AMTRA.com.au

Well were should I begin, the planning has been going on for the last few weeks with lots of our AMTRA family stepping up to help in many different ways.
It was an early start for a lot of us yesterday morning as I required the sweeps to be at the carpark by 7am to set up the pit tents and tables etc, sweep briefings and get Grandpa going with stickering the bikes and check rego and licenses and filling out indemnity forms and ride lists. Seano was busy looking after the small stuff.
8.30 was rider briefing time and was shared between Myself and Gary since there was two rides going out.
I will leave the L2 clubman to them who were on that.
L1 headed out at 9am and my plan was to keep it as easy as possible with a few small challenges thrown in to keep the riders challenged.
We had perfect riding weather all day with not one drop of rain, a little cold at times on the open tracks, it was nice to get the look from Bob after she slid down one track on her bottom, Johnny later informed me that I do not want to see the look to often as it is normally followed by a growl and bite.
As a lot of the tracks we rode are not named its hard to say where we went, but we did some of the bush and some of the pine plantations and as a lot of these trails are hardly used some are like pigmy plantations and very over grown , it was amazing to c how much the area had dried out in one week and how some tracks had been destroyed by 4wds in a week.
It was amazing how much laughter was going on all day yesterday, we had Senior Sargent Ted with his Vic police badges on him and his bike and was soon being referred  to as the Feckin Pig.
My first ticket was for getting someone to help me pull my jersey over my kneck braze and the person who was helping got a ticket for helping, swearing, and they just kept coming, I just put a $50 in the Jar to cover that,I got pulled over for going the wrong way, for speeding, RedRon got one cause all the windcheaters he sponsored for the raffle were all size Medium, James got one for just being Mats brother, Bob get so many she almost won just about one of everything on the raffle table.
The slide the coin to the bottle was exciting with lots of close coins being knocked out the way by other contestants.
The couple of bog holes we did were fun for most. The clay hills were a lot of fun with Bob going down hill in a rut face down and laughing so much see could not get herself up on her feet without the help of a few of us.
It was great to see so many helping each other where they could and was a great example of the AMTRA family.
We had a few pull outs at lunch and a few no shows but all in all it was a great day and well worth the effort with us raising over $2000 dollars with more to still come.
It was a great effort by all concerned and it was wonderful to see everyone getting into the spirit of the day and once again, THANK YOU EVERYONE for participating in what I think will be a memorable day for all.
I will post some pickys as soon as I have washed my scooter.

More photos

and some of Bob checking the depth of a Rut and then how sticky that clay really is

Arvo Group shot

We manage just over 100klm for the L1 ride

and more pics

i can expalin the face plant in the mud...and i will..be putting up report tomorrow...i just spent the last hour putting it all together....went to post it...and i lost it >:(...so will try again tomorrow...but Wow...what a day :)

Well done Will and all involved, a great total raised, with a great use of Amtra spirit!
Al

It was a great day guy's and Girl's. whats up with the photos will?? ;)

I think its time for a new photo applience 

WE DID IT FOR CATHY!!!!

