OCTOBER 2020
www.bmwmcq.org.au
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE BMW MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF QUEENSLAND INC. Established 1958
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 - Mark Gilbert Ph: 0400 151 750 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200GS / F800GS
Secretary - Tony Gray Ph: 0409 493 605 secretary@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 GS (The Grey Ghost) R 60/6 Treasurer - John Eacott
Ph: 0428 383 826 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au 2017 K1600GT
Events - Mark Mustchin Ph: 0416 061 638 events@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200GS
Editors - Cindy & Duncan Bennett Ph: 0401 610 671 editor@bmwmcq.org.au Triumph Tigers Records- Greg Gaffney
Ph: 0411424 219 records@bmwmcq.org.au R 1200 RT
This Issue - OCTOBER 2020 Contents:Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . 5 REGALIA CATALOGUE . . . . . . . . . . 12 BMWMCQ EVENTS CALENDAR . . . . 14 NATIONAL MOTORRAD RALLY . . . . . 16 from the pen of jane gray . . . . 17 TALES OF THE GREY GHOST. . . . . . 18 CLUBMANSHIP AWARD. . . . . . . . . 25 CANE TOAD 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 RIDE TO GLIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SIVCS REGO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 FRIGID DIGIT PT 2. . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CANE TOAD REPORT. . . . . . . . . . . 30 GO WEST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 BACK TOGETHER CORRECTION . . . . 39 DODGING THE RAIN. . . . . . . . . . . 40 RETURN TO GYMPIE RIDE . . . . . . . 43 B2B #17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 DICK’S PICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 THUNDER RALLY. . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 QUICK GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 FOR THE AIRHEADS . . . . . . . . . . . 53 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 BMWMCQ BOOK EXCHANGE. . . . . . 59
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On The Cover A clear September day on Clear Mountain, by Paul Hughes
Tools/Spares - Bill Luyten Ph: 0438 123 747 tools@bmwmcq.org.au R1150 Rockstar - R1200 GS LC
Regalia - Rosi Johnson Ph: 0424 961 597 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au R1200R
Dealer Liaison - Don Grimes
Ph: 0411 601 372 R1200GS; K1300
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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Editorial
OCTOBER 2020
Cindy & Duncan Bennett
Editors’ Report
W
e made a few blues in the last journal - apologies to Charlie because technology got us over its knee and spanked us. Also apologies to Gary Bennett for punching out a fantastic CTR official report and somehow we didn’t get it - never mind it is in this month’s offering. As a Bennett he is without fault, but likewise we are Bennetts so therefore also without fault. Conclusion; no-one’s fault, they need to try as hard as a Bennett in future.
Will definitely see you on the road, Cindy & Duncan
A shot from Cindy’s helmet cam on our “Go West” ride, read all about it starting on page 32.
Submissions for the Next Journal close 28-ish October VENUE FOR BMWMCQ GENERAL MEETINGS GEEBUNG RSL CLUB 323 NEWMAN ROAD GEEBUNG MEALS OPEN AT 6.00 PM MEETING STARTS 7.30 PM
NEXT MEETING : Thursday 1st October!
Committee Reports Paul Hughes
OCTOBER 2020
5
President’s Report
H
ow lucky are we. Relative restrictions inside Queensland are minor compared to other states. So, we have been able to get out on the bikes any time we feel like it. There have been some great events in the last month and I thank everyone who has had a hand in assisting Mark Mustchin in organising them. Great job all. We must feel for our southern motorcyclists. I can’t imagine getting locked basically inside for 5 or 6 weeks. Looking forward to seeing them all out on the road very soon.
Lots of activity inside the club as the superb weather just continues to grace us. In October we have the next in our Back to the Bush series ( #17) over two nights (first in Maryborough and second in Goomeri). Lots of options for the rides including dirt. Kate and Don are busy organising the social events of this B2B. Please assist them by making sure they are aware of your intentions. This will be a great weekend. We also have a get yourself ride to Toogoolawah pub on one Sunday and a coffee morning in the Northern suburbs. Time to fill your calendar and catch up with some members you may not have seen for a while. The Christmas Party this year at Bribie Island is shaping up to be one of the best. As usual, there are seven vouchers from Morgan and Wacker and BMW Motorrad (many thanks to John Eacott for his work on this) to be won so hurry up and put your name down if you haven’t yet. The event is limited in numbers due to Covid19 restrictions so make sure you don’t miss out. Welcome to all the new members that have joined recently. I think I met most of you but let’s have you at as many events as you can make. The BMWMCQ is about riding motorcycles and socialising with others doing the same thing, so get amongst it. The club is in its 62nd year and we have many active members who have been around for a long time. The recognition program we have spoken of previously has been approved by the committee is now in the production phase and roll out to long term members is about to occur. More on this soon. Lots of press on both good and bad aspects of motorcycling lately. Rides close to the Brisbane CBD seem to be having more than their fair share of accidents. A lot of this is from riders “trying to outperform their capabilities and the roads conditions”. Glad to say none of our members have been involved so far to my knowledge. To continue the freedoms we have to ride where we like when we like, it is important all riders conduct themselves in socially acceptable norms both on and off the bikes. Please assist where-ever possible by promoting safe and socially acceptable riding practices. We can do this by example. Finally, a reminder. It is vitally important to the venues we use that we provide accurate numbers so they can conform to their Covid19 safe plans. Please assist us in this. Ride safe and ride often. Cheers, Paul
Another of Paul’s shots on Clear Mountain
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OCTOBER 2020
H
Mark Gilbert
Committee Reports Vice President’s Report
i Riders and Pillions,
The year marches on and on the positive side we have had some great riding weather, I hope you are all getting out to enjoy it. I have had a few conflicting engagements this month but have still managed to get out on a few occasions. If you have bought a 1250 recently I note a recall this month on compliance plate separation issues see below reported by Australian Motorcycle News.
BMW Motorrad recall R 1250 Boxers for compliance plate and noise emissions label issues PRA No. 2020/18509 Date published 24 Sep 2020 Campaign number 0000710800 Product description BMW Motorrad Motorcycles R 1250 GS (K50); R 1250 GS Adventure (K51); R 1250 RT (K52); R 1250 R (K53); R 1250 RS (K54) Model Year 2020 - 72 affected motorcycles What are the defects? Australian Design Rules (ADR) 61 and 83 require vehicles to be fitted with a compliance plate and noise emission label. The compliance plate and/or noise emission label may partially detach from the motorcycle or become illegible over time. What are the hazards? The motorcycle is not compliant with the Australian Design Rules. What should consumers do? Consumers should contact an authorised BMW Motorrad dealer, or call the BMW Group Australia Customer Interaction Centre on freecall 1800 813 299, to arrange for replacement of the labels. Consumers can also contact BMW Australia via the BMW Motorrad Australia website: bmwmotorrad.com.au Dates available for sale 18 May 2020 – 10 July 2020
Mark Mustchin
P
Event’s Report
lease see event calendar and event pages throughout the Journal to see what’s coming up.
September Coffee Morning at Coffee Club, Wynnum
Committee Reports
S
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OCTOBER 2020
John Eacott
Treasurer’s Report
oftware issues with changing over to a new version of Reckon have had a minor glitch in the recording of entries but all should be up and running again next week on Reckon One. A couple of overdue invoices being followed up. Life wasn’t meant to be easy?
BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc
Profit & Loss Prev Year Comparison 9:05 AM
BMW Motorcycle Club of Queensland Inc
February 1 through September 23, 2020
Balance Sheet
23/09/20
As of September 23, 2020
Cash Basis Feb 1 - Sep 23, 19 Feb 1 - Sep 23, 20 Ordinary Income/Expense Income Advertising Income Interest Received Membership Fees Total Income Expense Affiliation Fees Auditors Fees Australia Post / Post Box Rent Bank Charges Club competition Computer costs Internet Services Software Expense Computer costs - Other
2,013.74 360.20 8,242.95
4,400.00 246.23 7,727.39
10,616.89
12,373.62
0.00 660.00 201.00 10.00 750.00
238.00 0.00 195.00 0.00 0.00
184.67 63.59 0.00
152.90 69.95 89.00
Total Computer costs
248.26
311.85
141.00
55.35 176.15 78.26 50.00 556.50 55.09 75.89
Total Insurance
916.00
991.89
43.95 31.46 160.57 137.00
215.31 0.00 129.55 200.00
Total Prepaid Expense
150.00
0.00
150.00
0.00
173.80 20.00 214.31 90.78 0.00 2,695.00
14.30 20.00 50.12 56.36 91.74 2,695.00
Total Expense
6,643.13
5,264.47
Net Ordinary Income
3,973.76
7,109.15
780.35
61.00
Printing and Stationery Telephone Tools Expense Website Domain Expenses Website Hosting Expenses Website Maintenance
Other Income/Expense Other Income Donations Income Event income 2020 BMW CA Rally income Event income - Other
813.00 0.00
0.00 2,000.00
Total Event income
813.00
2,000.00
Regalia Sales Tools & parts sales
0.00 0.00
155.00 10.00
Total Other Income
1,593.35
2,226.00
Other Expense 2020 BMW CA Rally
144.96
880.00
Total Other Expense
144.96
880.00
1,448.39
1,346.00
5,422.15
8,455.15
Net Other Income Net Income
13,550.58 20,352.43
9,267.21 20,000.00
Total Chequing/Savings
33,903.01
29,267.21
0.00
1,215.00
Total Accounts Receivable
0.00
1,215.00
33,903.01
30,482.21
Fixed Assets Club Banners Property, Plant and Equipment
0.00 0.00
150.40 439.32
Total Fixed Assets
0.00
589.72
33,903.01
31,071.93
0.00
90.32
0.00
90.32
Other Current Liabilities Club Event Payments
1,320.00
1,800.00
Total Other Current Liabilities
1,320.00
1,800.00
1,320.00
1,890.32
1,320.00
1,890.32
NET ASSETS
32,583.01
29,181.61
EQUITY Retained Surpluses Net Income
27,160.86 5,422.15
20,726.46 8,455.15
TOTAL EQUITY
32,583.01
29,181.61
TOTAL ASSETS
Miscellaneous Office Supplies PayPal commission Postage Prepaid Expense 2020 Christmas Party
Sep 23, 19
Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable
Total Current Assets
Government Charges Insurance Brokers fee Insurance GST Policy fee Premium Stamp Duty Insurance - Other
176.15 78.26 50.00 556.50 55.09 0.00
Sep 23, 20 ASSETS Current Assets Chequing/Savings BMWMCQ Cheque Account BOQ Premier Investment Acct
LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Accounts Payable *Accounts Payable Total Accounts Payable
Total Current Liabilities TOTAL LIABILITIES
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Committee Reports
OCTOBER 2020
Tony Gray
Secretary’s Report
I
t has been very quiet on the Secretary front. Sister clubs throughout Australia have very limited or (in Victoria’s case) nil activity being undertaken. We are very lucky with the situation we are enjoying in our State but don’t get complacent lest we slip backwards. Remember to always book your place for any club ride or social functions as it is paramount that we book accurate numbers at the various venues that we visit and who so look forward to our patronage. At time of writing it has just been announced that our border restrictions with NSW will be relaxed from 1 October so some more riding opportunities on offer in northern NSW. Very sadly this does not yet stretch far enough to include our very valued members in Port Macquarie – hopefully not too far away. Keep safe everyone.
On the road to Leyburn - September Monthly Club ride. Read all about it on page 40 (Photo by Jane Gray)
Committee Reports
OCTOBER 2020
9
BMWMCQ Meeting Minutes 03 September 2020 Venue: Geebung RSL (also connected on Facebook Live) Meeting Opened: Apologies:
7.35 pm Maggie & George Rafanowicz, David Whale, John Eacott, Chris Lancaster, John Allan. Minutes of Previous General Meeting: Accepted: Darryl Gowlett
General Business
Seconded: Gary Bennett 26 Ross & Jenny Layther (R1250GS 2019 blue) Nil Nil Listed in the Journal. Bank Balance included with P&L each month. Great Journal (again). Top story from Charlie Brown. More articles please for next journal (and ongoing). Special presentation to Rob Wynne for his outstanding clubmanship in hosting the Club Service days. All gear available displayed in Journal. 235 Financial members. Four new members in August. Lot on the calendar. FD mark 2, Monthly ride to Leyburn and mid week ride to Kenilworth all upcoming in the next couple of weeks. Paper membership for new member, one RTS membership card, notification from BOQ for term investment, electronic journals from other BMW Clubs and paper journal from NSW Touring Club (3 months worth). Promote the Club Library - this month featured book is ‘No Room for Watermelons’ by Ron & Lynne Fellowes. No new models but plenty of bikes being sold. Couple of great rides this path month. B2B Mundubbera great event as was the Cane Toad Rally. Numbers are critical for events because of Covid restrictions. Rules for this Sunday’s ride is on the Facebook events page. Far Cairn Rally is proceeding as a virtual rally for NSW entrants only. Dave Hepburn’s 2015 R1200RT is up for sale. Cindy & Duncan’s western ride - too much tar. Cane Toad Rally raised $722 to be donated to a Charity TBA. Next year Rally is being moved to Mt Perry inland from Bundaberg. Last weekend in April. Raffle winners; Jenny Layther, Frank Hills, Greg Gaffney.
Closed:
8.20 pm
Number of Attendees: New Members (Name & MC): Visitors: Returning Members: Treasurer Report: Editor Report: Tools Report: Regalia Report: Records Report: Events Report: Secretary Report:
Dealer Liaison Report: Vice President Report: President Report: Other Events/Buy/Sell/Swap: Past rides:
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OCTOBER 2020
Greg Gaffney
Committee Reports Records Officers Report
T
hanks to all those members who got back to me to update our database with their year joined. The accuracy of our older records is a challenge because some of our members ‘year joined’ was almost before computers existed!
It is so good to be back at the Geebung RSL club and meeting members face Greg Gaffney to face. I’m not participating in as many rides these days, so it’s great to have records@ bmwmcq.org.au the opportunity to keep in touch. Welcome to New Members : Keith Williams & Julie Carter CLEVELAND R1200GS Scott Rogan YERONGA R60, R60/5, R100/7, R100GS Nick Baker BIRKDALE R1250 GS Rallye Adventure 1986 Honda VF1000 Michael & Lourein Annea HIGHVALE K1200GT Jamie Harris SANDGATE R100RS
Committee Reports
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OCTOBER 2020
Bill Luyten
SERVICE DAY
The Club will hold a Service Day on Saturday 14 Nov at Rob Wynne’s place starting around 0900-0930. Location: 61-63 Saint Jude Circuit Jimboomba (Just off Mt Lindesay Highway) Note: some GPSs require the suburb to be “Glenlogan” Oil drain pans, oil disposal as well as a comprehensive tool kit is available. If you need one of the special tools, I usually bring most but send me a reminder to make sure I have it. We will be providing a Sausage Sizzle (or maybe Rob’s yummy steaks) and Drinks for a gold coin donation (proceeds to the RFDS). There are special tools available (see below list) including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools. New items added to the club tool kit is Optimate 4 Desulfating Battery Charge/Test Maintainer and Motorcycle Battery Tester. Repair Manuals I have various Repair Manuals available to borrow mainly for older bikes.
Tool’s Report 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 Diagnostic tool (for older bikes) • Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS) tool • Enduralast hall sensor tester • Brake bleeding tool (suction bleeding via the brake caliper) • Compression tester • Optimate 4 Desulfating Battery Charge/ Test Maintainer • Motorcycle Battery Tester (Tests State of Health of the bike’s battery) Club Tool Loan: $50 deposit (refundable) for GS911: Tools and spares can be picked up at my place in Springfield. Contact Tools Officer
Tools for loan There are special tools available including the GS911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools. Bill Luyten 0438 123 747
email: spares@bmwmcq.org.au
Rosi Johnson
N
Regalia Report
othing really to report here. Merchandise available online or by visiting the shop out at Gold Star Embroidery . Happy Riding! regalia@bmwmcq.org.au Club lunch ride to Goombungee
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THIS SEASON’S REGALIA
OCTOBER 2020
Lady Shirts
2LPS - $26 65% polyester 35% cotton
Bloke Shirts
210 - $26 65% polyester 35% cotton
2LCP - $27.50 65% polyester 35% cotton
2CP - $27.50 65% polyester 35% cotton
Gender Neutral Hats & Bags
AH695 - $17 Bucket Hat Sandwich Design (with trim)
AH715 - $16 Bucket Hat
7LPI - $29.50 100% polyester
7PIP - $29.50 100% polyester
AH230 - $15 Cotton Cap
Metro - black/charcoal or black/royal $20.50
ICE Tee - $24.50 Cotton
ICE Tee - $24.50 Cotton “Best riding shirt ever, did Africa and still going” - Dr D. Livingston
AH742 - $17 100% Wool Beanie
AH770 - $17 100% Cotton Beanie
Swiss charcoal- $35.50
THIS SEASON’S REGALIA
OCTOBER 2020
13
Club order form for shirts, bags and hats Send this form to daniel@goldstarembroidery.com.au or call Daniel on 0403 150 857 Name: ___________________________
Email address:_____________________________________
If delivery is required an additional fee is charged. Delivery required?
Yes or No:______
Delivery address: ______________________________________________________________________ A minimum 50% deposit is required before the order is started. Payment in full is required if Gold Star Embroidery is to organise delivery. An invoice will be emailed after the order form is received. Shirts: Shirt product code number
Quantity
Size
Colour
Bags: Bag product name
Quantity
Colour
Metro Swiss Headwear: Product code number
Quantity
Size
Colour
Cap AH230 - $15 each Bucket Hat Sandwich AH695 - $17 each Bucket Hat AH715 - $16 each Wool Beanie AH742 - $17 each Cotton Beanie AH770 - $17 each
There are also more colours, shirt styles and fabrics available through Gold Star Embroidery - check out the website at goldstarembroidery and call Daniel - he knows all about BMW regalia!
BMWMCQ 2020 Events Calendar BMWMCQ Club Events for OCTOBER 2020
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Datee Thurs 1 Oct.
OCTOBER 2020
Start 7:30pm
Event Club General Meeting
Details Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm ALL WELCOME! Maryborough and Goomeri
Contact President Paul
Sat 3 Oct to Mon 5 Oct.
8:30am
Sat 10 Oct.
Back to Bush #17
9:00am
Coffee Meet Up
Mon 19 Oct.
