MARCH 2019
www.bmwmcq.org.au
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC. Established 1958
ZERO COST SERVICING
BMW Motorrad
FOR 5 YEARS OR 50,000KM WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW, ELIGIBLE 2017 / 2018 PLATED BMW MOTORCYCLE *. BMW MOTORRAD
SERVICE INCLUSIVE S 1000 RR
S 1000 R
S 1000 XR
TEAMMOTO BMW SPRINGWOOD 59 Moss Street, Springwood I (07) 3442 1397 teammotobmwspringwood.com.au Terms & Conditions Apply. Offer valid from February 15th, 2019 to March 31st, 2019, or while stocks last. Offer available on the following MY17/18 plated models: C 650 SPORT, C 650 GT, F 800 GT, F 800 R, S 1000 XR, S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL, K 1600 B, R NINET, R NINT PURE, R NINET SCRAMBLER, R NINET URBAN GS, R NINET RACER. 5 years/ 50,000km free servicing applies to whichever occurs first. Servicing must be carried out on time at the dealership the motorcycle was purchased from. Cannot be redeemed at any other dealership or workshop. Offer is only valid when full ticketed rideaway price is paid for the eligible motorcycle during through promotional period.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC.
The Committee President- Paul Hughes Ph: 0409 814 633 President@bmwmcq.org.au 1200 GS / 700 GS
Vice President - Richard Maher Ph: 0415 111 454 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au R 1150 R
Secretary - Duncan Bennett Ph: 0458 293 569 secretary@bmwmcq.org.au R 850 R Treasurer - John Eacott
Ph: 0428 383 826 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au 2017 K1600GT 2016 R1200GS Tripple Black
Editor - Dave Hepburn
Ph: 0422 080 524 editor@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT
Records- Greg Gaffney Ph: 0411424 219 records@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT & R 90 S Events -Anita Wyndham Ph: 0414 431 751 events@bmwmcq.org.au F 650 GS
Regalia - Cindy Bennett
Ph: 0401 610 671 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au F 700 GS
Tools/Spares - Bill Luyten Ph: 0438 123 747 tools@bmwmcq.org.au R1150 Rockstar - R1200 GS LC
This Issue - MARCH 2019 Contents:Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . 5 PHOTOS JOLLYS LOOKOUT RIDE . . . 6 TREASURERS REPORT . . . . . . . . . . 7 General Meeting Minutes. . . . . 11 CLUB RIDE TUMBULGUM TAVERN. . 12 ACCIDENTAL TRIUMPH OWNER . . . 16 LIFE IS FOR LIVING. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SPECIAL RESOLUTION FOR AGM. . . 20 CAMPING WEEKENDER . . . . . . . . . 21 20th FRIGID DIGIT . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 FOR THE AIRHEADS . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Advertisers
REFLECTIONS ON 60 YEARS . . . . . . 26 BMWMCQ Supports. . . . . . . . . . . 28 ADVERTISING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 BMWMCQ Events Calendar 2018. 30 Cupla Adverts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 REFLECTIONS ON 60 YEARS cont. . . 33
TeamMoto Front - Cover
Caloundra Motorcycles Cafe2U - P.28 Good Wool Store - P.32 Munich Motorcycles - P.32 Northside Motorcycles - P.34 Morgan and Wacker - Back Cover
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n The Cover...
Sinje Gottwald ..... I have a pretty good ratio of great days vs bad days on this trip. Today was an exhausting day. Before crossing the border from Brazil to Bolivia I wanted to get some water for today’s ride and so I went into a shop in Corumba....Whilst in the shop a car was driven into my parked bike resulting in a broken off centre stand. A local mechanic claimed that it would be impossible to mend but the local lads took the stand away and returned 30 minutes latter with the stand fixed at no cost.......
Sub Committee
• Dealer Liaison / Advertising - Don Grimes Ph: 0411 601 372 • Forum Moderator - Garry Hilton
Club Details BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc.
2. Improving the service and availability of spare parts for BMWs in Queensland using the advantage of a united effort.
Address all correspondence to: The Secretary PO Box 3669 South Brisbane QLD 4101
4. Organising day trips, tours and outings.
ABN 30 351 243 651
Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at the:
Geebung RSL Club
323 Newman Road Geebung 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.
3. Decreasing maintenance and running costs by mutual assistance on mechanical problems. 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
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MARCH 2019
Dave Hepburn
Editorial Editor’s Report
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he current BMWMCQ Committee comes to the end of its tenure this month. It has, in my humble opinion, been a very good committee which strived to provide as many opportunities as possible to meet the needs of all our club members. Unfortunately, there are still a significant number of members who are not catered for and the simple reason for this is that we do not know who you are or what you would like us to provide for you. Please tell us so we can make the appropriate arrangements. There is very little that I can add to the President’s report in relation to the individuals on the committee other than I heartily endorse his comments and can say that those that are moving on, for whatever reason, will be sorely missed. I have enjoyed all members’ attendance and input into the month to month management of the Club and it has been a great year. I take this opportunity to thank all members who have contributed to the publishing of the monthly journal and I sincerely hope that their contributions will continue with the next committee. I intend to offer my services as editor for the next year but give fair warning that it will be my last (4 years in total).
Paul Hughes
President’s Report
W
ell we are finishing up another year in the club. This last year has been very much a “steady as she goes” year with additional activities and no “shocks”. The committee planned it that way and I think that has been successful. We are gradually adding to the activities to be attractive and to provide more interests in the club. We would like to have everyone involved and hope there is something for everyone. You don’t have to attend everything, but I do hope there are activities to suit all tastes and interests. We are aware that as a group, we are geographically spread out: therefore, we are moving social activities around the compass and varying days of the week. We hope that makes it easier and more enticing for you to attend them. Camping events and the resurrection of the Cane Toad Rally are firmly on the agenda as well and this year we hope to host at least two “Back to the Bush” events. We have successfully had 3 service days in the last year and thanks must go to Bill for organising and Charlie and Rob for hosting. Bill has steered the committee through tool purchases and assisted many members with technical issues. The social calendar has been full with the highlights being the: 60th Club Dinner” and the Christmas Party. Many thanks to all those who had a part in the organisation of those events: There were many involved. The committee has worked tirelessly to steer the ship in the last year and I can only thank all those committee members for all their efforts. It has been superb. Some have had hurdles throughout the year but that hasn’t slowed them down at all. That is quite remarkable and stands out in the club spirit.
