CHATTIN’ CHAINS

Volume 30, Issue 6, December 2017

President Secretary Treasurer Ride Captain Editor Neville Taylor Cameron Blyth Colin Mellows Peter Patullo Vicki Richards 9448 5764 0478 599 167 9245 7670 0427 087 378 0412 767 790 vickirics@optusnet.com.au

Club postal address Club web site 3 The Bulwark, Willetton WA 6155 O55Perth.bike =============================================================================================================*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Committee Meeting Buzz • Have A Go Day 2017: Thanks to Liz, Yvonne,

Neville, Rob and Alan for manning the O55 stand.

150 brochures were given out.

• Neville believes that we should continue this

next year. Although the results in terms of new

members have been disappointing in the past, it

does give us a positive presence and a chance to

be seen as an active club in the community. This

commitment is conditional upon enough

members volunteering to help. The committee

supported this

• Kevin Gannaway is now responsible, together

with Neville, for erecting the “Cycling Event”

signs each week.

• Greg Murphy organized the bi–annual

maintenance check by Wandering Star who built

the trailer originally. Brakes and bearings

checked. Some repair to electrical work. On

inspection by Greg after a recent use, it appeared

that the trailer and barbecue had been misused.

To provide future users with instructions, the

writing of a manual was initiated by Greg. This is

nearing completion

• Nic Van Koningsberg informed us that about nine

members regularly ride from Hillarys on

Wednesdays. Agreed by the committee these

rides would not constitute a ‘club ride’ and so lie

outside the jurisdiction of the Ride Captain.

• Cycling 4 Pleasure: This Club has been

deregistered and its monetary assets have been

distributed, the sum of $635.76 being donated to

the Over 55 CC.

• Toodyay Ride: 18 riders participated. General

agreement that the ride should be repeated next

year. Thanks to Neville and Kay for organizing.

• Xmas Lunch: Committee happy with venue,

facilities and table service. Some thought the

lunch was a bit lacking but it was generally

agreed that it was good value for money. Venue

tentatively booked for 5th December 2018.

Meanwhile committee open to other suggestions

for alternative venue.

• Sam Paolino reports that 110 badges have been

ordered. Time to produce each badge has been

about 45 minutes. Sam has fully documented

the process of manufacturer. The manual is

suitable for another member to produce the

badges if Sam is not available sometime in the

future. Lamination from some of the earlier

badges is starting to peel. Sam will fix if

requested. Committee thanks to Sam for his

efforts.

• Lake Monger start: Temporary toilets built near

the barbecue area south of Dodd Street. To be

replaced by new permanent ones in the same

location by mid next year. Our next meeting at

Lake Monger is on 21 November 2018.

• Busselton Camp: Agreed that monies raised

from the ‘Sin Bin’ would be given in equal share

to the Motor Neuron and Cystic Fibrosis

organizations which had been recipients in

previous years.

• Bruce is to ask the Busselton Council to provide

speaker to update the membership on the

proposed Busselton-Augusta rail link. This would

take place at the start of a Happy Hour.

• Marg Clark to show archive material at the start

of Happy Hour sessions for two days during the

first week.

President’s Report Neville Taylor 1. The Nannup Camp was well attended and from

all reports enjoyed by all who participated. Well done to Peter Mayall for his management of the event.

2. The Overnight Ride to Toodyay was conducted in warm conditions and all were glad of cold refreshments at Toodyay. The Bingo produced some elevated heart beats, probably an AED will have to be on hand for next year. ᴥᴥ

3. The Xmas Lunch at Tompkins on Swan was very well received and many thanks must go to our solo MC who did a great job. Thanks Steve.

