BE A BRASS MONKEY!!!

 Previous Bulletins in March and April “Sprockets” have contained information about the dates of this Rally (19^th and 20^th July), the length and duration of the rides each day, and the possibilities for priority accommodation bookings.

As far as accommodation is concerned, please remember that the runs will start at 9.30am each day, and that there will be a dinner in Alexandra for attendees on Saturday night. Those factors will be relevant for anyone thinking of not staying in or close to Alexandra, and travelling to the start each day (eg, from Melbourne).

We are conscious that accommodation costs are significant, and that these early starts impose practical burdens on people wanting to travel to the start each day, and, indeed, may deter some people from attending the Rally.

However, daylight hours are limited in July, and it must be assumed that weather conditions will be challenging. If a meaningful distance is to be ridden safely before it is dark (or, on Sunday, before it is time to pack up and start for home), and time is to be allowed for meal breaks, and breaks to warm up frozen bodies and ease stiff bones, we have to start early.  It is simply the nature of winter riding.

And think of what you get for your money!! Not simply a week-end away riding your classic bike (why else do you have it?), but the rewards of seeing and experiencing a beautiful part of our State in conditions which keep lesser mortals inside beside a fire watching other people on television enjoying life!

    LIFE IS SHORT. DON’T BE A COUCH POTATO!!

                          BE A BRASS MONKEY!!

Hopefully, you will have organised your accommodation. IF NOT, DO SO NOW!  When making your booking, mention that you are attending the Rally.

One more important thing to do. So that we can finalise bookings for the venues for lunches, and dinner on Saturday night, and organise other aspects of the Rally, including your traditional Brass Monkey badge, please let us know that you are planning to come. This won’t commit you, but it will give us something to work with.

DO IT NOW! PLEASE EITHER;

      RING or E-MAIL one of the organisers;

·        Tony Border, 9531 1481, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

·        Paul Caine, 9853 0960, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or

·        Dave Kisby, 0427 049 829, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We need to hear from you WITHOUT DELAY.

Once we have a better idea about numbers, we will finalise the Rally fee (hopefully no more than $25), and distribute formal Rally entry forms for you to complete and return.

No doubt you will also give some thought to preparing your bike for its winter ride. More on that subject from us later.{mospagebreak}

                                         BRASS MONKEY RALLY July 19 & 20^th, 2008.

                                                  Bulletin No. 2, April 2008.

Rally details were given in Bulletin No 1 in the March Sprocket. (also see below)

ACCOMMODATION of various kinds and prices is available in or near Alexandra, but it is limited. You are encouraged to BOOK NOW.

We have spoken with the owners of the following places, and have been assured that we will be given PRIORITY UNTIL THE END OF APRIL:

                    Alexandra Motor Inn…15 rooms….ph 5772 2077

                    The Commercial Hotel…9 rooms…..ph 5772 1735

                    The Shamrock Inn….8 rooms…..ph 5772 1015

 Rooms are a mixture of Singles and doubles, and range between $75-95 per night.

Consideration might also be given to the Alexandra Tourist Park (ph 5772 1222) which has cabins of various standards as well as powered and unpowered sites for hardy campers or slightly less rugged users of vans.

Otherwise, the Visitor Information Centre at Alexandra (ph 5772 1100) will be able to help with information about other accommodation possibilities in the area, including B&B’s.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST will be requested shortly from those interested in participating in this rally, with an appropriate form to be included in a forthcoming Sprocket. So now is the time to START YOUR PLANNING, put the rally dates in your diary, book your accommodation and start thinking about what work you will need to do on your machine so that it is ready for the challenges of some winter riding in July.

If you have any difficulty finding accommodation, or have any other enquiries about the rally, please contact one of the organising committee;

Dave Kisby..ph 0427 049 829

Paul Caine…ph 9853 0960

Tony Border…ph 9531 1481{mospagebreak}

 BRASS MONKEY RALLY 2008

 Bulletin No 1, March 2008

Organizing Committee: Tony Border, Dave Kisby, and Paul Caine.

Objectives:

•   To continue the tradition of a weekend rally in winter.

•   To attract significantly increased participation by members riding club eligible bikes by a strategy of;

(a)    Basing the rally in a new, more central,

Location which could revive interest in those who have ridden in some or all of the numerous (very good) rallies in Gippsland in recent years, and also attract greater participation by Melbourne members and those from regions west of Melbourne for whom rallies in Gippsland may be thought too far to travel for a weekend in winter. NOTE: members from Melbourne and the western half of the State constitute approx. 80% of the current membership.

(b)   Designing the length and speed of runs to suit winter conditions and the capabilities of bikes manufactured before 1970.

(c)   Finding interesting and varied runs consistent with the special winter character of the rally.

(d)     Running an active publicity campaign, starting immediately.

2008 Rally Details:

•   Dates: July 19^th & 20^th, 2008

•   Location: Based approx. 115 k's northeast of Melbourne, in Alexandra

•   Nature of area: A scenic mixture of mountains, rivers,

Valleys and rural towns, and conducive to memorable winter riding

•   Length and duration of rides (in addition to various stops):

(a) Day 1 (9.30 am start)... riding approx 200 k's in 6 hours

(b) Day 2 (9.30 am start)... riding approx 165 k's in 3 hours

      •    Itinerary: To be disclosed at the start of each day

 Classic Motor Cycle Club of Victoria

•   Accommodation in or close to Alexandra: Plentiful mixture of Motels, Hotels, B&B's and camping/caravan parks. A detailed list of possibilities will be published so that participants can make arrangements to suit themselves.

•   Eating arrangements: In keeping with tradition, and to minimise cost to entrants, the rally will be self-catering. There is a good selection of restaurants and hotels in Alexandra. Steps are being taken to book a dining area in one or two hotels for the July 19^th to enable rally entrants to eat and spend the evening together. Entrants will be able to buy refreshments and petrol at various stops during each day.

•   Entrance charge: The committee is determined to minimize costs to rally participants, beyond the costs of accommodation, meals and refreshments during the day, and petrol, for which participants will be responsible in any event. Nevertheless, there will be a modest charge (yet to be calculated, but hoped to be $20 or less) to cover the cost of a badge and other small-anticipated expenditures (including a back-up trailer, and a visit to a rural museum).

•   Club responsibilities during the weekend: Essentially;

(1)     Issue of route maps and

Timetables. Having regard to possible bad weather and the need for individual decision making on sections to be undertaken (eg, if continuous bad weather or snow on higher roads), riders will be expected to be able to navigate to meeting points or back to Alexandra if necessary.

(2)     Limited marshalling on key corners

(3)     Back-up trailer

Invitations to other Clubs:

•       We will invite members of the Indian and Two Stroke Clubs to participate on bikes more than 25 years' old.