BMWMCQ JOURNAL AUGUST 2017 by BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB QUEENSLAND

www.bmwmcq.org.au

AUGUST 2017

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.

Established 1958

The Ultimate Riding Machine

WELCOME

TEAMMOTO BMW MOTORRAD

SPRINGWOOD! TeamMoto’s newest BMW Motorrad location is up and running on Springwood’s motorcycling hub, Moss Street. So if you have a BMW that needs some TLC then don’t hesitate to bring your pride and joy to the team at 59 Moss Street, Springwood!

Share your BMW journey with our dedicated team who are willing to give you the experience you’re looking for. Whether it’s servicing your current ride or looking for a new one, you can give us a call on 07 3442 1396 to make your dreams a reality! There is signage and fit out still to come, but you can stop in or visit us online at teammotobmwspringwood.com.au to check out our full range of BMW motorcycles.

TeamMoto BMW Springwood 59 Moss Street, Springwood | (07) 3442 1396 teammotobmwspringwood.com.au

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.

The Committee President - Richard Maher Ph: 0415 111 454 president@bmwmcq.org.au R 1150 R

This Issue - AUGUST 2017 Contents:Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Club Venue & GM. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Great Killarny Bed Swap of 2017. . . 6 General Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . 11 Monthly Ride Report . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Woolshed Jondaryan . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Cindy’s Africa Zimbabwe - Botswana. 15 B@B CHERRABAH . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Killarney Bonfire Night. . . . . . . . . 21 Riding the Great White Cloud. . . . . 22 Michael and Ann GS Road Trip . . . . 27

BMWMCQ Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 BMWMCQ Events Calendar 2017. . . 30 Cupla Adverts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Getting in Early for Christmas . . . . . 35

Ph: 0422 080 524 editor@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT

Advertisers

Records Officer - Craig Brennan

Cafe2U - P.28 Good Wool Store - P.32 HydroTac(R) Lenses - P.28 Motorcycle Adventure Products P.28 Munich Motorcycles - P.32

Shannons Insurance - P.34 Northside Motorcycles - P.34 Morgan and Wacker- Rear Cover TeamMoto - Front Cover

Vice President - Les Fitzpatrick Ph: 0418 197 709 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 GSA and a few more

Secretary - Greg Gaffney Ph: 0411 424 219 secretary@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT & R 90 S

Treasurer - Tony Gray Ph: 0409 493 605 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 GS (The Grey Ghost)

Editor - Dave Hepburn

Ph: 0422 907 934 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au R 100 RT

Regalia - Kellie Wicks regalia@bmwmcq.org.au F 650 GS

Tools/Spares - Geoff Hodge

Ph: 0413 180 101 tools@bmwmcq.org.au F 800 GT + R 51/3

Tools/Spares - Bill Luyten Ph: 0438 123 747 tools@bmwmcq.org.au R1150 Rockstar - R1200 GS LC

n The Cover... Michael and Ann Ahlberg continue the amazing European tour. Their blogs make great reading and they really get a feel for whatever country they are in at the time... I love Prague one of my all time favourite cities...I‘ve spend a lot of time here and it is well worth the cost and effort to visit....

Events -Trent Smyth

events@bmwmcq.org.au R1200 GSA and a 92 R100 GSPD

Sub Committee • Dealer Liaison / Advertising - Don Grimes Ph: 0411 601 372 • Forum Moderator - Garry Hilton

Club Details BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc. ABN 30 351 243 651

Address all correspondence to: The Secretary PO Box 3669 South Brisbane QLD 4101 Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at the:

Moreton Bay Sports Club, 175 Boundary St., Tingalpa

A Club Ride is usually held on the first Sunday after the monthly meeting. BMWMCQ AIMS The objectives of the BMWMCQ are to increase the enjoyment of motorcycling by: 1. Improving the opinion of the public towards motorcycling in general and associated members particularly, by careful, courteous, considerate riding, especially when riding with the Club, and rendering assistance to all road users in difficulty.

2. Improving the service and availability of spare parts for BMWs in Queensland using the advantage of a united effort. 3. Decreasing maintenance and running costs by mutual assistance on mechanical problems. 4. Organising day trips, tours and outings. 5. Encourage and support Regional Ride Groups 6. Affiliation with other clubs/associations where such affiliation would be of mutual benefit. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this Journal are those of each contributor and are not necessarily shared by the Editor, management, and / or membership of the BMWMCQ. The Editor reserves the right to refuse any advertising or delete any material which could be considered or interpreted as questionable, libellous or offensive, without consultation. WEB SITE Visit: www.bmwmcq.org.au

AUGUST 2017

Dave Hepburn

Editorial Editor’s Report

hat a magnificent month weather wise July was…Cold in some locations, bloody cold in others. I enjoyed a great milestone birthday in July and will be treated to the final phase of the celebrations at a Mt Tamborine Tree House Retreat for a couple of

nights in August. Just a reminder on the Service Day to be held on 13 August 2017 at Charlie Brown’s home: 31 Wall Street Bundamba… (Ipswich Area (near the Cougar Fuel Station?)) Starting at 0930am. See Tools’ Officers report for further details. A big thank you to this month’s contributors to the magazine: the usual suspects but a couple of newbies also; Cindy, Tony, Jane, Richard De Groot, Mal Cremer, Richard Maher, the Royals and Kelly Wicks. A big welcome to Trent Smyth who has agreed to take up the Events Coordinator reigns and disappear into the sunset. I enjoyed a number of outings over the month, notably the Monthly Club Ride, the Killarney Bonfire Night not to mention having to share our dining evening with the German Club Choir cause there was no booking made for us this month. That won’t happen again… I’m not saying the choir was bad... Just saying…. I heard that the Frigid Digit was a roaring success and maybe some enterprising Laddie or Lassie can write it up for the Magazine with a view to getting a few more participants next year. I understand it is camping only next year… might have to bite the bullet and camp out …how bad can it be…have to use a camp stretcher though…still got my Snow Line sleeping bag from the good ole days. I most heartily endorse the sentiments expressed by Richard our president and look forward to working with all club members to achieve a harmonious club environment. Here’s too many more great riding days weather wise before the heat sets in. Stay shiny side up Regarding Submissions

Submissions to the journal should be relevant to BMW motorcycles and or to the BMWMCQ and its activities. Articles or Letters to the Editor may or may not be published if space does not permit or if the content of the submission and or letter is not considered to be of interest to members or not in the interests of the Club, our sponsors or advertisers. Members are encouraged to use this, our journal; to express views, float ideas or make inquiries of other Club members on technical, organisational or other matters which may benefit the Club and its associates. Submissions should be kept to a reasonable length and maybe edited or published in part only, if the Editor considers it necessary. Note – submissions close on the 15th of each month! BMWMCQ Committee

Committee Reports Richard Maher

AUGUST 2017

President’s Report

s I write this the threat of the Koreans dropping a bomb on the Americans looks perilously close. If the Americans retaliate we could loose North Korea and possibly Darwin. How on earth did Darwin get dragged into this I wonder? I figure if this ever becomes likely, the only effect it will have on us is less Harleys, watery beer, and Hyundai’s to cause us grief during our leisure riding. Life is too short as it is to worry about what might happen. So I reckon you should just get your motorcycle outta the garage and go for a ride. That’s why I joined the club; to drink real beer and ride real motorcycles. I’m sure it’s why you joined as well. I’m taking the philosophy that you really joined this club to have fun and spend time with like minded people and get away from that annoying mental midget in your workplace that grinds you into the ground at every opportunity over the most insignificant issue. Well rest assured that is not going to happen here. The club has had its ups and down lately and I have taken the approach to deal with these issues in the committee and encourage more comradery at the general meetings, on social events and rides. Neither I, nor the committee, will be acknowledging cranky people or poor attitudes. These will be ignored. If you have a legitimate issue, there is an appropriate method of getting this to the committee. Please don’t throw it out there at a general meeting. General Meetings usually include visitors, new members and guests. This is not the sort of behaviour for this forum. I’m not saying it won’t be dealt with. I’m saying it will be dealt with by the committee at the appropriate time and place. This may not necessarily be at a general meeting. Club members have the ability to attend committee meetings to table and discuss any topic. This is the way it has always been done; I see no reason to change it now. I think the general meetings should be a place where you can relax, laugh and let your hair down, well… if you have any hair left. It should be a place where you rejoice in the company of good friends and where you can laugh at a person for riding a R1200 cruiser because their legs are too short. You could try and make fun of people who ride “K” bikes. Come on…we’ve all done it, but as I have been gifted with not one but two long term opportunities to pilot K bikes over the last year; I suggest you look else where if you consider plucking up enough courage for this task. Go be cheeky to an owner of an end of series “R1200CL” or a parts bin special R100T or gasp, worse still, an un-loveable F650CS with the tank-bag stereo speaker kit. Go google it and then consider how bad a workday that designer must have been enduring when they created that little oddity. Frankly I don’t care what you ride if you turn up at a club meeting or a club ride on a BMW scooter or one of these funny little C1’s with a windscreen wiper and a seat belt. You are welcome and you will be treated like all the others on their new GS’s and GTL’s. That’s to say you will be seated orderly by bike type and colour and model. Be kind and respectful to each other and enjoy your motorcycles. I’m the President. I have the gavel. Don’t make me get an orange comb-over and tweet “fake” news comments out 140 characters at a time.