Ride Captain’s Report Peter Patullo October stats: No. of riders = 860 Distance travelled = 39,531 km Year to date: No. of riders = 8,683 Distance travelled = 472,546 km Ride Leaders’ Meeting: At the recent meeting the subject of riders joining the rides from the carpark area was raised. This action causes disruption after heads have been counted and tail-enders arranged. Please help the Ride Leaders by joining the ride behind the grouping numbers. Our Ride Leaders are very important to the Club and we need to do all we can to look after them. November stats: No. of riders = 986 Distance travelled = 52,863 km [November 2016 No. of riders = 1150 Distance travelled = 61,986 km Variance: 164 riders and 9,117 km]

Year to date: No. of riders = 9,710 Distance travelled = 531,862 One accident reported on Saturday 2nd December. Thanks to Reg Gaull and Ray Shepherd for their assistance.

Treasurer’s Report Colin Mellows Club finances are in a very good state. Colin has started discussion with Graham Baws, the likely new Treasurer for next year. $1,500 agreed as amount for Training to include in next year’s budget. Year to date we have recorded a surplus of around $3.5k compared to a budgeted deficit for the year of around $3k A number of items are turning out to be remarkably close to budget. Others not so much! In the run up to the year-end it is perhaps worth examining this in a bit more detail than usual.

• Membership income of around $8.5 is very close

to budget and to last year.

• The income from the Bicycle networks counts is

$900 below budget but there will be income to

come from the Super Sunday Count in November

• Sales of clothing and other merchandise showing

a profit of over $3k which was not expected.

This arose from the change of suppliers and the

reduction of the costs that resulted.

• Expenses for camps is around $450 lower than

budget.

• Expenses for events is currently very close to the

budget of $3k. However, there will be a further

cost of up to $2k resulting from the subsidy for

the Christmas Lunch.

• We have only spent around half of the training

budget of $3k.

Taking into account the transactions we are expecting in December it looks as though we are likely make a surplus of around $1k by the year-end.

Membership Mike Lewis New members: Lee Francis John Cole Susan Robinson Ray Shepherd Nick Kingsbridge Gina Koczberski Keith McBurnie David Downie Jeff Tyson Lee Allan Previous members David Waters and Shane Bird reinstated

Current Member Status Number

F 329

OE 23

OE/S 10

S 10

Total 372

Merchandise Sandra Patullo General merchandise sales (n/guards, mirrors) $134. George Small again handling distribution of badges. Thanks to Robin Garbutt, Kerry Cowie and Barbara Morris for sewing club badges on new vests.■■

ᴥᴥ Follow link for the full account of the O55’s Bingo Night in Toodyay on Saturday, 25th November 201 as penned by Mike Lewis.

http://spikeyspokey3.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/toodyay-bingo-night.html

Advocacy Bruce Robinson Submission from the club on glass container deposits was made before the closing date of 23 October. Submissions from forty club members were made independently. Follow-up on this issue is required by lobbying of local councils, local newspapers and maybe through bike shops to get a petition signed. I attended AGM of RAC and approached CEO regarding the container deposit scheme. Mixed response from government departments in this regard. The proposal is still under consideration. Considering writing to Mayors across Perth and organizing a petition. Social media outlet ‘Find a Ride’ suggested as possible avenue of follow-up.

NANNUP CAMP 2017 Peter Mayall

Fifty happy campers over the 6 days proved a good number to ensure those refreshment stops which cater for us have enough trade to do so again next year. Monday morning we awoke to a wind chill but the ride was to the Lavender Farm via the picturesque Gold Gully/East Nannup loop which combined lush farmland with forests and this vista plus the ever-appealing scones and cream at the Lavender Farm café combined to make riders vote this the most appealing ride.

The afternoon off road ride to Cambray Siding took more time and effort to get to the trailer refreshment stop so was cut short. It was decided to reschedule this ride to the Friday morning of next year’s camp to allow more time to complete the whole rail trail.

Tuesday’s ride was the perennial ride along the Blackwood river to Balingup. A diversion along sealed farmland roads near to Balingup made the ride easier. This change to riding along tree lined roads almost led to tragedy when a large tree branch fell, just missing Anne Diaz as she cycled past. The branch was so big and heavy that it blocked both lanes of the road and took more than 6 of us to move it. Anne heard the crack but had no idea what had happened behind her. A real Gus moment.

