awareness Week 2016

Motorcycle Awareness Week is held over the third week of October from the 15th to the 22nd October.

The launch kicks off on Sat 15th Oct 10:00am at the Harmonie German Club where JOE RIDER (and the many Joe minions) will be sent on their way.

Mid week there is a Riders Forum: How Good is your Protective Clothing? 
On Wed 19th Oct 6:30 @ 8:30pm at the Spanish Australian Club , 5 Narupai Place, Narrabundah. We are invited to come along and hear the researchers who were on the ABC’s Catalyst Program about motorcycle
clothing: http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4433001.htm
Guest speakers will be Dr Liz de Rome, Principal Consultant and Managing Director of LdeR
Consulting and Dr Chris Hurren, Research Fellow (Fibre Science And Technology) at Deakin
University. There will be a cost of $15 per person on the door, with finger food provided.


Then on Friday 21st Oct 7:00 – 9:00am,the BIKERS’ BREAKFAST will be held at West Lawns, King
Edward Terrace.


Jen Woods from the MRA ACT has also sent out a call for volunteers for riders to be “Joe Rider”. Joe Rider is an awareness program where everyone is encouraged to spot Joe as he/she rides around Canberra and the ACT region.
Reporting a “spot” will put you in the running to win a hot air
balloon flight! Joe spotters should email their sighting to:
joe.rider@internode.on.net

Those of us familiar with the SMIDSY ( Sorry Mate I didn’t see you) excuse offered to motorcycle crash victims would well understand how a little  encouragement for drivers to “see” Joe will help train those drivers to see motorcyclists. Its certainly a program that captures the support and enthusiasm of riders in general - tell your friends and family - help get
everyone spotting “Joe Rider”.

Motorcycle Awareness week is a great opportunity for all local riders to take part to spread the word for motorcycle awareness , and to further share this with friends, workmates family , and most importantly, through the Joe Rider
campaign reach the general public. So get involved, work that social media and boost our presence in the minds of our fellow road users - its a good and fun opportunity for the safety of all of us!

*** XMAS 2016 - DINNER INFORMATION ***

Ok, lovely people - we will be going for the Buffet for Xmas Dinner as decided by the people. 

Cost for dinner will be $47.50. 

Payment needs to be made prior to the evening to confirm numbers. I will take payment at the October and November meetings or by arrangement prior to November meeting.

Can those intending to go, please indicate on the event invite and if partners are coming along too, or email me at andrea.johnston1@westnet.com.au.

Cheers Andrea
0421901960

Updated online payment info here!!

 

Sunday 2nd October 2016 Club ride to Cootamundra – Ride Leader Chris Dietzel (LOL)

After a week of totally terrible, very soggy weather, Sunday 2nd dawned without those soggy grey clouds and by the time we gathered at Gold Creek the sky was without clouds (in fact Allan searched all day for a cloud and was very disappointed!). With the fabulous 10 assembled by the advertised 9.00 am departure time some serious finger drumming took place as we waited, waited and waited for our ride leader who had not sent any sort of excuse, nor we understand, bothered to return to the same hemisphere, to appear.

After a lengthy wait, Peter Arday (a true gentleman) stepped up (actually, we all stepped back) and took control. His proposed route along the Barton Highway then via the Nanima Road to Gunning, then on directly to Crookwell was OK’d by everyone and we set out mindful that it was a double demerits weekend! While the weather was perfect, we could not say the same for the road and the first part of the ride was actually a game of dodge the pot hole and watch out that the centre of the road between the rows of (some very enormous) potholes, was not lumpy. There were a few wet corners too and one ‘dip’ with water flowing through it (I think, I actually closed my eyes, throttled and hoped we would be OK which we were).  

Safely in Gunning we regrouped and lined up for coffees and a bit of informal banter with a group of bike (the push type) riders (read insults such as “I hear pushbikes are a bit like kelpies, they like to get out for the day but love to come home in the back of a ute” and “did you truck your bikes out and hop on just around the corner?”). Coffees down, the sunshine continued as did the lack of clouds and the run into Crookwell was much less potholed and relatively traffic free.

