THE OLD BLOKE'S BLOG
Welcome to The Old Bloke’s Blog!

Well, it's more than just a blog actually; it's a blog combined with general news, things of interest, and smaller items etc.
It is, basically, a traditional type blog of things that I've been doing that will, hopefully, be of some interest to the reader. But, as I said, it's more than that; it's also where I put items of interest that I've come across that aren't big enough for a separate article. So don't think that it's all about me! Some of it is, but it's also a newsy kind of thing, relating stories of interest, products I've discovered and so on.
It's set out month by month, going down the page - so for the latest entries, scroll down to the bottom.
For previous installments in this Blog, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the button there.

I hope you find it interesting!
JANUARY 1, 2018. My back trouble. My back trouble. Too hot. My back trouble. Other things on. My back trouble. My back trouble. Too hot. Don’t really feel like it: I’ll take my wife for a drive and lunch out. My back trouble.....
With all that, it had been 3 weeks since I’d had the bike out; and that was only a short run. Today was quite pleasant, weather-wise: forecast top of 26, and sunny. Despite that, it was really only after lunch that I thought about going for a ride. I’d been in a lot of pain from my back earlier, but some pain-medication (and not doing much) had settled that down. So I decided to go for a ride. Unlike some previous occasions when I’ve considered going for a ride, today I was really wanting to go for a ride. Just a short one again, but I really felt like going for a ride!
Not riding regularly – it generally gets to be about 3 weeks between rides these days, and they’re all short ones: it’s been almost 5 months since I had a proper day out on the bike – I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm, and perhaps confidence. Many of you I am sure, will have felt that nervousness, that awareness that we are putting ourselves in a vulnerable and potentially dangerous situation by riding. Well, that feeling has been more prevalent since my riding has become much reduced and sporadic. It was there as I kitted up for the ride; suddenly replacing the eagerness to get on the bike that had been there minutes before. But I rode out of the driveway, and by the time I changed into 2nd gear I was keen for the ride again!
During the early part of the ride I could feel slight pain down my leg, but it settled down and gave me no real trouble during the ride.
It was only a short ride – to the much-frequented-by-bikers Robertson Pie Shop – but it was good to get out on the bike again! And a pretty good way to start the New Year off!

JANUARY 5, 2017. 5 months – almost to the day – since I've been on any decent ride. And that was only to Berry. (My riding friend had taken a couple of bikes for a test-ride, and had to be back home early, so we made it just a short ride). There were a couple of reasons initially – like other commitments, too hot, etc – but then my back problem really hit, and I haven't been riding much at all. I've done a couple of short rides – of about 55km and 75km each – and my back survived that okay. So I figured I could probably make it to Berry, for lunch in the Bowling Club (a favouroite eating place of mine) – a round trip of about 110km. The bike is comfortable, I have the suspension adjusted for a comfortable ride, the riding-position is ergonomically pretty good (for a bike), and on the rides I've been on it hasn't adversely affected my back. So I've been wanting to give it a go. Today I did. Actually it was a bit further than it normally would be, because I went out to have my mechanic (a 22km round-trip) do a little job on the bike first. Then down to Berry.
The traffic through the main town on the way, Albion Park, (always a bottle-neck!) was very heavy - both ways! I thought I might not make it to Berry before the bistro closed, but once on the highway I could cruise along at a fair pace (all 100kph speed-limit now, apart from the Kiama bends), so made it easily. As you can see, I got there right on rush-hour! Ha ha! (Actually this was taken when I was leaving, but there weren't too many more cars there when I arrived).
An enjoyable lunch and then back home - detouring onto the old highway through Foxground. That was interesting, with not a car on the road!
The photo on the left was taken at the club, the next one is of the new highway at Foxground, taken from the old highway, and the third one was taken on the old highway. And that photo has now become the background photo on my "The Old Bloke" Facebook Page. 
JANUARY 11, 2018. I read today (announced on their Facebook page, and a friend sent me a link to the item) that Greg Leech, editor of Australian Road Rider, crashed while testing a bike on the Mac Park circuit, which is near Mt. Gambier. It was a serious crash! He wrote, “You may have heard that I crashed at Mac Park while testing for the magazine. I broke 8 ribs, 3 fractures of the pelvis and punctured a lung. I was actually on the critical list for a while there. That was five weeks ago. Good news is I'm working at the computer again, beavering away on issue 143. A bit slow, a bit ginger, but upright. I'll be back on a bike by March. Meanwhile, the show goes on.”
Wow! He knocked himself around pretty badly didn't he! I was reading some of the latest issue yesterday and read his answer to one of the letters, in which he mentioned he was 57. I guess these older guys don't bounce as well as the young guys. Hang on a minute....!! It's a worry if you think about it isn't it! I must admit it does worry me from time to time - especially with my back being in as bad a condition as it is. And I have low bone density. So if I came off it wouldn't end pretty! Although falling off the Aprilia Shiver test bike in Carr Brother’s Motorcycles’ driveway didn't do me any damage. Of course he would've been riding hard on the race track. Good to know he's getting better anyway.

