WALWA RIDE NOV 17th 2012

I think in the past I have just about said everything there is to say about the ride to Walwa and nothing has changed, still some of the best scenery, still about the best 200k's of flowing corners, still the friendly staff at the hotel and still one of my favourite rides. This trip we had 5 members go with a few that didn't come having work and family commitments but it was still a good trip. No spills and no major break downs always helps to make things go better. This year would be the 10th year that I have been going to Walwa and still enjoy it.

MADMOB IN THE COMING MONTHS

We have decided to try and do a few different thing together over the next few months as we normally do not have rides during the months of December and January because of the Xmas break and the very hot weather we have come up with some other ideas. December the 1st we are going camping and fishing for the cod season opening at Bearii, December the 7th we are going out for a meal and drinks at the Shepparton RSL, January on a date to be decided, camping and fishing at Eildon and we will do something the same in Febuary.

OCTOBER 20th RIDE TO KEVINGTON

As I unlocked the shed on Saturday morning I had a little glance around at the sky above and thought what a great day. I rolled my bike out and packed my gear on and off I went to meet the boys at the Mooroopna BP. It was good to see they were all there and keen to go, so after the usual banter we set off---- No hang on a minute there---- not the usual banter, did I forgot to mention that our V.P. and his wife Jodie are now grandparents? Their daughter presented the Webb family with a bonnie 9lb 7oz baby boy named Oliver on Wednesday 17th Oct, both are recovering well after the ordeal and mum and baby are doing fine as well. So with all in tow we set off for a Kevington, I had tried to include a bit of interesting riding country in our route there with the inclusion of Strath Creek, Flowerdale for lunch, then Molesworth to Alexandra to Eildon where we stopped for re hydration , then over the winding road to Jamieson and then on to Kevington. Once again we were greeted by friendly staff and publican and had a very good night meeting up with some like minded riders from Griffith. Webby had invited a guest along but the poor bugger didn't know that every guest Webby has brought so far has come to grief and fallen off during the ride ---and -- you guest it-- the curse still exists because after we all set off the next morning and only a few corner's from the hotel ... splat.. down went the new guy Tim, but thank goodness he was not hurt seriously. It seems things just didn't go as planned when trying to take a corner and he and his bike had a little lay down on a soft piece of dirt beside the road. Gaffer tape is a wonderful thing in situations like this and with the indicator and instruments held in place and a bit of confidence building we were off again and I am pleased to say there were no more incidents and Tim was able to have a bit of a laugh at himself later in the day. We came home via Whittfield , which is very pretty this time of year, then on to Wangaratta, up over "the Warby Range" and our last stop was at Thoona before heading home. Great ride . Bird

PORT ALBERT RIDE SEPT 2012

As I have mentioned before in this blog the ride to Port Albert goes thru some of the best riding country in Victoria and we enjoyed it all. After meeting at the BP in Mooroopna 7 bikes headed off and made our way to Healsville for lunch and to pick up another rider, from there we ventured across to Warragul and down toward the coast. According to my memory we had not been on some of the roads we travelled but definitely will again the next time we are down that way. As it was getting very chilly and light was fading when we arrived at The Port Albert Hotel it was straight to the fire for me to get a bit of warmth back into these old bones and then settle in for a very good night. Next morning we set off for home this time we had Spoofy at the lead so we all followed taking in the scenery as we went, some of this country is stunning this time of year. Lunch was at a little pub on the Reefton Spur and not long  after we had left from there we ran into a bit of cold rain and then some hail that is when things became a bit slippery, but the weather soon cleared thank goodness, and the rest of the way was fine. Believe this if you can but--- no break downs--- no falling off--- no incidents at all- only one little" pucker moment" for Haggis when he rode over some wet bark and had a bit of a slip but other than that ---all good . Bird

AUGUST RIDE TO MITTA MITTA

MITTA MITTA – AUGUST 2012-08-27

Prior commitments and cold weather had a fair impact on numbers for this overnighter with only 3 members available for the trip. Things went from bad to worse when only 2 members made it to the Mooroopna BP because Lucky Dave’s bike needed a bit of attention. So Webby and I met him at Carlo’s place where the old Dyna was getting some much needed love.

From there we left towards Dookie but only made it as far as Cosgrove Golf Course before my sporty decided it was too cold and gave up. Bird turned up and trailered her back home while I jumped on the back with “windbreak” Webb. By this stage we were about 2 hours behind so we took off through Wangaratta, stopping at the Buffalo Brewery/Boorhamam Hotel just out the other side. This pub brews its own “beer” and we decided to give a couple a try. In search of some lunch and decent tasting draught we rode towards Howlong and stopped at the bakery and had some delicious pies. From there it was straight through to Mitta where the new Pommy publican and his Albury born misses greeted us. We all had Wagyu steak for tea and it was awesome! To cut a long story short, it was a pretty good albeit quiet and laid back night.

In the morning we headed to Dartmouth Dam which is an eye opener for anyone who’s never seen it, like myself. Then we checked out some caravan parks and motels in the area for future trips and headed back through Albury and rode up the Old Olympic to Gerogery and stopped in at the little pub there, meeting Webby’s brother in Law for a drink before heading to Corowa. Dave showed one of our feathered friends his footy skills by delivering a severe hip and shoulder at 100k’s which sent feathers and bird flying in different directions. We stopped at the Royal in Corowa for a good sized lunch. That’s when a young lady, employed by the pub, reversed into Webby’s bike and knocked it over. Fortunately only minor damage was done but numbers were exchanged before we set off for our last stop, Katty Pub. Webby’s mirror fell to bits on the way which must have been caused by the fall earlier. All damage and failures aside, everyone got home safe after a good weekend.