Remember members, if you ‘log-in’ to our Club’s Web Site you’ll find our journal is in full colour

-take a moment and have a look @ www.bmwmcq.org.au ‘Viewing Tips’ - PDF is best viewed as a Two Page Spread - Click on ‘View/Page Display and tick ‘Two Page Scrolling’Be sure both - ‘Show Gaps Between Pages’ and ‘Show Cover Page In Two Page Vew’ Are Ticked

Submissions for the next journal (SEPTEMBER2017 Edition) close on the 15th AUGUST 2017

AUGUST 2017

Les Fitzpatrick

Committee Reports Vice President’s Report

NOTHING TO REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2017 Les Fitzpatrick vpres@bmwmcq.org.au

The Great Killarney Bed Swap of 2017

The Sundown Motel and the Great Killarney Bed Swap of 2017

irstly what happens on tour stays on tour (or so I have heard) until enough alcohol is consumed then all the stories are dragged out of the cupboard. So to protect the innocent/guilty/snorers and those absent all names have been changed. The scene is set when the date for the Killarney Fire Festival is announced and put on the club website. The race is on for those keen to attend (as word had got around from those who attended the year before the great time that was had by all) to book a bed/room before there would be no more. Rooms were booked or assumed were booked months in advance but sadly as the time drew closer some were to discover that their bookings were no more. Some grabbed whatever they could in the hope of swapping with others who got in first. For one member, on finding out that his booking was no more, was told that a patch of grass could be found to unroll his swag. So the day has come to meet up with friends, to discover that a valued member was not to attend due to circumstances unforeseen; but, her partner was still keen to lead the merry little group along great roads with great scenery and great food. New friends were introduced to take the bed space that has just become available. So in total for this first part of the adventure there are six bikes and eight people. Along the way another two bikes were met making this little group now ten. Others met at other locations with a brave member keen to be ride leader; some took the direct route with loved ones or even arrived the day before to explore other activities taking place along the way. On arriving at Killarney, ways were parted to unload the bikes at various room locations. Those not staying bid farewells. Some were to discover that rooms that were booked and swapped days in advance at another location were no longer to be had. So at the Sundown Motel we have one cabin, two double rooms (one with a double bed and a single bed in it) and a room with three single beds.

So one couple arrived on the Friday and when well settled into their room, came out to sit and watch the fun of sorting the rooms for another 2 couples and three single men. Due to valued member unable to attend and a partner who had fulfilled the duty of ride leader parting ways and giving up the cabin to the new friends, it was left to the rest to sort out the bed arrangements for the night. Sounds very simple you would think? So the single room which was booked by the other couple (as there were no more double rooms) was swapped with the member who had booked the double room. Easy! The camper had now gained a bed and promised those on either side that a new record for breaking the sound barrier was to be had with his snoring. A bed that was booked at another location was no longer available and the member arrived to say farewell to those at the Sundown motel to be convinced that a spare bed was to be had in the room with the double bed. All done and bags were unpacked and drinks were poured; some showered ready for the fun of the night when a phone call came advising of bad news for our new friends. Those bags and bikes were repacked and goodbyes were said with a promise to ride with us again. This meant that the deluxe cabin was now available. After discussions or debates (depends on who tells it) it was decided that the couple with the double room with the single bed would take the deluxe cabin and the snorer who promised to break the sound barrier decided that three was definitely a crowd and packed his bag and moved next door into the now vacated double bed. This made two rooms very happy that there would now be extra sound barriers between them. News was then sent to the original booking holders of the deluxe cabin thanking them for the upgrade to be told “no problem, enjoy your night in the haunted cabin”.

Continued on page 11

Committee Reports

AUGUST 2017

Tony Gray

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurers Report BMWMCQ– as at 18 July 2017

$ 3,866.84

Funds Available Business Cheque Account 10243020:

Paypal Account:

Total Cash Assets as at 18 July 2017:

$19,086.93

Funds Available Premier Investment Account 2249 3654:

$14,910.57 309.52

Payments Out: - Office Supplies $ 26.96 Income: Memberships to Cheque Account $ 200.00 M’ship & regalia from Paypal Acc to Cheque Acc $ 386.75 Interest (Investment Account) $ 183.40 Payments Approved by Committee: Nil Comment: The Premier Investment Account matured on 14 July and the Club Committee has agreed to reinvest the full investment for another period of 6 months. Funds may still be withdrawn under conditions.

teady as she goes on the Finance front as you can see from the numbers above. Next expected major payment will be the Club’s annual insurance premium which is currently being assessed. On a personal front Jane had the idea of hosting a lunch for the club at our home and our ever reliable stand-in Events Officer, Cindy, pencilled this in for Saturday 15 July. Jane’s idea was to not only “round up the usual suspects” # but also to give new members and non-riding partners an opportunity to meet & mix in a relaxed environment. The perfect winter weather brought out a strong rollup of 30 for the day and presented a photo opportunity with the bikes lined up out front. The neighbours were impressed. A big thanks to all who helped Jane on the day and with the plates that were brought along. Also special mention to new members Dave & Lesley (Kilcoy) and Huw & Liesel (Narangba) and club regulars Richard & Wendy and Richard & Lynda (Sunny Coast) who made the long trip to the S-W suburbs. # Capt Louis Renault – Casablanca (an old favourite). Jane’s prose pinned on the back wall for those who may have missed it:

You seem like you’re all a pretty decent bunch We thought we’d invite the Club to lunch So then I decided (just on a hunch) I’d better start making some stuff to munch How many was always going to be the crunch You guys sure know how to pack a punch So WELCOME ALL to our humble abode Eat and enjoy till your tummies explode

AUGUST 2017

Cindy Bennett

Committee Reports Events Coords Report

reetings, It has been a fun couple of months looking after the role of Events Coordinator, and I am pleased to hand over the reins to Trent who I am sure will excel and bring a different style to the role. The Events Coordinator role is dynamic and at times thankless, but ultimately rewarding when an event comes together at a great venue, with great people and everyone participating in the spirit of the Club – which I see as sharing the enjoyment of motorcycling, both on rides and social events catering to differing tastes. It does disappoint me when there are negative comments made; especially heard about second hand. Direct communication and feedback are admired and respected, and those who do have improvements to suggest, these are always welcome in a constructive manner. Remember the Events Coordinator role works best on the suggestions of members, so if you have a great idea that you want to see happen then check out the calendar pick a free date and let Trent know the details. This will ensure diversity of events and add to the overall enjoyment of the Club, which is why I am sure, we are all members. Cheerio for now, Cindy Bennett (Outgoing relief Events Coordinator – no, not outgoing with relief) I personally regret your going Cindy; it has been a pleasure working with you….Ed.

To all our BMWMCQ members, Please welome Trent Smyth as our new Events Coordinator. I anticipate your support and assistmace in this sometimes difficult role......Ed.

Trent Smyth

Events Coords Report

i all; I have been asked to write my first item for the journal as the new events coordinator. I am taking over as of August but have already hit the ground running; helping to amp you all up for future events and posting an event for the next service day coming up. For those that don’t know me; my name is Trent Smyth I have been a member with the club since April last year; I currently own a 07 R1200GSA and a 92 R100GSPD. I have been riding for about 6 years or so and love it to the point that I don’t own a 4 wheeled vehicle at this time. I am looking forward to working with all member to help get some great events up and running for the club. If I happen to miss anything please just send me an email thru the website or to gsadventurelife@ gmail.com Now coffee mornings are not my strong suit so if you have any coffee morning location that you think would be great to try out please let me know; other than that I can’t wait to help the members plan some great events. Trent Smyth events@bmwmcq.org.au

I am pleased to advise that, like previous Events Coordinators, Trent has a great sense of humor...I asked for a photo (head and Shoulders) that I could use for the Magazine this is what I received......Ed.

