Category Archives: Event Reports

Due to an unfortunate clash of dates within our club there were two events on the same day.  Normally this would not unduly affect the Mopeds Plus, but on this occasion our normal back-up trailer driver Wayne Williams wished to participate in the larger machine run to the Murray Mouth. Wayne offered his trailer to anyone prepared to tow it but by the time the problem was known it was too late to make other arrangements, so the decision was made deal with any emergencies as they arose.  Fortunately, no such emergency occurred.

To add to the problem of forecast inclement weather, our normal leader Warren Duncan was under another D.W.N (Domestic Withdrawal Notice) but had arranged for Roger O’Loughlin to take his place and, with the aid of previously prepared direction instructions on file,  the run to Glenelg and return  was completed, unprecedentedly,  without anyone getting lost.

Just as riders were forming up to commence the run Victor Poulton arrived in his car and offered to tow the trailer used to carry the tail-end Charlie’s Tilbrook  but it was too late to unhitch it and fit a tow ball on the other vehicle.   Victor followed all the way and was prepared to carry any luckless rider back to the Birkenhead car park while someone stood guard over the stationary machine.

Apart from a strong wind on the way to Glenelg and a slight drizzle for a short time the riding conditions were reasonably pleasant.  The usual cycling event coincided with the run to Outer Harbour and it was amusing to see Ian Roddie attempting to “draught” a cyclist as he was passed on his 50cc NSU.  Trevor and Susan Jones did an excellent job of shielding Ian on their 500cc solo Matchless when the wind was doing its best to stop him.

Surprisingly Ian Voysey on his 98cc Malvern Star Auto Cycle had a trouble-free ride regardless of the strong wind on the way to Glenelg.  His previous troubles at mount Barker were due to the needle jet gumming up due to ancient petrol oil mix being regularly left in the tank.

Ten participants remained at the Birkenhead Tavern for lunch at a table set aside for the club.  This was arranged by Warren previously due to the venue being very popular with Sunday diners.

The following riders participated: 

• Roger O’Loughlin 1988 650Suzuki
• Alan Wallis 1950 197 cc Tilbrook
• Graham Riley 1960 125cc Vespa
• Ian Roddie 1951 50cc NSU
• Paul David 1940 350cc Matchless
• Ian Voysey 1947 98cc Malvern Star Auto Cycle
• Kym Miller 1977 500cc Yamaha
• Bob and Evangeline Finnie 2001 1750cc Harley Davidson
• Peter Arriola 1979 150cc James
• Rob Smythe 1971 50cc Motobecane
• Trevor and Susan Jones 1952 500cc Matchless
• Victor Poulton 2015 2400cc GV Suzuki car

Our first Mopeds Plus event for 2020 will be on 9th February, meeting at Goolwa to travel across Hindmarsh Island to the Murray Mouth in the morning and to the Goolwa Airport then the barrage in the afternoon.

Alan Wallis.

Rather inclement weather was predicted for our ride on the first day of Summer and the last weekend ride of the year. And the forecasters were right. Standing under the big gum tree at Hawthorn Crescent watching the rain come down and the hills enveloped in cloud, it didn’t seem like such a good idea to go riding. Nevertheless, six of our members braved the elements.

• Darryl McWaters, 1972 Kawasaki Z1 900
• David Saint, Yamaha FZ6R
• Wayne Williams, 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650
• Charles Oliver, 2015 Triumph Street Triple 675
• Louis Peilschmidt 2002 Aprillia Pegaso 650
• Alan Kernich 1985 BMW R80

A rather miserable trip up the hill in drizzly rain was soon rewarded by fine although windy conditions for the rest of the day. We made our way to our first stop at Collectable Cars in Strathalbyn via Mt George, Bridgewater, Mylor, Echunga and Macclesfield.

