Category Archives: Event Reports

Once again a delightful Adelaide autumn day for our ride to Birdwood and Angaston. A little disappointing that there were only 10 starters but of these 8 were club registered historic machines. Riders and their machines (in no particular order were:-

Graham Riley 2017 Indian Scout 1200cc

Alan Brock 1976 Kawasaki Z900 900cc

Charles Oliver 1959 BSA A10SR 650cc

Geoff Penn 2016 HD Sportster 1200cc

Ed Lowrey 1975 BMW R90S 900cc

George Elovaris 1981 BMW R65 650cc

Greg Smith 1982 Triumph TSX 750cc

Ian Harper 1974 Honda CB750 750cc

David Saint 1974 BMW R90S 900cc

Alan Kernich 1985 BMW R80 800cc

Starting out from Hazelwood Park we took our usual route up Greenhill Road and on through Summertown and Uraidla. Turning left on Swamp Road and through to Lenswood. On the road to Lobethal one rider went wide on a right hander and fell. He was fine but the bike although rideable was a bit worse for wear and was retired at Lobethal. From there on to Cudlee Creek and Gumeracha to our morning coffee break at Lovells Bakery in Birdwood.

From Birdwood we travelled along the Torrens Valley Road to Mount Pleasant and then on through Springton and Eden Valley. Then via Seven Steps Road and Tanunda Creek Road through the very picturesque countryside of Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park and on to our lunchtime stop at Angaston. Here we found the vintage/harvest festival in full swing with food stalls and music up and down the main street.

After a very pleasant lunch at the Sunrise Bakery it was off home via Lyndoch, Williamstown, Chain of Ponds and the Gorge. Various riders took the opportunity to peel off at various places such that by the time I (the leader) reached the city there was only two of us left!

Only 194km on this run and I think most of us enjoyed the sunshine, the company and the ride!

Alan Kernich, Club Captain

Both rides were led by Richard Knott: the first on 3rd April when we stopped at Wistow and Milang. 195 kms, see the GPS map below.

Today’s ride (16th April) in unseasonably hot weather saw 30 bikes turn up and everyone agreed that this was a record turn-out for a midweek ride(?). We stopped at McLaren Flat bakery and at Yankalilla. Approximately 250 kms round trip for me.

Departure:    The Totness Inn, Mount Pleasant

Riders:-

Alan Wallis        1950       Tilbrook              197cc           M/C

Graham Riley      1960       Vespa                125cc           Scooter

G Hastie           2003       Suzuki                600cc           M/C

David Saint        1966       Puch                  250cc           M/C

Mick Hayes        2016      Suzuki                 650cc           M/C  

Warren Duncan    2002      Honda                  250cc           M/C

Roger O’Loughlin 1988       Suzuki                 650cc           M/C  

Tony Earnshaw   1972       Yamaha                 125cc           M/C

Chris Harris       1967      Yamaha                75cc            M/C

Louis Peilschmidt  1985      Suzuki                 600cc           M/C

Rob Smyth        1924        AJS                  350cc           M/C

P Arriola          1974       James                 147cc           M/C

Apologies from Don Jennings who could not attend due to a prior commitment.

The day’s journey began with the short ride down to Williamstown where the riders stopped for morning tea at Jack Rabbits, now located at a new spot at No.9 Main St. Toni provided the usual good service as we gathered around the big table.

 Continuing on to Springton all went well until we entered the Barossa Valley and the wind really picked up to the extent that the smaller bikes wobbled their way up the road. Angaston was a welcome sight because of this and all had a good lunch at various venues.

The return back to Mount Pleasant via Kyneton produced similar conditions with the wind easing as the destination came into view. There were no breakdowns for the day.

On arrival at the Totness Inn, we adjourned to the dining room for the usual refreshments of coffee and cake. Disaster struck right then as Sandi (our host) announced that our usual freshly cooked banana cake tragically crashed as it left the oven, however the backup supply of cherry and apple slice filled in so well that it was hard to notice the change of menu.

Thanks go to all the usual helpers who make our Moped Plus event successful, on this trip:- Marshalls – Roger O’Loughlin, Mick Hayes & Tony Earnshaw, tail-end Charlie –  Alan Wallis, Back-up service – Wayne Williams (and dog!).

Report by Warren Duncan.

NEXT RUN:  Strathalbyn run -Sunday June 2nd 2019.

MEET:  10.00 for 10.30a.m. Start @Goodyear Tyre Depot Rankine St. Strathalbyn

RUN:  Strathalbyn/Milang/ Finniss/Clayton Bay ( lunch @ Sails) then after lunch, Milang/Langhorne Creek/Strathalbyn.           

REMEMBER: These runs cater for the slower rider, backup trailer always provided. Hi-viz vest recommended.

Enquiries;  Warren 8388 1770    Alan 8295 5097

Participants:

Alan Wallis             1950     Tilbrook                 197cc          M/C

David Saint             1957      BMW                   250cc          M/C

Warren Duncan         2002     Honda                    250cc          M/C

Rob Smyth              1970    Motobecane                50cc        Moped

Ian Voysey              1947    Malvern Star              98cc        Autobyk

Joe Betschart            1972    Kreidler                   50cc          M/C 

Mick Hayes             2004    Suzuki                    400cc          M/C

Roger O”Loughlin      1988    Suzuki                    650cc          M/C 

Paul David              1953    BSA                      350cc          M/C

Chris Harris             1967   Yamaha                     75cc          M/C

Victor Polten            2015   MotoGuzzi                 850cc         M/C  

Kym Miller             1977   Yamaha                     500cc         M/C

The weather was hot with gusty winds and entrants who travelled down from the Adelaide area experienced uncomfortable conditions on the journey.