JANUARY 18, 2018. Here’s a fascinating video clip that my wife found. It’s a Harley Davidson – not quite the first model ever, but almost. And it runs! 

FEBRUARY 13, 2018.
I was in Campbelltown, south-west of Sydney, today and dropped into On Two Wheels for a browse. This was the Yamaha section! Well, okay, they are mainly a Yamaha dealer, but they do have some Kawasakis too - to the right of this section. Lots of bikes to drool over!!
FEBRUARY 13, 2018. As I mentioned in the previous post, I had to go to Campbelltown  today.
I was at MCAS, picking up a Large Motorcycle Cover, which they are donating as a prize for a raffle in the charity event coming up later in the year. (They generously supported us last year too). Anyway, while I was there I had a browse - of course! Particularly in the helmets section.
This model from RJays caught my eye as being great value for money. I didn't try one on, but looking at it and feeling the padding inside it looked exceptionally well finished for a budget-priced helmet. I think the model was “Bounder”, but I can’t be positive. Anyway, RJays at $119.95. If you're in the market for a cheaper priced helmet this is definitely one I'd be looking at!
MARCH 4, 2018.
I finally got out for another short ride today. As I've mentioned before, back trouble and other health issues have kept me off the bike in recent times - along with other commitments and unsuitable weather etc! Well today I had no other commitments, and the weather was very suitable. Pain issues were still there, but not enough to stop me - I could manage a short ride anyway!
I did get delayed though, and ended up too late to go anywhere for lunch, and it became a late afternoon ride. Part of the ride was along a country back road - I love riding roads like this!
MARCH 4, 2018. It’s finally begun – Aussie Bikers, which is the follow-on from Temporary Australians. It's YouTube only - not on TV. Hosted by Brenden Jones ("Jonesy") and very much in the style of Temporary Australians. I think Hirsty would approve!

MARCH 20, 2018. Well, with other commitments, being busy organising a charity event (see posts above), and my on-going back problem, (along with a couple of other health issues I’ve had to get checked), I still haven’t been doing much riding of late. Some blame – again as I’ve mentioned – goes to the weather too: it’s just been too hot! But today I had no commitments, my back seems able to take at least short rides okay, so I was looking forward to getting the bike out and going for a ride. Only one thing – the weather again! Not heat this time, but strong wind and possible showers. But it was all nice and sunny when I got up, so I decided I would go anyway. I checked the radar and the wind was averaging 37kph. It didn’t seem that strong here (although our place is sheltered from the wind a bit). Where I was intending to go though, there was a patch of rain passing over. Ah, maybe it will blow over before I get there. I’m still going! I’ll watch what the weather is doing as I ride. Riding in the rain is not exactly fun, but my main gripe is having to wash the bike afterwards – and all for a short ride? No.
Anyway, off I went, and it felt good to be out on the bike! Out along a twisty road that is always enjoyable to ride. I looked at the mountains around and there was rain scudding along the edges. I got some very light sprinkles on my visor, but I kept going: I wasn’t going in the direction of the rain. But then straight up ahead was rain – the steady sort that was going to hang around. No, I’m not going to put the wet-weather gear on and get the bike all grimey, so I went a little further, then turned around. A few decent sprinkles on the way back (the same enjoyable twisty road), but not enough to wet the road.
On the way home I stopped and changed my usual sheepskin with a thin layer of foam under it, to my AirHawk - to see which one the body seemed to prefer. I was aware that by stopping I was giving the rain more time to catch me, and so it was. I headed off again and as I reached my home town the rain started. Not enough to really wet the road (so no spray off traffic), but I was getting a bit wet. By the time I got home it was raining steadily. The jacket was wet, but I was still dry. (I had my vented summer jacket on). I wiped the water off the bike. The only grimey spots were low on the frame on one side and a bit on the exhaust. Easy fixed. A short ride, and curtailed by avoiding the rain, but it was good to be out – I still enjoyed it!