Committee Reports

AUGUST 2017

Bill Luyten & Geoff Hodge

Service Day

he Club will hold a Service Day on 13Aug 2017at Charlie Brown’s place starting at 0930am: Location: 31 Wall St.

Bundamba. (Ipswich area) Oil drain pans and oil disposal available.

We will be providing a Sausage Sizzle and Drinks for a gold coin donation.

Tool’s Report Spares Still Available Filters - Air K Series K1200 (LX628) x2 $16.00ea

Filter - Fuel

K & R Series in line (KL145) x1 $20.00ea

Brake Pads

Even if you’re not going to maintain your own bike, come along and help someone else or give your expert guidance/ opinion on how to fix the machine.

520HF - R60, R75, R80, R100 x1 $27.00ea G391ST - K1/100RS/1100LT, RS/1200RS, LT R80R, C/850/100/1100/1150 x6 $43.00ea

Contact Tools Officers:

Tools

There are Special Tools available (see Below List) including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools.

Bill Luyten 0438 123 747 (wluyten@bigpond .net .au) or Geoff Hodge 0413 180 101 (ggilps2@optusnet .com .au)

Club email:spares@bmwmcq.org.au

TOOLS HIRE SPARES AND SALES

There are special tools available:

Special Tools

Twinmax electronic carburetor balancer (Twin BMW engines) Vacuumate (electronic synchronization of throttle valves up to 4 cylinders) Clutch alignment shafts (3 sizes) Compression gauge (cylinder pressure) Steering head bearing puller and seating tool Gearbox output flange puller GS-911 Wi-Fi Diagnostic tool (Wi-Fi and USB Version) GS-911 3 pin interface Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS) tool Enduralast hall sensor tester

Club Tool Loan:

$50 deposit (refundable) for GS911. Tools and spare can be picked up or brought along to the next meeting or Club ride.

Spares Sale at Cost Price

The Committee has decided to not continue selling spares so when our existing spares are gone they will not be replaced.

Spark Plugs

XR5DC (K/R1100) Bosch Super x2 $10.00ea

Oil filter removing tool - (OCS 1)K/R4V x5 $13.00

From the Pen of Jane Gray

BONFIRE AT KILLARNEY JEGJul2017

For days the logs have been piling higher Hot food, warm wine is all we require We gather around with one desire To see them torch this giant pyre Bagpipes wail, the moment is tense The pile of logs is just immense Flames shooting skywards, so intense On a winter’s night it makes good sense So hot we could be next to the sun Like moths we’re held by the magic spun A great night out with lots of fun Who wants Killarney to be an annual run?

Committee Reports

AUGUST 2017

Kelly Wicks

Regalia Officer’s Report

ow, what a month! How cold was the morning of the club’s July ride!

For those who do not have one, there are still plenty of beanies for sale. Also please see the list below for further clearance items.

CLEARANCE Adventure Satchel was $35.00 now Bucket hats (small only) was $20.00 now Men’s grey polo shirt was $40.00 now Men’s grey T-shirts was $25.00 now Men’s fleece vest Was $35.00 now Ladies grey polo size 12 only was $40.00 now Ladies navy polo with white piping was $40.00 now Ladies fleece vest was $35.00 now

$30.00 $16.00 $ 35.00 $20.00 $30.00 $35.00 $30.00 $30.00

Kelly Wicks regalia@bmwmcq.org.au

Craig Brennan

Records Officers Report

nother month takes me by surprise, again. As I have less time on this mortal coil, I swear the time is accelerating at an exponential rate. Feel free to give hugs, or money, at this time. There is of course very little to report, members come and members go, so at least I can’t bore you with the details. I’ve just returned from the Killarney Bon Fire Night with fellow club members. We had a good time and there are reports of much carousing taking place. (Not me!!!

honestly.) A definite highlight was the following morning when catching up with others over breakfast. Through some administrative blunder I managed to score FREE bacon and eggs. It was grand. I heard some theory espoused that every 7th breakfast was free. I can’t vouch for the veracity of that. Anyway; that’s all for now. See you all ‘round the traps.

Committee Reports Greg Gaffney

AUGUST 2017

Secretary’s Report

MINUTES OF THE JULY GENERAL MEETING 06/07/2017

Opened: 7.30 pm Apologies: David Whale, Ian and Alison Sayce, Mervyn Bone, George and Maggie Rafanowicz, Mark Gilbert, Graham Healey, Peter Ferguson, Murray Brown, Bill Luyten Visitors: Lindsay Prowse F 700GS New Members: Nil Minutes: Dave Hepburn and seconded Greg Gaffney. President: Richard expressed his sincere condolences for the loss of Alan Geritz who passed away recently. A remembrance was held in the club room at the Moreton Bay Sports Club. David Whale tendered his resignation from the Events role. Cindy will temporarily stand in for this role. Vice President: The Motorline shop in Moss Street Springwood is to be refurbishment. They are now part of Team Moto and are keen to get our business. The Honda workshop over the road will be doing the maintenance in the short term. Treasurer: This month $386.75 was transferred from the PayPal account to the working account with a balance of $3700.16 which was predominately membership renewals. The investment account has a balance of $14,700 Secretary: Greg invited members to come and a have a look at club journals from NSW and Victoria. Editor: Dave asked if any members had any articles or images of Alan Geritz who passed away last month as he would like to put something in the journal. Regalia: Kelly showed some new caps now on offer and would like some feedback. There are beanies still available for the upcoming Frigid Digit. Records: Our membership numbers are still in the 290’s Events: Cindy reminded everyone of the Presidents ride on the 9th July, the Frigid Digit on the 29th Richard de Groot informed everyone about the next B2B at Cherrabah and the numerous activities available over the weekend. All information is on the FaceBook event site. Richard also promoted the ride to the Phoenix hotel in Gympie on 19th August. Jane Gray spoke about the open invitation to their place for lunch on the 15th July. Lastly Gary Bennett updated us on the Frigid Digit on the 29th July. Raffle: 1st – Tony Malone , 2nd – Sal Dakhlaa , 3rd – Jim Bormann , 4th – Jim Bormann , 5th - Duncan Bennett, Closed: 8.42pm

The Great Killarney Bed Swap of 2017 continued from page 6

hile sitting on the veranda with drinks in hand with bedding finally sorted, who should wander down with son in tow but our ex Editor Bill (yes I know I said I wouldn’t name names) who had secured a room through Air BnB just around the corner. More alcohol was consumed before venturing down to the Fire festival and meeting up with more friends. More fun was to be had by many present making our way back to the Sundown Motel camp kitchen where the pot belly stove was fired up for more stories to be told. Good nights were said and true to the words the cabin definitely had some strange goings on with the power coming and going all night long. I am not sure that the sound barrier was broken but true to his word the record was certainly given a dam good try as vouched by the roommate the next day where ear plugs were all the rage.

Confused!! Well I guess that you just had to be there. Kelly Wicks

Photos of usual suspects have been scattered throughout the magazine....Ed.

AUGUST 2017

HEMMINGWAY - SHEMMINGWAY 07.00 am Morningside.

he small eagle soared effortlessly around the in the thermals created by the blue winters morning. I stood in the driveway, sun in my eyes listening to the shrieks from the bird of prey as it picked out its next victim. I pulled on my $10 Aldi gloves and decided to do a little hunting of my own. A gentle caress of the starter button saw the K1200GT, my weapon for the day, leap into action and gently settle to its natural clatter at around 1000rpm. I had just bid the bride and the red dog farewell on their assault run over the peaks and valleys of the Seven Hills Bush Park. Everyone had a job to do today. Mine is to lead the July Sunday Ride with 25 of my closest friends. We were hunting Japanese sports bikes and we were not going to be taking any prisoners. This is why the Editor doesn’t let me write to many ride articles in the journal they all read like a rejected Hemmingway script. We started the day the Caltex Carseldine. I was late, nothing new there, move along. I was on a borrowed K1200GT and I didn’t know if the owner had a toll pass. I took the long route via the Valley, only to find a crane blocking the streets. I chose the footpath to the amusement of the traffic cop. I made it with a few minutes to spare. Frankly who would have left without me? They didn’t know what the planned route was as I don’t have a GPS nor had anyone uploaded a GPS route on my behalf. I planned the route out with Charlie Brown last Saturday; in a car with a pencil and paper. Charlie kept looking at me curiously during the ride, throughout the morning, as not much of the route we took last week was similar in any way to the route we took today. The rough plan was to Mt Mee for smoko, Lunch at the Nudgee Beach Hotel and then down Nudgee Rd to Eagle Farm for the RACQ Motorfest; Only a short day’s ride; As it turned out, 60Klm trip; for me Morningside to Morningside. We (well basically me) made an executive decision to bypass the lunch stop and head to the Vehicle Show as it closes at 3.00pm. If you have never exited Brissie north via on Collins Rd Everton Hills, and over Clear Mountain Rd you are missing a great ride. We will do it again rest assured. We headed towards Mt Mee via Dayboro and Pitstop Café. We managed not to loose anyone and all arrived around an hour after leaving Carseldine. No U Turns were made that I was aware of. We spend a lazy hour or so chatting amongst ourselves with coffee, scones and carrot cake.