9:00am
Ride to Glide
Kingaroy
Mark Mustchin - Events
Thurs 29 6:00pm Oct
German Club Dinner
Brisbane German Club
Mark Mustchin - Events
Sun 25 Oct.
12:30pm Club Lunch Ride
See page further on for details.
Sea Salt & Vine Cafe, Reef Point Esplanade, Scarborough See page further on for details. Destination is Toogoolawah Hotel, Toogoolawah 416 Vulture Street East Brisbane
Don Grimes & Kate Farrar
Mark Mustchin - Events
President Paul
OCTOBER 2020 BMWMCQ 2020 Events Calendar BMWMCQ Club Events for NOVEMBER 2020
Datee Thurs 5 Nov.
Start 7:30pm
Sun 8 Nov.
2:30pm
Sat 14 Nov.
9:30am
Sat 14 to Sun 15 Nov Sat 21 Nov. Sun 22 Nov.
2:45pm 9:00am
Event Club General Meeting
Details Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm
Contact President Paul
Club Service Day
Jimboomba, details in Tools Report
Bill Luyton - Tools
Coffee Meet Up
Cafe 63, Bowling St Enogerra
Mark Mustchin - Events
German Club Dinner
Brisbane German Club
Mark Mustchin - Events
Monthly Club Ride - Fish & Chip Ride
Sunny Coast Australian Hotel, Gympie Riders - Back to See page further on for details. Gympie Ride
12:30pm Club Lunch Ride
Thurs 26 6:00pm Nov.
ALL WELCOME! Morgan’s Seafood Scarborough
Destination is Country Life Hotel, Kin Kin
Duncan & Cindy Bennett
Richard de Groot - Sunny Coast Riders
President Paul
416 Vulture Street East Brisbane
EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS CALENDAR Date 17 October 2020
Event BMW /5 Tribute Gathering
“Our Rally” Get ready for 2021...
Location POSTPONED TO DATE TBC
Contact BMW Touring Club NSW
See details for 2021 CTR on page 26!
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C
OCTOBER 2020
BMW MOTORAD RALLY
ountdown to the BMW Clubs Australia Motorrad Rally has stopped!
The planning work continues to make this a memorable event for the Club on the long weekend of 2nd to 5th October at Stanthorpe.
Registration cost is $64.39 per person and includes Rally entry, dinner on the Saturday Night and breakfast on Sunday morning along with a welcome pack including Rally Badge and Sticker along with goodies from our generous sponsors. Registration bookings are now open directly from the BMWMCQ website (no login required), or just click here and do it right now: www.motorradrally2020.com.au
Accommodation options include camping at the Showgrounds, or your preferred style of lodging in or around Stanthorpe. A list of suggestions is provided on the registration page. Thanks to our generous sponsors, some are doing it tough, in fact Compass Expeditions has folded - very unfortunate but we will pursue other options.
OCTOBER 2020 FROM THE PEN OF JANE GRAY “NEW NORMALITY” JEGAug2020
When will this be over or is this how things will stay? Will we ever see friends & family who live so far away? When will life be back to “normal” the way it used to be? Or is the how things will be now? Our “new normality” Let’s hope the kids & grandkids will remember how things were Social life & travel the way we’d all prefer Before our border closures & 2 weeks quarantine Before social distancing became the constant theme For now & in the future we have to be upbeat Please take the usual precautions with anyone you meet Until the world recovers & opens up again We’ll reminisce & tell the kids stories of back when.
Cable Beach, Broome (Jane Gray)
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18
OCTOBER 2020
By Tony Gray, Member #3905
I
f you have been a member of the BMWMCQ during the past 10 years and participated in club runs during that time then you would have met the “Grey Ghost“ – if not then let me introduce you. The Grey Ghost is a 2007 model year (manufacture date 11/06) R1200GS in Granite Grey Metallic Paint livery who just so happens to belong to Jane & Tony Gray. Gray by name and Grey by nature. We are writing this tale because the Grey Ghost has just chalked up 200,000km which may be old in bike mileages but she still has a spring in her step. We wrote of her exploits back in April 2016 when she chalked up her first 100,000km so what has she been up to since that time. Better still lets go back to the beginning. Jane and I had planned our first big overseas bike trip to take in the Isle of Man TT Races and have a squiz around Europe for 3 months in the first half of 2010. We had booked a bike passage with ‘Get Routed’ leaving Brisbane by ship in the first quarter of the year. Problem was that neither of our bikes was really suited to what we had planned. “Rex” the 1200 Kwaka was very much a sports/tourer and fitted with soft luggage had hauled us successfully around Tasmania but Europe was a different story. “Bumblebee” our K1200S BMW was very much in the same mould but those funny little expanding panniers on the K bikes couldn’t hold much and the lower sports bars made fully loaded touring a daunting prospect. Much head scratching and a test ride on a R1200GS swayed us in that direction. I still remember that first test ride on the GS after the sportier bikes – it felt a bit like taking a Cocker Spaniel for a walk after owning Staffy Terriers – soft and friendly without the bite or hard edges. Jane likened the change to removing the stilettos and slipping on the slippers. (Ed - nearly removed that metaphor as “too racy for the Journal”. No problems with that Jane in stilettos one though.) Christmas came late for us that year with the papers signed at Morgan & Wacker on 29 December 2009 to take possession of the Grey Ghost. This was a happy/sad day as we also farewelled Bumblebee. I hate selling bikes but there was no financial
TALES OF THE GREY GHOST alternative if we wanted to get to Europe without washing dishes. It had been 3 years since she left the Spandau plant in Germany. Interestingly her birth year of 2006 was the first year that 100,000+ motorcycles were manufactured at the Spandau Factory. 2006 was also an ‘interesting’ year in the history of the R1200GS. This model was first unleashed to the world in 2004 with very little change in the 2005 and 2006 model years. The 2007 model (manufactured from 10/06 and including the Grey Ghost) added several important and significant changes. It is somewhat of a forgotten transition model however as it still looked the same as its predecessors and the next 2008/09 models changed aesthetically with much greater fanfare at their introduction. You can buy a Haynes Manual for a 2004 to 2006 model or alternatively one for the 2008 and 2009 model years but not for the largely forgotten 2007. We kinda’ like the quirky nature of that story – a bit like the kid growing up with something to prove. She was first registered in Queensland in February 2007 and had a mere 12,768km on her clock when we picked her up – all of that was going to change and in a big hurry. We quickly ran up some miles to get familiar with each other, fitted her with a set of 2nd hand Vario side panniers, a Ventura rack and small ‘Andy Strapz’ tankbag. Thus outfitted she was loaded into a shipping container and we did not see her again until we reacquainted ourselves 2 months later in Mother England.
We meet again – England 2010 That first big overseas trip was an eye opener and steep learning curve for the three of us
TALES OF THE GREY GHOST
OCTOBER 2020
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– ask anyone who has toured (especially overseas) She was thinking of getting an agent but we for a long period and their steed becomes an managed to keep her grounded with regular club intimate part of their journey. rides where much younger, more glamorous and attractive models abounded. She got down to the MotoGP to see how the fast set flew before her first big outback trip when Jane and I took her to follow the flood waters from the 2011 floods through outback NSW and South Australia. Our lust for overseas travel had not been satiated in 2010 so in 2012 the Grey Ghost was again loaded into a shipping container bound for England. She then had over 46,000km on her dial and we were all getting along very well. She carried the same luggage arrangement that year and again performed faultlessly. She passed her first 50,000km birthday on the Isle of Man – how fitting. Sporting some travel stickers at the end of her 2010 trip She ran faultlessly save for a punctured rear tyre in a very wet Lakes District in England and a blown headlamp bulb in France (more about that later). Our story of that trip was later published in Australian Motorcyclist Magazine and the Grey Ghost’s fan support had started.
IOM with Peel Castle for her 50,000th celebration That trip covered 22,000 km and included parts of Scandinavia where she twice traversed the Laerdals Tunnel - the world’s longest road tunnel (over 24 km long) - as well as over 70 road passes across the high peaks of the Alps. A highlight of that trip for the Grey Ghost was a return to her birthplace where we Lands End 2012 – she drew a big crowd for this stayed at Spandau, Berlin but unfortunately did not photo opportunity get in to see the BMW Motorcycle Plant in operation.
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In the Laerdals Tunnel Norway
Stelvio Pass one of many peaks on her 2012 trip
TALES OF THE GREY GHOST
On the way ‘home’ to Berlin Home again and nearing 70,000km (a stage where many will not look at a 2nd hand bike considered as ‘worn out’) the Grey Ghost was just hitting her stride. She accepted that Rex her stablemate deserved his trips to the MotoGP while she stayed at home and she sort of accepted that our two short trips to NZ in 2014 were justified but she spat the dummy when we left her at home for our big USA and Canada Trip in 2015. When we got home from that trip and fired her up she spat fuel all over the workshop floor – yes the dreaded fuel pump failure had surfaced. This was the first time in her life that she would not move. She was then showing 88,000km and the failure was covered under a BMW safety program so no cost to us. To try to make amends I took her on her first ‘boys- only trip’ to Tasmania where she clicked over the 100,000 km milestone.
100,000th celebration heading to the Port Melbourne Ferry Port Shortly after that trip we ‘retired’ her Vario panniers with her collected badges of honour from all of the places she had visited.