MARCH 24, 2018. As motorcyclists, we don’t like highways, right? They’re boring, and there’s too much traffic, don’t like highway riding, right? Well, actually, sometimes I don’t mind it. Highway riding can be quite relaxing, when the traffic isn’t too bad, the highway is a new section of smooth multi-lane, and there’s a bit of nice scenery along the way. Such was the case today. Unlike a few days ago (see entry above), today was a beautiful day for riding! Mid 20’s, sunny sky; strong wind was forecast again, but it didn’t seem bad, so nothing to stop me going for a short (by normal standards) ride. Blasting through the twisties and concentrating hard was not what was needed though: what was needed was a relaxing ride.
The highway section south of Gerringong especially, provided just that. It’s the newest section to have been upgraded on the Princes Highway south of Albion Park. It’d been a relaxing, cruise-at-the-speed-limit (well, not much over!) ride from south of Albion Park, but that new section south of Gerringong is great! Yes, I said, “Great!” It gets you there quicker, if you’re a bit time-short, it’s smooth, the traffic always seems light, and flowing easily, and when you get to Foxground suddenly you crest a hill to be confronted by a panoramic vista of rural landscape. I love that spot! And all the way it was just sit comfy on the AirHawk (still fitted – see previous entry above) and recently-fitted foam grips, and relax and enjoy the ride!
Lunch at Berry Bowling Club, then a run down to Nowra, before turning around and coming home – this time using more back-roads. I turned onto the old highway that passes through Foxground (see entry on January 5 above), which is a nice swoopy-corners ride with no traffic (but reduced speed-limits; and it is policed sometimes). Then off the highway again to detour through Jamberoo. More nice corners! But that highway ride – yep, that was relaxing and enjoyable!          

MARCH 30, 2018. A good way to spend a Good Friday afternoon - with a bunch of Christian motorcyclists, at Mt Keira Lookout (near Wollongong). It was good to catch up with the guys and gals from CMA; it's been a long time since I've been able to join them on one of these get-togethers.
The new cafeteria is great - amazing what can be done with a 40' shipping container! Tea, coffee, and usual cafe type food. Good, and cheap. The ladies who run it were very welcoming and supportive of the group meeting there. (There will be a regular meet there from now on, replacing a previous one at Stanwell Park). Not a bad view, is it!
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APRIL 11, 2018. I read today that the 2018 version of the re-invented Suzuki SV650 will be available in both full-power and LAMS versions. That is good news I reckon! Good news for learners, perhaps, but also good news for older riders looking for a mid-size machine without having to drop the power level to beginner levels. There are quite a few bikes on the market today that are Learner-legal but miss out on the full-power version that is available overseas. (Are you listening, Yamaha? Tracer 700, XS700, for example).
As always with Suzuki, you get great value for money, with a ride-away price (for both versions) being $10,190. Not only is the value-for-money a stand-out feature, but the engine is a stand-out as well; mostly because of its unique (for this market segment) configuration. Most mid-sizers come as parallel twins or inline four-cylinders. This is a V-twin. Suzuki claims that the 645cc V-twin offers the best engine character for this type of segment thanks to the linear power it delivers throughout the rev range.
There’s a big difference between LAMS and full-power too: the former delivers 35kW and 56.5Nm of torque; while the full-power version gives you 56kW and 64Nm of torque. (Although it should be mentioned that the Learner model’s maximum torque is delivered at about half the revs of the full-power variant).