Monthly Ride Report JULY 2017 Those who are regulars at Pitstop Café know to bring their own flasks as the service can take a while due to the motorcycle patronage on a Sunday. Toddy showed us a pic of himself aboard his 1200 Triple Black taken by a local photographer who stalks motorcyclists on some of the more interesting corners. You can find the photographer on Facebook and $5.00 will secure you a pic of yourself looking mighty impressive down and dirty in the corner. I’ll get a proper link and post it on our page shortly. Toddy assures me you can book the happy snapper for a ride past as a club event. We headed down the Mountain avoiding Dayboro as the Local show was in town this weekend. Back to Brissie through Petrie and Cashmere, Albany Creek past the Aspley Hyperdome and over the new Train Bridge at Geebung that I didn’t even know existed. I mean who goes to the North side really… Bypassing the Nudgee Beach Hotel; and heading straight to the Venue. I dutifully rang the Hotel and advised them that no one turned up for the ride so I cancelled the booking. I did however read with interest later in the day on Facebook that two club members turned up for lunch and shot a big hole in my carefully thought out fib. My Apologies to Steve and Rosie; I hope you enjoyed your romantic lunch at the Nudgee Beach Hotel, which, by the way is nowhere near the beach. I had it on good authority that we could park on the North side of the racecourse. The local policeman closed the road off for us and allowed us all to enter the carpark together. Or so I thought. We were ushered into a choice position with other forms of motorcycles only to discover we had lost half of our numbers and our tail end Charlie in the process. The splitters had chosen to enter via the front gate and subsequently parked their motorcycles in the shade near the main entrance. I wandered around for an hour or so finding plenty of interesting vehicles to capture with my camera. Next year I’ll bring some sunscreen as winter days in Brissie can usually result in sunburn in no time at all. Returning to the motorcycle in the middle of the horse paddock I found it covered in a fine layer of dust. Not being known for my motorcycle cleaning skills; I rode home in a spirited manner, gently removing the recently settled dust like a professional cleaner. Bike looks like new again and I was home by 3.30pm and well within the time I promised I would be home: Another first. Richard Maher

MRR- Photos - Pitstop Cafe

Why So Serious ?

AUGUST 2017

The Woolshed at JONDARYAN

Cindy’s Africa Part 4 Zimbabwe to Botswana Africa Part 4 – Zimbabwe to Botswana (and a little bit of Zambia)

ay 52 of our Cairo to Cape Town adventure had us crossing into Zimbabwe which I had been in equal parts anticipating (Victoria Falls), and dreading – Smart Traveller website says you are 6 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed on the road in Zimbabwe than Australia!

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unfortunate incident with the boom being lowered onto him by the operator. Bikes are toll free but you have to go through singly which was Andrew’s error. He fell and sustained a cut on the forehead but the 1200GS was uninjured. Lesson learned by all of us, including the toll booth operator who learned some handy Australian swear words. A downside of touring Zimbabwe is the cash crisis. After a famous period of hyper-inflation, the US dollar is now the official currency but a local currency “funny money” runs concurrently. This is confusing and we were unable to use any ATM’s, those with cash had a very long line and the maximum withdrawal was $50. We cottoned onto a good method of getting around the system – paying for fuel by over-estimating on our Visa card and getting the change in cash. Worked quite well and enabled us to have a small supply of notes needed for the roadside stops and fines!

Now in Zimbabwe, East Africa Highlands

Our ride toward the capital of Harare was through the East African Highlands, which provided a very pleasant lunch venue to devour a meat eaters delight prepared by our hotel in Tete that morning. Fighting the desire to have a nap under a tree after our meat extravaganza we ploughed onwards in an increasingly hot afternoon.

Carnivorous lunch delicacies

Entering the outskirts of Harare and a toll point boom gate, our ride leader Andrew had an

Zimbabwe $50 million dollar note from the hyper-inflation days, one of the smaller notes! On the subject of fines, Duncan was one of the

Duncan’s Admission of Guilt for Speeding naughty, naughty

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Cindy’s Africa Part 4 Zimbabwe to Botswana

first to be caught when he was pulled over at a police speed trap. Over the course of the next few days in Zimbabwe everyone in the group (except me) was handed a fine, and each road-block targeted a different “offence”. Craig on the V-strom copped a fine for his rear number plate light being on the blink. The heftiest fine was USD$60 but they were mostly in the $10 to $20 range. It was mandatory to carry a reflective vest and have red and white reflective tape squares on the front and back of the bike. These were often checked at the stops. After 2 nights in Harare which was not a very inspiring city to visit, we headed south to Masvingo and the “Old Zimbabwe” ruins. The lodge was constructed in the same style as the ruins, with huge granite stones as a feature and very similar geography to the Granite Belt area around Stanthorpe.

The ride to Gweru was only about 200km but the road was the most pot-holed bitumen we had encountered so far. Some would have swallowed all bikes (except the GSA) whole, so constant vigilance was needed especially with approaching traffic also working in slalom fashion across both lanes to avoid the pot holes. An enterprising young lad with a bucket was filling in some of the smaller holes with gravel and his mate was further on with another bucket collecting cash donations. We were told that most public officials had not been paid for 6 months, so fines and donations were the only income they had, and routine maintenance of roads had suffered accordingly Our day stay at Antelope Park was amazing (although no antelopes were seen), and a definite highlight was walking with lions.

Old Zimbabwe Ruins accommodation and ruins near Masvingo

The following day we headed westwards to Gweru where we had a highly anticipated stay at Antelope Park where they rehabilitate lions back into the wild.

The lion walking “Rules of Engagement”

Watch The Potholes

It was very confronting to be standing outside the lion’s pen when they are released and start running towards you! There were a lot of rules and we were given a stick -probably not much use in the event of an attack- but even with a limp still plaguing me, I didn’t become lion lunch and had a wonderful and definitely unforgettable experience. Later that afternoon I had a chance to get up close to a lion cub that had been

Cindy’s Africa Part 4 Zimbabwe to Botswana orphaned, and was really just a big friendly kitten.

Cindy keeping a close eye on that suspicious lion

The downside of Antelope Park – as with a lot of the accommodation off the main road was the access track, and it was 6km of sand and muddy water crossings to get in and out of the place. Duncan very kindly rode my 700GS across the 2 worst water crossings as I didn’t feel confident with a very slippery surface and my healing leg.

Our intrepid group with 2 of the lions

Day 57 and the anticipated ride into Victoria Falls was a 600km day, which got increasingly hotter as the afternoon wore on, to over 35 degrees. It felt much hotter as I was pulled over at roadside police stops 6 times and although not unlucky enough to be fined (maybe being a female rider worked in my favour?), it always turned into a long discussion about where we had come from and where we were heading. The local people including the police were very friendly and interested in our travels. This constant stopping at road blocks spread the group thin and I found myself riding solo a lot of the day. A highlight of the day (aside from finally arriving into Vic Falls) was a meat pie for lunch purchased from a petrol stop at Bulawayo, although no

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tomato sauce was on offer!

Hoovering into a meat pie, our first since leaving Brisbane

Our 3 day stop in the famous Victoria Falls didn’t disappoint and included zip-lining across the gorge for Duncan, and a traditional dinner with all manner of local fare. I even tried Warthog steaks and Impala stew, and Duncan ate a Mopane worm, a bit like a witchetty grub, and got a certificate to commemorate the occasion. We visited both sides of the famous falls which had us dripping wet in our rain ponchos, and left us in no doubt as to why it is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We took the opportunity to visit Zambia very briefly and spent less than 2 hours in the country – a record for me that’s for sure.

Spectacular Victoria Falls

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Cindy’s Africa Part 4 Zimbabwe to Botswana

Back in the saddle on day 60 and a short run to the border with Botswana. The currency of Botswana is the Pula and it was our 8th different currency to become quickly familiar with. From the Malawian Kwatcha at an exchange rate of around 1600 to $1 Aussie Dollar, the other interesting names of the Egyptian Birr, Mozambique Metical, to the more straightforward Egyptian and Sudanese Pound we had enjoyed spending them all.

