Poker Run 2007

In light of all of the pre-ride publicity we received, I thought that I'd take a moment to let everybody know how our efforts to raise some dosh for the Vietnam Veteran's Museum went. For those of you who are unaware, the Melbourne Chapter held its Inaugural Remembrance Day Poker on the 11 Nov 2007. We had two aims for the day: raise some cash for the Vietnam Veteran's Museum and raise the profile of the club within the local motorcycling community. From the feedback received I'd say that we achieved both of those.

The morning broke only as a day I Melbourne can, sun shining and not a cloud in the sky with the forecast for a sunny 27 deg C. The start and finish point was the Sunshine RSL. We arrived nice and early and got a brief on the final details from Phantom and Skinner. Sandy and Foggy looked after the registrations at which everybody drew their first card and was given a stubby holder to take away with them. We closed registration at 1055 hrs and participated in the Remembrance Day Service held by the RSL. A quick brief by the Road Captains, and we were away: 75 bikes and 82 registered punters. Were we happy at this stage? Oh yes - we had been expecting about 40 odd in total but had planned for a few more than that.

The first leg was a short burn up the freeway toward Geelong into the Little River Hotel. Sandy and Foggy were waiting there and while every body grabbed a beer and drew their cards, the Publican surprised us by putting on a bbq for those that were a bit peckish.

From there we headed out into the country roads and up into the Brisbane Ranges and down into Ballan. The weather was fantastic and the ride through the mountains just superb with many people commenting that it was the first time that they had been up that way. In total the leg was about 80 km but took us about an hour to cover. We pulled up at Hudson's Hotel in Ballan and promptly headed for the bar to grab a coldie. Sandy and Foggy grabbed one of the punters and drew a community card. This was scheduled furl stop, with a few of the bikes heading off to get some fuel. Sadly the day ended here for Clubs who picked up a nail and ended up having to put his bike on the trailer. Clubs' day wasn't quite finished here, one of the straps broke and his bike had a tumble in the trailer resulting in some faring damage. We left Ballan and with a small freeway jaunt to Bacchus Marsh, left the main road heading back into to the back country road to Werribee where we all pulled up at the Racecourse Hotel.

Bloody hell, Sandy and Foggy were there again. Something spooky was going on. We drew some cards, grabbed a couple of beers and headed out. Getting out of here was a task and a half with a little bit of traffic management occurring to get all of the bikes out, through the lights and around the corner. The fellas pulled it off and we were once again heading out onto the freeway returning back to the Sunshine RSL. Now everything was working a treat until the idiot (yours truly) has a 10 second brain fog and went "oh shit we were supposed to be heading up there". MMMM 75 bikes and missed an off ramp - a recipe for disaster in the wind. No dramas, next exit loop around under the bridge and back up the freeway take the correct exit. Whew - only pissed a couple of people off when we stopped briefly and chatted about how to rectify the blunder.

Thankfully we made it back in one piece with some grub rolling out shortly afterward. The band, Jags, did a fantastic job keeping people entertained while we worked out who actually won the thing. Yep somebody did and the young bloke was happy to walk away with his $200 first prize. We had a pile of raffles and heaps of stuff to give away.

But onto the important stuff. After the wash-up and working everything out, we were able to present Mr Gary Parker from the Vietnam Veteran's Museum a cheque for $700.00. If you are ever down here in Melbourne and have the time, make an effort to go and see the museum. You will not be disappointed. It located on Phillip Island next to the airstrip.

Over all it was a fantastic day that could not have gone off any better for a first dig. To everybody in the Chapter: great job well done. A special mention must go out to Bull and Liz two of our Supporters who do a fantastic job all year round and really stood up and helped out on the day. Also thanks to the VVMC Melbourne Chapter who attended the day. Fellas we look forward to seeing you al again next year.

So if you don't already have it planned, keep the Sunday closest to Remembrance Day free in 08 and come down for a visit. You will have a good time and be welcomed by all.

Stay safe

Gibbo