Wow, what an absoloute cracker of a day. Johnny and I got to the meeting point at 7am and before we knew it there was people pitching in all over and we had the BBQ's, Tables with tea, coffe and prizes set up..esky full of soft drink, Cathys table for the donations, gazebo's up..we had it all set up in no time. So lets have fun..oh and we did.
We were split into 2 rides..So Will and Gary delivered the ride briefings and sweep riders talks...woohoo...seeya later level 2 riders..now its time for us level 1 riders to get organised...Will delivered our briefing..with a little heckling from the crowd...gee he does ask for it though doesnt he :)..nearly ready to go but not before Bill got his knickers in a twist and I have made a coffee for Dennis and hand delivered to him...next time Bill..i promise :)..only did it coz Dennis said "white and 2 thanks Bob". :)..ok off we go, with Phil Randle as my buddy to honor, serve and protect. Wow what a great ride...i loved it, Ronnie was tailman ..thanks mate..you were so patient :) needed a bit of advice here and there, but basically did the whole morning loop myself..even though a couple of times i thought, this is insane..im a woman- why arent i out shopping and having lunch with the girls spending all of Johnnys hard earned cash like normal women!?!..Coz i love dirt bikin:)..my ticket from Snr Sgt Ted...was because i had to go bush for a wee...and then my first fine from sweep rider Rossi was for riding like a girl...yeah i tend to do that...anyway..we laughed, picked on each other and had so much fun...lunch time...starving- lets go eat. Seano, Grandpa Steve and Mat R were there and had cooked lunch ready to eat by the time we got back...Guys, thank you so much for that...really appreciate it. We drew the raffle tickets from all the fines that everyone got..my god, i got fined for being blonde, for wearing pink, whinging (especially at Dennis  ;D)oh and the clincher...not so much for going for a wee...but not going far enough into the bush.. :o..buggers. We all got lots of goodies at the raffle and i reckon just about eveyone walked away with a blue polar fleece jumper (size medium) and a blue umbrella- the gloves were popular too :) Off we went for the afternoon loop...Phil was somewhat set free from babysitting me, but he was always around..just in case (thanks Phil..your a gentleman..especially when you made the call at one particular clay hill..that i wasnt going to tackle it and you lead me to safety. Thanks mate). We went on a bit of a different loop and got myself into a bit of bother when Bill was tailing and i took this downhill ..really well apparently and was even up on my pegs..but that little rut at the bottom..yeah i looked at it..bugger. Anyway Bill picked me up and dusted me off and we were away again..Frankie Boy was around a bit too with that wonderful smile...(dont know why they all say your grumpy  ;D)..so i had a few challenges..all good..Will was cactus a few times...but then the demise of Bob started...i was getting tired...Rossi watched me do a random face plant on a dry track...picked me up, and away we went..Thanks Rossi. Then we get to this muddy slippery mongrel uphill...but i had MOMENTUM..and picked my line..i have it on good authority that i would have made it had it have not been for the girls blouse carnage that was in my way...Dean P..i think this is where you helped me and took my bike..Bill held my hand and got me outta there..(Will..i wish i had a voodoo doll of you right then :)) ..another slippery one...Rossi to the rescue..he took my bike a fair way then walked all the way back up to get his...oh yeah by then i think my arse landed in the mud (WILL!!)...off we go again...Dennis was always there somewhere floating in the background..he caught me as i came flying up a hill and missed the sharp left turn...was gonna just keep going and make my own way,,thanks for catching me and setting me straight. The final straw for me was the last clay hill...i was stuck half way down, i was too exhausted to do anything...Rossi and Bill were behind me...I heard this awesome belly laugh coming from Bill..oh no..Rossi went down..wished i had see that...so im laughing coz Bills laughing...Wills down the bottom of the hill looking like the cat that swallowed the canary...Will says..you wanna hand Bob...i says "yep"..he says.,,that means i gotta walk up that hill to get your bike..(no sh*t sherlock).. Yelling- i reply..."YOU GOT ME ON THIS MESS..YOU GET ME OUT"..like a man who knows he has just stuffed up..he did as he was told...how funny...Will gets my bike..were still laughing that Rossi had fallen...by this stage, im just stuffed..slide down in the rut..face first and there i stay and slide down further for a substantial amount of time...i cant stop laughing to save myself. All i can hear is laughter...and .."hold that pose Bob while i take a picture"..Phil's right there and all i can see as im face down is a pair of boots..ive grabbed them and said whoever you are ...dont move...your my prop..my god it was just halarious..as you can see in the very flattering photos. All good...had fun and thats what counts.Oh and Rossi..thanks for walking on water...most impressive :)
Anyway in finalising..Can i just say thanks for the following..
Will Munro- for organising this ride.
Ronnie, Bill, Frankie and Rossi for being tail and sweep riders..you guys are champs.
Everyone of you that at different times as you went past me or waited for me conquer a section..the thumbs up and cheers and Good on you Bob's that i got was so encouraging.
Jeff and Helen for popping in and being part of our day and to Helen for her tidying up :).
Everyone who donated goodies for the raffle.
Seano, Mat R and Grandpa for cooking..yum :)
Jake and co for looking after the carpark and trailers etc while we played in the mud.
And as always..a huge thank you to my husband Johnny d...another great husband/wife day out xx :)
My nail technician for doing such a great job on my nails..didnt break one at all..but i did break one the next day when cleaning all that Neerim mud off my clothes (WILL!!)
The money we raised is just fanatstic...we did what we set out to do..help a fellow Amtra member who wants to help his family..and that is what its all about.
I will ride with all you again anytime..(except Will. ;D..kidding.).
Thanks again...your all champs...love Bob :)

Hey Bob Im just about to go wash my gear, do you want to do it for me instead, and I will organize another ride for u, I have'nt laughed so hard for a while, real good medicine.