TALES OF THE GREY GHOST
Start of the Western Explorer Tasmania – she loves Tassie We had more big plans in store for her. In a major rearrangement of her carrying capacity I sourced various 2nd hand GSA aluminium panniers, topbox, frames and mounting plates from around Australia and even from England. We needed to be able to strap camping gear to the top of the boxes for our ‘lap’ ride around OZ in 2016.
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Into WA one of many border crossings that were so easy pre-Covid
New luggage, new trip. Start of the Lap Ride 2016 We didn’t do a proper lap as we wanted to travel up through the centre so traversed anticlockwise around the continent until we reached Port Augusta in SA then went up the middle then home through outback Qld.She handled that trip with aplomb through major weather changes and road conditions.
Plenty of dirt on this trip Back to normality and pressed back into her regular round of club duties her only on-road failure occurred. We had just attended the Club B2B ride to Kingaroy in May 2017 when on the return journey she chewed out the Final Drive seal and the main bearing collapsed.
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TALES OF THE GREY GHOST I acquired a complete 2nd hand unit off a 2009 model at a cheaper price and was back on the road quickly.
How to flatten your tyres The new organ arrives ready for a transplant That unit has now done a combined 100,000km without problem. Interestingly there is no drain plug on the FD unit on models before 2008 so presumably BMW expected the factory oil to last the life of the bike – yeah right! With the FD problem rectified we set off later in 2017 on our three Islands trip – Kangaroo Is, Phillip Is (MotoGP) and Tasmania. That trip she clicked over the 150,000km mark at Eildon Victoria and was running as smoothly as ever. Why not have a look at the Big Rock? An ignominious trip home from Goomeri for the 3 of us in a Tilt Tray Truck courtesy of RACQ was the end result. She was showing 141,000km at that point. I stripped down the final drive and fortunately the crown and pinion gears were undamaged but the cost of BMW bearings and seals (yes they are a BMW unique size), was eye watering. 150,000th celebration at Lake Eildon, Victoria 2017 Island hopping and sea travel were second nature to her and she took being strapped down in the bowels of a ship in her stride. We had another big overseas trip planned so shouted the Grey Ghost some practical preventative maintenance items rather than bling – she is a ‘no nonsense’ type of girl. Front and rear shocks were rebuilt and a new stiffer rear spring fitted (it is red, so sort of bling!). You can put lipstick on a pig but
TALES OF THE GREY GHOST it’s still a pig. A rather cruel analogy but you get what I mean! The drive shaft was rebuilt with a new grease-able universal joint at the front and new shock rubber. Thus equipped she was again shipped to Europe in early 2018 coming up to 160,000km on the clock. When the loading day arrived I was still unable to ride following a shoulder operation. Good friend and fellow GS rider and club member Merv Bone obliged in riding the Grey Ghost out to the Port of Brisbane from our Graceville home. Merv was impressed with how well she performed for an 11yo with such a high mileage. On that 3rd European trip she covered another 20,000km bringing her total European mileages to approx. 56,000km. At least we were balancing up the wear on the other side of her tyres riding on the RHS of the road. She did another run to the MotoGP in late 2019 and then we planned to take her to NZ where she would have clocked up her 200,000km. Enter Covid and all plans for International travel went down the toilet. However as circumstances changed it seemed rather appropriate that she achieved this milestone on a BMWMCQ club run where she has often led the pack or happily played tail end Charlie (or should that be Charlene?). She is a very well-travelled girl having seen more of the world than most and where she has met and spent time with some very interesting bikes. Her passage to Tasmania in 2017 with Effie the 1910 FN and star of the epic travel book ‘No Room for Watermelons’ was surely a highlight.
The Grey Ghost meets Effie – what did they talk about on the Bass Strait Crossing?
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The Grey Ghost will remain very much a part of the family as she has been for these past (almost) 11 years and 188,000km that we have had her. Newer models may be faster and flashier with their shiftcam technology and TFT screens (I had to look up what that meant) but our simple old Grey Ghost suits us just fine. Her simple nature makes it very easy to keep her in top trim during long trips with oil & filter changes, valve adjustments, alternator belt, brakes etc. all very easy to change/adjust ‘on the road’.
A service on the road – this one in a caravan park in Alice Springs 2016 Her engine is untouched, suspension upgraded, FD replaced but she is still very much the bike that left Spandau in 2006. She can still lift her front wheel on command, hit her near 8,000rpm redline in the twinkling of an eye and has shown many a youngster the quick way through a set of twisties. Yes she still likes to shake a tail feather. Her one weakness (we all have at least one) is an appetite for headlight bulbs. She consumes these approx every 20,000km so I always carry a spare. (Ed - GSes have an unrivalled appetite for headlight bulbs it seems. We’ve blown/changed F700 and F800GS bulbs in Ethiopia, Imbil, Invercargill, Eastern Freeway Melbourne, and lots of other places starting with vowels. And Manly). Otherwise she is serviced and maintained methodically with preventative maintenance undertaken prior to any major trip. She has travelled thousands of miles in ships first coming to Australia from her native Germany, three return passages to England, eight crossings of the Irish Sea between Scotland, Ireland and the IOM, multiple crossings of the English Channel, crossed the Baltic & North
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TALES OF THE GREY GHOST
seas around Norway and Denmark, crossed the Adriatic Sea and Bay of Biscay, two return crossings of Bass Strait and a myriad of ferry trips in Europe, Scandinavia and Australia. She probably has racked up as many sea miles as she has road miles. We would happily jump on her tomorrow and ride off around Australia again with total confidence.
I think of her in human terms like one of my favourite actors – Toni Collette. She can play any role and appear frumpy or more glamorous as the occasion demands, rarely receives the top billing but always leaves you satisfied with another great performance. That is our Grey Ghost – come up and meet her at the next club ride, she doesn’t often bite.
One of many sea passages – this one in Douglas IOM heading back to England
She is never lonely at home but it can get a bit crowded
Another milestone achieved.
OUTSTANDING CLUBMANSHIP
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BMWMCQ Tools representative Billl Luyten presenting Rob Wynne with the Outstanding Clubmanship award at the September 2020 General meeting
W
e can all remember a time when Bill’s mention of a service day was greeted by the general membership with about as much excitement as receiving the over 50’s bowel cancer test kit in the mail - yes it is important and must be done, but hard to get really thrilled about unless something is already leaking out the back. Then along came Rob who offered up his world-class Jimboomba facilities for the service days - calling it a workshop is a bit like calling Michelangelo’s David a nice bit of marble. A few years on from the first Jimboomba service day and the general membership wait with bated breath for the announcement of the next - these days Bill stands up at the General Meetings like Juan Antonio Samaranch stood to announce the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. Not only does Rob provide his excellent facilities with everything that a BMW motorcycle owner could want or need, his generosity has been way beyond expectation with legendary food and a great atmosphere that has turned the service days into a major club event. Once people started showing up to the service days having forgotten to bring their motorcycle, it was clear that Rob’s outstanding and selfless contribution deserved recognition. Thank you very much Rob!
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CANE TOAD 2021
RIDE TO GLIDE
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O
n 3 days in October (19, 20 & 21) there will be four flights per day so that is a total of 12 flights available. Flights will last for about 1 ½ hours and cost $180.00. How you get to Kingaroy will be up to you and it will be your choice to overnight in Kingaroy or ride up and back for the day only. If you decide to overnight in Kingaroy accommodation can be provided in the gliding Club’s bunk house for Monday and Tuesday night for an extra $10 per night per person. It’s basic but cheap. Just take your own towel & linen. Alternatively motel accommodation is available at the Motel Oasis, the venue where Christmas in July was held. Contact details for the Motel Oasis are: Phone: 07 4162 2399 Email: moteloasis@bigpond.com
WHILST ALL PLACES ARE CURRENTLY FILLED, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL MARK TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATIONS! To put your name down, email Mark at events@bmwmcq.org.au Anonymous testimonials from the very short Christmas in July flights: “The dirt road beside the strip allowed the very first driftie on my new K1600GTL!” “The gliders are only a quarter of the weight of an R1250GSA, and glide nearly as well!”
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Special Interest Vehicle Concession Scheme
By Merv Bone, Member #3663 I would like to mention my thanks to Tony Gray, Paul Hughes and Greg Gaffney and this is why. As some would know I am the owner of a 1982 Kawasaki Z1300. On a recent ride with the VJMC some of the bikes were wearing “S” plates which is what is assigned for Special Interest Vehicles. Some may know it as “Club Rego” or “Concessional Rego”. It got me thinking about registration costs, full rego a bit over $500, single seat rego about $330 and SIVC rego $180. Add $30 for the black and white “S” plate for the first time. The process is simple and Qld Transport list all the requirements so check it out. In short the vehicle must be 30 years old. Or more. You must be a member of an Incorporated vehicle club (BMWMCQ). You must produce a letter to QT from the club stating that you are a member and the age of your vehicle and Tony Gray can do that. Fill in the required form and hand in your old plate then part with money. You can part with more money if you want to personalise a plate etc. This can be done any time and you may get a refund from registration previously paid. My rego was coming due anyway. I got a 21 cent refund doing it on the due date :) The restrictions of use are many, you get nothing for nothing as they say but I think I can work with the requirements as the Z13 is not my every day ride. In short most of us would use our old bikes this way. Travel in order to have the vehicle repaired, visiting your mechanic etc. Road testing within a 15km radius from where the vehicle is garaged or is being repaired. Participating in Rallies or Events including Impromptu events organised by an incorporated vehicle club. You are not restricted to just BMW club events. These events must be listed on a website, news letter or social media page. Our club do a great job
SIVCS REGO of listing many events on the website and Facebook pages. An Impromptu event is worth reading about but involves an invitation to wider club members to attend an event and must be advertised prior to the event. I spoke with Paul about this and with Greg’s computer skills it all magically happened. You log into the clubs website and go to the members Forum. Scroll down to the heading “Special Registration Interest Group”. There you can list an event/ride and invite other club members along. Then go and enjoy a day out riding your old pride and joy. Again many thanks to Paul, Tony and Greg. It goes to show what a great club we have to be able to help our members in so many different ways.