Continued on page 5
VENUE FOR BMWMCQ GENERAL MEETINGS GEEBUNG RSL CLUB 323 NEWMAN ROAD GEEBUNG MEALS OPEN AT 6.00 PM MEETING STARTS 7.30 PM
NEXT MONTH : 7.30PM 4 APRIL 2019
Committee Reports
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We have had some members who have had a hard time this year and other members have shown the true club spirit with their assistance to those members and their well wishes. Something that I think makes our club stand out. I know this spirit will continue. Financially the club is just ticking along holding its own. We have cleaned up the assets list in the accounts to bring us up to date and I thank John for his hard work there consolidating all the good work done in previous years. The BMW MOTARRAD Rally will be held in Stanthorpe in October 2020. Planning is underway and members are encouraged to get involved in this activity. There is much work to be done. Please volunteer if you have time and are enthusiastic. Anita has an advanced planning document after she hosted a think tank on the rally earlier this year and there is plenty of scope for people to assist. I am sure this will be a rally to remember with something for everyone. Anita has done a great job of organising and/or publishing details of events. Well done. Each month (except January) you get a full colour superbly crafted journal. I need to thank Dave for all his efforts here. Three long years in the role and the journals only get better and better. It’s not the Financial Review or the Australian but is a fascinating history of all that occurs in the club and all that is great about the club. Duncan and Cindy have done more than their fair share of hosting and leading great rides as well as all the behind the scenes efforts that are included in their roles. Their enthusiasm is contagious as they drag the rest of us into new ideas and pleasures of “dirt” and adventure. Richard is a rock. The very best bike borrower of all time and one of the best verbal story tellers as well. His role has been very important this year as a sounding board and: “we have tried that before” adviser. His friendship to so many is just so valuable in his role. Pity he can’t sell me a winning raffle ticket…lol. Greg has also served us so well in the last few years. This year the records of membership has been overhauled and brought into the 21st century. The reminders, accuracy of data and security of that data; has been a passion of his. I think you will all agree that this section of the club is just so easy now and that is all due to Greg’s dedication. He has also overseen the rebuilding of the club website that has provided security for members’ records and our history (supplied by all the good work of Gary): A big step forward that will pay dividends in years to come. The amount of hours Greg has devoted is just staggering and we should all be very grateful. Don has contributed so well this year with marketing advice and keeping the dealers and sponsors onside. Our thanks to Don: for a role that requires a fair bit of juggling to keep them all happy. To all the Committee thank you. You have worked hard and always thought of what is best for the club. Well done to you all. Some are leaving the committee this year due to the pressures of life. We will miss them but know other members will step up to take their place and bring ideas and enthusiasm to the table. Here is your chance folks. The rest of the committee is happy to put themselves forward to do some more work for the members. They deserve our admiration and support. Thank you to all the members. Your involvement, feedback and encouragement has been the driving force for the committee. I hope to see you all at an event in the near future. Where-ever we go it will be great fun with good friends. Ride safe Paul
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MARCH 2019
Richard Maher
Committee Reports Vice President’s Report
Committee Reports
MARCH 2019
John Eacott
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Treasurer’s Report
Funds available Cheque Account $ 4,922.89 Funds available Investment Account $15,443.71 PayPal Account Nil Total cash as at 7th February $20,366.60
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nvoices processed and paid were approved at committee: OPN365 for website and reimbursement of expenses incurred by Greg Gaffney for Records and Secretary. Club records are being corrected for depreciation not processed in previous years, which accounts for a high depreciation amount in the P&L. Otherwise club funding is healthy and the club has a strong financial position. As a pocket review of the FY2019 from the club’s point of view, we have a noticeable amount of Depreciation that is accounted for by some depreciation that was overlooked plus writing off assets dating back some years. We are now Expensing Regalia instead of adding items as Assets, all of which adds to keeping us below thresholds needed to avoid expensive Audits every year. John Eacott
KENILWORTH LUNCH RIDE
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MARCH 2019
Anita Wyndham
Greg Gaffney
Committee Reports Events Coords Report
Records Officers Report
I Cheers Greg
have enjoyed my time as Records Officer and website Administrator this year and appreciate all the help and cooperation I have received from members. The website went through some major changes which was an enormous amount of work. However, I have received only positive feed-back. I will be putting my hand up to do it again next year and will be looking for ways for further improvement. Finally, I’m looking forward to the ride to The Rock in May. This will be my biggest ride ever and hopefully it will have cooled down a bit by then.
Submissions for the Next Journal (APRIL 2019 Edition
Committee Reports Bill Luyten
Service Day
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he Club will hold a Service Day on Sunday 31 March. Rob Wynne has kindly offered for us to use his place once again, thanks Rob. We expect to be starting around 0930-1000.
Location: 61-63 St Jude Circuit Jimboomba
(Just off Mt Lindesay Highway) Oil drain pans, oil disposal, as well as a comprehensive tool kit are available. We will be providing a Sausage Sizzle and Drinks for a gold coin donation (proceeds to the RFDS). 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 it’s done. There are special tools available (see below list) including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools. The club also has various service manuals so let me know if you would like me to bring one along. For those that like to tinker with their bike see listed below the comprehensive bunch of tools available. Still a couple of spares left at a bargain price. Contact Tools Officer:Bill Luyten 0438 123 747 (wluyten@bigpond .net .au) or Club email: spares@bmwmcq.org.au
Last of the Spares for sale at under Half Price (bargain) Filters - Air R1100s (LX628) x2 @ $5.00ea Brake Pads 520HF (front) - R60, R75, R80, R100 x1 @ $10.00
Tools for loan
There are special tools available including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools.
Special Tools
Twinmax electronic carburetor balancer (Twin BMW engines) Vacuumate (electronic synchronization of throttle valves up to 4 cylinders)
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Tool’s Report 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 Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS) tool Enduralast hall sensor tester
Club Tool Loan
There is a $50 deposit (refundable) for the GS911. Tools and spares can be picked up or brought along to the next meeting or Club ride.
From the Pen of Jane Gray IT’S SUMMER IN AUS JEGJan2019
Sizzling hot, melting pot Oppressive heat, burning feet Trickling sweat, cold drink? You bet! All this because? It’s summer in Aus Sunburnt nose, sticky wet clothes Lightning flash, thunder crash Afternoon storm, that’s the norm All this because? It’s summer in Aus Tinder dry, hot sparks fly Crippling drought, hardships mount Bushfires flare to our despair All this because? It’s summer in Aus Swim between flags, BBQ snags Bright blue skies, swatting flies Ice cold booze, afternoon snooze All this because? It’s summer in Aus Sweltering days, humidity haze Evening breeze sure to please On the deck, what the heck All this because? It’s summer in Aus!!
n) closes on 15 MARCH 2019 - Just soes y’all know!!!!!!
