This is the 7th year of the Moto Giro, Australia. It started because, obviously, it’s not so easy for Australians to travel to Italy to take part in the actual Moto Giro and so some members of the Ducati club of Queensland started their own Moto Giro. For scooters? Apparently, Ian Brill was doing some work for one of the organisers of this event… and put it out there.

Bill Guthrie and myself jumped on the opportunity to join in, and we got asked the normal questions by big wheelers. “How fast can you go? What’s the furthest you’ve ridden in a day? What’s your experience?”. Needless to say we both surprised the organisers as they assumed we rode mopeds…. and so we were welcomed in to the 2015 Moto Giro.

Bill drove up from the ACT to collect me on Saturday…. or tried to. He got within a few km’s of mine, and lost a hose on his Van. Fortunately, he was near SS Scooter Engineering, parked up there, and Sandy helped Bill to organise getting it repaired on the Monday morning. That was going affect our plans a bit, as original idea was to drive up in one go, sharing the driving, and then have the Tuesday to make sure our machines were all good. Now we left about 1pm on the Monday and drove to Coffs, which was closed, and the next day drove up to the first location, Boonah, for the Giro, getting there about 2pm on the Tuesday afternoon.

Initially, we were the first ones there, but then bikes started to come in on their trailers. Mostly Ducati’s, but some Motorini’s and also Harley Davidson’s. I was surprised with the HD’s, but learnt that HD had bought an Italian company called Aermacchi (pronounced Air-ma-key). Indeed, I’d say that the whole event was an education for me in Italian motor cycles, and especially what were referred to as the “Paralysed Twins”, which were a parallel twin developed by Ducati in the early 70’s and much derided… even by their owners!

The scooters, and especially Bills C Racer, got quite  bit of interest and, as usual, some gentle ribbing from the Big Wheelers. However, I’d say the camaraderie was amazing and we were made to feel most welcome.

The concept of the Moto Giro is a central point where every ride starts and finishes. The Moto Giro Australia is slightly different in that the first 2, optional, days are centered on Boonah and the last 3 days are centered on Woodford. The organisation was superbly done, with marshals at every turn and a sweep vehicle to collect any breakdowns during the day. It soon became apparent that the breakdown vehicle was absolutely necessary with a Motomorini 3½ not even starting on the first day…. it later turned out that his mixture screw was all the way in on one of his carbs.

As we pulled out on Day 1, it seemed a little funny with all of these bikes that were 250 and upwards… and Bill on his Model C 125 Racer, and me on my S3 LI150, with Mugello 186 and Misano casing, joining in. The route was to be Queen Mary Falls, Killarney, Urbenville, lunch at Woodenbong, Rathdowney and back to Boonah. I found I could keep up with the bikes going up mountains, but was a little slower on the flat, and definitely slower going down mountains as they could use Engine brake and their brakes were the size of my wheels! Still, at the first stop, I was not the last in. Bill certainly was as there was one hill that was so steep, he couldn’t even pull away on it and had to use his feet to get going again. At one point  we all stopped outside a pub at Urbenville which was definitely a biker pub. They must have thought all their christmases had come at once….. but we just regathered outside, and rode on. You could see the disappointment on their faces. Later, when we pulled into Rathdowney, I heard “Siobhan?” It was a guy who used to be my next door neighbour and had ridden from Sydney to London on an original Royal Enfield (With only 90 breakdowns), and here he was on the way back to Sydney and had happened to stop in for a beer!
It was a struggle, but Bill and I  survived the day and Bill was clocked at 95kph going down a hill, and 85kph on the flat. This, by the way, was on some of the worst paved roads I have ever ridden in my life, but the scenery was fantastic!