On arrival in Crookwell, Trevor did a quick scout around and as the only eating options were the pub and a takeaway shop until the cafes opened at 12 we decided to head to the Trappers Bakery in Goulburn for lunch (much to Kyla’s disgust as she had ridden pillion in the expectation that she could spoil herself with a couple of ales at lunchtime – sorry Kyla). The run to Goulburn was very smooth, totally lacking pot holes and as we left Crookwell we were joined by Mike and Sharon who had anticipated lunch in Crookwell – but having recognised the ride, followed us anyway.

On arrival at Trappers Bakery several of us witnessed a ‘smash and dash’ – when a pushy flat top ute driver (young, mug lair?) took the gap between cars turning right out of whatever that road is and a parked car, and took out the parked car’s mirror and scratched the wheel arch. Peter Arday picked up the pieces (I told you he is a gentleman) while the rest of us stood in shock and surveyed the damage – and when the owners came out of the Bakery we were able to explain what happened (and Peter kindly handed them the broken bits of mirror) but lamented that none of us had noted the number plate of the ‘smasher’ ute. Then all of a sudden a small car pulled up and a young female Good Samaritan leapt and said she had the number plate of the ute who had apparently also cut off the car she was in and when they saw what happened they followed and noted the number plate. Good girls!

I just happened to have my notepad handy (for collecting data for this report) I handed it over and the owner of the smashed car owner noted the details of the ute and the witnesses names. Drama over for us, we left the scene of the crime and headed inside for lunch.

The Trappers Bakery did us proud – lunch came quickly, was tasty and the chatter around the table was the usual lies, stories, brags and a tiny bit of the weekend’s footy. Mick was nominated to assist with the bakery’s cleaning up policy (see pic with sign) before he and Kyla headed home (I think for Kyla to have the beers she missed out on at lunch!).

So, lunch done, no more excitement in Goulburn we headed down the highway to check out Lake George from the lookout with the half of Canberra who weren’t at Floriade, and for those of who have lived in Canberra forever, to share memories of water-skiing on the lake, floods, the road at its former low level, drownings and similar facts and legends in the Lake’s history. Then home very quickly. Still no clouds.

Thanks to the lady in charge of the good weather for a great day’s riding and for disappointing Allan re the clouds. And thanks to the Ulysses crew for making a great day terrific, despite the glitches along the way.    

The fabulous 10 (originals):
Mick and Kyla Harvey FJR 1300
Andrew Campbell FJR 1300
Mark Triumph Bonneville
Peter Arday ST1300
Allan Grimes Harley Fat boy
Kim Moorey F700 GS
Genelle Mills F700GS
Trevor FJR 1300
Jenny Carlin C600 sport

And the late arrivals (both fabulous also):
Mike and Sharon Kelly BMW R1200RT

Jenny Carlin

Call for Joe Rider Volunteers for Motorcycle Awareness Week

Hi all

During Motorcycle Awareness Week we need riders to wear a JOE Rider vest and ride your normal routes all week, from 15 - 22 October. The JOE Rider campaign is to raise awareness of motorcycles and scooters on Canberra roads, and this year the campaign is also supported and being held by the Councils surrounding the ACT.

The MRA ACT is supporting the rider awareness campaign by radio and media information, asking other road users to look out for and report their sightings of JOE, by emailing to joe.rider@internode.on.net all week. To run the campaign successfully we need your support to be JOE Rider - as before, all you need do is wear a JOE Rider vest.

We know many of you have them from previous years - please get them out of the shed and wear them for the 15 - 22 October. If you'd like a vest to wear for the week  please contact us on committee@mraact.org.au.

Please also promote the campaign by displaying the poster at work, on intranet sites, FB pages, websites etc 

Many thanks

Jen

VP MRA ACT

0448 336 111