Hi there,

My name is Lindy Kingsford, I was one of the parents of the kids at The Snowy Ride last month.  We were fortunate enough to attend last year as well.  I'm writing to thank you all ENORMOUSLY for what you do at the Snowy Ride.

Our little boy, Alexander, completed 2 years chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia just before we went.

I was able to make a speech in Thredbo on the Saturday afternoon, and I want to repeat what I said at the time: that you guys have hearts bigger than your motorbikes.

The kids and the parents have such a buzz getting away for a weekend and having a ride on your bikes - an experience most of us don't have every day.

You were all so patient and kind - it seemed every time I turned my head I noticed that the bikes were there and kids were being carefully put into a helmet.  You focussed on all the kids, which was great.  Siblings have such a hard time and you made sure that they were all treated specially as well.

I took the final ride this year on the back of Greg O’Loughlin's bike.  It was quite emotional at the end and I blubbered into the helmet and microphone as we got into Thredbo.  Thanks Greg, for putting up with it, and for such a great experience.

Thank you to all of you.  Your involvement at the Snowy Ride makes it not just a wonderful weekend, but a spectacular one.

It also helps attract other riders and ensure that the Steven Walter Fund can raise more money to aid children's cancer research.

Best wishes to all of you for a happy, healthy and safe Christmas.

Lindy Kingsford
North Sydney

 

 

A big thank you to all our participants.

We’re happy and pleased to report that the 2007 Snowy ride
was a wonderful success.

This year, once again, records were broken and new benchmarks created.  A record number of 2813 registered entrants (and a lady from Melbourne won the Brand New GoldWing - this year’s major prize) and apparently a record number of ticket sales for the fund raising raffle (The CBR1000RR was won by a lady from Queensland). 

Our AGA contingent set it’s own records too!  This year we had our largest number of participants.  This meant our biggest ever Friday interaction with the Kids and their families.  There is a record of this in the form of a really unique official photo which our participants will remember was taken just after lunch at Sawpit Creek (thanks for your patience while we messed about setting up for the photo, we believe the result will prove worth it.)

Having had a big Friday we of course had a big Saturday and Mass Ride as well and again this is exactly what we wanted to be able to do in assisting the organizers to look after this special group of families that they bring to Thredbo for a holiday and some fun family activities that happen to include  motorcycling.  ( By GoldWing of course!!)

So, once again a big thank you for coming along and being a part of something that we hope you found satisfying and very rewarding.  In fact we hope you’ll now understand our slogan a little better – “The Snowy Ride, the best thing you’ll ever do with your GoldWing”   

 There are a couple of very necessary acknowledgements that need to be made:

This year we had participants from seven different chapters which reflects our dedication and commitment as a National organization. 

Certainly the “longest distance” award goes to our intrepid crew from the Adelaide chapter who made the big trip.  Thanks Peter & Sue, Stefan, Graham and Adrian - special mention For Adrian & Graham who did a wonderful job with some local radio personalities on Friday– another triumph for cake mixes! (White Wings)

This year we ended up going that extra mile by helping to fix “The Bus From Hell”- seriously, it was a shocker!  Thanks to Stefan, Rowland and Greg (Maher) for participating in resuscitating the electrical system.  (Greg ended up with the dirtiest hands – that’s important for distributing credit and /or blame!!)  

Thanks also to Greg O’Plexus, Bob Carmody, Peter Spillet and David Partridge who were our team for V.I.P. transport – This year we looked after senior executives from C.C.I.A.- Very Important People indeed!

In conclusion we’d like to thank those of you who we hope have submitted an article and/or photos and details about this year’s great event.  Our committee members were somewhat busy over the weekend and so we’re relying on some of you to provide more details.

That’s All Folks! 

Mark November 7^th & 8^th 2008 in your diaries!

The Snowy Ride, the best thing you’ll ever do with your GoldWing!

AGA Snowy Ride Committee

This year I was the only one from the Central Coast who was attending the Snowy Ride so I managed to get a couple of days off and left early Thursday morning.  The plan was to try and meet up with Graham Merrick and Greg O’Plexis somewhere along the way as they were meeting at Pheasants Nest at 6am.  I set the alarm, but as usual woke before it went off.  With the bike packed I managed to get away just before 4am in the rain.  Travelling down the expressway the rain just got heavier and lasted to just outside Goulburn.  I finally met up with Graham, Greg and Ian Hurley at Sutton and had company for the rest of the trip.  The remainder of the trip was in fine weather, arriving at Jindabyne just after 11.30am.  On Thursday afternoon we had a tour of the local radio station that was followed up by giving some of the employees a ride up to Sawpit Creek and return.  On Thursday evening we had a meet and greet with the Snowy Kids and their families at Thredbo before being provided an evening BBQ meal.  After eating we made the trip back down to Jindabyne for a few after dinner refreshments and an early night.