Wednesday’s ride was to the Donnelly Mill café and then on to Manjimup for those who wanted to go on. Many riders used this as a mid-point and returned to Nannup. Most riders who made it to Manjimup got a lift back. The cakes at the café had just been baked and I hope the foraging emus appreciated the enhanced flavours that this gave my cake. I did not get that privilege. Wednesday happy hour was followed by a communal BBQ and cooking session. Cakes had been bought from Donnelly Mill and having learnt to protect them from foraging emus and certain cyclists, were adorned with candles and proffered up in celebration of two birthdays. Thursday heralded the ride from the Berry Farm to the White Elephant café at Gnarabup beach. Riders were joined at the beach by those who chose not to ride and the morning coffee break became very social with most of the camp enjoying the seaside atmosphere and views. A few riders chose to shorten the ride and went to the Yahava café instead. It was decided that as members may be tired by the time of Thursday’s ride, this short option be offered as an alternative ride next year. Both rides originate at the Berry Farm and end there at lunch time. The busy Berry Farm reserve tables for us to have lunch so this poses no logistical problems. Friday was pack-up day, a goodbye to the forest and a return to home.∞

BUSSELTON CAMP 2018

Saturday 3rd to Saturday 17th February.

The Camp is centred at RAC Busselton Holiday Park . A variety of accommodation is available at the Park as well as other places nearby and members arrange their own accommodation. Participants can elect to attend for any length of time as a comprehensive ride program and social agenda, including lunches at various venues, Quiz Night, Bingo, Variety Night, Old Time Dance night at Vasse Hall, etc, spans the 2 weeks. We will meet up with the Geographe Cycle Club throughout the fortnight and catch up with cycling friends. All levels of rider competence are catered for and ride leaders will be present to lead rides of varying distances and difficulty OR you may wish to do your own thing.

A WATERSHED MOMENT November 2017 witnessed such a moment in the annuls of the Over 55 Cycling Club when, at the Lake Monger start, long-time member Nic Van Koningsbrugge arrived accompanied by his son Nick Kingsbridge who, upon joining the Club, has made history by being our first father/son riding members. .

Nic, snr, first joined the Club in 1991 and he and wife Margaret were the first member couple in the Club. Nic has been, literally, a leading light in the Club having assumed the duties of ride leader for 24 years. Nick, jnr, of course, has grown up riding bikes. He had his first tricycle when living in Broome as a child and has owned and ridden bicycles throughout his life, as and when time and life pursuits have permitted. Nick’s work commitments prevent him from riding regularly mid-week but both father and son are at Carine each Saturday. ■■

Christmas Lunch 2017 Another fun-filled Club Christmas Lunch has come and gone. Steve Ottaway did a sterling solo job as MC – his offsider Michelle calling in sick having undergone recent wrist surgery and thus leaving Steve to try to fill her shoes – pretty impossible, I know, but at least he tried. Goodonya Steve!!

As well as celebrating Christmas and our year-end, we celebrated three birthdays on the day – Elwyn Olney, Kim Matthews & John Yeats (the guy in the red suit).

And, of course, there was the usual prize and award giving, the usual dissonant carol singing (and, no, it wasn’t any better than last year) and then - - -

The Turkey Award This year’s Turkey Award nominations presented the judging panel with much deliberation, resulting in four honourable mentions; Marilyn D’Angelo, Frances Game, Brian Sercombe, Mike Lewis

and six nominees: Geoff Howard, Graham Miller, Rob Wallace, Gary Thomas, Nic Van Koningsbrugge and John Frey.

And the winner for 2017, ably presented by Graham Baker, was Gary Thomas for his post-tumble restrained pronouncement that it was “just a flesh wound”.

The full summation of our miscreants’ misdemeanours can be found by double-click of this link

Turkey Award

Nominees 2017 V3.docx

OR scroll to the end of this issue.