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MARCH 2019
Cindy Bennett
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Committee Reports Regalia Officer’s Report
t has been a pleasure undertaking the Regalia Officer role, particularly during the Club’s 60th year, with the commemorative cloth badges a very popular item. To reduce the level of stock on hand in odd sizes, we commenced getting polo shirts embroidered to order. Our embroidery provider is very flexible in being able to do one off orders, and has vast catalogues of shirts/merino/polar fleeces to select. Although we do hold some samples of popular shirts along with a stock of embroidered caps, stickers and lapel badges. Last year for the first time in many years, Frigid Digit shirts were printed, with a list of Digit venues on the reverse – we still do have some left in stock for those who missed out. Thanks to everyone for their positivity and support to me in the Regalia role. Cindy Bennett Outgoing Regalia Officer
Committee Reports
MARCH 2019
Duncan Bennett
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Secretary’s Report
BMWMCQ Meeting Minutes 7 February 2019 Venue: Geebung RSL Meeting Opened: Apologies:
7:30 pm
Minutes of Previous General Meeting:
Accepted: December – Geoff H, January – Darryl G
Number of Attendees: New Members (Name & MC): Visitors: Returning Members: Treasurer Report:
Editor Report: Tools Report:
Regalia Report: Records Report:
Events Report:
Month Ride: Sunday 10 February 2019 Leader: Paul Hughes TEC: Duncan Bennett Secretary Report: Dealer Liaison Report: Vice President Report: President Report:
Other Events/Buy/Sell/Swap: General Business
Closed:
Jack and Cheryl. Don Grimes, Michael John, Mal Cramer, Andy McLeod, Geoff Hamer, Greg Dunne, Michael and Anne Arlberg. Seconded: December - Rosie, January – Paul H 32
Greg Heber, R1200RT Nil Nil
Cash at hand $20,366.66, total assets $29,987.80. Liabilities (-$61.00) limited to website development and minor items. Depreciation required to be sorted out, this year. Always looking for more articles. AGM information in February journal. NZ riding highly recommended by Dave. Needs articles for March.
Service day in March/April, no firm decision yet. 911GS diagnostic tool shown to members, useful for resetting alarms and reminders and checking electronics and software. Adaptors for older bikes available. Books available for swap now.
252 members. Major updates to website, now more secure. Need to re-establish links because old links will not work, if a problem contact Greg at records@ bmwmcq.org.au
Different options for mid-month dinner as Hamilton Hotel attracts little interest, this one Kenmore Tavern Friday night 15th February. Coffee morning New Farm Saturday February 16th, Café 63 near New Farm Park, parking Sydney St. Twilight Joes Diner February 16th 6pm, see AW if interested. Lunch ride Kenilworth 24th February, out there at 12:30. March 10th Club ride dusk Mt Coot-tha to Sandstone Point Hotel, 3:30pm start. Ride to Rock May, still calling for interested parties. February 9/10 Karuah River Rally with BMWTCNSW.
Tumbulgum ride. Meeting at Canungra at Café Metz at 0900. Leaving 0930, about 2 hours riding. Lunch at pub. Nil.
Invoices prepared for sending out. Nil related to BMWMCQ.
Preparation for AGM next month. Forms available on website and journal for committee nominations, agenda available. Saturday evening BBQ ride planned. In location where easy to get home without riding through kangaroo-ridden country. Movie night at Toogoolawah discussed.
Spares available for 700GS – see Cindy. John’s grand tour of Victoria described – motorcycle support of cycle events, working with Victoria Police. Bike went well.
Marie Maher on 27th February Hard Quiz, ABC. Special subject Queen. Contact Townsville members to offer support in case any affected by floods. Dave’s RT playing up, needs a new battery. 8:25 pm, next meeting 7th March after AGM.
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MARCH 2019
CLUB RIDE - Tumbulgum Tavern Part 1
Tum-Something-Gum 10 February Club Ride
he February club rides are always a bit challenging in SE QLD, but the ridiculously high temperature around the back of the Metz Café in Canungra had met its match in the 13 or so riders up for the extreme challenge of riding to NSW and briefly losing a whole hour of life. A steaming hot coffee or two was thrown back just to show contempt for the heat, before leaving precisely at the advertised time of 0930hrs under the leadership of Paul President, not realising that some tender brethren and sistren were inside the café in the air conditioning. Oh well, at least we could say that someone from the club had come just to see us off. As we’d already had morning refreshments (in the case of Carolyn a very quick durrie) before the start, there was no need to stop for more coffee or ciggies, but the route chosen never really gave enough boring bits to allow the mind to wander to fantasies of over-milked caffeine and pastries. A right turn not far from the start had us heading along the ridge to the cooler climes of Beechmont, where a kangaroo calmly watched 11 motorcycles go past before deciding that the brightly attired Tail End Charlie may be its best opportunity to get a road accident compensation claim into the system, fortunately foiled, by some violent grabbing of front brake lever. A few sets of roadworks traffic lights had us all fairly well split up by Lower Beechmont. I swore I could smell Maggie’s biscuits as we rolled down past the scene of the 2017 Biscuit Run with the climbing temperatures releasing embedded choc-chip, gingernut and ANZAC vapours. We released John E from the ride under ride rules section 7.3 clause “I’ve got some stuff to do” at the corner of the Nerang - Murwillumbah Road and scooted along the side of Hinze Dam into the Numinbah valley. The relentlessly winding roads made for good riding and aside from a tourist trying to assassinate the President it was all classic motorcycling. Over the border, past the queues of New South Welshmen having their vehicles inspected for contraband rabbit and we were into the Mt Warning caldera. A re-grouping at Chillingham; we pushed on to the outskirts of Murwillumbah before the
GPS had a bit of a moment which might have been something to do with the traditional motorcycle icon becoming a natty little blue sports sedan. Problem easily solved. The next excitement was some fast and classy BMW’s coming up from behind and surreptitiously blending into the group. A quick interpretation of ride policy showed this was okay if your names were Tony, Jane, and Bill and you’d been present at the Metz Café for the start of the ride but hadn’t been able to leave the air conditioning inside without ruining magnificent hair styles. Once the traffic snarl caused by our parking had calmed at Tum-Bull-Gum or Tumble-Gum or whatever and we were inside the Tavern. The cool drinks and generous portions and friendly faces made for a very pleasant lunch, buoyed by the promise of reclaiming the hour stolen by the evil South Time Overlords on the return journey. An excellent ride on relentlessly twisting roads through spectacular country. With special thanks going to President Paul for organising it and trying to be patient during the lead-up when naughty members insisted on miss-pronouncing it Tumble-Gum. By: Duncan Bennett, member No.4171 and Tail End Charlie
CLUB RIDE - Tumbulgum Tavern Part 2
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TO GO TO TUMBULGUM 10 FEBRUARY 2019