I dont want you anywhere near me for at least decade!!!!!...seriuosly though...apart from the clay hills..i would do it all again. Oh well maybe a little clay hill :)

You have to admit Bob with how much you were laughing of coarse you would do it again. Ask Marls how she felt the day she rode up a clay hill and got further the Rossi before laying down for a rest

Thanks every one that made this the top day it turned out to be (Will and Pommy Mat) Ride leaders,tailmen and every one just seemed to put in some how.
All your hard work and planning payed off in the end Will  :).
Only down fall for the day was the real PO-PO at lunch handing out real fines and defect notices ???,and me having to go home after lunch as it sounds like i missed a great after noon ride  :'( Hope to see ya all soon
Here are Just a few picks I took

(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_19_53_0.jpg)
Will Talking to all the mery men and ladys
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_19_53_1.jpg)
The mery men
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_19_53_2.jpg)
mery men and Bob
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_19_53_3.jpg)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_24_01_0.jpg)
First stop
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_24_01_1.jpg)
AMTRA'S own PO-PO
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_24_01_2.jpg)
Second Stop
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_24_02_3.jpg)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_33_20_0.jpg)
First bog hole of many (well done Bob)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_33_20_1.jpg)
Another Regroup
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_33_20_2.jpg)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_33_20_3.jpg)
Another Nasty Bog Hole
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_39_27_0.jpg)
The Real PO-PO leaving the car park
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_39_27_1.jpg)
The table of goodies
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_39_27_2.jpg)
Few of the punters
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_39_27_3.jpg)
The reason we all were there DOIN'IT FOR CATHY
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_45_06_0.jpg)
Our Head Cook (thank you)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_45_06_1.jpg)
The unpiad help (thank you)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_45_06_2.jpg)
The Bottle Game
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_45_07_3.jpg)
Every one having some fun  ;D
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_50_33_0.jpg)
Even the Kids having a go
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_50_33_1.jpg)
Will drawing out the fines for prizes
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_50_34_2.jpg)
As you can see the sea of blue tops start every one a winner
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_50_34_3.jpg)
(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/3821_27_08_12_12_50_34_4.jpg)
And the lucky ones that get too head out again for the afternoon ride  ;D

matt wasn't going to let that bottle of american honey go was he.

I hope it taisted as good as what it cost him  :D ;D

Great reports and pics.
I hope Rossie got a fine for needing that amount of ramp to get into the back of the ute?
Great job again by all involve.
Al

Ps. Grass hopper you maybe ready?

Al..how exciting...i think the grasshopper may be ready..when and where???..i just read that P.S of yours and jumped out of my skin...jumped up, punched the air..and yelled "YES"!!!.....and then felt like a complete dick as i was home all by myself...what a dork...WOOHOO...I'm all growed up now :)

Hey Al, I have no idea what you talking about, those ramps are for the excavator I brought along to do some track clearing.... ;D

My bad Rossi? Glad to see you wear your bike gear whe your operating the excavator for safety.
Al

Ps. Very soon Grass Hopper!!

FRANKIE IS CRANKY...THERE YOU GO OLD MATE...REPUTATION SAVED XX

HOW SOON?? ;D

Well we Auctioned the Echo brush cutter at last nights monthly meeting. With some spirited bidding it eventually sold to teh club for use at Abbeyard for $450.00.
The Talon KTM 450 clutch basket sold to Ian Robinson for $20 and he now has it for sale for $40 if anyone is interested.
A big thank you to all involved in last nights auction.
Alex Peacock sent me a donation from him and his mates for $250 which brings our total raised to around $3500.00 which I am sure Cathy will put to good use.

thanks for the pics Darren...and yeah you missed a heap of fun on the arvo ride..but at least you got to come along...see ya soon...bob :)

I received a very nice message from Cathy the other day and wanted to share it with everyone who had something to do with the fund raiser for Cathy.

Dear Will, i know we have never met but what u have done for our family is truly remarkable. I have known Matt and James all my life and i was much younger than them so i was always in the way lol. Matt has been like a big brother to me for many years and when he said that u had donated such a great amount i was speechless. I cannot ever thanku and ur friends enough and will always remember the people who did so much for our family. At 33 with 4 little kids its been very hard on them. They have been thru alot and they also have cried many tears. Thanku once again for what u have done:) Love the ford family xoxo
 
This was my reply to Cathy
"It has been mine and many others true pleasure Cathy to help you and your family and we wish you a speedy recovery and a long and fun filled life ahead. Love Will"

Even though I instigated the fund raiser it was everyone else's efforts that maid it so successful and we should all be proud no matter how big or how small you contributed to the fund raiser that we made a difference to someone else's life in a positive way. 
I am currently working on the next event for Cathy as she still needs around $15000.00 more to complete her treatment.
Clearing trails in and around Moondarra and Tanjil and Tyers are all part of the planning and some of us are going out again this Saturday and would love to have a few more chainsaws along this week. We achieved a lot last week with just 3 saws imagine what we could do with 6 saws so if you can spare some time and you have a saw which you can use I would love to have you along, even if its only for 1/2 a day.

Hey Will...thanks for sharing the message from Cathy....i wont be able to come out to help move trees as the first ride i was offered as i said to you has cone through and i do have a date...but i know johnny and i are more than happy to come to any of these days you are setting up..just a bummer it has crossed with other plans...so will be there for the next one we hope...have fun...love bob :))