One notable recipient of an award this year was Roy Game who was presented with a rainbow-hued Slinky

to latch onto the rest of his bunch to prevent him disappearing over the horizon.

A few more ride leaders could perhaps put their hand up for this award next year. And then there were our valiant choir members, carolling merrily with Liz exhibiting a remarkable likeness to the absent Michelle.

Just lovely Deidra, Liz, Bernadette, Jim, Terry & Bob.

The Continuing Saga of Gus & Lyn Barnett Many of you will know by now that on a recent

Sunday Graeme and I went into the City by train. To

do this we biked over to the Glendalough Train

Station and put our two bikes into the Security Bike

Cage. We are registered members for this Cage. We

do as we have always done, put them together, and

secured them with 2 bike chains to the stand together

with our helmets. Have long thought that this was one

of Trans Perth’s really good ideas. Bike and Train,

like Kiss and Ride in Sydney.

On our return alas there was only one bike remaining

– Graeme’s - along with 2 bike chains cut through with

a bolt cutter and one helmet.

Reported immediately to Police. You need the serial

number when reporting this kind of theft. Then went

to Transperth and explained the situation. They

looked through their CCTV coverage that evening and

rang me. And there he was. About a half an hour after

we left he was in the cage, with what I would suspect

was a stolen registration card, at our bikes, bolt cutters,

and out with my electric bike and my helmet and just

rode off. Problem for me is that my e-bike is new,

red, small wheels, foldable, light weight to go on the

back of the motor home and my pride and joy. He

gets a bike with NO key to turn it on. And NO key or

charger to remove and/or recharge the battery.

And then it gets worse: In my dubious wisdom and being conscious of any

kind of accident my yellow vest and helmet has my

name on it with Graeme’s telephone number as a

contact just in case someone might need to know who

I was. Now they’ll have to bury me as a Jane Doe

because I’ll never put my name and address in

another helmet.

So be warned all ye who use the Bike Cages, someone

out there probably mugged another person, or stole

their handbag to get their entry card, and with bolt

cutters could get any bike they like, yours or mine.

Your bike chain will only deter those without bolt

cutters. Don’t you just love the world we live in.

On a somewhat more positive note Cash Converters

were very happy to take the serial number and photo

of the bike and send it to their other shops.

The police are “working on it”. (See safety tips below.)

Graeme has a baseball bat in an appropriate place and

I want to be the first one to take a swing at the sod.

However I share this with you all because I would

rather none of you were caught in a similar situation,

and I loved my little wheels red bike.

Lyn Barnett

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

for 2018

$25.00 Due 1st January 2018

XV1 Australian Masters Games Our awesome members continue to surprise with their achievements and in this issue we congratulate Marian Mitchell on her Personal Best. Marian travelled to Devonport, Tasmania in October to compete in the Masters Duathlon event. The Duathlon entails a 5 km run, followed by a 20 km ride, finishing with a 2.5 km run. The event started at 10 am in perfect weather, with all athletes to have completed their race by 3 pm, but Marian’s crossing of the Finish line in well under 2 hours saw her claim Gold as the first female in her 65-69 year age group to finish.

Well done, Marian.

On a recent Saturday ride, Daphne took one group to the airport from Deepwater Point, and Trev took another to the Pinjarra Bakery in Maddington. It got a little hot on the ride, but while we were riding the air-flow cooled us OK, so it was fine. I looked at the temperature records at Swanbourne, Perth and the Airport for that day. For most of the time we were riding, it was some 6-9 degrees cooler on the coast than it was inland, as the sea-breeze came in early, but did not get inland much. A graph of the temperatures from 7:30am till 12:30 is shown.

On hot days, it is probably worth us considering having rides to the coast and along it rather than inland if being cooler is a factor.

Also worth considering….