FRIGID DIGIT Pt 2
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By Gary Bennett, Member #509 With unseasonal rain for the first time in 24 years, the Frigid Digit had to be split with the ride being on the traditional last weekend in July and the camping on 5th September. The weather was perfect, the location was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed the company of those that attended including all that dropped in to say gidday.
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CANE TOAD REPORT
Official Report - Gary Bennett, Member #509
A
fter a difficult year dealing with the dreaded Covid-19, the Cane Toad Rally (CTR), after being postponed from it’s new date in April, was finally run. After last years rally, lessons were learnt and changes were made to further improve the running of our clubs rally and ensure it’s survival into the future. The success of last year’s CTR was evident on the first day of this year’s event, with the NSW Border being closed and strong winds predicted, we ended up with three times more people arriving on the Friday than we did last year. Processing these arrivals was far easier thanks to our new online registration which almost 40 people took advantage of. With the temperature being way less than last year we were able to light up a campfire both nights. There were a lot of familiar faces who attended last year and some from the year before. The journey to Toobeah was a lot better than last year, not only because I didn’t run out of fuel, but the roads were a lot more enjoyable. The road from Cecil Plains to the Moonie Highway was a real treat and we used a new road from the Moonie Highway that travelled due south ending right into Toobeah. Saturday dawned and it wasn’t long before the gusty winds found us. Arrivals were very slow and I was beginning to think that this is as good as it’s going to get. After lunch a few started to dribble in, then just before the Gymkhana was due to start a s#%t load of riders arrived and we had to put the gymkhana back by a ½ hour to process the arrivals. The gymkhana changed location from where it was run last year basically because of the wind but the new location was also better for spectators. The Thong Toss was also changed as it was going to be who can throw the furthest for males and females but if the thongs got any altitude they would probably land in Goondiwindi. The changed format was more thrilling which is always a winner. A new event was introduced, the Egg & Spoon race, run on the same track as the Slow Race. The Rum Hunt tokens were hid on Friday and both were found on Saturday morning, with one being found by someone who found one last year. Richard was helped out this year screen printing t-shirts by a “work experience kid” aka Geoff Hamon. This was a winner as Richard could concentrate on Screen printing shirts while Geoff was identifying who owned the shirt and if they had paid. Geoff did a great job and his help was very much appreciated. The presentation of Awards was next on the agenda and our President, Paul Hughes did a sterling job presenting the awards, as you would expect. The list of winners are on the next page. With the awards out of the way it was relaxing time and knocking down a few coldies talking to other club members and visitors. The process of rebuilding the rally began in 2018 and is on track to return to its former glory. Our visitors are enjoying our rally and promising to return. Some who organise their own club rallies are impressed by some of our processes that they intend to introduce them into their rallies. We had 57 attend the rally in total. 22 BMWMCQ members attended. There were 17 that couldn’t cross the border from Sydney and Canberra and who knows how many from other parts of NSW, especially the Northern Rivers where good numbers came from last year. Next years CTR’s will be held on the last weekend in April, which will be 23, 24 & 25th April in 2021. At the new northern location of Mt. Perry.
AND THE CANE TOAD WINNERS...
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By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171
B
orders closed but not locked down and free to travel within your state? You own an adventure motorcycle? You live in San Marino or Monaco? Sorry about that. Fortunately, we live in Queensland which is about the size of 4.2 million Vatican Cities, and has a few more dirt roads even including Pope Francis’ private dirt track raceway, and August is a damn fine month to head north in Australia. So off we went. The B2B16 and the CTR in Toobeah were perfect bookends for the trip, which started from Dalby after breakfast in The Coffee Club Cafe with some other B2B participants, almost within sight of the Russell Tavern where BMWMCQ guests had crowded the bistro and TAB the previous evening.
A toast to honour Cactoblastis First break was at the Boonarga Cactoblastis memorial hall. Prickly Pear cactus had been introduced in Australia from South America right from the 1780’s go, apparently to provide dye for the soldier’s red coats. But for some reason people decided to keep spreading it about, and by the late 1800’s it was a declared pest. It thrived on the Darling Downs in southern Queensland, and by the 1920’s an area the size of England was overrun. In probably one of the only really successful biological control efforts in history, Cactoblastis Cactorum moth eggs from Argentina were introduced in 1925 and in a scientific manner the moths and larvae were released in 1926. By 1933 the moth larvae had nearly wiped the Prickly Pear out, opening
GO WEST MIDDLE-AGED MAN! up a huge area of Australia for agriculture. Prickly Pear still loiters about the roads in places but was basically destroyed. Bad luck about rabbits, foxes, cats, goats, donkeys, cane toads….
Roma tree and Duncan, after their big lunch The afternoon was a bit of a slog but at least the average speed is whatever the cruise control is set on. Some discussion at Morven – keep going west on “row 2” road to Charleville or start the transition up to the “row 3” road and stop at Augathella? Never been to Charleville, so Charleville. Straight into the servo, then across the road to the Rocks Motel. Any chance of a room? No. Hang on, yes we have one left. Done. A pleasant stroll into the deserted town included unexpected interaction with a roaming pack of wild West Highland White Terriers – only Cindy’s skills in neutralising small dogs with “over the top” patting and cooing saved us. Thanking our lucky stars that we escaped with only minor dirt stains on our lower pant legs from the relentlessly jumping up moppets, we entered the magnificent Carones Hotel which covers nearly an entire
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block, and after the complex sign-in process was complete, beers were consumed.
Carones Hotel Charleville The Charleville RSL beckoned for the mandatory third meal of the day, before finding our way under Warrego River flood channel bridges and back to crash on The Rocks.
Victory over Japan 1945 graffiti tolerated in Charleville We had a collective perception of a quick day to Longreach heading north up the “third column” road from the left. Up at the normal time of 6-ish, the usual mucking about for two hours to ensure the night shift marsupials were home in bed, and away to Augathella. About then we realised we had a day of 515km, basically the same as the previous day so hitting Longreach museums in the afternoon was but an illusion. Augathella was a pleasant stop, filling with Gomads and even Sunshine and Gold Coasters heading to the bush in tiny little cars because they couldn’t go on their Princess Cruise.
Augathella Water Tower mural luckily sporting the only emu we saw that day A push on to Tambo for the morning tea and re-fuel, where we saw that history does indeed repeat itself. A significant memorial sits right out the front of the service station describing the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 and 1919, and the death of the Tambo Station manager Reginald Barry who had worked tirelessly to help the sick of Tambo before catching the pneumonic form himself which was usually fatal.
Spanish flu reminder in the ‘Rona times
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Blackall was the lunch plan, and we achieved the plan for once. The warmth was creeping up as we headed north, with some zips actually opened for the first time in the new Klim suits. Having gotten across the details of when we could drop off our stock of Dingo scalps into the Blackall council office and collect the bounty, it was another 100km scoop out of the day up to Barcaldine. The town is famous for the Tree of Knowledge, birthplace of the Australian Labor Movement during the shearer’s strike of 1891-92.
GO WEST
Ex-WW2 Stuart Tanks were bought for ₤5 and sold for ₤500 after installing a blade Inn – always more pleasant for we poor motored cyclists than lugging awkward bags, helmets, gloves, and precariously balanced accoutrement such as the GPS and motel keys and the small complimentary container of milk up narrow stairs. We’d RSLed ourselves out in Charleville, so it had to be a pub this time, and the Birdcage Hotel satisfied our desire for some Contradiction to accompany the food and drinks, with social distancing signs up everywhere in the totally packed bistro.
Tree of Knowledge unable to compete with our Sea of Ignorance The final stretch was the 100km to Longreach, but we just had to make a brief stop in Ilfracombe to get some photos of the mile of tractors, bulldozers, graders, and trucks. Arriving hot and sweaty into Longreach, first duty was to find accommodation and we were very lucky. The lack of travel options interstate and overseas had pushed a lot of Queenslanders around their own state, and until the previous week Longreach had been going off and getting a motel room was difficult. We found a good one right in the middle of town on the ground floor at the Longreach Motor
Cindy moves seamlessly from the Temperate Zone into the Torrid Zone Next day we hit the museums. Firstly the Qantas museum which is extremely well done, I had seen it the previous May but was keen to go back again as I’d missed some of it. A notable addition was the roof over the 747 and 707 and the DC3, the sun is brutal in Longreach and the damage to the paint was going to make them all look very average in a few years. We were second in the queue at the opening at 9am, and straight into the WW1 flight simulator where the target wasn’t so much the Red Baron because that’s too
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hard, but happily there were plenty of orphanages and baby animal petting zoos behind the lines to shoot up. Museum number 2 for the day was the Australian Age of Dinosaurs. The only problem was that it is in Winton, into a screaming head wind, and 179km away. Fueled up before leaving Longreach, we slogged north-west into the gale while watching the fuel gauge dropping like a lead whatever. Pulling onto the Jump-Up plateau perched over the endless black soil plains, luck was indeed on our side with a tour just about to start after a scoffed lunch.