Friday dawned without a cloud in the sky.  Bev cooked us a hearty breakfast and by the time we had finished the clouds had closed in and the weather was looking a little dicky.  Our first port of call was the local kindergarten where the kids thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

We then met up with the Snowy Kids for a trip up to Charlotte Pass before having lunch at Sawpit Creek.  On the way up to Charlottes Pass we had the full extreme of weather with sun, hail, sleet and freezing cold temperatures.

There was plenty of snow still on the hilltops with some still visible close to the road. It was good to get back down the mountain to Sawpit Creek where it had fined up with temperatures fairly comfortable in a t-shirt.

After lunch we took the kids back to their lodge at Thredbo before heading back to Jindabyne.  Friday night saw most of the AGA members at the local Bowling Club for a meal and a few light refreshments. After the meal and a few drinks it was back to the pub to kick on before heading back to the lodge for some well earned nightcaps.

Saturday was another great day, so after a short trip around the various check points to get our entry cards stamped it was time to get back to Thredbo to meet the kids at noon.  We took the kids from Thredbo to the Crackenback Resort where they enjoyed helicopter rides provided by the Navy.

Some of the parents and helpers took advantage of the bikes and also had short rides.  We again had lunch with the kids and their families before saddling up for the mass ride that leaves the Ski Tube parking area at 4pm.

The GoldWing’s lead the mass ride into Thredbo before the thankyou speeches and raffle draws.  Unfortunately (to Donna Harvey’s disgust) I did not win the GL1800 that was the entry prize this year.

Sunday saw me head back home in the company of Rowland, Cheryl, David Partridge, Graham and Christine.  I arrived home just after 5pm after travelling 612 klms.

It was great to see a good contingent from SA make the long trip and hope to see everyone back next year.  Mark the weekend of the 8 November in your diaries next year for the Snowy Ride 2008.  It is one of the best things you can do with your Wing.

 Until next time.

Go the WhiteWings
Mike (Taxman) Howard
Central Coast Chapter

Our last major outing was the Snowy Ride and the Coasties showed up in good numbers despite the forecast weather.  And what about those South Aussie boys and girls, what an effort to ride from SA to be apart of the Snowy Ride, hats off to you guys. 

As for Donna and myself we enjoyed ourselves and it was very pleasing to be apart of the ride and see the kids and their carers with big smiles from the activities programmed for them and didn’t they look after us, with drinks, meals and great conversations.  Congratulations to the AGA Snowy Ride co-ordinators for the effort and planning they put in, well done.

The only comment I will make is that I feel there needs to be more of a Police presence especially for purpose of older ones (see below)

See kids if you ever lose your mum or dad in a crowd always go to the Police for help.
Isn’t that right Donna?

The thing that will last long in my memory about the Snowy Ride and the kids is even though we where in conditions of 2 – 5 °C with rain, sleet and even small hail at times those kids and carers just wanted to get on the back of those Wings and go for a ride and enjoy the journey regardless to the conditions, something that I personally have been taken for granted and the level of their excitement was very inspiring.  We look forward to going next year.

The South Coast Chapter

I left Windsor at 2.00pm on Wednesday 7^th November heading for Cooma.  I had three and a half hours of rain out of a four hour trip arriving in Cooma at approximately 6.05pm.

The next morning I went to the Cooma Correctional Centre to tour the Textiles Workshop.

I left Cooma about 10.30am for a leisurely ride into Jindabyne, where after arriving and fuelling up I met up with Peter & Sue Cherry and Andy Akbar outside the bakery.  After having a quick bite to eat (a low fat pie) I headed off to book into the Enzian Lodge

At 1pm we headed down the local radio station where we took a tour of the station and then took three of the radio personalities for a ride to Sawpit Creek.  They really appreciated the chance to go for a ride.  At 3pm we all headed down to Jindikindi where the little ones got to sit on some of our bikes.

Thursday evening we went to Thredbo where we met the families for the first time and after going to the gear shop we took those that wanted for small ride whilst the BBQ meal was being cooked.

Friday morning we headed back to Thredbo to take any one that was left up to Charlottes Pass.  On this ride we experienced all the elements, Rain, Hail, sleet and shine.  What a morning!

From here we again saddled the kids back onto our vehicles and headed down the mountain to Sawpit Creek for lunch.  All the children received a backpack full of goodies donated from the local businesses and were asked to tour the education centre.  After lunch I took a little fellow called Tanner back to Thredbo, he thoroughly enjoyed his ride even though he started to fall asleep a few times.

Friday evening saw everyone gather at the pub before heading to the Bowling Club across the road for a great meal and a few golden amber refreshments to wash it down with.  After tea those that lived up the hill headed back to gather in the Sunblick Lodge to partake of a little more soft drink, told a few stories before retiring for the night.

