Gembrook MK II Sunday 1^st June, 2008

Ian Payne (leader)	Honda CBR1000	Mick Canny	Kawasaki ZX9
Paul Southwell	Honda CBR1000	Randal Leacock	Kawasaki ZX9
Ken Goederee	Honda CBR1000	Bronwyn Manifold	Kawasaki Z750
Rob Jones	Honda CBR1000	Dan Francome (1^st ride)	Kawasaki GPx250
Ben Warden	Honda CBR954	Mark Rigsby (rear)	Suzuki GSXR1000
Willem Vandeveld	Honda ST1300	Chris Pointon	Suzuki GSXR1000
Nic Jacka	Honda CBR600	Misho Zrakic	Suzuki GSXR750
Dave Ward	Honda CBR600	Clint Prytula (2^nd ride)	Suzuki SV1000
Ron Johnston	Honda CB400F	Tim Emons	Suzuki SV650
Richard Buck (1^st ride)	Yamaha FZ1	Jim Mastrandonakis (1^st ride)	Aprilia Falco 1000
Cameron Stevens	Yamaha FZ6	Darryn Webster	Triumph 675
Pina Garasi	Yamaha R6		23 bikes, 23 people

I happened to be part of the riding group when the first time club rider, Richard, took a corner too wide on Hill End and came off his bike after hitting dirt. Luckily only his bike went over the cliff. About 10 of us were gathered in this riding bunch and stopped to assist.

I was filled with such pride watching the MSR boys (including another first time club rider) in the spirit of co-operation and determination to retrieve the Yamaha FZ1 which had landed quite a fair way down the steep embankment. The whole effort took about 40 minutes and was a great display of practical thinking, strategising, co-operation and finally, excellent “man-power” to finally raise the bike up to the road, much to Richard’s delight. (Just as well Ken did his push-ups for the morning, is all I can say.) Luckily the bike had had a soft landing, as it sustained only minor cosmetic injuries and was rideable.

During the whole rescue effort we had been waiting for a 4 wheel drive to pass by so we could request some assistance with a towing rope. One did appear (a genuine one which has seen dirt in its days, unlike the Kew variety) … a little late though… just as we had retrieved the bike and were ready to head off again. I jokingly said to the bushy-bearded driver “what took you so long, we’ve been waiting for you?” and he said “I was busy helping one of your other mates”. “What do you mean?” I said. “One of your mates came off his bike further down the road and I was helping him” “what sort of bike?” I asked, “A GSXR Suzuki” OOHHH NO! I thought… “What colour?” “blue & white” he replied; Oh the great relief that it wasn’t the yellow and black one, but still sad when I realised it was Chris’s bike. Amazingly, he too had no injuries and only minor cosmetic damage to his bike.

Both riders continued onto the lunch break at Noojee where a bit of moral support was delivered in the form of jestful humour. It reminded me what a wonderful club this is to be riding in; quite special really.

Pina Garasi