Stopped whining about the wind when we saw this The tour was quite good, it started with what the land looked like 95 million years back; a network of floodplains surrounding rivers that drained northward into an inland sea. The floodplains are the source of the black soil and it is not hard to understand how large dinosaurs became stuck, and why the most common parts found are the legs and feet because the scavengers couldn’t get at them in the mud. The black soil throws up bones on a regular basis, with most belonging to some very big sauropods, and a small meat eating dinosaur that looks very like those velociraptors from Jurassic Park. Some discussion after the tour on the way back to the bikes; with the following wind we should make it back without re-fueling in Winton, but when nearly in Winton one should at least see it. So we saw Winton, or at least saw the Winton servo. May have been a servo dimmie in the equation – I don’t remember. The trip back used only a sniff of petrol – travelling with the wind
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Seriously bored looking dude in the background not helping drive up interest in Paleontology turned out to be the start of a wind direction trend from Winton all the way home. A spanking dinner in the Longreach Motor Inn which turned out to be the best restaurant in town according to a potentially conflicted Longreach Motor Inn staff member, and we ticked off the heading of north west and prepared for the heading of south and east.
Water tower sunset in the ‘Reach Up the next day and heading south, we’d forgotten about the potential for more west so hit the Henge. Stonehenge that is. The plains leading up to it are impressive and while not as green as last year in May they still bring a Serengeti to mind without risk of being eaten by something. While doing a brew-up cup of tea in the relentless wind under the Stonehenge sports oval shelter, we struck a conversation with the local shire council gardener who was topping up his agent orange/ DDT spray pack from a tap nearby. He showed us his citrus garden bordering the sports ground and invited us to take a pink grapefruit from a tree if we could find one amongst the thick leafy growth.
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Find one we did, and it was bedded down into the pannier before any hungry Gomads nearby could get wind of what was going on.
Loam, loam on the range Into Jundah for a re-fuel, then onto Windorah where the green green grass tried to continue but was defeated by the over-supply of sand and lack of loam. Lunch at the Windorah servo in lieu of a celebration for reaching our most westerly point, and we continued on south toward row 2 again but with a new sub-direction – east.
Would like to, but no time Eromanga had been a hopeful next stop but we’d had no response from phone calls or emails to the Cooper’s Country Lodge at the dinosaur museum. Risk being way out west in the late afternoon without certainty of accommodation? Not bloody likely, so we kept on east to Quilpie where some certainty existed – the Quilpie Motor Inn. While I was massively distracted for a while by a couple of blokes on an Africa Twin and a Honda CFR250L all kitted for adventure, Cindy
GO WEST
managed to book two of the remaining spots at the Quilpie Club on the night of nights – schnitzel Wednesday. The range and depth of schnitzels was considerable, and the finally chosen schnitzel fungi (i.e. mushroom) was everything we’d come to expect from when we first learned there was a Quilpie Club and it was schnitzel night 10 minutes earlier.
Do they really? So back west into the wind to Eromanga, for the first time of the trip arriving at precisely coffee o’clock into the only place in Eromanga that sold coffee. Long discussion was held with the owner, until we inevitably addressed the elephant in the room – Eromanga claims to be the furthest town from the sea in Australia, so where is the closest sea? Turns out it is probably not the furthest from the sea, and so the claim tends to be moderated to the furthest service station from the sea. Kintore in the Northern Territory near the WA border is about 75 km further from the sea than Eromanga, but probably doesn’t have a service station. The closest sea to Eromanga at a tough 815km according to Google Earth is the Styx River delta north of Rockhampton – marginally closer than Port Augusta, South Australia. Around the western – southern – eastern loop which still had some dampness from the recent rains, we lobbed into Thargomindah on the bottom row at about late lunch. Ham and cheese and 91 re-stocked, it was back on for the easterly push, finally with the relentless wind at our backs which has a huge effect on fuel consumption. A side trip down to Hungerford to the south has always been a dream, but lack of time and staying
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the hell away from the border sort of ruined any St George before the normal motel check-in hour of 2pm encouraged one of us to decide on a road hope. less travelled down toward Dirranbandi and the famous cotton growing Cubbie Station. Some high-quality dirt may be involved according to Cindy’s service station map.
Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads! With only 200km to get to the overnighter at Cunnamulla, no matter how casually we rode we still trundled over the Warrego River with hours of daylight left. Plenty of time to allow a peculiarly dressed old bloke to inspect the bikes in the main street, find accommodation in an upmarket cabin out the back of the Warrego Hotel within 10m of the hotel bottleshop, and walk to the supermarket which is in a dodgy area nowhere near the CBD for some reason. A great dinner in the Hotel Cunnamulla, and the pre-penultimate day was done.
The service station map says these roads are all the same The first “dirt” bit had a similar texture to Conrod Straight on Mt Panorama with some of the smoothest new bitumen imaginable. The next dirt bit was highly variable – tessellated clay pavers, smooth gravel, sketchy rutted two wheeled track, and sand. All precisely the same according to the servo map, once again proving adventure riding is always an adventure. Into St George and a call to Cindy helped locate the final prerally accommodation. I decided that we should be ready to leave early the next day, so took the bikes on a tour of St George service stations to check tyres and fuel up. Cindy’s bike had a small lie-down at the Caltex, luckily the attendant was a burly motorcyclist and was rewarded for doing the lion’s share of the lifting with a detailed lecture from me on all things motorcycling.
Land bridge much safer than a land-air or landwater bridge The planned temporary end to our trip was Toobeah (just west of Goondiwindi) for the Cane Toad Rally on Saturday, and as it was only 450km to get there and only Friday we decided a leisurely breakfast and a short day was in order for once. Leisurely breakfasted, we poked along to Bollon where a great coffee venue was reached close The old imaginary land bridge at Nindigully no enough to lunch to tick all the boxes. Getting into longer safe apparently
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The short trip to Toobeah was lengthened with random meanderings down south to see the Nindigully pub – too early for coffee unfortunately and the magnificent Thallon painted silos – common in other states but quite rare in Queensland.
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By now the howling tail wind was almost providing a carbon neutral ride, and with one more push we swung into the Cane Toad Rally with a win for Cindy in the longest distance award. A great weekend of reunions with friends from the BMWMCQ and even a 2019 Alaska ride mate from Roma and then back to Brisbane with over 4,000km of riding fun completed, all without getting anywhere near a border.
The sweetest victory of all – a bottleshop voucher worth 1/10th the cost of the fuel used!
Thallon hardware nil stock on purple paint for some reason
To the
BACK TOGETHER AGAIN - correction
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Last month we inadvertently left out half of a Charlie day due to some technical issues – here is a full run down of this day…..
Charlie and Wheezy Bob
Saturday 14 Sept 19 Ouray to Montrose. 36 Miles (via Imogene Pass, add 13114 Ft) It was a short ride today. In the morning I got everything packed and avalanched down the stairs and into the storeroom. At breakfast I talked to the guys I that were there yesterday. I had booked a trip to Imogene pass on the back of a huge 4x4 from the adventure place next door to the Hotel. I had looked at hiring a 2 seat UTV Quad thing, but reading the conditions I found this: We do not provide nor offer any insurance of any type. You are responsible for 100 % of all liability, damage or loss by you including damage caused by weather, acts of God or terrain conditions. You are responsible for the cost of repair or actual cash value of the vehicle on the day of loss if it not repairable or if we elect not to repair it. You are responsible for the theft of the vehicle, loss of use, diminished value of the vehicle caused by damage to it or repair of it. Damage or replacement costs are determined by manufacturer’s List Price at the time of the incident.
Hmmm. Maybe not a good idea. The trip up in the ute, err sorry, pickup was very rough and I was thrown around a lot. It was a bit of a struggle breathing up there but well worth the trip with breathtaking (no pun intended) views of the surrounding peaks. The trip down was even rougher and the trail was chockers with 4x4 clubs. We got back at about 1300 so I grabbed some lunch of spare ribs from the smoke house. Bloody beautiful. Saddled up Wheezy Bob and rode the 36 miles to Montrose and got in to the motel. For dinner I went to the Farmers Market store and got some take away. They have a buffet or salads that you put in a container and pay by weight. I then went to the hot section and got a couple of small (huge by Aussie standards) chicken bits.
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OCTOBER 2020
DODGING THE RAIN
By Tony Gray, Member #3905
T
he ‘Sunrise to Sunset’ July Club ride was unfortunately aborted after Esk when we ran headlong into a very wet (and cold) weather front. We had to cancel our lunch booking at Leyburn’s Royal Hotel but like Douglas Macarthur and Arnie Schwarzenegger before us, we promised – we’ll be back. The September Club ride was to be our day of reckoning.
During a very dry couple of weeks leading up to the Sunday ride day the weather reports read – high chance of rain, heavy in places. Oh no, were we going to be jinxed a second time? Acceptances for the day were strong given that it was also Father’s Day. We had 18 booked for lunch and a 19th coming along for the ride only. Among the acceptances were some new members and some who had not been on a club ride for a long time so the pressure was on ride leader Paul Hughes to come up with a cracker of a ride. Meeting place was Angie’s Country Café in Esk where the ‘Grey Ghost’ coincidentally ticked over to 200,000km – OK it did require a bit of planning and a last trip around the block to bring up the magic number.