Next ride is a ladies ride on the 1^st of September.

Spoofy

 

BIRTHDAY PARTY 2012

It has been 3 years since we first formed the" Mad Mob" and to celebrate this occasion we had our birthday party last Saturday night at our "Grover's" place. There was a very good number of people who attended with a few new faces as well as the usual crew. Food was plentiful with hot soup, shed made by Gundy, roast lamb and pork cooked splendidly on the spit by Grover and Gundy and a big selection of  yum deserts made by some of the girls. Raffles were for a hamper of chocolates and a " pick the joker" raffle which went off at $200 , both very popular. A special occasion on the night was the welcoming of  Dave "Haggis" Nehus as a full member into the group, I think he was a bit surprised but accepted gatiously and I know he will do well. Thankyou to all the helping hands that are needed to make these nights work and a big thanks to Grover for the hard work he put in and for letting us use his shed again for the party. bird

DAY RIDE TO TATONG TAVERN.

Off we went on a lovely winters day heading to the hills behind Benalla to a pleasant little Tavern where we were greeted by the locals who had brought their wears to the market which is next to the Tavern in the hills behind Benalla. After a walk around the market where you could taste the local wines, purchase all sorts of jams, salami, honey,breads,tools, garden supplies etc we settled by the fire in the Tavern in the hills behind Benalla for a lovely meal and a few frothies. Spoofy had done a great job getting us there and was leading us back as well until someone, with all good intentions, who remains unnamed thought he new a better way back, but alas he was wrong. Luckily no real unrest was caused and with a small detour we still arrived at the Violet Town Hotel for a warm in front of the fire and some more refreshments. Home is not far from there and as we came thru Shepp and Mooroopna we waved goodbye to each member as they took their turn off and made their way home to a warm fire as I did cause it was'' Bloody Cold ''..... Thanks to all who went. Bird

MAY 2012 CAMPING & FISHING TRIP

It was decided to do something different this month so we thought going camping and fishing was a  good choice. Eildon was our destination and camp was set up in The Pines area of The Delatite Arm and we were blessed with some mild and sunny weather with very little wind. After many years of camping in this area I still really enjoy getting back there and once out on the water the beauty is everywhere. Fishing wasn't too bad with quite a few redfin being bagged and a couple of trout as well. Sitting around the camp fire with good mates and telling a few yarns is always special and this trip was no different. I am sure all of the men who went enjoyed themselves and my hope is we can do it again sometime soon. Bird.

WALWA--- APRIL 2012

It was a bit hard to watch the other guys on their bikes while I sat back and took in the views from Gundy's van but that was the way things worked out. Gundy's rear tyre didn't turn up in time and I was his passenger in the van, but at least I got to go. Six bikes left from Mooroopna on a perfect day for riding and all six arrived at Walwa safely without a mishap...Hoorah.
Walwa is a very pretty part of the world to go to and at this time of the year and with the added colours of autumn it makes it even more so. The Walwa Hotel was very welcoming and cosy and we settled in for fun evening. Next morning was overcast , very cool, wet and gee- wizz Gundy and I felt so bad for the riders who were out in it so we turned on the heater, found some good music on the radio and stayed back a bit so we couldn't see them so much and then we felt really good... ha . Yackandandah bakery was our lunch stop from there the weather improved, so we made our way back home thru Glenrowan. Thanks to Gundy for driving his van and thanks to Webby for leading the riders and good job to all who helped . Bird

TRENTHAM MARCH 31 2012

This ride was left to Webby to organise and like the last time we went he did a great job. 6 bikes
left Mooroopna on the Saturday morning with 2 more to follow later due to work commitment's. The fuck up fairy is still following Bird around with his battery giving up at Heathcote, so the ride was adjusted to go via Bendigo to get a new one from the Harley dealer there. Didn't make it... the bloody thing died about 20k's short, so Bird ..on Webby's bike, looking like a grasshopper in a matchbox, with Haggis as his guide took off to the new dealership to get the battery..... Yeah right ... around Bendigo c.b.d a couple of times and then started heading in an easterly direction when the shop was back to the west and then turn then south so neadless to say we took the wrong way back as well and so it went. We finally arrived at Trentham later that day and had a fairly quite night but a good one and the next day we came back thru Lancefield, Toobarac, Nagambie, Murchison and home. Big thanks to Webby for all the work he put in for this trip. Bird

JANUARY 21- 22 RIDE TO DEDERANG

Never have I been on such a fucked up ride. From the beginning when I rode off with only one glove on and didn't realize until I was 3 ks down the road to when I was being put into the back of the ambulance this trip was just one bullshit thing after another. My bike contributed to 5 break downs and Spoofy's sporty 2 times. Brakes, spark plug leads, battery terminals, getting tangled in flora and running over fauna, there was just no end. The final fuck up was mine when I ran into a roo and had to have my bike towed home in a trailer while I went to visit the doctors at the Wang Hospital. I will take this opportunity to tell everyone how very proud I am of the men I go riding with, they to the man were helpful, caring, well organised, didn't panic and at all times had my well being in mind and also looked after my bike. You are my brothers and I can't thank you enough. Bird