Day 2 was another ride out from Boonah, but was a shorter one as we all had to move to Woodford. Ian Brill joined us for the day on his GS, which was pissing out oil as he’d lost his gearbox oil plug…. resolved by purchasing a bolt from the local hardware store. This was not a good day for Bill either. He was bump starting the C Racer, and the front wheel went into a pot hole, and ended up flipping his scoot and him. Bill was hurt, but not seriously. Unfortunately, the scoot didn’t fair so well, and the handlebars were now twisted and also the telefax cable wasn’t operating so he couldn’t change gear. Bill was out for the day. The day wasn’t without mishap for me either as I, somehow, lost my petrol cap. Fortunately Ian Brill  had some spare ones at home, so Bill and I drove to Woodford via Ian’s house and I was sorted. It was funny showing up at Woodford, as more people had now joined in, and you could hear the lull in conversation as Bill and I arrived with the Lambrettas. You could just imagine the new people thinking “What the hell?”
Day 3 started at Woodford then on to Mt Mee, Clear mountain to Samford to fuel up, Mnt Nebo, Mnt Glorious around the Dam to Fernvale for lunch. Finally Back to Woodford. Getting a decent breakfast was a struggle as Woodford is not much of a town. I went off with the group, and Bill went to an old friends place to resolve the issues with the C racer.  The ride that day was around the Glass House Mountains, and was simply stunning. There was also a motorcycle journalist, Motorbike Writer, covering the event, which was posted up on the web a few days later. Again the views were stunning, especially at Fernvale and by this time, I was in with a group of riders who were basically pottering along, and I was screwing the arse off my poor machine succeeding in keeping up with them. I was clocked by one Ducati at 110kph that day, whilst going up an incline, and I had her up to 120kph on the flat. This was a tough day though, as the breakdown vehicle was so busy that they had to return to centre and go back out to pick up more machines. One of the Motomorini’s had also come off. Whilst damaging the bike slightly, they had hurt themselves quite a bit and so they were out for the duration.

Day 4, Bill was back. It had taken him all day on Day 3, but he was going again! This day was to be from Woodford over Mt Mee down Bells Pocket road to re group D’Agular. This was not good for me, as the road was abysmal and, going around a very sharp right corner, I hit a pot hole. This meant I had to straighten up and so ran out of road, and went into the grass verge…. and then it was all over. Fortunately, being in the group they other guys stopped and helped me up. It was a low speed accident, but I smashed a side mirror and my fly screen, and also slightly twisted my handlebars. Still, up I got and then on to the Glass House Mountains look out for a photo shoot. There was a 5 minute rule in terms of repairs (If you can’t fix in 5 mins, it goes in the support vehicle), so I took the opportunity to open up my headset and straighten the headset…. and still had time for the photo shoot. Then it was off to Baroon pocket dam via many twisted roads for lunch at Maleny where a few of the machines got more repairs and some got back on the road.  After lunch we headed back via Stanley River Road, Belthorpe range and back to Woodford. Unfortunately, the knuckle joint on Bill’s C gave out, and so he was now out of the event permanently.
Day 5 was,a gain, quite short, so there was time for presentations and for people to leave and go home. Stopping first at Mary Cairn cross park then to Kenilworth for ice cream then to Lunch. Finally meeting up with the Ducati Club of Queensland.  Fortunately, the day was event free with no breakdowns or off’s and just a lovely ride.

Finally back, and for the award presentations. Bill won the vintage class mainly, we believe, because his was the only vintage that was there for more than 1 day. On the last day, a 1951 Goto Guzzi had shown up. It was finally time for us to say our good bye’s. I think we had shown well. We had certainly surprised a few people, especially my machine and a number of times we were asked if we were going back in 2016. I do hope we get invited again. Bill certainly will not use his shafts though, as they really are too slow for the event. You really need a minimum of a 200 to do the event, or a kitted small block. Even then, I’d recommend a kitted 200 to give you that little extra power.

Who hasn’t cauterized their finger tips removing a hot spark plug, managing a few turns before having to blow madly on you fingers looking like a twit or using a rag which snags on everything or bulky riding gloves.
I can’t remember where I heard about this but it works for me about an inch and a half of rubber tubing with an internal diameter of 10 or 11mm.

Once the plug is loosened with your spanner It fits snugly over the plug allowing you to spin the rest of the plug out pain free, and doesn’t take up any room in your toolkit. I actually carry the tube and spanner in my riding jacket, for easy access especially when doing plug chops.
Max

Max actually sent me this article a few months ago. This was long before the elections for the new committee were held (Or as it turned out, un contested re-nominations)
Anyway, it was such a good read that I thought that even though the committee for the next twelve months is now in place, it would still be worth publishing.


THE ELECTION OF A NEW COMMITTEE
Well it is that time of year again (I seem to say that a lot) where the committee will be sending out nomination and proxy voting forms for the election of the new committee. The AGM, where the new committee will be elected, is being held at the Australian National Classic Rally to be held in Phillip Island this year, which is a first, but you know it makes sense.
To the best of my knowledge filling the roles on the committee has always been something of a challenge, where the Club is usually struggling to fill the roles, and the membership need to be aware that “no committee, no club”. My better half frequently asks why I do it, as so often it gives me the shits, and it’s because, I get so much from the scene, I want to give something back, (well that’s what I tell myself) which is also the case for the rest of the committee I’m sure, and there are of course, many members, state reps, etc. who feel the same and contribute without being on the committee and we salute each and every one of them.
By and large there are a few specific responsibilities for individual committee members to be responsible for, particularly Secretary and Treasurer, but the rest is all about working together to forward the Club’s outcomes, there are quite a few tasks which need to be managed, by no specific role as such, but still have to be done, “Can someone sort out that F**ken Website!”
The committee meets through Skype every couple of months on average.
Anyway, something of an overview of the roles.