Close-up of Bruce’s “seriously dorky” brim, as purchased at Chillagoe, whilst on his epic Cairns-Darwin adventure. Not too sure about the polystyrene plugs and also not too sure about it sitting underneath the helmet visor.

But for the sun-safe reader/rider, there is the DaBrim.

Cycling Classic Helmet Visor by DaBrim. Shop online.

Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 7th March

Registration 9 am

Meeting commences 10 am.

Where: Leisurelife Centre,

Kent St, East Victoria Park

Nominations opening soon for all committee

positions.

Letters November 11, 2017 Betty Dagnia 20/99 Alexander Dr Cameron Blyth DIANELLA WA 6056 Secretary OFFCC 3 The Bulwark WILLETTON WA 6155

Dear Cameron, I write to express my gratitude in receiving regular copies of Chattin’ Chains, even though I retired from the club several years ago. It really is interesting and pleasing to see the growth and improvements since that time, along with the impressive achievements of club members. Reading about the camps and other activities always brings back fond memories of those good years. I joined the OFFCC in 1992 when I was 52. There were 2 rides at that time and the President of the club was Ron Lambert. Judy Stanton and I were on the social committee and were largely responsible for organising the 10th anniversary celebrations of the club’s inauguration. Then, to mark the 20th anniversary, Delys Howlett, Thea Benson and I produced a history of the club, which I hope is still available and will be updated at some time. My husband, Harvey Dagnia, was active on the committee, including as President a number of times. It was his failing health that caused his, and thus my, retirement. The years we were OFFCC members were some of the happiest of our lives. Sincere thanks again, Betty Dagnia

The sausages, rissoles and buns were tops, as usual,

thanks to Sarah and her willing helpers. Nobody went

hungry; the cakes and mince pies a festive treat worth

cycling back to base for.

The inaugural Swap Mart saw three tables laden with

a variety of bargains for the discerning hunter: bike

accessories, bike parts, bike clothing and, for the very

lucky few, bikes.

The turn-out for the usual Christmassy-decorated

bicycles was pathetic; a definite paucity of “bling” all

round. We’ll try harder next year.

Paul Robertson and Jim Bloomfield enjoying a bun & snag

Jim, Ian and Keith, too

A bit of bling

Eager bargain hunters

Lynn’s Safety Tips

1. Get a UV Marker Pen and write your WA motor driver’s licence number on all movable items. It becomes

invisible and is detected by a police UV light. They are readily available online.

2. Take a photo of all movable items, mobile phones, tablets and the like. Keep it on a USB and keep a photocopy,

3. Cut and paste the following link in your browser for police recommendations:

https://www.australianpolice.com.au/operation-id/

Also check: Your insurance company will pay out if your bike is stolen from your property. You must specify on your

policy each and every bike and movable item that could be stolen or lost before it will be paid out on if stolen or lost

other than on your property. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Turkey Award Nominees - Honourable mentions It’s good to see that some of our lady members have been a little more forthcoming this year and been prepared to ‘fess up’ on their efforts to get their name on the Turkey trophy. The following attempts didn’t quite meet the full criteria for the Turkey Award, but are well worth sharing: 1. Marilyn D’Angelo During a Barge and Bike ride in France, Marilyn was seen to be riding out wide of the group. When she was asked to get back in line, she replied that she had to ride out wide because the bike in front was too close. Hmmm! 2. Frances Game Frances chews gum while cycling - apparently to keep her jaw well lubricated for talking. During a rest stop on the ride join this year’s Barge and Bike trip she took the gum out of her mouth and put it on her bike seat for safekeeping. However, when she resumed the ride she forgot about the gum. It wasn’t too long after she resumed her ride before she discovered where she’d left it. 3. Brian Sercombe On an Albany ride Brian’s mirror came loose, so he took it off and put it in his back pocket, but some time later it fell out causing the following riders into an emergency stop. Some didn’t manage it in time and in the resulting pile-up John Yeats and George Olney both fell off their bikes lost skin. Brian remained unscathed. 4. Mike Lewis When Mike recently rode from Raphael Park he left his keys in the car, doors unlocked and engine running. Thanks to the sharp-eyed carwatch volunteers his car was still there for him when he returned a couple of hours later.