Paul had published a GPX route map and had adopted a ‘corner look’ rather than ‘corner marker’ system. Under this scenario each participant was to check that the following rider was in sight at any change of direction. Jane and I on the Grey Ghost bought up the rear so if anyone got dropped we were to pick them up and lead back up to the pack.
Being overtaken by Tail End Tony? It just couldn’t get any better! The ride up the Ravensborne Range under darkening skies did not auger well but fortunately for us the heavy grey clouds held
DODGING THE RAIN
OCTOBER 2020
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onto their watery burden as we diverted onto BOM app and weather radar showing Clifton the loop road around Perseverance Dam before copping a belting some 20km to our east. crossing the New England Hwy outside of Crows Nest. As we headed west the rain clouds dissipated and the winds picked up – better windswept than wetswept!
We passed through the major metropolis of Goombungee on way to Oakey and a glimpse of the Army Aviation Centre airstrip and hangar buildings. We kept to the backroads enroute to our lunch appointment and arrived pretty much bang on our nominated time of 12.30pm. The ‘’corner look’ system had worked well on these sparse country roads. Unfortunately our promptness did not equate to a timely delivery of our lunch.
The Gatton Clifton Road through Ma Ma Creek was the preferred option home for many but that led us very close to a saturated Clifton. Our weather luck held strong with no more than a few heavy drops and very wet roads encountered. The run down the twisties was dry and exuded the usual level of ‘laughing in my helmet’ moments that these roads always supply. This was another excellent club ride and especially so with many new faces. Thanks to Paul for planning and leading the ride.
Two x half plastic Jerries for panniers, milk The Hotel had clearly under estimated crate top box, drink bottle protecting the sump. their capacity to cater for a very large (pre All available from the Touratech catalogue booked) Father’s Day crowd. The final meals for according to the owner. our group were delivered one and a half hours after order. Notwithstanding the delay everyone seemed to enjoy the company and chatter while those pessimists in the group looked to their
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OCTOBER 2020
DODGING THE RAIN PICS
RETURN TO GYMPIE RIDE
OCTOBER 2020
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By Richard de Groot, Member #769
Sunny Coast BMW Riders ‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’. Overnight Event - Saturday 14 November 2020 The ‘Sunny Coast BMW Riders’ invite all club members to this ‘Anniversary event’. This is definitely a MUST ATTEND event for those who survived the ‘Evening Ride to Gympie’ in horrendous weather conditions on Saturday 16/11/2019. All the survivors have already confirmed their attendance at this year’s anniversary event. Last year’s surviving event participants were Paul Hughes, Greg Gaffney, Huw Samuel, Liezel Samuel, Iain Nye, Marion Nye, Cindy Bennett, Duncan Bennett, Wendy de Groot and Richard de Groot. All club members who would like to attend this ride and dinner event and hear the stories (exaggerated or otherwise) from the survivors of ‘The Ride that Wasn’t on 16/11/2019’ are most welcome to attend. The more the merrier. Venue - The Australian Hotel, Gympie, affectionately called ‘The Aussie’. Web site - www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/ Depart location - BP Service Station, 2632 Steve Irwin Way, Glenview. Meet time - 1445 hours Saturday 14/11/2020 for a 1500 departure.
Route - A led ride on twisting, climbing, descending country roads in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. All sealed roads. The ride will NOT be via Maleny, Kenilworth or any section of the Bruce Highway (M1). The route distance is approximately 132 kilometres and will take approximately 2 ½ hours to complete; weather permitting. Extremely scenic route.
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OCTOBER 2020
RETURN TO GYMPIE RIDE
‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’. Event history - The route is exactly the same intended route as last year, which hopefully this year will not involve high winds from all directions, flying debris, nearby lightning strikes a plenty, thunder, hail, downed trees, freezing cold (Yes in November), extremely limited visibility, shelter in stranger’s cars on the highway, shelter under highway overpasses, the use of dog blankets for warming very wet and cold riders and loaned by kind motorists from Childers or elsewhere; or other similar events which might make for another very memorable ride event in 2020. Prize for best story of last year’s event – On Saturday evening 14/11/2020, whilst at dinner at the Aussie Hotel, members who experienced the ride excitement of last year’s event, whether they commenced the ride from Glenview, or made their own way to Gympie in the horrendous conditions, can relive their individual ride experience by telling their story. Members at dinner on Saturday evening will vote on what they consider the best story, exaggerated or not, with a show of hands. The winner will receive as the prize a beautiful BMW rondel set in a fine piece of turned wood. Dinner - At the Australian Hotel, 1 Lady Mary Terrace, Gympie Qld 4570. Ph: 07 5482 1070. Web site - https://www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/ Pre-dinner drinks from - 1800 hours Dinner reservation time - 1830 hours After dinner on 14/11/2020 you can stay overnight, which is recommended, so you can sit back and enjoy the social occasion or have a very enjoyable cruise south on the M1 to the Sunny Coast area and beyond. Surprisingly; an evening cruise down the M1 from Gympie is quite enjoyable. Traffic on a Saturday evening is usually very light. The majority of members who survived last year’s event have already booked their accommodation and will stay overnight in Gympie.
RETURN TO GYMPIE RIDE
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‘Back to Gympie on the Ride that Wasn’t’. Overnight accommodation Saturday 14/11/2020 – At the Australian Hotel, 1 Lady Mary Terrace, Gympie Qld 4570. Ph # 07 5482 1070. Web site https://www.australianhotelgympie.com.au/ Don’t delay; book now as there are limited rooms. The hotel was recently refurbished and has good clean accommodation; however, with share bathroom facilities. Costs - Single Overnight Rate: $80 Per Night. Double Overnight Rate: $90 Per Night. Contact the hotel direct to book. Let the staff know you are with the BMW Motorcycle Club. Parking - No secure parking; however, the hotel has an off-street bitumen car park. There were no security problems last year with parking in the grounds. Alternate Accommodation - A 15-minute walk to the Verandah Motel 1.1 km away. Web site - https://www.verandahmotel.com.au/home/ Breakfast Sunday 15/11/2020 at 0800 hours - Paninis Bakery & Cafe, 11/104 Mary Street, Gympie. A booking is not required. Web site - https://paninis-bakery-cafe.business.site/ Please do two things if attending the event: 1.
If you ARE on the Sunny Coast BMW Riders Facebook timeline -
If you hit the ‘Going’ to the event tab; enter a comment and indicate if you have a partner, who is not on the group FB timeline and who is attending with you (only required for dinner table reservation numbers); or 2.
If you are NOT on the Sunny Coast BMW Riders Facebook timeline –
Send an email to wen_rich@bigpond.com and confirm the names of the members attending the dinner event at the Australian Hotel on Saturday 14/11/2020. Please note - Due to Covid – 19 requirements only those members who confirm their attendance at dinner will be able to attend the dinner event at the Australian Hotel. Inclement weather - The event will NOT be cancelled in the event of inclement weather; however, the route may be changed. Please include wet weather riding gear. Just in case!
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OCTOBER 2020
BACK TO THE BUSH #17
Back to the Bush No 17 hosted by Don & Kate 3rd to 5th October 2020 - Maryborough & Goomeri Join us for a long weekend adventure visiting 2 of QLD’s oldest towns!
Suggested trip ideas and routes will be provided prior to the event for you to enjoy a “get yourself there ride” around the lovely Queensland countryside. Maryborough Saturday 3 October 2020 Dinner places are held at the White Lion Hotel so please confirm your attendance as soon as you can so we can confirm numbers with the hotel. **PLEASE ADVISE HOSTS IF YOU ARE ATTENDING OR YOU WILL MISS OUT** Goomeri Sunday 4 October 2020 Dinner is booked at Joes Grand Hotel. Joes Grand also has rooms set aside for us so don’t delay in advising you are staying. **PLEASE ADVISE HOSTS IF YOU ARE ATTENDING OR YOU WILL MISS OUT** Some accommodation selections are listed below. Please book your accommodation directly. Ensure to mention you are attending the BMWMCQ event to access any discounted rates. Maryborough: Kimba Lodge, Caitlyn, Holly (07) 4123 3999 $135, $110 per room for club members 177 John St next door to White Lion (dinner) Maryborough City Motel. Tracy (07) 4121 2508 couple $90/night 138 Ferry St single $80/night Goomeri: Joes Grand Hotel (dinner and Accom) (07) 4168 4131 $80.00 per night - Double (extra person $20.00 per person per night) $75.00 per night - Twin share $50.00 per night - Single. Goomeri Motel (07) 4168 4141 some rooms available, be quick! Free camp at Goomeri showgrounds (07) 41684203. Shower and toilet facilities. please make your own enquiries at the BP servo. It is imperative that you advise the hosts prior to both evening functions to allow accurate numbers for venues during Covid 19 restrictions. If don’t advise you can’t attend the those dinners.
2020 FESTIVAL OF MOTORCYCLING Still highly COVID-19 dependent, but worth a “Steve McQueen” over the fence for the organised rides alone....
OCTOBER 2020
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OCTOBER 2020
DICK’S PICS....
To be more accurate - Richard Maher’s Cane Toad photos!