The support truck with Bayne the mechanic was kept busy draining oil and flushing while the sensible folk that caught the truck over were on the way to the night’s accommodation.

The V-strom and the flooded road

Bikes at Botswana border and OK we will be careful, promise!

Squeezing Betty onto the back of the truck An early arrival at lunch time into our accommodation at Chobe Bush Lodge allowed a swim to rid ourselves of the lingering riding sweat, before an afternoon river cruise on the Chobe River. Elephants, hippos, buffalo, crocs and wildebeest were all on display while we cruised and enjoyed gin and tonic refreshments then a stunning sunset as we came ashore.

A hippo giving us the “money shot” at Chobe National Park

The following day was just over 400km so we were looking forward to another early arrival into Planet Baobab near Gweru. However recent rains conspired against us and on a low-lying section of the road it was apparent that the bikes would not be able to proceed further. Luckily some local businessmen with a flat bed truck loaded 5 of the bikes on the back and carted us the 5km to the other side of the deluge, all for a very reasonable $10 charge. Terry on his 1200GSA and Andrew on a 1200GS braved the floodwaters only to have water ingress into their sumps.

The highlight of our stay at Planet Baobab was a trip to see meerkats that have become accustomed to humans and the curious little critters come right up to you.

Crazy curious critters, gotta love meerkats! Our time in Botswana was coming to an end, but not before a trip on Makoro canoes to the Okavengo Delta. These very shallow draft canoes make for a water level view of the spectacular water lilies, reeds and hippos. So with just over 2 weeks of our trip left, and 2 countries remaining we had travelled around 12,000km of Africa...

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Richard and Wendy’s B2B Cherrabah

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Back to Cherrabah Resort

BMWMCQ - B2B # 14 Saturday 30/9/2017 to Monday 2/10/2017 Cherrabah Resort, 1 Keogh Road, Elbow Valley, Warwick 4370, Queensland. Organised by Richard and Wendy de Groot & assisted by Cindy and Duncan Bennett. What members need to do to ensure this is a successful event: 1. Prior to Saturday 12 August 2017. Notify Cindy Bennet by email to dcbenn@bigpond.net.au if you wish to join the winery bus tour on Sunday 1/10/2017. Include the names of all persons who wish to attend the tour. The cost is $95 per head. Payment is not required at this time; however, has to be made to Cindy by Saturday 16 September 2017. See the tour details below. 2. Prior to Wednesday 13 September 2017. Phone Cherrabah Resort on Ph No 1800 023 788 (free call) and book the required accommodation, dinner and breakfast package. Members should inform Cherrabah Resort staff that they are booking for the BMW Motorcycle Club of Qld event on Saturday 30/9/2017 and as required on Sunday 1/10/2017. Members are responsible for all their own costs associated with the event. The check in time on Saturday 30/9/2017 will be from 2 pm; and a late check out time for 2 pm can be arranged with Cherrabah staff (when booking) for either Sunday or Monday. Any special dietary requests should be made direct to Cherrabah Resort staff. 3. Prior to Saturday 16 September 2017. Notify Richard de Groot by email to wen_rich@bigpond.com if you intend to join either the touring route or GS route ride from Blacksoil on Saturday 30/9/2017. 4. Prior to Saturday 16 September 2017. Those who have booked for the winery bus tour; forward payment of $95 per head to Cindy Bennet. Payment can be made by bank deposit, Paypal or cash. Contact Cindy to arrange. EVENT DETAILS Dinner and accommodation packages are available for Saturday and Sunday nights. Members have the option of attending the event for one or two nights. The accommodation packages include a hot buffet 2 course dinner for Saturday and Sunday and a hot buffet breakfast for Sunday and Monday. Packages have been obtained to suit those who wish to reserve 3-star motel style ensuited accommodation or camping facilities which have the availability of hot and cold showers. The venue is accessible by all sealed roads. For details of Cherrabah Resort grounds and facilities and activities available at the resort go to the Cherrabah web site – http://www.cherrabah.com.au/ There is a swimming pool at the resort. Don’t forget to pack the bathers. Members attending at the resort for both nights will have the opportunity on Sunday 1/10/2017 to either undertake a motorcycle tour of the beautiful Scenic Rim area (Boonah, Lake Moogerah, Warwick, Stanthorpe and other areas) at their leisure; or participate in a winery bus tour from Cherrabah Resort.

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Richard and Wendy’s B2B Cherrabah

Winery Bus Tour: For an additional charge of $95 per head, join an organised bus tour of the Stanthorpe winery district departing from Cherrabah Resort on Sunday 1/10/2017 at 9am and returning by 5.30pm. The cost of $95 per head includes visits to several wineries and a brewery in the Stanthorpe area and is inclusive of all costs for wine tasting and a 2-course cooked lunch. MOTEL (3 Star) CABIN STYLE ACCOMMODATION (Prices include Breakfast and two course Evening Meal with tea and coffee) 1 Night Option TWIN SHARE Including Buffet Style Evening Meal & hot cooked breakfast $95.00 PER PERSON (E.g. A couple is $190.00) 2 Night Option TWIN SHARE Including Breakfast both mornings Including Evening meal both nights $190.00 PER PERSON (E.g. A couple is $380.00) 1 Night Option SINGLE ROOM (1 Person ONLY) Including Hot Cooked Breakfast Buffet & Buffet Style Evening Meal $140.00 PER NIGHT 2 Night Option SINGLE ROOM (1 Person ONLY) Including Breakfast both mornings Including Evening meal both nights $280.00 PER NIGHT CAMPING option Including Hot Cooked Breakfast Buffet & Buffet Style Evening Meal in the restaurant $65.00 PER PERSON/PER NIGHT Pre-dinner drinks at bar prices will be held in the spacious resort bar from 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Dinner will be held in the restaurant from 6.30 pm on both days. The venue is licensed and should any members arrive prior to 4 pm on either day; the bar will be open as per licensing laws. The minimum dress standard for dinner on Saturday and Sunday is good casual.

Organised Touring and GS route rides to the event on Saturday 30/9/2017. All members to meet on Saturday 30/9/2017 at 9.00 am at the BP Service Station (westbound) Warrego Highway, Blacksoil for a 9.30 am departure. Rider briefings for both groups will be held prior to the departure. The ride leaders for the touring route (on all sealed roads to the resort) are Richard and Wendy de Groot. This will be a lead ride and no GPS co-ordinates will be provided. The total touring route to Cherrabah Resort will be approximately 288 kilometres from Blacksoil. The ride leader for the GS route will be Duncan Bennett. Duncan Bennett will provide further advice in respect to the GS adventure route. A lunch stop at Lizzy’s Kitchen, Mackaway’s Café, 33 Queen Street, Harrisville (Ph 07 54671751) will be included in both rides which will arrive in Harrisville at approximately 11.30 am and then depart at about 1 pm and arrive at Cherrabah Resort at 3 pm or a little later.

Richard and Wendy’s B2B Cherrabah

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Gourmet Buffet Dinner Menu for Saturday 30/9/2017 & Sunday 1/10/2017. Saturday Night Dinner Menu – • Choice of 2 roast meats, Roast Pork and beef. Sides - Roast potato and pumpkin, Cauliflower bake, Carrots and beans in a buttery glaze. Fresh baked dinner rolls. Desert – Apple crumble and custard, Pavlova with fresh cream and fruit. Coffee and tea. Sunday Night Dinner Menu – • Alternate drop main meal. Chicken Parcel stuffed with Brie, cheese, asparagus and sundried tomato and Glazed Pork King Cutlet. Selection of vegetables. A selection of desserts. Event Contact Persons: • Richard de Groot - Mob Ph No 0419 755 375, Wendy de Groot – Mob Ph No 0408 842 968. • Duncan Bennett - Mob Ph No 0458 293 569, Cindy Bennett Mob - Ph No 0401 610 671. DON’T MISS OUT ON WHAT WILL BE A MEMORABLE AND ENJOYABLE LONG WEEKEND BMWMCQ EVENT AT CHERRABAH RESORT WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

BOOK NOW; DON’T DELAY!