Turkey Award Nominations 2017 And to the actual nominations for the Turkey Award, we have six in total, as follows, and the winner to be decided by audience acclaim. The nominees are: 1. Geoff Howard - The digital message I’m sure we’ve all been abused by car or truck drivers at some time, whether for good reason or not, but this is a nomination in which the hero of the story Geoff Howard ‘outed’ himself by telling the northern riders that he had been tooted by the driverless bus in South Perth. Not only did he pick out the one and only driverless vehicle in Western Australia, but he also managed to get abused by the computer controlling it. Thankfully that was the only digital message it delivered. 2. Graham Miller - Mutiny on the Mountain It is well-known that Neville’s Number One riders are the best-disciplined and best-behaved cycling group in the southern hemisphere and no-one, but no-one, is allowed to question the ride leader’s decision. So it came as a cataclysmic shock when former Club President Graham Miller led a mutiny against ride leader Rob Wallace. Rob had led the group on a hills ride up several steep climbs before stopping to appreciate the scenery near the Araluen Golf Course. Behind him was yet another steep hill, so on behalf of some rebellious riders, Graham remonstrated with the ride leader not to have to ride up another hill. This act of mutiny caused steam to pour forth from Neville’s ears as he struggled to maintain composure. Sadly there is no photographic evidence. 3. Rob Wallace – Show me the way to go home Having survived the challenge to his leadership Rob Wallace led the group downhill and out through the Araluen Golf Course. That was when one of the mutinous crew, took out his camera and snapped a photo of the EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY sign they had to ride past. When later confronted with the evidence, Rob argued that the sign had been Photoshopped onto the image.

4. Gary Thomas – Just a flesh wound Former Ride Captain Gary took the Achievement Ride a bit too literally. He fell off his bike shortly after the start of the ride and though clearly in pain, declined offers of help from his team, choosing instead to ride back alone to Raphael Park where he loaded his bike into his car and drove to Joy’s house in considerable pain. When he entered the house he locked the door. But by this stage he was in so much pain he couldn’t move from where he was lying on the floor, so he rang for an ambulance. That was when he realised that locking the door wasn’t such a good idea. He rang Joy who was post medical procedure and still waking up from an anesthetic. However, she rang a neighbour who located the spare key and opened the house for the ambos to get in. When he eventually arrived at hospital Gary found out he’d broken his femur and needed an urgent hip replacement. 5. Nic van Koningsbrugge – On yer bike Nic has been a great ride leader for almost 25 years and he’s still finding innovative ideas to keep his group happy. One Saturday at Carine, Nick arrived early to get ready for his ride. That was when he realised he’d forgotten to put his bike in the car. Being the sort of guy he is, he asked his group to wait for him, while he drove home, collected his bike and returned to lead the ride. 6. John Frey - Chips with everything John went on holiday this year to America and Iceland and took lots of photographs. When he got home he sat down with a glass of Coke and bowl of potato chips and began to load the photos onto his iPad. That was when he took the memory card out of the camera and put it in his mouth along with the other chips. It didn’t take long for him to realise that one chip was harder than the others and it certainly wasn’t salt and vinegar. We’re not sure whether he stuffed potato chips in the card reader slot but we understand the camera’s memory chip was just that – a memory! And Mike Lewis’s accompanying authored verse:

Drinking Coke in little sips While filling up on Samboy chips John ate the chip, I’m not mistaken, Of all the photos he had taken On his holiday in Finland

Iceland, Greenland, also Lapland

And as he yelled and tore his hair His pictures floated in the air All munched and crunched to print unfit Covered now in drool and spit So next when faced with chips inviting Be careful which ones you are biting The salty ones are fine, perhaps, But not the ones with all your snaps ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2017