Ben Finnie’s Collectable cars (and bikes) was interesting, but we were a little disappointed that the bike stocks were currently a bit low. Among the items there was a nice Moto Guzzi V7 of early 70’s vintage and a couple of shiny Vespa scooters for those who like those sort of things. A hot cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit were very welcome and then it was off to the Milang Bakery via Finnis for lunch.

A pleasant repast in the al fresco dining area was followed by a tour of the lakefront park which we all agreed would be a pleasant spot for a future lunch break.

Back on the bikes for a brisk run home via Strathalbyn, Callington, Nairne, Woodside and Uraidla. A few spots of rain on the hills but not enough to make the road wet.

All in all a pleasant enough day, in spite of the weather. Thanks to those few who made the effort.

Alan Kernich

Club Captain

Rider list:

• Alan  Wallis 1950 Tilbrook 197cc
• Robb Smyth 1970 Motobecane 50cc moped
• Peter Arriola 1957 James 150cc
• Roger O’Loughlin 1988 Suzuki 650cc
• Don Jennings 1977 BMW 1000cc
• Lyn Jennings 2005 Yamaha 250cc
•  Joe  Betschart 1972 Kriedler 49cc
• Tony Earnshaw 1972 Honda 125cc
• Warren Duncan 2002 Honda 250cc
• Alan Martin 2008 Honda 125cc
• Graham Riley 1956 Vespa 125cc
• Victor Poulton 2016 MotoGuzzi 900cc
• David Saint 1966 Puch 250cc
• Ian Roddie 1951 NSU 49cc moped
• Ian Voysey 1948 Malvern Star 98cc autobyk

The Mount Barker Burble brings riders to the Adelaide Hills at the best time of the year. The countryside looked magnificent and although rain was forecast for later in the day it did not eventuate during the ride.

Fifteen starters lined up at the start and it was interesting to note a very good representation of small engine capacity machines. For example, smaller bike numbers were:-  3<50cc, plus 1 <100cc, plus 5 <200cc and  3@ 250cc.

Following the same demonstration at the 2018 Burble, Joe Betschart’s immaculately presented 50cc Kreidler repeated the performance this year, but Rob Smyth’s Motobecane was never far behind. It was good to note also that we have a return to Mopeds plus of a female rider. Lyn Jennings joined the group for the day doing well on her Yamaha 250.

The morning ride to Meadows and back went without any problems and after return to Mount Barker via Macclesfield, a one and a half hour lunch adjournment provided a good opportunity for the exchange of world- wide topics. Three riders retired prior to the start of the second leg of our journey.

The afternoon journey to Woodside started in heavy traffic at Mount Barker but soon settled down to comfortable touring through Littlehampton, Balhannah , and on to Melba’s Chocolate Factory at Woodside.  At Melba’s our leader was in receipt of a DWN (that’s a Domestic Withdrawal Notice)  and left the ride after handing over the leadership to Roger O’Loughlin who very capably guided the remaining bikes back to Mount Barker. Ian Voysey’s Autobyk had a fuel problem very late in the return to Mount Barker and was trailered back to the start. The forecast rain appeared to be closing in at that stage.

Our thanks go to the three marshalls for the day, Messrs. R O’Loughlin, D Jennings, and Tony Earnshaw, and to Tail End Charlie Alan Wallis. Thanks also to Wayne Williams for running the backup trailer, and it was noted that retired rider Pud Freeman joined Wayne, in an advisory capacity.

 NEXT RUN: Adelaide Beach Run – 6th December 2019

MEET:  For a 9.30am Start. Birkenhead Tavern, Pt. Adelaide -Over the Birkenhead Bridge right turn at lights – Tavern on right

 RUN: Port Adelaide/ Outer Harbour/Largs /Semaphore/Grange/ Henley Beach/ Glenelg and return. Riders may elect to lunch together at the tavern after the run. Please let Alan or Warren know beforehand so that numbers can be confirmed. 

REMEMBER:   These runs cater for the slower rider, backup trailer always provided.

Enquiries; Warren 8388 1770    Alan 8295 5097