he name conjures images of tumbleweeds blowing along dusty streets of an outback ghost town – Tumbulgum. The reality is far removed from that image. Sitting on the shore of the Tweed River within 20km of Murwillumbah amongst lush green hills and boasting an impressive pub, this Tumbulgum made a great destination for the February BMWMCQ ride. There is only one problem with Tumbulgum – it is in NSW so an hour in front of QLD at this particularly warm time of year. El Presidente and ride leader Paul had arranged to meet at the Metz Café in Canungra at 9am with departure at 9.30am in order to get over the mountains in time with the NSW lunch schedule. Jane and I arrived at Metz just after 9am and parked out front beside Bill Luyten’s GS. There was a very nice Honda CBX 6 out front that caught our collective attention and distracted us for a few minutes. Bill had arranged to meet up with Harley riding mate Kev for the ride so we all adjourned into the air-conditioning for a coffee. Sitting under a BIG poster pic of Chopper riding Peter Fonda & Dennis Hopper in the aircon and enjoying our coffees time slipped away. There was no one else from the Club around? What’s the time anyway? Um 9.29am - Better have a look around. Just in time to see a familiar line of BeeEm’s (and a couple of spanking new Triumphs) riding down the laneway beside the café and heading out of Canungra south towards Beechmont. This was surely a first for the Club, departing on time for a club ride (on hindsight I well remember Charlie Brown:
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leading a ride out of the Cougar Servo at Bundamba with military precision smack on time). We took our time heading out after the peloton reasoning that we would catch them by the top of Beechmont. This was a typical summer Sunday in the Hinterland Mountains with riders who left the beach and headed out for a ride without bothering to kit up. All that bare skin sweeping around hot bitumen roads makes my skin crawl. Of similar concern are the riders with legs spread out front with their ‘highway pegs’ about in line with the front axle of their cruisers. I naively thought that highway pegs were meant for highways like our pictorial mates from Metz, Peter & Dennis riding the wide expanses of the USA in East Rider. Negotiating the tight and twisting roads of the hinterland must surely be uncomfortable if not downright unsafe. To each their own I suppose just not our cup of tea. Jane and I had not been over these roads since earlier in 2018 before we left for Europe and in that time the State Govt has commenced an extensive bridge replacement program. We were presented with a seemingly never ending series of red light controlled roadworks. We knew the peloton was out there but our attempts at catching them were thwarted at every red light. These are beautiful roads and understandably popular with the motorcycle fraternity. Unfortunately, like bees to a honey pot, this combination also attracts the revenue raising arm of the State Govt and they were out and about in hidden groves along the road. We crested the ridge past Natural Arch with its panorama view along the coast and dropped down into the Tweed Valley but still no sign of the peloton.
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CLUB RIDE - Tumbulgum Tavern Part 2
Success at last was achieved at the T junction just outside Murwillumbah where we saw TEC Duncan just departing with the last corner marker. There was a good group of 18 that parked up outside the pub. Meals were good (some best described as HUGE) and the atmosphere relaxed on the undercover open air deck overlooking the wide waters of the Tweed.
As is usual with the club runs there was no organised home trip with individuals or small groups departing on a choice of options for the return. We joined up with Paul backtracking through Numinbah Valley but detouring onto the Clagiraba Road and over Mt Tamborine with an enjoyable coffee break at Green Lane Coffee Plantation on Mt Tamborine. This was another enjoyable day on good roads in good company. TONY GRAY
CLUB RIDE - Tumbulgum Tavern Part 2
MARCH 2019
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ACCIDENTAL Triumph Owner - Cindy
The Accidental Triumph Owner
s a brand BMW is an excellent machine, well designed, fantastic to ride with exceptional class – but I don’t have to tell that to the loyal members of the BMWMCQ! My third BMW – and second F700GS –“Gus”, was brought in August 2017 as a demo model from Team Moto Springwood after they had taken delivery of all the Motorline dealership bikes. I traded my low suspension 700GS “Blue Betty” in as I had realised through painful experience that in Gelande (off-road) conditions the low suspension did not cut it when tackling the gnarly stuff, like on Ethiopian roads. However, Betty did get me from Cairo to Cape Town albeit with a couple of weeks off while recuperating from the broken ankle. Prior to Betty I had a G650GS – my first foray into adventure bikes but as a single cylinder it lacked the get up and go as well as comfort on the longer rides. It was a wonderful introduction to the BMW Motorrad marque and cemented my love for the brand. Which brings me to the present time, and a like a relationship on the brink - a couple of important issues were coming to a head with Gus. Firstly he was very vibrating and my throttle hand would tingle and seize on any decent length of ride. I tried many remedies including weighted bar ends and grip tape but no luck. Also the display was quite antiquated, for example the analog speedo was difficult to read and tended to over-estimate actual speed – 100kmh on the speedo was more like 90kmh. So I was excited to hear about the newly released F750GS – which had cruise control, and a vastly improved display including digital speedo. A test ride at Team Moto Springwood found the 750GS to be a fabulous bike for long distance riding, and aside from the cruise control, the quick shift pro was a delight as well as a better distributed weight which made cornering seem very easy and smooth. The display was very similar to the 1200GS and was light years ahead of the 700GS.
However the cost was $19000+ with all these options and after getting an insulting tradein price for Gus I could not justify the expense. I had always thought Triumph Tigers were too tall for me, not being able to get even a tiptoe down when sitting on Duncan’s. However, the XRT model is more of a touring style and a bit of googling found that it was pretty much the same height as my 700GS. Online research showed that Team Moto Triumph Virginia had a low km 2 year old Triumph Tiger XRT in stock, and the bonus of fully optioned for adventure! There is a definite benefit of buying a low km used bike, in that the previous owner has often added some useful farkles, saving the $$$ when buying a brand new bike and getting it customised. Duncan’s experience of buying his current Tiger XCa (“Precious 2” - white gold edition) was a good lesson that people purchase adventure bikes with great intentions to get out into the wilderness; the new Precious was 3 years old and had about 1,800km on the clock. The former owner had brought it while living in Gladstone when his mate brought a similar one, then he was transferred over to Perth and only really rode it once.
Taking delivery of “Ruby” on a rainy morning in Virginia!
ACCIDENTAL Triumph Owner - Cindy So on a sunny Saturday morning we rode into Team Moto Triumph, and I was immediately drawn to the very nice looking Tiger XRT, you could say love at first sight. It was 2 years old with 12,000km on the clock, so only just broken in. Equipped with adventure panniers, after market screen and GPS mounting point wired in; what more can a girl ask for, oh and it is red! After sitting on it with the low seat option and confirming that yes, I can definitely feel confident with the seat height it was onto a test ride. What struck me first up was the very different engine sound than the GS, it sounded a lot sportier and the triple engine demonstrated its smoothness of ride in comparison to the old GS twin configuration. The balance in cornering was very enjoyable with not much effort needed to get it where I needed it – bliss! Getting back to the dealership it was a dilemma; do I take the plunge and move to the Tiger? Pondering the pro’s and con’s which included the benefit of us both being on the same make of bike on future long trips and therefore sharing spares sealed the deal. So with spousal blessing I made the decision to trade Gus in for “Ruby”! While I loved the 750GS and maybe that will be a future bike, for the features and price I couldn’t go past the Triumph Tiger XRT in this instance. I am lucky that the Club values “diversity” in its members’ bikes, so I am still planning on enjoying Club rides and social events on the new steed. Although I can no longer aspire to President/VP/Treasurer/Secretary (as you need to own a BMW for the stately honour of these prestigious Committee roles!)