APRIL 21, 2018. Today was a big day! It was the day of The Joshua Bell Cure Cancer Run, which is a charity event I organise each year to raise funds for The Kids Cancer Project, in honour of my grandson, who passed away a bit over 3 years ago, aged 8, from a brain tumour. The event is for motorcycles and classic cars: two of my interests that Joshua was a bit involved with. He used to come with me on runs with my local car club, and also to bike shows etc. I hit-up some local businesses (bike shops and car-accessory places) for items to use as prizes for raffles. We also get a couple of holiday packages in the Blue Mountains to raffle; thanks to the generosity of several businesses in that area.
The event was a huge success, raising a total of $2,838.27; all of which went directly to The Kids Cancer Project. The only overheads we had (apart from food at the event, which my family provided) was the hire of the hall, which was paid for by Shannons Insurance. (They also gave a $500 donation!). So that was a good amount to contribute to this important cause.
Unfortunately the attendance at the event was a bit disappointing. (Tickets for the Blue Mountains holiday were sold by donation online before the event as well as on the actual day). The weather was a bit threatening, so I guess that scared a few people away. And there was a once-every-three-years motorcycle event happening not too far away that took some people away who would normally have been there. And one group that always supported us have become somewhat inactive since their always-supportive leader moved away to a hobby-farm up north. So they weren’t there. But even the number of cars was down on what it usually has been. Oh well, as I commented in talking about it afterwards, what we lacked in quantity of people we made for in quality, with those present being very generous with buying raffles tickets and buying items we had for auction etc. Interestingly, it was a couple of motorcyclists (rather than car people) who bought several of the larger items on auction. Of course we were able to deliver the items for them later.
There weren’t many bikes to take photos of, and so this is just a couple of the bikes that were there. And then a line-up of probably most of the cars present.
APRIL 23, 2018. I heard recently that Honda are discontinuing the VFR. That's a shame, because it is a good bike. It's another sports-tourer to bite the dust; in the wake of the Ducati ST3 (remember those?), and the Triumph Sprint. It's a shame, because, as regular readers of the web-site will know, I'm a big fan of the sports-tourer - with perhaps the one caveat being that I prefer a half-fairing, to be cooler in warmer months. Anyway, while it was never quite to my preference in riding-position, I'll be sad to see it go, because, as I said, it's a good bike.

MAY 2, 2018. A riding friend, Graeme Bertram, is about to embark on a ride around Australia, raising funds for childrens cancer. It is an organised trip, run by the Steven Walter Foundation, who of course are the people who organise The Snowy Ride each year.
How far is it around Australia? Well, they'll be doing about 15,000km, taking 33 days for the trip. The photo on the left above gives a good appreciation of how far it is!
If you would like to know more - or donate to the fund-raising - check out the page here. He has already raised over $5,000 for the Steven Walter Foundation – which was a requisite of going on the ride.

MAY 5, 2018. With my back troubles, and other commitments, and less than favourable weather, I haven’t been riding much in recent months; as I’ve mentioned before. So it was good today to get out for a fairly “normal” day out on the bike. Short, by previous “normal” standards, perhaps, but still a decent ride with lunch in the middle. And perfect weather for riding!
My usual lunch spot in the area I went to was in the middle of a town that had a big festival happening, with streets closed off. I found my way around back streets to my usual Bowling Club bistro, just in time to be too late. They were still serving the last customer, but pointed to a “Closed” sign on the counter. Back outside and onto the bike and to a café down the road. That was okay, and not as expensive as I recall from the last time I was there. Lunch and a walk around the stalls and street activity, then onto the bike and a ride out along some back roads I hadn’t been on for a long while, then back home. I felt a bit achy when I got home, but not for long. 

MAY 6, 2018. The first Sunday in May is always the date for the Berry Classic Bike Show. Held in the parking area of the Berry Bowling Club (another favourite eating spot!), this always brings a great variety of classic bikes – from models from the 1910s, up to late-model custom-painted Harleys. There were the usual British bikes – BSA, Vincent, Norton etc – as well as an increasing number of Japanese classics. For me it’s a must-go-to event! I took lots of photos, of course, and here are just a few. If you follow my Facebook page (if not, just search for “The Old Bloke” on Facebook), there is an album of photos there – which you see in large view when you click on them of course; so it’s much better than what we can do here.
MAY 11, 2018. Today was the day that my riding friend Graeme Bertram left on his Around Australia Ride. (See entry on May 2 above). He lives in Wollongong and the photo above shows him near Wollongong harbour, early in the morning, actually at the start of his long journey. The saddle-bags on the Harley are all packed, but the accompanying back-up truck carries a lot of the riders’ gear, leaving only the essentials needing to be carried on the bike. Graeme said that felt very strange: he has mostly toured on his own, and never had a truck to carry the bulk of his stuff!