All roads north and south of the border lead to Cherrabah Resort

KILLARNEY BONFIRE NIGHT

he Killarney Bonfire Night is a unique fixture on the club’s calendar. It really has nothing to do with Motorcycles and there is no official club run to the event. Club members had attended over recent years and word spread about how much fun was to be had at Killarney on the unofficial ‘Christmas in July’ date. There was a strong club contingent registered to attend but some accommodation anomalies and personal disruptions caused a few late withdrawals. Regardless the club was strongly represented with most domiciled at the Killarney Hotel or Sundown Motel. There were also a couple of informal rides organised to the event from Brisbane. There are so many ride options available from Brisbane when Killarney is the destination with most choosing a circuitous route. Our small group rode out through the Lockyer Valley with the morning break at the top little Caffe Sorella in the old General Store in Forest Hill. Lunch was at the Royal Hotel in Leyburn after climbing the range via the MaMa Creek road to Clifton. A leisurely afternoon run across the Downs had us in Killarney before the sun lost its

warmth and an expected drop to a 1 deg C overnight minimum. The Bonfire night was in its 7th year with the beneficiary being Killarney Memorial Aged Care. Many community services benefited from the myriad food stalls on site at the show-grounds. For those of us old enough to remember ‘cracker night’, that annual pyrotechnic extravaganza that delighted kids and terrorised bureaucrats, the bonfire was always a central tenet. The timber pile comprising the Killarney bonfire was far bigger than any I had witnessed as a child. It sat with unreleased latent energy in the centre of the show arena surrounded by a myriad of burning effigies displaying the talents of local artisans who had constructed everything from Hot Rods to Dragons in burning fire drums. The oxy torches had been working overtime in the lead up to the BIG NIGHT. The Hot Rod and a Minion (you’ll understand if you have kids or grandkids) won the best fire drum awards for 2017.

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Riding Abroad - Try NZ with Mal Cremer

Travel in New Zealand on a Motorcycle Hire a bike or ship your own bike

ew Zealand is a great place in which to spend some time. The scenery is spectacular; the roads are not too congested; the locals are friendly and are happy to provide information on interesting places to visit. It is even better if you travel around by motorcycle. Like many people, I have travelled by car in both North Island and South Island. However, recently I have twice ridden a motorcycle in NZ - Feb/Mar 2016 (starting in Auckland, North Island, and 4000+ km) and Feb/Mar 2017 (starting in Christchurch, South Island, 4000+km). In the first instance I hired a Suzuki V-Strom DL 650 (sport/touring motorcycle , comfortable contoured seat, ABS brakes, six speed close ratio gearbox, fuel injected, twin cylinder, redline @ 10,000rpm, 230kg wet with luggage) and in the second instance I shipped my lightest motorcycle being a Suzuki DR 650 (dual sport motorcycle, seat not unlike a builder’s plank (but made passable with a lambs wool cover), five speed box with ratios spaced for off-road riding, carburettor, single cylinder, redline @ 5500, 175kg wet with luggage). For security of luggage both motorcycles were equipped with hard panniers. The places people visit and what they like to look at are, in the most part, based on personal preferences. I will not go into that area in any depth or provide a large number of photos. Instead, I would like to provide information based on my recent motorcycling experience, accommodation types, general touring information, timing, weather, shipping a bike versus hiring a bike and other things worth considering etc.

When to go/what to consider

If you look at motorcycle hiring organisations in New Zealand, the higher cost period is mid December to mid March i.e. the high season. The weather is probably a little more stable, but it is worth remembering that NZ is an island in the middle of the southern ocean and consequently weather patterns can and do change quickly at any time of the year. There are a few other things you may want to consider before you hastily hit the “book now” symbol.

Events and their impact on accommodation

This is one of the most important items to consider – particularly so if you or your fellow travellers have a desire for a particular type or standard of accommodation. New Zealand fortunately has a great range of accommodation types and standards. However, many NZ families travel extensively because of the diversity of activities and scenery plus the range of accommodation available. The period starting the first week in December to the first week in February is school holiday time;

so all forms of accommodation are in very high demand. Even outside the school holiday period there are many sporting/food/river festivals/rafting schools/agricultural events etc that can quickly soak up accommodation. It is of course possible to book a few days ahead and your accommodation needs can be (mostly) covered. For myself, however, I prefer to be flexible as to where I will go. This approach, for me, provides an opportunity to go east if it is raining heavily on the west coast or take the winding track up to the lakes/mountains/historic town/museum that a local has convinced me I should not miss. On both occasions I travelled by motorcycle in NZ I took camping and cooking gear and have used it on both trips. In some cases the cabin or motel option was more attractive than putting up the tent and at other times the only option available was to use the tent.

Roads

Primary or secondary roads are generally well constructed. Most roads are finished with a coarse chip top layer that provides good wet/dry grip, but many roads do not have wide shoulders. In addition there is often a drop to the natural surface so getting the motorcycle off the road to take photos can be a challenge – if you have a pillion I suggest you ask them to take the photos as you ride. Because of roadwork you will be riding on dirt at some time during your travels. Locals informed me that road works are predominately undertaken February to May because of the more favourable weather and to use money remaining in the local government works budget. Road works are either a few kilometres in length and cut to the sub-base or short section patches to the road surface. When finished the road does not get a final sweep (...the cars will do that when the road is opened!) and so pea gravel can be on the surface. It is not unusual to be nicely set up for the corner and halfway through the sweep appears a major patch covered in gravel. Sure gets your attention! Depending on the light/shadows and road dampness, this pea gravel can be hard to see if you are wearing sunglasses. After my experience in the North Island I bought a helmet with a built-in retractable sun shade. This certainly helped as lighting conditions change quite a lot as you wind around the mountain roads. With a helmet like this you can more easily and safely make adjustments for changing light and shadows on the road. There is nothing worse than getting caught with the sunglasses on when you find yourself in a shady section of repaired and/or damp road and nowhere to safely stop.

Hiring or Shipping

Hiring or shipping your own motorcycle de-

Riding Abroad - Try NZ with Mal Cremer pends on the time you have for your trip and what you are comfortable with. For short trips, hiring is a good option and for longer trip, shipping works well.

Hiring

This is easy and can be arranged via web sites as there are a number of motorcycle hire firms in both North and South Island. The advantages include the ability to specify the type /make of motorcycle you want. Hard panniers for security plus a GPS can be hired if needed. Relative to shipping you will also save time collecting your transport and getting on the road. High season hiring costs are around $NZ150 - $NZ200 per day including insurance and roadside assistance but not damage waiver - a security deposit of around $NZ2500 is required (in case a bike is dropped). Hiring cost vary by $NZ10 - $NZ20 a day depending on the season and length of hire. Low season (mid March to December) and more hire days reduce the cost.

Shipping

This allows you to take a bike you are familiar with and have your own tools for any adjustments. The length of time you have in NZ is determined by the out and return dates of your shipper. I liaised with Dave Milligan of Get Routed and had a choice of three dates between November and March. As the first and second starting dates coincided with school holidays I chose mid Feb from Brisbane to mid March from Christchurch. The minimum time you will be in NZ will be a month. Shipping takes a bit more of your time and there are a few things to consider. You have to get your motorcycle to the shipping agent and follow the rules for shipping: - motorcycle must be (completely) clean; battery disconnected; drain fuel tank (2litres is ok); panniers off the bike; panniers unlocked; bike unlocked and in neutral. The only things that can be shipped in panniers are riding gear and boots.

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Shipping means you will be without your bike for about ten days at the start and finish of your travels. This can vary as you are at the whim of port logistics and quarantine officers but your shipping agent will provide collection dates closer to travel time. The shipper I chose uses containers for transport so no crating of the motorcycle is required and no compressing of forks.

Bits of Administration before you go

Import Licence – you will need to apply for an import licence for both NZ and Australia. Your shipping agent will provide the information you need to send to NZ. To bring the bike back into Australia you will need to apply to the Australian Government Dept of Infrastructure for an import licence ($50). This is not difficult really and can be completed on the web. For me the hardest part was the work I had to do to get a good photograph of the compliance plate showing the bike VIN details as it was obscured by wiring harness and headlight surround. A vehicle carnet no longer required for vehicle import to NZ but a bond at15% of value of bike will need to be lodged with NZ customs. The bond will be returned to you when your bike leaves NZ. Payment and refund is handled by your shipping agent. To ride your bike in NZ your bike needs registration and a Warrant of Fitness (WoF = roadworthy in Aus). This process can take about half a day (a lot of standing around) and the cost is about $NZ70 for both. Things tested and noted include stopping distance from a pre-determined speed; tyres tread depth; lights/indicators all working, general condition etc. Make sure you have your original registration papers and your driver’s licence. You can arrange comprehensive insurance for your motorcycle in NZ. If you have a new motorcycle it is worth considering but the cost is high. Bringing the bike back to Australia involves taking the bike to the shipper, remove the panniers and top box, disconnect the battery, and leave everything unlocked for inspection. The bike must be spotlessly clean which takes a bit of time. Authorities are very strict on this in Australia.