The morning ride got away at the appointed time departing Goolwa via the Bridge to Hindmarsh Island and riders were exposed immediately to severe hot winds giving tropical conditions inside the helmet. However, these conditions soon changed to small gusts of cool maritime air as we approached the Murray Mouth parking area. After a 15 min. break to view the dredging operations at the Mouth the riders left for the trip back to Goolwa, via a quick look at the developments at the Hindmarsh Island Marina.

On this leg the only real bike problem for the day occurred when the legendary Ian Voysey- Malvern Star came to a halt with a fuel problem. Someone commented that it was not a real problem, it was just that the bike stopped to look for the pieces that fell off on this run last year! The bike was loaded onto the trailer and taken back to Goolwa where it retired for the day. Several other riders who had afternoon commitments elsewhere, also retired at this time.      

 Over lunch the day temperature reduced for the afternoon run to North Goolwa, the Airport, and the Goolwa Barrage. There was little happening at the airport due to the strong south westerly wind, so after regrouping, the ride continued on to Middleton and then to the No.9 Beacon parking area adjacent to the Goolwa Barrage. At this stop David Saint noticed that oil escaping from a breather hole in the bevel gear housing of his BMW was coating the rear tyre, so as a precaution the bike was loaded on the backup trailer and retired.

  Information was received as the run finished that some road closures were in place in the ranges North of Goolwa due to the outbreak of bush fires. Riders returning  back toward the city had to take appropriate detours, to avoid the Mount Compass area.        

   Thanks go to Roger O’Loughlin and Mick Hayes who marshalled the corners during the day and also to Wayne Williams for providing the backup vehicle, and of course for ”Tailend Charlie” Alan Wallis for controlling issues arising at the end of the line.   

Report by Warren Duncan.    

NEXT RUN: 26th Annual Moped Marathon – Sunday April 7th 2019
MEET: 9.00 for 9.30am start. Rear car park, Totness Inn — Mt. Pleasant.

RUN: Morning – Mt Pleasant/Williamstown/Springton/Angaston (lunch)
Afternoon –Angaston//Kyneton/Eden Valley/Springton/Mt. Pleasant.
distance Approx. 115 km.

REMEMBER: These runs cater for the slower rider, backup trailer always provided. Enquiries; Warren 8388 1770 or Alan 8295 5097

It seems that there was some uncertainty with a few members about the earlier start times for January and February. As it turned out a few turned up just as we were leaving – albeit about 10 minutes after the published 8:30 start time. Well done those whose subconscious clock was better than common sense. Please CHECK THE WEB PAGE for up to date info. There have been some changes for the next few months.

A total of 14 set off from Hazelwood Park just after 8:30; mostly Triumphs and BMWs as it turned out, including a quite special BMW K100 cafe racer. I was personally very pleased to be able to lead for the first time following a complete right knee replacement in November.

The ride was to be a jaunt around the southern hills and so we started up the usual Greenhill Road hills entry point and then tootled through Crafers and Upper Sturt and then, via a hairpin bend descending to Ironbank, Cherry Gardens and Clarendon. I still get lost around here sometimes, but not this day!

On to Bakers Gully Road and Chapel Hill Road and then Seaview Road and in to The Cottage Bakery for a morning coffee.

After a very pleasant break it was back in the saddle for a somewhat quicker ride. First down the main road to Willunga the up THE HILL. Left and left again on to the newly sealed Range Road. All the way to the end then down Wickhams Hill Road to the main McLaren Flat to Kangarilla Road. I hope you are all taking notes! Then a faster run through Kangarilla, Meadows and Paris Creek Road into Strathalbyn for lunch at the Bakery.

A few took some time to investigate the goods at Collectable Classic Cars nearby. In addition to the cars there is a collection of a dozen or so interesting bikes, including an electric right legged T160 Trident that took my eye. There was also a very nicely restored DKW. All the vehicles here are on sale for what seemed to me quite reasonable prices.

A member, whose name escapes me, met us here on his very original WLA Harley, complete with foot clutch, hand gear change and left hand twist grip ignition timing control!

After lunch most riders headed back to Meadows via one of our favourite tracks, Ashbourne Road and Bull Creek Road. From here as usual, ones and twos headed back to their own parts of the big smoke.

Thanks to Wayne for his Tail-End Charlie duties.

For me, an extremely enjoyable 200ks of fun and it was a beautifully mild day for mid summer.

Alan Kernich
Club Captain

Only 5 riders turned up today for the midweek ride which was a considerably shorter ride than normal (approx 180kms) due to the extreme heat. We stopped at the bakery in McLaren Flat and had a blast down Range Rd, Enterprise Rd, Nangkita Rd and Bull Creek Rd. Well done to the hardcore group who made the effort – your club is proud of you.