August Monthly Meeting

It was a good turnout for the August Monthly Meeting despite the chilly night air.

Craig was there showing us the beast of the Triumph fleet - the Rocket III. It's a mean looking machine - there were many standing there looking at it as he started up to ride away and you could almost read their minds - "Ohh I'd love a ride on that thing..."

There's a big change to the calender - The Everton Weekend that was planned for the Melbourne Cup Weekend has now been changed as a lot of people from Geelong don't get Melbourne Cup Day off work.

The new date for the Everton Weekend is Grand Final Weekend - Sat 24th - Mon 26th September 05. So update your calender.

The Australian Motorcycle Expo. - plan is to meet at 9:00am at the Wharfshed on Sunday 18th for a ride to the expo. Craig is approaching Peter Stevens to try and get some complimentary tickets for the group.

There was some discussion about next years trip but it has been decided that a special meeting is needed on a week-end with a bbq to plan this event - details to follow.

One bike stood out as it sparkled in the lights from the Wharfshed Cafe - Dave that Daytona is looking hot...

Latest News - 23rd Aug 05

NEWS
The Geelong RAT website is now officially listed on the Triumph RAT website. Go to the site, select the Web Links on the left navigation bar and then select RAT Packs Australia. There’s also a Geelong RAT photo album and if you do a search on Google for Geelong RAT a link to the Triumph RAT is displayed.

RIDES & EVENTS
Remember the Monthly Meeting is this Thursday night (25th Aug 05) at the Wharfshed Café. A couple of trips are planned for later this year (Melbourne Cup week-end) and early next year (East Coast) so we need to start planning - now’s the time to throw your ideas into the hat.

Next Ride Day is Sunday 4th September 05.

Sunday 18th September
The Australian Motorcycle Expo is coming up soon and this year it’s being held in the Melbourne Exhibition Centre (Jeff’s shed). Meet at the Wharfshed Café 9:00 am Sunday for a 9:30 am start.
“All new location, all new set up, more exhibitors, bigger displays, all new activities and a full size Supercross Stadium under one roof, its going to be huge!”
For more details see the official Motorcycle Expo Website

Melbourne Cup Week-end
The Melbourne Cup week-end is a 4 day trip to Everton which I am told is near Bright. The plan is to depart on the Saturday and return on Tuesday. That means getting the Monday off work for those working in Melbourne and maybe the Monday and Tuesday for those that don’t get the Melbourne Cup public holiday. Accommodation and route is to be confirmed.

East Coast 2006
Next years trip is taking place around the end of Feb 06 and start of March 06. The plan is to explore the East Coast and Snowy Mountains. Dates are yet to be confirmed but it is likely to be discussed at the Monthly Meeting this week as it’s gonna come around quickly.

Well that’s it for now. We’re off to Tassie on Saturday for 5 days – who knows; maybe we’ll be the advance party for the next big trip down to that beautiful, motorcycle friendly island in 06/07!

Last ride of Winter - Sunday 7th Aug 05

Well it was the last ride of Winter and the weather wasn't looking too bad - that is, until that phone call from Mick who was at home looking at the weather satellite on his computer - moderate rain coming from the NW. Ah well, a little bit of rains no problem to a bunch of hardened bikers... and we are riding good old Trumpys from the land of hail & snow.

Ballarat was the destination with a plan to stop at Rod & Shirley's place on the way, meet "Fluffy" their pig and then on to a big log fire & hearty lunch in a welcoming Ballart pub. The thought of that rain quickly left our minds as we fired up those triples. Under a cloudy sky and topped up with a strong coffee 6 bikes set off from the Geelong Waterfront - I almost said "set sail" but that was later!

It was warm tyres and enthusiasm when we turned of Anakie Rd into the road to Steiglitz. The first sweeper is always "wicked" and gets us fired up for that great stretch of road that winds through the historic goldtown of Steiglitz and into Meredith. All's going well & then it happens... those first drops of Winter rain hit the visor! Over to the NW there's a big black cloud - Mick was right!

There was no turning back now & we battled on through the driving rain to Ballarat. I remember singing "Slip Sliding Away" & "I can't stand the rain" under the lid & at one stage it looked like Ollie was on a jet ski - it was definitely weather for ducks & not RATS...

Worse was yet to come! Led by Leigh, we turned off the main road and there it was - a dirt road & wet too - at leat it was sandy & not muddy. Spirits were high when we pulled up at Rod & Shirleys. Rod put a few logs on the fire and we huddled around warming up the bits that had disappeared or we didn't know were there anymore! Some were worse off than others - the more hardened one rode without waterproofs - maybe I meant crazy!! The bikes looked like they'd been on a motocross track - Ollie needed counselling when he saw his pride & joy!

All warmed up we set off for the pub - led by Rod & Shirley in the great little Triumph Herald - lets all start a Triumph car club for the Winter! An awesome lunch was had by all at the North Britain pub - a traditional old pub that even had a Triumph clock on the wall. It felt just like Sunday lunch down the local in good ole blighty! There were lots of comments about the Trumps sat outside from the locals and we even recruited a bloke that's just bought a Bonnie.

We all said farewell & it was off back to Geelong to end another top day of riding & catching up with good friends. It was great to see Rod & Shirley again and for some the chance to meet "Fluffy" the pig was the highlight - there's even been calls for "Fluffy" to become the Geelong mascot!!