Other considerations

BRISBANE LOADING

If you are a member of RACQ you can arrange six months reciprocal membership with AA New Zealand at no cost. This has to be done in person with proof of membership – not just the membership card. This gives access to very good maps, local interest sites/activities and road condition information. RACQ Ultimate that you may have in Queensland is not transferable. However – and I think this is great if you have take own motorcycle – you can upgrade to AA Ultimate in NZ for $NZ49 for a year. The beauty of this is that if your motorcycle has a catastrophic failure and cannot be fixed in a reasonable

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Riding Abroad - Try NZ with Mal Cremer

time, your bike will be transported to any address in NZ that you nominate, for example your shipping agents loading yard. Consider also Mobile phones – coverage is not always available but buying a local SIM as it is better than using roaming. I have used Spark and Vodafone SIM’s. Vodafone works better. Check the operational frequency of your phone as the 2G/3G/4G network frequencies are different from Australia. Internet – available at most accommodation places and all NZ public libraries have free fast internet. Monitor the weather frequently - you may have to alter your travel plans. Talks to people - most locals are very helpful and pleased your visiting their country. Tourist Parks - offer very good accommodation options so think about purchasing membership ($35 - $40 for two years). It is amazing how a membership number helps find the last remaining spot in a busy location. Some park memberships in Australia have reciprocal arrangements in NZ (Big 4 and Top 10) Emmachezit (NZ for how much is it) (I forgive you Mal….Ed. (expat Kiwi)) So what are the costs involved? To get your bike to and from NZ including the charges for customs and Vehicle Testing NZ will cost approx $2000 (2018 figures). If you want to ride a motorcycle and have time to explore the many interesting roads and places then shipping is a good option. For the cost of shipping you would hire a midsized bike for 12 days. If you ship your bike you can ride for 27 days (and pay for the extra two weeks accommodation). An alternative to shipping/hiring is to buy a motorcycle and enter a re-purchase arrangement with a dealer. I personally enquired about this a couple of years ago and this trip I spoke to a UK traveller who bought a new motorcycle and negotiated a re-purchase price. For his two months touring his expected cost was just about 70% of the hire rate as he paid for Auto Association (AA), insurance and the dealer insisted on a new rear tyre. Where the hell are you? Your family may be concerned that you have not made contact for a while and are lost in the wilds of the west coast of South Island or they simply may be just interested in where you are. As I was travelling on my own and off the beaten track at times, I purchased a DeLorme inReach SE satellite tracker/communicator to take with me. This provides two way communications via email and mobile phone SMS to and from people you nominate as well as the normal one touch SOS emergency rescue links. The unit also has a variable tracking mode that places a GPS marker on a map (operator defined frequency of drop - 10 minute to 4 hours).

Nominated persons can have internet access to the map and by zooming in can see exactly where you have been and where you are. The unit uses the reliable Iridium satellite network and communication is not affected by cloud (important in NZ). This may seem unnecessary to some but the mobile phone service in several parts of South Island (and North Island to a lesser extent) is variable. I could have easily gone over the side on some of the trails I was on and in some instances nobody was around. Having the device secured to me (it is only the size of a hand held UHF radio) and it gave me (and others) peace of mind. Things of interest – South Island has variable countryside and much to look at. I really like heritage buildings and museums with displays of aircraft (Wanaka, Blenheim and Christchurch), motorcycles (Invercargill) and classic cars (Wanaka) and local history. These are all in abundance in South Island plus wine growing areas and really good fruit. The local wines from the Marlborough region (north east South Island) are good quality but surprisingly expensive. The same wine from this region is much cheaper in Australia! Interesting as the local business press noted that the cost of freight NZ/AUS was amongst the most expensive in the world based on distance! Must ride roads Most of the roads are good riding but I will mention a few that I found outstanding. In North Island – the road between Frasertown and Gisborne is simply spectacular in changes in elevation, changes in direction, and scenery. It was 125km of riding pleasure – so good I turned around at Gisborne and rode it back to Frasertown and stayed in Wairoa. In South Island – The ride up the west coast; the road from Greymouth to Arthur’s pass; the ride from Havelock to Picton (Queen Charlotte Drive) to Blenheim; Twizel to Mt Cook next to the lake; From Queenstown go to Arrowtown and take the mountain road to connect to the Cardrona Valley Road and ride all the way into Wanaka. I will have to stop here – I will be filling the page! Mal Cremer

Riding Abroad - Try NZ with Mal Cremer

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

NATONAL COURSE DATES COURSE PRICE $85 PER PERSON CONTACT # 0427 464 266 BOOK NOW QUEENSLAND 2017 Jun 3 Brisbane/Grange Brothers Leagues Club 10.45am - 3.30pm Jun 4 Brisbane/Ipswich Ipswich Golf Club 10.45am - 3.30pm Jun 10 Brisbane/Birkdale Redlands Multi Sports Club 10.45am - 3.30pm Jun 11 Gold Coast/Currimbin Palm Beach Currumbin Sporrts Club 10.45am - 3.30pm Aug 12 Mackay Oct 14 Bundaberg Sep 10 Cairns Oct 15 Rockhampton

Michael and Ann (the royals) GS Road Trip Europe

GS Road Trip Europe - East to North

udapest (Hungary) was a special City, with emotional war memories like those special bronze shoes (so life like) left as men, women and children were machine gunned, with bodies falling in to the Danube river or the several memorials to Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who gave up friends, career and his life, to save hundreds from the Nazis. Krakow (Poland) had its memorials, like the “Schindler’s list” factory, salt mines and of course, Auschwitz, which was much larger than I expected. I mention these, because they took us away from the fast roads and into some very enjoyable country roads. Entering Czech Republic was almost without any border control and it was our last time to pull out the passport for customs. On this trip, in Prague (Czech Republic), we spent a whole day and night to really check out this iconic city, with its special huge cobble stone streets and criss-crossing street cars. Near Warsaw (Poland), we found a private car and bike museum containing amongst many other brands, 20 very good condition Rolls Royces, with a few Silver Ghosts and up to more modern ones. The previous Pope was remembered in the city, as were several war memorials. Northern Poland had many choices of great motorcycle roads through Sherwood-like forest. In one of those you’ll also find the Wolf’s Lair, the place where the most serious assassination attempt on Hitler took place, but it’s much more than that. It was like a whole city of two-three story bunkers with three-meter-thick concrete walls, to protect or house important Nazis by the hundreds. Kaliningrad (Russian enclave state) changed their Visa rules, making it much harder to visit, so instead we went to Riga in Lithuania, for many of

AUGUST 2017

(Gefle 24th June 2017)

Ann’s researched attractions and some nice roads, and of course no border controls at all as we cruised up through Latvia and into Estonia. Tallinn in Estonia was our favourite, with medieval type streets and alleys with restaurants and shopping. Parking the bike was no hassle. From Tallinn, we took the ferry (Tallinn link) to Åland Islands. The ship was not like a ferry but more like a cruise ship with glass, mirror, brass and velvet surroundings in Bars, Cafes, Casinos, Nightclubs, Shops and Restaurants. You would also enjoy the price! Looking at the price for two 9 hour cruises, two people and motorbike and cabin first to Åland then on to Stockholm we paid a total of $500. You can also go direct to Stockholm from Tallinn. Åland Island is a self-governed Finnish province of mainly Swedish culture. With some persistence, we managed to do 220 k here across the islands. It’s a sleepy holiday island area but had some sentimental value for us. What every tourist would really enjoy is cruising into the Swedish archipelago to Stockholm by ship in golden yellow sunshine and blue sky (The Swedish Flag). It was awesome. Stockholm is my birth place and the Green Grass of home and we enjoyed all the special places for a couple of days. Traffic was easy and in no time at all we took a trip north to Uppsala before swinging south to Motala visiting my sister and celebrate midsummer festivities. We must have saved a lot this trip in petrol, food and accommodation going Italy and all those countries in the Balkans and then up Eastern Europe, instead of going through price levels of central Europe. Continued on page29

AUGUST 2017

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f one single donation can save three lives, imagine how many more could be saved if your group donated together. (Quote from Club Red web site.)

f you have enjoyed reading the stories in this and previous editions, you may be surprised to know that they were written by members just like you. Therefore you can be assured others would like to hear your story. Send your stories and pictures or requests for help to editor@bmwmcq.org.au

Michael and Ann (the royals) GS Road Trip Europe

AUGUST 2017

The next part of our journey would see us heading way north to the midnight sun after visiting old biker friends in Gefle. The scenery, roads and attractions so far have been all we could possibly have wished for, save for some rainy days in the Northern Balkans.

