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Brass Monkey Rally Report 2008 |
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  In recent years, this long-running winter fixture has been in decline. Numbers of participants had been dropping, the organisation had been diffuse and perhaps lacking in enthusiasm and direction, and an atmosphere of ennui had developed.
Against that background, the committee of our Club sought volunteers amongst their number to run the 2008 Rally. In the absence of any competition, but reluctant to see this Rally emulate the Ballarat Winter Wander and disappear from our calendar, Messrs Caine, Kisby and the writer offered to have a go as an organising sub-committee.
To see photos click here or go to Gallery/2008/Brass Monkey 2008
A strategy of innovation was adopted, hoping that at least some elements would succeed in reviving interest. That innovation involved a new, more central, location for the Rally with a genuine winter ascent of a decent hill; a low cost budget designed to enable participants to determine their expenditure levels for food and accommodation; and a minimalist approach to marshalling which emphasised self-navigation. Finally, it was decided to issue invitations to the Indian Club, and the Two-Stroke Club, to join us.
Judged by participation, the Rally was a success. There were 58 machines entered, some with both rider and passenger. They are listed below. Since Saturday night dinner at The Shamrock Hotel in Alexandra required more than 65 places, it was obvious that some participants also brought along family and/or friends. That is a good thing, and to be encouraged. Nevertheless, as an aside, future organisers of these events must ensure that they are informed beforehand (which we were not) of these non-riding attendees so that proper facilities (including dining places) can be organised in advance.
The machines lined up at Rotary Park in Alexandra on Saturday morning were pleasingly eclectic in origin and specification. The strength of the Indian Club’s support was reflected in the attendance of no less than 9 Indians of various models and vintages. That contribution extended to the (possibly unenthusiastic) use of the back-up trailer, with Indians providing 2 out of four customers for that service. The other users were very British, namely, a BSA Gold Flash, and a Triumph Trident. Almost trite to mention that none of the four club-eligible BMW’s required the trailer, but interesting to note that the reliability of Italian machines could not be gauged since not a one was entered! Evidence of Latin allergy to winter conditions?
One very gratifying statistic is that only six riders in the large field were on non club-eligible bikes. In some cases, an off-setting benefit is that members are thereby able to keep riding notwithstanding the cruel physical ravages of father time. One “modern” was used to advantage by the ever selfless Jack Youdan, who acted as Kelpie and shepherd rounding up wayward members of the flock at vital turn-offs.
It would be impudent to speculate on, or publish, the ages of the riders, whether on moderns or otherwise. But the club-eligible bikes ranged in age from your scribe’s ’37 BMW to a gaggle of machines built in ’74.
The weather was controversial. To the mind of traditionalists, Saturday’s clear skies were a betrayal of the keenly anticipated seasonal misery. The sub-committee’s earlier sacrifices of virgins at the alter of the Gods of Fog, Snow and Rain had either been inadequate, or they had gone unnoticed by the deities. Perhaps Lindsay Urquhart was right when he claimed that sacrifices of that description are hard to find these days, and that perhaps we had been dealing with faulty merchandise.
The clement conditions meant that the lovely road from Marysville to Lake Mountain offered almost dry-weather adhesion, and so less of the hoped for winter challenge. Even so, only six “real men” rode their machine up to the snow at the car park, accompanied in two cases by highly trusting (or duped) pillions. They were Lindsay Jennings (Indian), Gordon Patterson (Triumph), Paul Caine (Triumph), Richard and Dot Summerville (Honda), Colin and Julie Sullivan (Norton), and the writer (BMW). Those high achievers not only have, no doubt, fond memories of the ride and the pleasure of reaching the snowfields at the top, but will receive the inaugural, and now coveted, “King of the Mountain” certificate, individually numbered, and authenticated and signed by the organisers. Watch for those on E-Bay!
There were some who claimed, rather eccentrically, that they were quite happy not to have been cold and wet on Saturday. They apparently enjoyed the day’s riding in mild, sunny conditions, along the magnificent ridges overlooking Lake Eildon, the lengthy break for coffee, cakes and a natter at Eildon township, the gentle ride over the Eildon Dam wall to the towering cliffs of the Cathedral Ranges and on to lunch at Marysville. It was noted that amongst these sybarites were at least three riders from Ballarat. The absence of sunshine in Ballarat for most of the year probably explains their unhealthy enthusiasm for the relatively tropical conditions on the road to Marysville that day.
Saturday night dinner and festivities in the Shamrock Hotel was a noisy, happy occasion. The raffle prize of a superb pair of winter gloves was planned to bring relief to a sodden rider with gloves saturated during the expected wet day’s riding to Lake Mountain. As it was, perhaps we should have raffled a tube of 30 plus suncream. Traditional Brass Monkey badges were awarded at the dinner to all entrants.
