Hi everyone.

What began calmly enough certainly did fulfill all predictions and eventuated into a very wild and wet’ weekend ride. Thanks Whiskers for organising and leading the ride to Lancelin and the ‘heart stopping’ four-wheel bus ride up and down the sandhills. Thanks also to Tarmac for going Tail-End Charlie at short notice after it was learned that Stumpy’s bike was still not completely repaired — what a shame Steve,! am sure you would have enjoyed the day. You could have joined Hammer & Suzie who carried up the barbecue supplies in their car — thank you, or me (and a kind-hearted, long-suffering Hun) in my car as my bike seemed to have connections to a ‘higher source with lore-knowledge about the weather and absolutely refused to start. A big thank you to Gloria who contacted her brother and managed to obtain the keys to his holiday house in Lancelin (see the advertisement for this little beauty). The house was a winner with a wet, wind blown group. See the ride report for more info.

Well this will be the final write-up from me. It has been an honour to share in the running of the club as President over the past 12 months (and 2 years as Secretary a year before that). I have joined two new committees at school and have an interest or two that I would love to have the time to delve into, so my life is in some ways taking on some new directions. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the committee which have also given a great deal of time, commitment and expertise — thank you guys. I welcome in the new committee and wish all the very best to them and the Club as a whole for the coming 2004/2005 year.

Condolences to Flash and his family on the very tragic, accidental death of his Mum who, I believe, was on an overseas holiday with his sister.

Remember you are the most important person in the club. For the ride of your life – Stay on top!

Puss’n Boots

******************************************************************************************************************************

From August all club meetings will be held at the Swan Yacht Club Riverside Drive East Fremantle.

Start time 7pm

Dinning room open from 6pm.

Buffet meals at cheap prices.

Please support the dinning room as they are supplying the meeting room at no cost to the club.

*********************************************************************************************************************************

Ride Report – Lancelin 27 June 2004

I had spent the previous two Sundays planning & pro-riding the monthly club ride to Lancelin.  Not full days of course but in the end everything was reasonably well forward planned at least that which I had control over! It was up to Higher Authority to determine the forthcoming Sunday’s weather conditions as it had been mining for the past two weeks on and off I was worried that bad weather may wipe out attendance or spoil the day. This however was not to be the case on either count.

At 6:45 on the morning of the ride I peered out through bedroom curtains to determine the colour of the sky. Yaaaahoooo.  It was blue. Ronnie and I loaded the bike and then set oft down to Hungry Jacks only stopping to fuel up. During the near 60 minutes time frame, threatening black clouds were fast appearing from the south. Hey, "we’re going north" I said "so we’ll be traveling away from them". (Hmmm)

it was great to see that during the course of 30 minutes a total of 19 people consisting of 15 bikes & two cars had assembled in the car park. Hammer and Suzy in their Beemer with BBQ goodies & Puss n’ Boots in her red mechanical mouse. Unfortunately her bike battery didn’t want to get out of bed that morning ... .grumble, mumble.

I stuck an amber disc on the headlight of Tarmac’s bike for assessment as he was going Tail-End Charlie. This worked out really well.  Feedback received during the ride was all most positive.

The group traveled tightly & smoothly through to Guildford where we wound our way through several beautiful areas of grape growing and sheep grazing country side finally pulling into the Liberty Roadhouse at Nerrabup — our 15 IC fuel and morning tea stop. By this time clouds had literally surrounded us.

Five kilometers out of Lancelin and heading towards the township & ocean I commented to Ronnie that—were about to be hit by some very serious water. The sky was jet black and Lancelin was swallowed up in it. Within seconds water fell out from the sky and the group slowed down to approx 30 km/hr and sprayed its way into Lancelin. We pulled up In front of a row of shops and the scene was ‘exit rapidus’. It was one torrential down poor. Poor Dennis caught the bottom of his plastic pants In the footrest and his bike went the same direction as the rain. Some rushed out of cover to help him upright his steed.

The rain eased off so we road around to the car park at the base of Lancelin’s sand dunes. ‘Desert Storm’ resembled a Bedford matchbox toy with roller skate wheels under it. Here was one mean-mother of a bus.  Seated on vertically sprung seats, the beast was maneuvered around and up the sand dunes till it got to the crest of one.  As the bus was backed towards the drop, the rattling of Rosary beads & prayers only exceeded the noise delivered from screaming passengers. Fortunately we weren’t forced to descend backwards however the forward ride down was akin to the Big Dipper!!!

Amidst showers, drizzle and fine spots most managed to take a sand board ride down a sand dune whilst those perched behind the bus looked on & shook in the galling winds and freezing conditions.

Another 20 minutes of bus ride and we were then taken back to where the bikes were parked. All up, Fantastico!!

All this time Les, Robbie & two friends had settled in front of a log fire at the local pub. Les greeted us and then had trouble extricating the other three. With weather conditions as they were, the proposed BBQ site was definitely not an option. Gloria Mitchell then came to the rescue. Three cheers!!! She phoned her brother as he had a rental home In Lancelin. it was vacant — phew!! Off we went amidst the drizzling rain and pulled in to a wonderful home not two minutes from the park. The house was opened, the log fire lit, the BBQ arced up and the large patio turned into a smorgasbord table. Gloria...you’re our hero. We polished off steaks, sausages and a multitude of chicken kebabs. "Stuffed is a polite word to use. Everyone leant a hand to clean everything and the place was left like a new pin.

The ride home was cold but fortunately not wet and the trip seemed to go far faster than coming up. Still, It was a big day and Ronnie & I didn’t get home till 5:20 and others living south had even further to go.

Even with the rain, the cold, the wind and some discomforts, everyone had a smile on their face.   Nett result: fantastic fellowship, some new thrills, great food and a ride safe day...what more do we need??

Whilst special thanks must go to Hammer (organized the food & cooking), Suzy (for waitressing), Gloria (for lunch & dry-out venue) and Tarmac (tail-end Charlie) I would also like to say thanks to you all for the great spirit shown throughout the day.

Whiskers.

CLUB VIRAGO WISHES YOU A  VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY - AUGUST

As Brutus wasn’t on the last club ride I feel it’s my duty to act on his behalf in reporting fineable offences to the club for our wet and windy ride to Lancelin.

Roy & Sue-- for coming in car $1.00 each

Harry (Hunn)-- for coming in Sue and Roy's car. $1.00

John Maguire-- for same offence $1.00

Dennis Pooley- for dropping his bike and breaking his windscreen. $1.00

Jan (Puss in Boots)--for coming in car because bike wouldn’t start . $1.00

Beatles Video Cassettes —Complete "Anthology" set Cost $75 Sell $35 — See Doug (Candyman) -Editor

House to rent in Mandurah Area Pensioner couple Chez’s —Mum and Dad Long term lease wanted from end of September. Phone Chez 9529-1104   Mob 0417 594 381