Michael and Ann

AUGUST 2017

BMWMCQ 2016 Events Calendar

BMWMCQ 2017 EVENTS BRG AUGUST

Thursday 3 Sunday 6

Saturday 19

Wednesday 16 FRI 25 - 27 Sunday 27

Ride Leader / Contact

9:30am

Sat Coffee Run

TBA

7:30pm TBA

6:30pm

ALL DAY 9:00 am

Monthly club meeting Monthly Club Ride

Hamilton Hotel dinner meet WOOLSHED CLASSIC Sunday Lunch Ride

Tingalpa

Biscuit Ride

JONDARYAN - SEE FLYER IN MAGAZINE TBA

6:30pm

German Club

Woolloongabba

Sunday 10

TBA

Monthly Club Ride

TBA

Thursday 7

Saturday 16

Wednesday 20

Thur 21-Sun 24

7:30pm 9:30am

6:30pm

Monthly club meeting Sat Coffee Run

Hamilton Hotel dinner meet

TBA

Tingalpa

Kingsford Smith Drive Ascot

Horizons Unlimited Meeting Boonah

Fri 22 - 24 08:00 Ginger Beer - the Next Round Tuesday 26 6:30pm German Club Sat 30 - Mon 2 B2B # 14 (Long Weekender) 9:00 am Oct OCTOBER Thursday 5 7:30pm Monthly club meeting TBA Sunday 8 Monthly Club Ride Sunday 15 TBA Laverda Concours Wednesday 18 6:30pm Hamilton Hotel dinner meet Saturday 21 9:30am Saturday Coffee Run Sat 28 - Sun 29 8:00am Red Rock Camping Weekend Sunday 29 12:00 Sunday Lunch Ride Tuesday 31 6:30pm German Club NOVEMBER Thursday 2 7:30pm Monthly club meeting Saturday 4 10:00am Ellaspede Dust Hustle TBA Sunday 5 Monthly Club Ride Wednesday 15 6:30pm Hamilton Hotel Dinner Meet Saturday 18 9:30am Sat Coffee Run Tuesday 28 6:30pm German Club DECEMBER Saturday 2 Christmas Party Thursday 7 7:30pm Monthly club meeting TBA Sunday 10 Monhtly Club Ride Saturday 16 9:30am Saturday Coffee Run Italics font denotes event organised by other clubs

George & Maggie

Kingsford Smith Drive Ascot

Tuesday 29

SEPTEMBER

horizonsunlimited.com

Bellingen Music Festival Ian Sayce Contact Woolloongabba Cherrabah Resort - Richard De Groot Tingalpa TBA Duncan & Cindy TBA TONY GRAY? Kingsford Smith Drive Ascot TBA Nth NSW - Charlie Brown to provide details

TBA Woolloongabba Tingalpa Northgate Dusthustle.com TBA President Kingsfor Smith Drive Ascot TBA Woolloongabba Evans Head NSW Services Club Tingalpa TBA TBA

Extraordinary EVENTS Calendar AUGUST FRI 25 - 27

WOOLSHED CLASSIC MOTOR CYCLES JONDARYAN

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Cindy’s Africa Part 4 Zimbabwe to Botswana

AUGUST 2017

Zimbabwe to Botswana Continued from page 18

otswana shows its Commonwealth heritage in the food and language with everyone speaking English. It has some quirky town names such as Pandamatenga and Phuduhudu providing a giggle when riding through. It is a bit more expensive than other African countries we had been in, with petrol roughly about $1 per litre, but as always Africa is cheaper than Australia overall. The road conditions vary, but well maintained, clean and shady roadside rest areas were a welcome reprieve from the heat of the day.

The Okavengo Delta Canoe exprience Cindy Bennet

To Be Continued Next Month

KILLARNEY BONFIRE NIGHT CONTINUED

he local CFA were in charge of lighting the bonfire, a job they tackled with glee. The fire took hold very quickly and the chilly night was quickly transformed into a very toasty evening if you were within a 20 m radius of the inferno. All of this was played out to the accompaniment of the bagpipes that gave the evening a surreal feel. The final crescendo arrived in the form of an impressive aerial fireworks display. By that stage of the evening most members of the BMWMCQ ‘retired’, warming liquid of choice in hand, to the warmth of the camp kitchen at the Sundown Caravan Park. The usual round of BS stories crossed the table as the contents of the various bottles dwindled. A good night indeed; where the milestone birthday of our esteemed Magazine Editor was toasted. Sunday dawned as ‘just another’ perfect riding day for the return journey. It’s Hard to think of a better way to spend a weekend. Mark the date in your calendar for 2018.

Tony Gray

You might be thinking that an editors job is a walk in the park but it has its pitfalls...I originally placed the above Killarney Bonfire Night overflow on the bottom of page 29... Then I looked to the left and thought Hmmmmm perhaps not!....Ed.

AUGUST 2017

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ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE

From business card to full page, all sizes are available. The BMWMCQ journal is distributed to members throughout Queensland and is also displayed in QLD dealerships. In addition, copies are sent interstate to other BMW affiliated Clubs. Get your message out to people who own, ride and restore BMW motorcycles. Rates are below. Phone your requests to Don Grimes - Ph: 0411 601 372 Colour - Back Cover

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Advertising Rates 2015

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B & W - Full Page Inside

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B & W - Half Page

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B & W - Quarter Page

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B & W - Business Card $100.00 All advertising should be related to motorcycling in general. The committee reserves the right to reject any advertising that is deemed inappropriate, in any way. Advertising content can be changed at any time (monthly in the journal and any time on the web site) provided the advertisements reside on the advertiser’s server. All journal ad changes must be submitted by the cut-off date specified on the Events page. All journal ads are to be supplied by the advertisers in PDF format.

More Killarney Bonfire Memories

AUGUST 2017

• BMW trained technicians; • BMW national service technician of 2006 (metro winner), Adrian Cash; • Log Book Service followed by BMW Motorrad Maintenance Schedule; • BMW software used for diagnosis; • Re-set service light, time & distance; • Great deals on the leading brands of motorcycle tyres.

Northside Motorcycle Tyres & Service 4/11 Paisley Drive, Lawnton Qld 4501 Ph: 07 3205 6505 Fax: 07 3205 6003 Email: northsidemctyres@bigpond.com Web: www.northsidemctyresandservice.com.au

Getting in early - CHRISTMAS 2017

AUGUST 2017

Club Christmas Party 2017

Well it is Christmas Party time once again. We had such a great time in 2015 that we are going to return to Evans Head just across the border again. The RSL Club has prepared a sumptuous feast of Canapés, Main Course and Desert for $46 per head. The party will start with our exclusive use of the Outdoor deck just like last time (with a wet weather alternative up our sleeve). Drinks will be upon consumption as before from our exclusive use bar. There will be the usual fabulous prize giving members draws and lots of music and fun. Accommodation options are as below. Mention the BMW MCQ Christmas Party 1.Evans Head the Bowlo Holiday Cabins on 02 66824343 and ask for Margaret 2. Evans Head Pacific Motel: 02 66824318 3. Evans Head North Coast Holiday Park: 02 66824212 4. Evans Head RSL Flats: 02 66824282

I would make accommodation enquiries very soon as the town is filling up. To reserve your place, YOU MUST pay the meal price of $46 per person to the club, by one of the following methods 1. Direct debit to the club bank account BOQ BSB 124001 Account 10243020 2. By cash to the treasurer at a club meeting 3. By PayPal to the club account by using the PayPal app and utilising treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au In the reference section of each of the above methods please include your surname and XM (and the number you’re paying for). i.e. Hughes XM2 Once you have paid, please email Events@bmwmcq.org.au and let Trent know how much you have paid and by what method please. That way the club can easily track your payments. It will be a fabulous weekend. Some people go for several days, others come on down on the Saturday afternoon. It’s up to you. There will be an “interesting” lead ride down on the Saturday from Brisbane The one thing for sure is it will be a great time.

MID YEAR RIDE OUT

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2017 R 1200 GS ADVENTURE

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2017 C 650 SPORT

*Recommended promotional Ride Away price with no other optional extras (apart from those included, if any). Bonus items cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash. Offer only includes motorcycles ordered and delivered between 1st July and 30th September 2017.

Morgan & Wacker BMW Brisbane 51 Ross St, Newstead | (07) 3259 5787 morganandwacker.com.au