Saturday morning saw some of the keen members heading out for a ride to get cards stamped, whilst others had a lazy morning, cleaning bikes and getting ready to head back to Thredbo for the 12.00 pick-up to Crackenback Resort where the kids were given the opportunity to ride in a Naval Helicopter.

After a small spit of rain/hail four bikes, Greg O, Robert Carmody, David Partridge and myself headed back to Thredbo to pick up some special guests, A professor, her husband, their daughter and also someone high up in the promotional side of fundraising for children’s cancer.  These lovely people loved their opportunity to go for a ride back to Crackenback Resort and to lead the mass parade.

Yours truly had a fantastic weekend with special thankyou going to Graham & Christine Merrick and Greg O’Loughlin for all the effort that they put into the organizational side of the Snowy Ride.  I must also thank Karen for allowing me to go on the trip this year with out her as I know how much enjoyment she got out of the weekend last year.

The weekend reminds me of a small verse I saw many years ago when I was teaching music:

If you see a little one with out a smile give them one of yours!

The gratitude of the children and their parents and the smiles on their faces all weekend was something that you have to experience.  It is absolutely awesome

Peter Spillett
Area Rep

Thursday 8^th November, Cheryl and I meet David Partridge at Pheasants Nest at Mid-day.  We rode to Cooma that day staying there overnight.  Friday 9^th we joined other members of the association at Jindabyne to ride to Thredbo.  We departed Thredbo for the trip to Charlottes’ the Children had previously been taken there by bus to be given four wheel drive rides up onto Mt Kosciuszko.

On the ride there we rode thorough some unusual weather it rained, sleet fell, it hailed, and the sun shone!

At 12.30pm we departed Charlottes Pass car park with the children on board riding to the visitors centre at Sawpit Creek.

The children were presented with back packs which were generously filled by the local businesses.  Unfortunately both Cheryl and I got quite wet on our ride out of town, to our accommodation and we did not make it back to the Banjo for drinks or dinner with the group.

On Saturday, Peter and Sue Cherry, Michael Howard, David Partridge, Greg Maher and his nephew Darrel, Cheryl and I, took a leisurely morning ride to the checkpoints in Dalgety and Berridale and in Jindabyne, where we pick up the Snowy Kids for the ride to Crackenback Resort.

I would like, on behalf of Cheryl and myself to personally thank the Snowy organisers for the BBQ lunch - how unfortunate it hailed!! and a number of males and females had to stand in the doorway of the men’s toilets laughing - this certainly looked very funny, after which bikes were selected for Mass ride by the Children and others, most of the time I was privileged to have a sweet little girl named Lilly on the back of my bike.

Both Cheryl and I were very pleased to be able to participate in a worthwhile event, giving so much pleasure to the children and the parents.  There were 2,813 people registered, the Fire Blade raffle went to a lady in QLD and the Goldwing to a lady in VIC.

A very big thanks go to the Organisers of the Snowy Ride, Honda, as well as Graham Christine Merrick and Greg O’Loughan for a wonderful moving experience.

Ride safely, until next time.

Regards

Rowland #836

The big topic this month revolves round the Snowy Ride at Thredbo that saw Andy and Peter & Sue arrive Wednesday while Stefan and I arrived Thursday in Jindabyne, about lunchtime.  Things were ‘full – on” almost from the outset when we were ushered along the 36 kilometres or so to Thredbo to meet the kids who got one big shock when they were told they could be pillion on any one of them, anytime, solos, trikes or sidecars.  The sick kids didn’t know where they were going when they left home that morning, but had brought their families with them so by the end of the weekend every family member and the carers were able to join in the fun.  It didn’t go unnoticed that only one red 1500 was brave enough to come out of hiding to face the white ones.  The kids even went over Mt Kosciusko in a Navy helicopter.

The kids ranged in age from about 6 to 12 so some of them looked like Dr Who’s Daleks in ankle-length bike jackets with drag-on-the-ground sleeves.  I’m sure one of them raised an arm and said EX-TERM-IN-ATE through the visor of his crash helmet that was 10 sizes too big.

The back room organisation by Group-en-Führer, Greg, and his Loitenands was first rate and they should be congratulated on their efforts.  It needs be stressed though that there was not very much loitering about done by anyone all weekend and the image of the “GoldWinger’s” should be enhanced as a result.  Some of the local radio station staff were taken for a ride by the Sydney crew with Andy and I following up next day with two more.  A live radio cross to the station gave us, the machines, and the event a big rap.  Thanks to them for that.

Of the 2800 + registered motor cyclists that attended, there was only one reported road accident and that occurred under freakish circumstances, so that in itself was a standout.  Another standout, “Poor Bugga” was his name, even came over from W.A.