Cindy Bennett.
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MARCH 2019
LIFE IS FOR LIVING
ne of our daughters, the adrenaline junkie, was once a keen parachutist and a member of the Ramblers Club who operate out of Toogoolawah. Their motto was “If you’re not living life on the edge, then you are taking up too much space”. I was somewhat attracted to this notion and therefore became easy prey to the offer of a tandem jump from 14,000 feet.
The day of my jump was a typically beautiful and sunny SEQ spring day. I was to later reflect on that meteorological reality when the main parachute failed and I was hurtling towards the farming land around Toogoolawah at an alarming rate.
LIFE IS FOR LIVING - Tony Gray
Thanks to the successful release of the secondary chute I am still sitting here writing this story, my time on this mortal coil (to quote Monty Python), had not yet come to an end. I politely declined the offer of a second jump deciding that was one horse I did not need to get back on. What has this got to do with motorcycles you may well ask? Good question and one that is answered in Editor Dave’s editorial comment in the February journal. Dave peppered the journal with some beautiful photos from his recent return to his homeland and commented that NZ is a lot closer than Europe (and a lot cheaper too) for a biking holiday. Dave is 100% correct. NZ offers snow-capped mountains in the Southern Alps that match those in France, glaciers & fjords to match Norway and lightly trafficked roads that will counter any that Europe has to offer. In our own backyard outback Australia has a vastness and beauty that measures up against what is on offer throughout the Americas and Tasmania is a riding gem on any scale that bewitches riders that fall under its spell. Why is it then that so many of our members (Jane and I included) venture off to far off places when there is so much great riding and natural beauty to be had in OZ and NZ?
LIFE IS FOR LIVING - Tony Gray
Life is for living and adventure is where you find it. It is true that keen motorcyclists do not have to venture to far flung parts of the world to find adventure so why do so many take that giant leap? There are members of our club, on the surface normal sensible people, who have deserted the safety and tranquillity of suburban life, to live off the back of a motorbike for months or years on end. Others have traversed the length of the African Continent across third world countries where a good flat white must be as difficult to capture as a mirage in the desert.
Yet others have bounced over hundreds of kilometres of rough unsealed road to get to an
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imaginary line that marks the Arctic Circle, to then turn around and ride back over the same terrible roads. Yet another has travelled throughout South America on a 1980’s airhead BMW.
The gold medal in my eyes goes to young German adventurer Sinje Gottwald who visited us last year while her R100GSPD was being extensively repaired by the expert hands of Mark Morrissey. This 30 something year old young lady had left her home in Germany in June 2017 for an ‘open ended’ 12 month solo trip around the world. She has now been on the road for approx 20 months and is ‘still’ in South America and shows no indication of returning to Germany anytime soon. Continued on page 22
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SPECIAL RESOLUTION FOR AGM
Resolution to be voted on at The Annual General Meeting 7th March 2019
A
s part of the Annual General Meeting, a resolution has been included for the membership to approve an offer of Life Membership to Gary Bennett. Life Membership is a great privilege and honour for a member to receive. The club has guidelines that set out some conditions that the potential recipient must meet. The Committee has unanimously agreed to put forward Gary’s nomination based on that criteria being met and exceeded. Gary has been a continuous member for over 20 years. He was awarded “Rookie of the year award” and has served as treasurer in 2001-2002. He was previously awarded “Best Organised Ride” award. As treasurer he instigated a 4-point plan to retain membership generated from dealership programs. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Event Coordinator position on the committee. He has been an integral part (of a team of two) in organising two club annual events. The Fridgit Digit and recently the Cane Toad Rally. He has organised formally at least 30 club rides/ events. Importantly, Gary has taken on the very significant role of researching and recording formally the club’s history. He has personally digitised every club journal since they started. 50 years of them, which is a mammoth task. He has also compiled a full list of all members of committee’s in their correct terms of office as well as a complete history of The Presidents of the club from its inception. He is currently working on a photographic history of the club. All of this wonderful and painstakingly put together information is now available for all members (current and in the future) to enjoy on our web site. The extraordinary effort and dedication involved in this cannot be adequately rewarded. Gary has never sought any recognition for his extraordinary efforts. He is truly a lover of BMWMCQ. The committee recommends the offer of Life Membership be offered to Gary and at the AGM we hope it will be ratified by yourselves, the members.
Paul Hughes President BMWMCQ
CAMPING WEEKENDER APRIL 2019
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CAMPING WEEKENDER The Sequel 13~14 April 2019 Due to popular demand we are returning to Cullendore High Country again this year, so If you missed out last year, here’s your chance to share the memories of a great location. Just over the border into NSW, south-east of Warwick and 2.5 hrs from Brisbane is 2,000 acres of well maintained campgrounds with spectacular views. Hot & Cold showers, flushing toilets, fire pits, Gas BBQ and firewood supplied. BYO everything else. 3.5km of dirt road suitable for road bikes to access. We have the area “Greygum”, booked for our group in the “Forest Camp” For further info visit www.cullendore.com or phone Gary Bennett 0411 784279 $17 per person, see facebook page or Club website for payment details to secure your place in this great weekend.
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Now that’s an adventure and it is only when I met and interviewed Sinje for an article for the journal a year ago that I realised she is ‘just’ a very normal person but with a burning spirit of adventure. There are many and varied reasons why we travel and Australians are indeed great travellers. History, environment, culture, great riding roads, people, food, architecture, art and adventure; to name the obvious reasons to visit other lands.
Travel by motorbike (especially with an Australian number plate) adds another dimension to any international trip and opens up endless opportunities to meet other people - the motorcycling family is truly world-wide.
The options available are many and varied. If you are time poor then a fly-in, fly-out bike hire is your likely choice. You can join a fully guided and supported tour, travel alone on a pre-planned and booked tour or just pick up the bike and do your own thing. If you are in the envious position of having time on your hands then why not consider
LIFE IS FOR LIVING - Tony Gray taking your own bike to Europe, the Americas, Asia or Africa? Do the sums and see if it adds up for you. From our experience of three long European trips and three to North America (only one by motorcycle) the trip needs to be at least six weeks duration before the cost of shipping (flying means more $) becomes realistic. Of course there are emotional reasons that may sway your decision rather than the straight dollars involved. How and where to start is a very personal decision; In our ( Jane was a willing partner) case it was a burning desire to attend the Isle of Man TT races so our first major overseas bike journey was planned around that event. Two subsequent European trips still included the Isle of Man (it is addictive) but added other countries to the itinerary; Scandinavia and some of the old eastern bloc countries in one case; and the Adriatic countries, Spain & Portugal in the other.