THUNDER RALLY
OCTOBER 2020
Almost got them all in one shot. Oh well, next CTR for sure.
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OCTOBER 2020
A QUICK GLANCE
From the October 2010 BMWMCQ Journal is the below scan of an A3 page from REVS Motorcycle magazine in 1974 that Tony Malone (then Vice Pres) provided wonder if it’s still hanging on his wall.....
2020 CHRISTMAS PARTY
OCTOBER 2020
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C
ome join our 2020 Christmas Party on beautiful BRIBIE ISLAND and join in the good food and great fun with friends old and new. There will be raffles and prize winners drawn on the night. Enjoy a scenic ride of your choice around the Sunshine Coast hinterland before arrival. Venue – Bribie Island RSL, 99 Toorbul
Street, Bongaree
3 course meal @ $55 per head, cash bar. We have exclusive use of the covered Terrace area which is weather proof. This well-organised establishment also offers a breakfast cafĂŠ on site the following morning for those who would like to attend. Accommodation selections are below. Please book your selected accommodation directly. Ensure you mention you are attending the BMWMCQ Christmas Party to access any discounted rates. Payment for the Dinner Function is by simple bank transfer - Please pay $55.00 per head to the BMWMCQ Bank account: BSB 124-001 AC 10243020 Please ensure to add in remarks your name, and the number of guests you are paying for. Once you have deposited the correct amount, please EMAIL treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au stating details of your deposit. This is an essential component of your booking. Please book early as numbers will need to be limited to 60 people to suit the room size, and accommodation may be difficult to obtain at late notice at least within walking distance of the Party. Where To Stay Phone Bongaree Caravan Park Cabins (approx 700m 3408 1054 walk to RSL) E: bongareecaravanpark@moretonbay.qld.gov.au Bribie Waterways Motel (Ningi - 1km away) 3408 3000 www.bribiewaterways.com.au W: www.bribiewaterways.com.au E: reception@bribiewaterways.com.au
Bribie Island Caravan Park - Woorim About 10 minutes drive W: www.bribieislandcaravanpark.com.au E: info@bribieislandcaravanpark.com.au
Offering $111 queen bed cabin
Terms Mininum 2 nights
$154 Queen or twin mo- Per night tel room, +$20 per extra body $169 for studio with 2 beds and kitchenette, +$20 per extra body 3408 1134 Cabins: $105 double, or Min 2 $110 with extra bunks Nights
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OCTOBER 2020
C
g n i los
COMPASS GARAGE SALE
n w Do
! e l Sa
The Compass Expeditions Closing down garage sale is still on and there are still plenty of bargains to be had at clearance prices. There is Compass expeditions Merchandise, BMW parts (they owned 100 over the journey) and plenty of camping gear listed in the web shop right now and as soon as Melbourne is released from COVID-19 lock down we will be able to list more items, so check it out now and come back again later. http://www.compassexpeditions.com/shop/
FOR THE AIRHEADS
OCTOBER 2020
https://www.mmmsbmwboxerworks.com.au/
And some more of Mark’s great videos: Bleeding Brakes using bits out of an old fridge https://www.facebook.com/1645590702430891/videos/305714187132068/
Walk through 5 speed gearbox bits... Cush drives and such https://www.facebook.com/Boxerworks/videos/960819017723579/
Premium mineral oils and why I use them https://www.facebook.com/Boxerworks/videos/2641729079424537/
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OCTOBER 2020
ADVERTISING & BMW SUPPORTS
ADVERTISING & BMW SUPPORTS
OCTOBER 2020
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Brisbane BMW Motorcycle Specialists Need your BMW motorcycle serviced? We can also help ensure your pride and joy stays in top nick. Northside Motorcycle Tyres and Service has the latest software for BMWs enabling us to re- set service reminders, and assist with diagnostic testing and component testing making it more efficient to solve any problems with your bike. Log book servicing which won’t void your warranty. Book in for a BMW motorcycle service today with our expert team and you can be confident that Your pride and joy is in good hands.
BMW Motorcycle Tyres & Accessories Planning on hitting the road soon? Stop by our showroom to check out our great range of tyres, luggage bags and riding gear to suit Adventure or Sport Touring.
FREE BMW Motorcycle Safety Inspection Report But perhaps more importantly, be prepared before you head off! Book in for your FREE safety inspection report. This simple check can mean the difference between a hassle-free ride versus getting stuck on the side of the road with no phone coverage a long way from the nearest town. “NEW WEBSITE” SHOP ONLINE FOR ALL YOUR MOTORCYCLE TYRES & ACCESSORIES WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT OF AFTERPAY “BUY NOW, PAY LATER” HTTPS://NSMCTYRES.COM 1/14 Paisley Drive Lawnton Qld 4503, Phone 07 3205 6505 Email info@nsmctyres.com
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OCTOBER 2020
Very Useful Services & Cool Stuff
Call now for our frEE parts CataloguE
Genuine & Aftermarket parts (from 1955 onwards) • Accessories • Australian Agent for Hepco & Becker Luggage Systems and Crash Bars Electronic Ignition Systems Unit 5&6 / 9 Hayden Crt Myaree, Perth, 6154 Western Australia
www.munichmotorcycles.com.au TrAde enqUiries WelCoMe (open till 7pm est.)
??? SMOOTH OUT YOUR RIDE ???
We’ve got you covered. GENUINE AUSTRALIAN
SHEEPSKIN SEAT COVERS
Phone: 08 9317 3317 Fax: 08 9317 3359 email: munich@iinet.net.au
ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE
From business card to full page, all sizes are available.
The BMWMCQ electronic journal is distributed to members and interested parties throughout Queensland and basically anywhere that has the internet. In addition, the journal is issued to other BMW affiliated Clubs. Get your message out to people who own, ride and restore BMW motorcycles.
Good Wool Store Pty Ltd 49 Queen St BERRY 2535 P 02 4464 2081. F 02 4464 3344
www.goodwool.com.au
Phone your requests to Don Grimes - Ph: 0411 601 372
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OCTOBER 2020
Long Way Up - my humble review of the much hyped Ewan McGregor/Charley Boorman new series.... Cindy Bennett, Member #4170 I did thoroughly enjoy both Long Way Around and Long Way Down, and while I get that they are fully supported by a large crew (which often draws a lot of criticism) – I don’t feel this diminishes the sense of wonder and larrikin-ship these 2 exhibit. They have provided inspiration for many of us common folk to adventure on 2 wheels, and I am sure BMW are still thanking their lucky stars that KTM bailed on providing bikes for the first “Long Way” adventure. Therefore I was very keen to see the next instalment, Long Way Up - with Ewan and Charley riding from Ushuaia to Los Angeles. For probably the past year there have been posts on rider forums about the show, from dissecting the bikes of choice – electric Harley’s – to more critics bemoaning that it’s not a real adventure being followed by a film crew and support vehicles.
THE LAST WORD
weeks and travelled about 1500 miles! Regular top-ups by a diesel fired generator truck also don’t really align with the “green” flavour. But what I was watching the show for was the epic South and Central American scenery. Having travelled a small bit of Chile and Argentina, and wanting to see more - we had a 104 day trip planned for 2021 (obviously not happening now), so seeing magnificent Patagonia filmed in such vivid detail is a delight. Though maybe slightly bittersweet. So, in conclusion I am a fan of the show so far and enjoy the easy camaraderie of Ewan and Charley as well as the high production quality of the visuals. The choice of bike is a minor aspect which brings home the “long way” that electric bike manufacturers have to travel to make them a solid choice for adventure motorcyclists wanting to travel more than about 150km in a day. Maybe if you are a city commuter and can plug in at both home and work it may be a viable choice…
Having now watched the first 3 episodes on Apple TV, I am really enjoying the journey so far. While I thought the electric Harleys were an odd choice, I understand the social-consciousness urge to be seen to be eco-friendly and promoting renewable technologies. Maybe they are just 20 or so years too early, given the fact that at the end of episode 3 they have been on the road 2
This was our 2021 planned route on the Compass Expeditions Ultimate South America trip :(
OLDEN DAYS
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Inspired by Tony Malone’s old ad in the “Quick Glance Back” section I discovered a fun source of vintage bike ads online and loved this one! www.dadsvintageads.com
BMWMCQ BOOK EXCHANGE NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE!
Race to Dakar Charley Boorman Extreme Frontiers Charley Boorman (Racing Across Canada) What If I Had Never Tried It Valentino Rossi (The Autobiography) The Road to Mali Craig Carey-Clinch No Room for Watermelons Ron & Lynne Fellowes Great Motorcycle Tours of Europe Colette Coleman A Motorcycle Courier in the Great War Captain W.H.L. Watson Australia Motorcycle Atlas Hema Maps With 200 Top Rides (6th Ed) Overland Magazines - issue #’s 11; 19; 21; 22; 25; 26; 27; 28 and 29. Adventure Bike Rider - issue #’s 44; 46; 51 and 53 The Touring Motorcycle Jeff Ware & Kris Hodgson
BMW Twins Mick Walker BMW Boxer Twins Ian Falloon BMW Motorcycles Bruce Preston A Century of BMW Manfred Grunet & Florian Triebel 2 x On Tour with Compass Expeditions DVDs
The initiative is being overseen by Jane Gray and you can communicate with Jane via email at: library@bmwmcq.org.au Arrangement can be made with the librarian to pick up & drop off at the monthly Members meeting.....Editor
