Motorcycle Awareness Week - Biker's Breakfast

As a social part of Motorcycle Awareness Week the Friday Biker's Breakfast is always popular with riders dropping in for an egg & bacon roll or sausage sandwich (or both) and a cuppa before their day begins. 

Set near one of the pools (regrettably empty) in front of OPH the Breakfast offers a chance to wind down from the week and a catch up with fellow riders.

Canberra branch provided the BBQ support: here are a few of our BBQ team:

Mick, Peter, John, Chas and Jen on duty (Note Joe Rider in the background - doesn't that guy get around!)

Motorcycle Awareness Week - Ulysses at the Forum

On Wednesday 22 October the Canberra branch of the Australasian College of Road Safety held an open forum "Whose responsibility is it" (to look after the safety of motorcycle riders?) Drivers or the motorcyclists themselves? 

The open discussion on motorcyclist safety included a presentation on the trial of lane filtering in the ACT. Speakers included representatives from MCC NSW, JACS and ACT Policing. 

The forum was well supported and provided a useful exchange of information and views.

Ulysses was there  - here are a few of our own from Canberra branch.

L to R: Chris,Garry,Jen, Chas,Mick,Tracey and Jen

Chomp & Chat and Rusty Riders - Lanyon Homestead – 19 October 2014

Travellers -

• Geoff Wookey    Suzuki Bandit 1250    
• Arthur McGlynn    Kawa 1700
• Garry McCurley    VFR1200    
• Kris Fraser    GSXR1300
• Steve Mills    SV650    
• Mike Kelly    BMW R100RS
• Col Whittaker    Honda VT 750    
• Jo & Helen Dutton    Honda ST1300
• John Barratt    BMW GS800F    
• David Greig    Vstrom 650
• Rachel Crispin    Kawa KT 300 Ninja    
• Emma Campbell    Suzuki Intruder 250
• Manfred Halton    R1200R   
•  Mick & Tracey Winters    Triumph Trophy

As this ride was a Chomp and Chat we assembled at the very respectable time of 10.30 under the golden arches at Weston - perhaps not such a great idea for a Sunday morning meeting place as the car park was full and we gathered on the footpath huddled under a tree. However the weather was good and we were all looking forward to a ride in the sunshine. 

Rumours of a crowded ride through the planned Cotter Road route with Veterans riding, other bike groups, Tidbinbilla Open Day along with the ubiquitous pushbike riders etc, forced a change of plans as this was a trip for Rusty Riders. One rider decided to chance the original course while the rest of us travelled the scenic route along Parks Way, past Duntroon and the Airport, dogleg at Queanbeyan, down Old Cooma Road, north along the Monaro Highway and then through the wilds of far Southern Canberra to all arrive safely at Lanyon Homestead. Here we met up with the lone Cotter rider who reported the road wasn’t nearly as cluttered as forecast – oh well, maybe next time.

 There were maybe twenty cars in the car park at Lanyon but thanks to the ride leader’s contacts at this establishment we enjoyed our own private marquee for lunch. There was a menu full of choices, but the grilled sausages and steak sandwiches seemed to be the favourites. Had Peter Arday joined us he would have found a fellow tea connoisseur. We sat for quite a while chatting, making the most of the good food and the beautiful views of the surrounding Brindabella Ranges and Murrumbidgee River.

 After lunch most of the group left for home, but 7 of us stayed for a guided tour of the Homestead and its outbuildings. While the English amongst us scoffed at the idea that a house built in the 1840s could be considered historic, to us Aussies the homestead was testament to the fortitude and ingenuity of the early settlers. The other side of the river was unexplored territory and in those days you were a long way from civilisation and any sort of help if needed. Convicts built many of the outbuildings.

The highlight for me was the stables with the original timber stump floor made of sections of tree trunks cut and fitted in a close packed hexagonal pattern – this was apparently softer on horses’ hooves.

Lanyon at this time of year is beautiful – the wisteria, climbing roses, lilac, lavender and poppies are blooming. The many varieties of fruit trees are green and the severely pruned photinias sprouting bright red leaves provide a striking contrast. Lanyon is a picturesque destination suitable for a short Sunday ride – somewhere to while away a few hours.

Tracey Winters

Motorcycle Awareness Week 2014

 Another timely reminder for Motorcycle Awareness Week 2014 from Jen Woods:

 

Yes, it's time once more for Motorcycle Awareness Week!

The week long campaign is hosted by the Motorcycle Riders Association of ACT. The event launches on Saturday 18th^th October and the event will run all week, with a discussion evening organized by the ACT Chapter of the Australian College of Road Safety, themed around the question “Whose Responsibility Is It?” being held on Wednesday 22^ndOctober from 6.30 to 9.00pm at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Cnr Catchpoleand Bowman Streets, Macquarie. Have you registered yet?

JOE Rider, rider awareness campaign also kicks off for the week, and the Bikers Breakfast and Ride to Work Day is on Friday 24^th October, in front of Old Parliament House on King Edward Terrace from 7.00 to 9.00am.

We'd love to see you at these events during the week.

Jen

on behalf of the MRA ACT Committee

0418 215 336

Motorcycle Awareness Week 2014 - Joe Rider

Jen Woods President of the MRA ACT writes:

Hi all,

with Motorcycle Awareness Week being run from 18th October, we are seeking riders to wear the JOE Rider vests for the week. It's important that we have enough riders wearing the JOE vests to enable other road users to see JOE. This is being supported by a radio campaign to ensure the message goes out to our community that they should watch out for riders on the roads.

This “Spot Joe Rider” campaign will be launched Saturday 18th October. Riders wearing the JOE Rider vest will ride all week, during peak hour and other times of the day, from all points of Canberra, and members of the public are asked to keep an eye open for JOE and report in where he/she is “spotted”. All sightings should be logged to joe.rider@internode.on.net

If you'd like to be "JOE" for the week please let us know by return email, or email to

committee@mraact.org.au

or by phone to  0418 215 336.

Thanks to those of you who regularly do this for us - making a difference.

Thanks

Jen

on behalf of MRA CT committee

Follow us on Twitter @MRAACT

One Tree Poker Run - Tuross Head

Annette Kennewell, from the Tuross Head Country Club has written to invite us to attend their One Tree Poker Run on Saturday 25 October.

For more information and to register please visit http://www.turossheadcountryclub.com.au/pokerrun.html

Further information or flyers to can be obtained from Annette on 4473 8186 or mobile 0417 203 610.

Bungendore Car and Bike Show, 4 October