After almost 12 months touring Europe on those 3 trips and covering approx 55,000km there is still a lot we have not seen. Europe may be small in geographic terms but large in terms of attractions. The various mountain ranges on offer are intoxicating for motorcyclists especially those of us living on the flattest continent on earth. Returning to our NZ comparison Europe does offer a diversity of culture, language and history that cannot be matched by the Shaky Isles. Never let language barriers deter you from traveling to nonEnglish speaking countries as these challenges generally enhance the overall experience.
LIFE IS FOR LIVING - Tony Gray You certainly have to use the old brain more which has to be a good thing. Turning to our three North American trips I have often heard commented that ‘it is just like Australia’, ‘it is too dangerous’, ‘it is full of red necks’ or ‘it’s full of big cities’. These types of comments generally come from people who have never been there nor did an overnight stopover in LA to visit Disneyland. From our experience none of these comments are true. Language is not a barrier in the USA or Canada (Quebec excepted), fuel is cheap and the diversity of terrain is enormous.
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We often say that Australia is a land of extremes from the tropics to the desert to the mountains. The US and Canada have the same extremes but their mountains are much higher and their canyons much deeper. If you like a bit of dirt under your tyres then you could get lost in the National Parks of the S-W for months and never get bored. Exchange rates vary but travel in the US and Canada is generally cheaper than Europe. The traveling staples of fuel, food and accommodation are all cheaper than Europe or Australia. OK so has your travel bug stirred? Interested in having a look at what might be involved in planning that first overseas trip? Why not get along to the next Horizons Unlimited Travelers Meeting to be held right here in SEQ at Boonah from May 3 6. There you will have the opportunity to hear from and meet fellow adventurers who have been there and done that. There are some wonderful people out there with a love of motorcycles and adventure who are only too willing to share that passion. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/ queensland-2019 Tony Gray
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THE 20th FRIGID DIGIT !!!!!
MYSTERY WEEKENDER FOLLOWING A PROUD TRADITION OF OVER 23 YEARS, 3 “BEST ORGANISED RIDE AWARDS”, TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELLED OF MORE THAN 6,300km, MORE THAN 640 PARTICIPANTS AND 14 DESTINATIONS.
BMWMCQ PRESENTS
THE 20th FRIGID DIGIT The Tradition: A Mystery Weekender on the last weekend in July, travelling on great motorcycling sealed roads to a destination within 2.5 hours from Brisbane and guaranteed to be cold. Camping and Cabin accommodation. Enjoy each others company at social gatherings at morning tea, lunch and in the evening and cap the night off with some warming liquids telling yarns around a campfire. Some previous destinations have included, Queen Mary Falls, Jondaryan, Esk, Goomburra, Binna Burra, Bunya Mountains, Stanthorpe and Kilkivan. This Year: It’s on again (27~28th July) and the location will be revealed on Ride Directions handed out on the morning of departure or on the GPS Route emailed out the night before. The ride directions will guide us, via morning tea and lunch stops, to our mystery destination. With lots of cabins available this year, it has the potential of being largest turnout since 2009. A venue is close by for the evening meal and social gathering. So be quick to book and get your winter woolies ready, because it’s going to be a lot colder than Brisbane and hopefully we can match last years sub zero temperature. Camp Details: Camping costs $27 per tent (1 or 2 people). Excellent amenities with hot showers and fireplaces. Cabin Details: $130~$160 for 1 or 2 people. Linen is included. Each cabin has an ensuite and kitchenette. There are two cabins set aside for lone riders Contact:
Gary Bennett on 0411 784279 or gbennett777@gmail.com
FOR THE AIRHEADS - and there are many
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MMM BOXERWORKS AIRHEADS GROUP PAGE Each month Mark will endeavor to provide a couple of links to his instructional videos on dealing with all matters pertaining to BMW Airhead Motor Cycles. These are the three links this month to Facebook Video’s:
https://www.facebook.com/Boxerworks/videos/2143712605952029/ These two are about Paralever final drive bearings...the little ones at the final drive end of a swing arm They are used in later model oil heads too https://www.facebook.com/Boxerworks/videos/2118505081806115/ https://www.facebook.com/Boxerworks/videos/2118571021799521/
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REFLECTIONS on 60 years - gary bennett
FRIGID DIGIT Mystery Weekenders 1995 Present
n 1994 Graham Healey, who had only joined the club the year before, had a club member mate who was planning to attend the Off Centre Rally (always held in winter) with other club members and they decided that a ‘shake down’ run was required to test packing, equipment and fuel range fully loaded. A cold destination and a criss-crossing route was chosen to get there. This shake down run was such a success that it inspired Graham to make it a regular event on the last full weekend in July, as this weekend is historically the coldest and driest weekend of the year. The following year the first Frigid Digit (FD) was held at Queen Mary Falls. Approximately 25 members attended, which was an amazing effort considering that camping in the coldest time of the year is not “normal behaviour” and back then, as is now, 30 attendees is considered a very successful event. Queen Mary Falls had a cabin, which someone used and a great campground for the tents. Sunday morning they woke to a temperature of -6 Deg. and frozen water pipes, which set the bar very high for future years. The weekend was capped off with a Bullock ride and whip cracking by an 8 year old boy. The following year (1996) the FD was held at Bunya Mountains where it rained most of the night. In the 1996 10 Journal page 5, there is an article written by Matt (Wiggy) McGuigan, who was the club secretary at the time, describing the wet FD weekend. It’s brilliant and well worth reading. The 1997 FD in Binna Burra was the last FD where the destination was published prior to the event. I joined the club in 1998 and on my first ride with the club I heard about the FD and loved the idea, but due to unforseen circumstances the event was cancelled that year, so I had to wait until 1999 to go on my first FD. The fourth FD, at Esk marked the start of the FD’s being a mystery event and a navigation ride, using great motorcycling sealed roads criss-crossing our way to the destination. On the Saturday night we all have a meal together and a campfire where we reflected on the day’s journey and told a few lies. The consumption of copious amounts of warming fluids also played a big part of the evening. Being now a mystery event added a new level of difficulty in organising the event with all bookings going through the organiser:
so Graham enlisted the help of good mate Noel Sopeer (life member) to help out. In 2000 the FD was held at a Clifton hotel that is now known as O’Shannley’s Irish Hotel. As usual the ride to the hotel was fantastic and the meal that night was superb. The regulation campfire was not quite to regulation being a fireplace inside the pub but we put up with it due to its close proximity to the bar. All the rooms were booked out and some tents were pitched out the back of the hotel. I was lucky (??) enough to get a bed in a room with other lone riders and apart from being woken a few times by Charlie Brown emitting noises from either end of his body, it was a good night sleep. We woke the next morning to ice all over the bikes and tents. Then next year (2001) it was held back at Esk, I was crook that year and was unable to attend. The attendance each year was averaging out to about 25 people. 2001 was to be Grahams last year as the organiser, he was burning out and finding it increasingly difficult to devote the time needed to organise the event each year. I had dipped my toes into organising rides with a weekender and a breakfast ride and decided to make an offer to take over the event. My first FD as organiser was back at Queen Mary Falls (2002) with 30 people attending. A bus was organised to deliver us into Killarney for a Christmas in July fund raiser for the Killarney Hospital with traditional Xmas meal, entertainment, dancing and a bonfire. Richard and Wendy De Groot were polishing the dance floor most of the night and a good time was had by all. The bus delivered us back to the caravan park and we gathered around our own campfire to reflect on the day. Not wanting to burnout, I decided to hold the FD every second year, so my next event was 2004 in Stanthorpe. We stayed at the Top of Town Caravan Park, which had lots of cabins, a house, well appointed camp kitchen and a great camping area. We used just about everything they had and 62 people attended that weekend. We meet at Gailes Roadhouse on Saturday morning and I took numbers of who wanted to attend a wine tasting tour so I could organise the last part of the weekend before we left. It was a great ride up the Head Road stopping off at Queen Mary Falls for a sausage sizzle lunch before continuing on to Stanthorpe. The wine tour went well as we visited four wineries and one vineyard even had a Bush Poet to entertain us.