The serious riders came out to play again next day. It might have been called “Rainday” rather than “Sunday”. As the less committed entrants departed for their fireplaces and slippers, a tribe of Indian riders (who may not have had much sleep the night before) took the shortest route to the fire in the pub at Strath Creek. The remaining starters swam around the exhibits at the Alexandra Tramways Museum in the drenching rain before launching themselves on the magnificent ride over the granite littered Highlands before descending to the Goulburn river at Ghin Ghin and thence by the “authorised” route to lunch with the already entrenched Indians. As usual, there were the bunnies (in this case Norton Commando mounted) who ignored the maps painstakingly prepared for their guidance, and instead blazed an individual trail before finally arrived at Strath Creek, too late for lunch, and reputedly having seen the outskirts of Broken Hill en route. Depending on which of them is to be believed, either Colin or Julie needs navigation lessons (or new reading glasses) before next year’s Rally.
After lunch, in unabating rain, and nicely dropping temperature, Brass Monkeys rode away from Strath Creek and either back to Alexandra via Flowerdale and Yea to complete the designated run for the day, or, in less laudable cases, by a more direct (ie, less wet) way home. No doubt the latter will wrestle with their consciences for many years to come.
In accordance with our objectives, the Rally was run at minimal charge ($25 per head) to participants, and at no cost to the Club. The balance sheet for the Rally can be summarised, in round figures, as follows;
Expenses:
Beanies….$841
Badges…..$ 60
Raffle…....$200
Museum…$300
Dinner…..$300
Trailer…..$ 149
TOTAL…$1850
Revenues:
Entry Fees….$1550
Raffle….…. $300
TOTAL…...$1850
In summary, the Rally achieved its financial objectives. It neither cost the club anything, nor charged participants more than it cost to run.
To the extent that the Rally was a success, it owed much to a number of generous volunteers. The organising sub-committee pays particular tribute to, and on the Club’s behalf, thanks, John Willis (back-up trailer), Jack Youdan (shepherd), and Ted Lhuede ( Brass Monkey badge expert). I also thank Paul and David, my fellow organisers, for their contributions, tolerance, friendship, and generosity during our planning and preparation for this event.
Brass Monkey 2008 participants were;
Tom Anthony—’69 Bonneville. Ted Lhuede—‘70 Triumph T120
Bruce Armfield—’71 BMW 75/5 Jeff Marriage—’44 Harley Davidson
Rod Barker—’38 Indian Four Keith McKendry—’61 Harley FLH
John Best—’07 Yamaha FZ6N Ian Morrison—’44 Indian Chief
Warren Blandy—’74 Triumph Trident Zane Morrison—’58 Harley DuoGlide
Colin Borthwick—’72 Norton Conor Murphy—’44 Indian Chief
Tony Border—’37 BMW R6 Darren Naporowski—’70 Harley FLH
Graham Boulter—’74 Triumph T140V Nick Naporowski—’70 Triumph Bonneville
Paul Caine—’73 Triumph Trident Peter Parsons 42 Indian Chief
Mike Chegwidden—’44 Indian Chief Gordon Patterson—’74 Triumph Trident
Russell Court—’70 Norton Commando Ross Patrick—’56 Norton 500
Peter and Sue Cullen—’71 BMW R60/5 Scott Patrick—’49 AJS
Ken Dancey—’84 BMW K100RS Phil Pilgrim—’47 Indian Chief
Ross Dickson—’65 Norton Dominator Ian Rhook—’44 Indian Chief
Burger Drake—’50 Vincent twin Ed Sleightholm—57 Ariel 500
Jeff Farrugia—’59 Harley Davidson Ian & Lyn Snadden—’74 BMW R90S
John Fontanella—’48 Indian Chief Colin & Julie Sullivan—’72 Norton Commando
David Fitzgerald—’60 Norton Dominator Richard & Dot Summerville—’75 Honda CB750
Bill Garner—’71 Triumph Bonneville Paul Taylor—‘68 Triumph 750
Reg Hammond—’57 BSA Gold Flash Noel Thornby—’41 Indian 741
Ray Harrison—’02 Honda ST1100 Maurice Turner—07 BMW F800ST
Ken Hills—’71 Triumph Lindsay Urquhart—’42 Indian Chief
Chris Horner—Indian Janet Walker—’04 Honda
Ray and Elvira Isles—’55 BMW R69 Mike Walker—’71 Triumph
Dave Kisby—’48 Triumph T100 Elaine Watson—modern four wheeler
Lindsay Jennings—’42 Indian Scout Philip White—’63 BSA Super Rocket
David and Jenny Langridge—’07 Suzuki Rodney White—’42 Harley Davidson
David Lorensini—Triumph T100 Jack Youdan—’02 Triumph
Tony Border.
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