THE PRESIDENT

Handsome devil, delivers general guidance. Occasionally… OK frequently has to deal with crises, Dinnergate, Pandagate, Membershipcardgate, Cuban Missiles, come to mind.


THE VICE PRESIDENT

Hmmm, this one seems familiar as well, OK the main reason for having a VP is to take over from the Pres. in the case of resignation or assassination, (ring any bells Ed?). Otherwise it’s all about helping out the team. (Ian Brill took on the role of VP after I stepped up to Pres. on the proviso that I didn’t resign or get shot.)

THE SECRETARY

o you know how many sexist and stereotypical images there are if you Google “secretary”, I only wanted one.
OK let’s not beat about the bush, this is the mother of the roles, it is not rocket science, however it is considerably time consuming, in a stuffing envelopes, record keeping kind of way-Agendas, Minutes, membership database. The committee recognises the need for the Secretary to have extra help in this regard. The Secretary is also the main point of contact for Consumer Affairs Victoria, Association of Motoring Clubs, our insurers, etc.


THE TREASURER

D’ya think I could find the photo of him smoking a cigar?
Hey, if you manage a family budget, and use online banking you can do this. The committee has a policy that dictates a majority of the committee has to agree to any expenditure. Oh and we need a simple profit/loss statement at the end of the financial year.


ORDINARY MEMBERS

These are the guys that help out in so many ways, coming up with ideas, helping with the detail, and keeping an eye out on the office bearers making sure they don’t get above their station.


The Future

I can’t say for sure which current committee members are prepared to nominate again, some maybe, but not all. I will say that I am prepared to do another year in a senior role (Pres. again or maybe Sec.) So if you think we are doing well and want to help, jump on board or, if you and your mates feel like the current committee is doing a lousy job, then maybe you should stump up and nominate yourselves, we’re not here for the prestige. The bottom line is if everyone sits back and waits for someone else to do the job you won’t have a club.

The trick with Perth, where there is at least a ride a month on offer from various scooter clubs, is to do something different, not just your normal 50k dash to the pub. The other thing I really wanted to do is to get out of the ‘burbs onto some roads where you can wind the scoots up and cover some distance. I wasn’t sure how this would go down, however I organized a run that would take in one of our best riding roads and a little bit extra, the fun would be to keep everybody moving and not have them stop at the admittedly great pubs along the way. So with some trepidation I organized a breakfast meet at Amici Miei Café in Carlisle where twenty members turned up and great full breakfasts were tucked into, (thanks Steve for suggestion and booking).
This run was also another chance for me to give my ‘Lot 28’ rat project a decent flogging, to make sure it was up to taking to Phillip Island later in the year.
To my surprise all were in for the ride up to Kalamunda, then the Mundaring Weir Rd, then through John Forrest National Park, and down Greenmount Hill to the Rose and Crown Hotel in Guildford.
Steve is very experienced at being left behind on his LD, and let us know that we were free to abandon him and he would catch up with us at the pub, so we were off. So it was that we had a great blast up through the hills, which some of you may remember from the 2011 National, and we all managed to avoid temptation at the Kalamunda and Mundaring Weir pubs, blasting through before a brief pit stop at the Mundaring town site for fuel, where we saw Steve quite oblivious to us noodle past.
An attendant from the petrol station came up to Simon and said something, which I didn’t quite catch…. Me ‘what did she say mate’, Simon ‘she said fuck off’ oh right.
The next bit was Park Rd through the John Forrest National Park, which was a route I have had my eye on for a while but haven’t tried, the scenery from the top of the scarp was spectacular, the surface of the road not so much, and there was a moment when I thought I’d led the club down a one way road the wrong way but we all survived to tell the tale, and to tear down Greenmount Hill through Midland into Guildford and the Rose and Crown for a pint at last, to be met by a few more members.
There was a really positive response from the ride, so happy to organize another, or if other WA members have any suggestions or want to organize something themselves all the better.
Max