REFLECTIONS on 60 years - gary bennett
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We had a bus take us to dinner at the Bowling Club with live music, dancing and a solo performance by Grace Odgaard playing the spoons. I only found out recently that Grace had never played the spoons before, but she was great. The next morning a hot breakfast was provided by the Caravan Park owners.
Sub Zero at 9.30pm
Allison playing the Spoons 2004 I thought that 2004 was a big event but Toowoomba (2006) was even bigger with 73 attending. We booked out a Restaurant across the road from the Caravan Park for the evening meal and a hot breakfast was served in another great Camp Kitchen. The 2008 FD was the start of a new format where we would alternate between camping one year and full accommodation the next. It also marked the end of the event being held every second year. Bunya Mountains was chosen as the first predominately a camping weekend with just a few cabins, 35 people attended. The ride was equally spectacular with morning tea at CJ’s Wamuran over looking the Great Dividing Range. We stopped at Somerset Dam to watch the first release of water after the big drought, then to Secrets on the road to Hampton for a BBQ lunch with views over the Brisbane Valley. The temperature that night got down to zero at about 9:30pm.
2009 was the full accommodation year and I was not prepared for what was about to happen. Binna Burra was chosen for the destination and a record 82 people met at Mt. Coot-tha, which was to be the starting point. We booked out all the accommodation available. We arrived in the early afternoon in time for a guided tour through the rainforest, then met for drinks on the deck to watch the sun go down. The dining room that night was packed out with our rowdy group. The next morning some stayed on to enjoy a Flying Fox ride while others left to travel home. The link below is a video the Garry and Michelle (R.I.P) Hilton took of the weekend.
https://youtu.be/rRedwr9HYdI
Goomburra was chosen as the destination for the camping event in 2010, a great location perched up on the Great Dividing Range near Cunningham’s Gap. Although it was a great campground with lush green grass, the owners of the property were not quite as nice, which only became apparent when we arrived. While the event was being organised, they were very helpful. I hold the honour of being the only person to come off a bike on any FD to date and the buster happened about 1km from the Goomburra Campground. With a few minor repairs to the bike at the campground and a mouthful of anti-inflammatories for sore ribs I was ready to enjoy the night and ride home the next day.
Continued on page 33
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ADVERTISING & BMW SUPPORTS
ADVERTISING & BMW SUPPORTS
MARCH 2019
29
30
Date
MARCH 2019
Start
BMWMCQ 2019 Events Calendar
BMWMCQ Club Events Schedule March 2019 Event
Club AGM and General Meeting
Details
Thu 07
7:00 PM
Sun 10
3:30 PM
Club Ride
Mon 11
7:00 PM
Committee Coorparoo RSL, Meeting 45 Holdsworth St, Coorparoo
Contact
Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung Qld
president@bmwmcq.org.au
Sandstone Point Tavern, 1800 Bribie Island Road, Sandstone Point QLD The March ride will be a night ride up to Sandstone Point Tavern. Meet at Caltex Micheltonat 4:00pm for a 4:30pm departure. Estimated time of arrival at Sandstone Point will be 6:30pm. Watch the club webpage or Facebook for further details.
Cindy and Duncan Bennett
president@bmwmcq.org.au
president@bmwmcq.org.au Social The Glen Hotel, 24 Gaskill St, 8 Mile Plains.... Dinner and Come and enjoy a social night in the company Drinks of fellow club members and share a tale or two. There is plenty of parking available. Don’t forget to use your senior’s card for a great value meal.
Fri 15
6:30 PM
Sun 17
9:00 AM
Sat 23
Tue 26
9:00 AM
6:00 PM
Coffee Ride Elixir Coffee, 10-12 Hayward Street Stafford
president@bmwmcq.org.au
Sat 30
12:00 PM
Lunch Ride Old Crow Hotel 32 Williams St Crows Nest QLD 4355...Seniors lunch menue available
president@bmwmcq.org.au
Sun 31
09:00 AM
BLACK The Black Dog Ride is NOT being held in Brisbane this year BUT IS being held DOG RIDE on either the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast. Below is the link to the registration page. You can make your choice and you should pre-register. https://www.blackdogride.com.au/view/upcomingrides/1dayer2019
German Brisbane German Club, 416 Vulture Street, East Club Social Brisbane ....Come along and enjoy the company Dinner of your fellow Club members. A limited amount of parking is available in the club carpark however, if this is full, parking is available on Duke and Linton Streets. Arrive anytime after 6:00pm. SERVICE DAY
Location: 61-63 St Jude Circuit Jimboomba (Just off Mt Lindesay Highway)
editor@bmwmcq.org.au
spares@bmwmcq.org.au
Whilst all details are correct at the time of printing, last minute changes may be required for reasons beyond our control. Please monitor the event details on the club webpage or Facebook for published changes. You would like to organise a ride? Send the details to events@bmwmcq.org.au to have the details posted into the Club calendar.