With all things such as this, there are highs and lows, moments of humour and more humour.  The S.A. contingent provided some positive suggestion for the sub-committee to ponder for future events, while providing the mirth to break the flow when things seemed to get just a bit too serious.

A dove took on my front end on the way over, much to its own detriment and allowed me to scatter feathers all through the high country.  Group-en- Führer, Greg didn’t just stand on a duck, he made an 18 out of it and almost completed the trifecta by stumps on Saturday.

Sue became a conservationist by encouraging Andy not to use his power in the caravan park for the electric kettle when the caravan park’s power was only metres away.

 Andy snuck out of NSW on a Sunday after the bridge at Tocumwal had markers put on it to show the strongest part of it, and the Narrandera Bridge had to be pulled down altogether, along with half a kilometre of highway.  Maybe it was that tub of Rocky Road that did the damage.  Surely the green stuff you were grazing on all weekend wouldn’t have done it, but just in case we’ll go another way next time.

Andy’s other ups and downs included him buying the deli opposite Dick Smith’s in WAGGA.  (I hope Brenda knows about this new venture.)  At $12.00 for a toasted ham and cheese sandwich he figures he has 51% share in it so if you’re ever in the neighbourhood, drop in and share in the experience.  (I guess double the name means double the price.)  Just a thought.   Oh!, and if you see a kangaroo somewhere between Hay and Balranald with a big, black and furry condom, that will be Andy’s armrest cover and he’d appreciate it if you could ask for its return on his behalf.

I digress, sorry.  The weather was weird.  We had 3 or 4 seasons in less than half a day from 24 degrees of sunshine to 14 degrees and hailstones.  Sue had snowflakes on the bus window at one stage, so if you go next year take it all because you will get to wear it at some stage during the weekend.

A low point was the state of the bus provided for the kids, but a high point was that the dead bus was given new life by Peter and Stefan.  Liaison then occurred between SA and NSW “boys in blue” so that the bus made it to the Gov’t garage pit for a closer look.  Brakes, exhaust and electricals are all cheap to fix so it will be back with us by the next millennium, I’m sure.

The Honda guru giving the speeches was so impressed he even did a “Derrin Hinch” on it to the masses when a Port Melbourne woman (not present) won the Wing, and the rider of a GoldWing Ducati from Brisbane claimed her Fire blade from the cheering crowd.  (Sorry Trevor, I hope the bus company gives refunds for your ticket.)

High point was that Graeme Merrick and his lovely wife, fronted up this weekend.  He was quick to inform us that it was his identical twin brother, Luigi, who had been at Cobdogla with the Piaggio.  Luigi was apparently at home in the family business this weekend, doing clinical trials on his latest version of RY-SOL-EUM to cure the Equine flu.

An impromptu light show (contest) on Saturday night between the “east –coasters” and the “flatlanders” went to us.  Purely an unbiased opinion, but it would have been no contest if Trevor had been there, or Adrian had dazzled them with his 24 carats.  The upshot of all of this is that you shouldn’t be surprised if the Piaggio is “pimped up” and Luigi leads the next Mardi Gras.

The hosts, Barb and Ron at Enzian, Bev and Ken at Sonneblik looked after us exceptionally well and there is no truth to the rumours about Stefan and I.  We’re only good friends.  The other lodge however, had some very, very, VERY, friendly pairings although it was a pity about the pair who must have had a tiff resulting in one of them sleeping on the couch.  The next episode will tell us who got the house and who got the kids.  Peter Spillet showed his prowess with Origami using GoldWing carry bags and it could make a great stage show in future.  He just needs to keep in mind the GST for the Taxman, who is one hell of a photographer by the way in his spare time, and has his own plans for an exhibition. Stay tuned for that.

On a slightly more serious note, the 1280 kilometres is a big couple of days so we’ll need to train for it over the next 12 months.  The bit that sits on the bike as much as anything else.  Some in-depth thought has been applied already by those who went this time, and, in line with the Alice ride, we reckon we can do it better here. 

We have spoken with the Group-en-Führer, Greg and we have his consent for staging our own event, just as soon as it snows here in November.

On a local note, the “Upright Ride” as it is now known, was had by a few who travelled through the Barossa Valley where Leslie forgot the 1100 doesn’t have the back of the 1500.  Leaning back is not such a good idea and the “paws and claws” have left Robert’s jacket scarred for life as she scrambled to return to upright.  The highways guys added to the occasion by recently re-surfacing nearly every road travelled and leaving lots of gravel on the corners.  No leaning there.  Hey!!  It could become an annual event so we’ll have to see what it’s like when it snows.

We can all settle down and look forward to the Christmas festivities.  All the best whether you’re north, south, east or west, keep the black side down.  Safe riding and see you in the new year with new instalments and snow reports.

Next month Andy’s back.

Keep an eye out for the white one!!

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