MARCH 2019 BMWMCQ 2019 Events Calendar BMWMCQ Club Events Schedule April 2019 Date
Thu 04
Start
7:30 PM
Event
Club General Meeting
Sun 07
Club Ride
Thu 11
Social Drinks with Dinner
Mon 08
Sat/ Sun 13/14
7:00 PM 6:00 PM AM/ PM
Details
Contact
Geebung RSL Club, president@bmwmcq.org.au 323 Newman Road, Geebung Qld…Meals from 6:00pm with meeting commencing at 7.30pm. ALL WELCOME! Come and meet people who share a common interest. TBA
Bacchus Brewing Co 1/2 Christine Place Capalaba. Come and enjoy a social night in the
president@bmwmcq.org.au
Cullendore High Country : Just over the border into NSW, south-east of Warwick and 2.5 hrs from Brisbane : For further info visit www. cullendore.com or phone Gary Bennett 0411 784279
Gary Bennett 0411 784279
Good Friday
ANZAC Day
Committee Coorparoo RSL, Meeting 45 Holdsworth St, Coorparoo
CAMPING WEKEND
31
president@bmwmcq.org.au
company of fellow club members....Its OK to park Bikes inside the gates if you to want to.
REFER TO ADVERT ON PAGE 21
Fri 19
Mon 22 Thu 25
Public Holiday
Public Holiday
Tue 30 6:00 PM
DATE Fri Sat Sun 1719 May 2019
Public Holiday
Easter Monday
German Brisbane German Club, 416 Vulture Street, East editor@bmwmcq.org.au Club Social Brisbane ....Come along and enjoy the company of Dinner your fellow Club members. A limited amount of parking is available in the club carpark however, if this is full, parking is available on Duke and Linton Streets. Arrive anytime after 6:00pm.
EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS CALENDAR TIME
All Weekend
EVENT
DETAILS
BMW OWNERS CLUB SOUTH AUSTRALIA
PELICAN RALLY 2019 BIENNAL Rally which will be held at CAMP KEDRON on the Banks of Lake Bonney riday to Sunday 17th to 19th May 2019… more details will be posted closer to the event
CONTACT
BMW OWNERS CLIUB SA PO BOX 193 NTH ADELAIDE SA 5006
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MARCH 2019
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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
Good Wool Store Pty Ltd 49 Queen St BERRY 2535 P 02 4464 2081. F 02 4464 3344
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REFLECTIONS on 60 years - gary bennett
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MARCH 2019
2015 Group Photo
Some of the tents at Goomburra
One of the Fire Sculptures
There were 30 people who all camped which convinced me that camping in the cold is alive and well. There was no FD in 2011, the planets didn’t align, but we bounced back in 2012 with another camping event held at Flanagan’s Reserve on the Logan River next to Mt. Barney. This was to be my last FD as I was burning out, but thankfully Graham Healey offered to help out with future events and instantly I was all fired up again and we did it with a bang!! The following year was camping and accommodation at Jondaryan Woolshed, a destination I wanted to go to for a number of years but just couldn’t quite pull it off. It was well worth the wait with lots to offer on site for the 41 participants. The campers had a few unexpected guests with questionable manners; they were sharing the campsites with some horses: one of which took a liking to Howard Wilson’s R100CS and attempted to eat a pannier and windshield. The 2014 FD was a camping event for 25 people at Yarramalong near Maroon Dam. It was a beautiful campsite nestled down the back of a horse stud farm, with tall trees, hot showers and flushing toilets. We went through a bit of rain before arriving, which proved to be a bit of a challenge for some on the clay track to the back of the property, especially for Bruce Avery towing his Camper trailer. The 20th Anniversary FD just had to be held back where it all started, Queen Mary Falls. 41 people booked out all cabins and a big chunk of the campground. The owners of the Caravan Park catered for us on the Saturday night out in the open air. We were kept warm by a number of Fire Sculptures supplied by a local in Killarney. A presentation was projected up onto a big screen, containing photos and history of the FD since 1995.
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REFLECTIONS on 60 years - gary bennett
A whip cracking demonstration was performed by the same little boy (now 28), that performed at the original FD in 1995. 35 members went camping at Kilkivan in 2016, which the FD was the official ride of the “100 years of BMW”. Another beautiful location with a well equipped camp kitchen. Another presentation was shown during the evening of BMW motorcycles from most years. A chocolate cake made in a jaffle iron by Liz Healey and a damper made by myself on a BBQ were a small part of what was being created in the camp kitchen that night and who could forget Bruce Gaskin who attended the day ride, then decided to stay. Bruce had no money, no tent and no intention to stay any longer at 3am when he still couldn’t sleep because he was so cold. We all new what time it was as his bike (R100GS) wouldn’t start, but he kept trying and eventually it fired up and off he went home. We could hear him in the distance for miles. Yarraman Caravan Park was chosen for 2017 as it had good cabins, camping area and a multi-function room that we used for our evening meal prepared by caterers with a spit roast… just delicious. After dinner we were entertained by a Bush Poet, who just happened to be a good mate of Tony Cuffe (ex-president). The bush poet also recited “Clancy of the Overflow” with our very talented Tony Malone (Life Member). Last year we went to Storm King Dam near Stanthorpe and for the first time the ride to our destination took us through NSW and stopping at the Lunatic Hotel in Drake for Lunch. Safe campfire entertainment was provided by our Firemeister, Trent Smyth for the 3rd year running. We were being joined this year by Darryl Gowlett (ex-president) who was on his first FD since the original one back in 1995; that was until he lost all his camping gear off the back of his bike just over the border. He backtracked but the gear couldn’t be found and he went home. I know how he feels; it happened to me a couple of months later. There was a layer of ice on the bikes on Sunday Morning, which put smiles on many faces.
Tony had a great night
The top attendees to the FRIGID DIGIT Noel Sopeer (life member) x12 Tony Malone (life member) x11 Gary Stirling x10 Yurgen Harmsen x10 3 people with 8 attendances 2 people with 7 attendances 10 people with 6 attendances 9 people with 5 attendances
A total of 264 different people have attended a Frigid Digit since 1995. Average attendance per person is 2.44 Km’s travelled across all Frigid Digits is approximately 6,300km This does not include the journey home after each event. Below zero temperatures have been achieved at 6 Frigid Digits. The Frigid Digit is the 3rd longest running weekender (23yrs) in the clubs history, behind the Cane Toad Rally (40yrs) and the Coffs Harbour Bowling Weekend (26yrs).
Trents feet warmers
Words by Gary Bennett #509 Sourced from personal records BMWMCQ Journals 1995 to 2001
REFLECTIONS on 60 years - gary bennett
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Conversations with Graham Healey #236 Bookings for this years FRIGID DIGIT are now open, which will be held on the 27-28th July and it will be predominately Cabin accommodation with a small camping area. See details in this Journal, Facebook & BMWMCQ Website now.
BMWMCQ CLUB RIDE 7th July 2019 Australian Superbike Championship Rd. 4 at MORGAN PARK, Warwick, Qld.
Glenn Allerton riding a BMW S1000RR Won the Championship in 2011 & 2014 Can this be his year to win again on the mighty BMW? And what about Troy Bayliss and his incredible return to ASBK in 2018 at the age of 50, how good will he be at his home track? It’s Round 4 of this great Aussie series right here in our back yard. See our facebook page or Club Website for more details or contact Gary Bennett 0411784279
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