MAY 22, 2018. I was thinking of going for a ride last Saturday, but it was overcast and cool. Not raining, but not sunny either. Sunny days were predicted ahead, so I delayed it until then. Today. (I know, a “true biker” would go out in any condition! But when you can choose a nicer day, why not?). Today was a strong wind warning, but it didn’t seem too bad. Having been out to a car show and bought lunch on Sunday, with our finances being tight I thought I better not buy lunch today, so made it a morning ride. I went on a short ride to a favourite café down the coast a bit. I haven’t actually been there for a while, so it was nice to be back. As you can see from the photo below, it’s a great view to have a cuppa with! And the owner is a biker. (He and a staff member talked me into having a couple of scones too. I suppose I didn’t take too much convincing; although the combined cost would’ve bought lunch at some places!).
On the way back I enjoyed a brisk ride along some nice twisty country roads.
MAY 22, 2018. I discovered on my ride today that the cut-out switch on the side-stand is not working. And your question would be ….. how did I find out? Well, I'm pleased to say it was without the possible drama that could accompany such a discovery! When I pulled away from the kerb I did a U-turn to go back the way I'd come, and as I straightened up there was a loud CLANG! from under the bike. I didn't really feel much movement through the bike, but I immediately thought of the side-stand. I stopped and looked down, and the side-stand was up. But perhaps it hadn't been up properly? As you will know, when it is down it pokes forwards, so the natural action would be for it to “dig-in”, not flick back up. So I think what happened was that I flicked it up (you do these things instinctively without thinking about it), but it didn’t go up properly. But of course, if it wasn’t up properly the bike shouldn’t have ran! So I tested it. The cut-out switch was not working. It would start in gear with the stand down: which it shouldn't do, of course. So I will have to check that out. In the meantime, I was lucky it didn't cause a greater problem.
Speaking of dramas, mostly my rides are without incident, I’m pleased to say. But there were a couple of incidents (or potential incidents) today. There was the side-stand incident, of course (potentially serious, as I said), but another one was there was a piece of white timber lying on the centre-line between the two south-bound lanes. It was almost invisible until it would’ve been too late to avoid, as it looked like one of the centre-line sections. Hitting it probably wouldn’t have done anything – just a bump – but there is always potential to cause drama when you run over stuff. I was safely purring along in the left lane anyway, so no problem. And another one was a car that came up closer than I would like behind me. It was quite sudden: one moment there was no car for quite a way back, then we slowed and the car was right on my hammer. No drama, again, but closer than I liked. He / she backed off. Was that a case of not paying attention? On the phone perhaps? So, - apart from the side-stand – no incidents, but a couple of potential things; which is more than I want!

MAY 26, 2018. A longer ride today - the longest ride I've done in a long time, actually! With no ill-effects on my back (so far anyway). I had the AirHawk on, which has been a permanent fixture for a while now. It helps. So today was to a favourite eating-place at Berry Bowling Club, then along the up-and-down-mountains winding road through Kangaroo Valley. (From the start of that road to home there are 4 mountain passes - up, down, up, down). Just a touch cool up on the mountains, but still okay; and a great day to be out on the bike!
I hit a bird on the way up Barrengary Mountain. Accelerating out of a corner and there was a bunch of parrots beside the road. They seemed happy to stay there, but suddenly took off in all directions. One flew straight in front of my head. BANG!!! Into the visor of the helmet. Hit it at about 60 - 70kph. I don't know what happened to the bird, but there were no tell-tale marks on the helmet. Shows the advantage of full-face helmets!

MAY 28, 2018. See the entry on May 22 above, and the issue with the side-stand switch not working. I wasn’t sure how this worked: if it earthed through the mounting on the frame, then perhaps it was just a bad earth. Could be an easy fix. Likewise if there was a wired earth connection, it could be just a loose connection. But looking in a workshop manual I found that it doesn’t work by earthing: there is a power circuit going to the switch and away from it. When the stand is down, it breaks the circuit, which cuts the motor. So any loose connection etc would stop the motor, not allow it to run. So the switch must be faulty. I called my local Yamaha dealer. He didn’t have one in stock but could get one in. $130. What??!! For a switch? Yep. So I phoned my other local Yamaha dealer: same price. Okay, maybe a 2nd-hand one from a wreckers? I got on the ‘net and started looking. There were a couple of wreckers that sounded promising, so emails were sent. I got two replies. The best was from Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers, who had one confirmed to be off my model (the fuel-injected one, rather than the earlier carby models). Price just $20. A big difference! Plus $10 postage. So I ordered that.

JUNE 2, 2018. At the practice for this round of the MotoGP at the Mungello circuit in Italy, Dovizioso set a new speed record for MotoGP bikes. He hit 356.4kph down the main straight. Wow, that is seriously fast!! On two wheels especially! The fastest I've been on a bike is just a bit over half that - and that seeemed fast! I can't imagine how fast double that would feel!

JUNE 13, 2018. It had been quite a while since I looked at the statistics of the web-site; so I looked through all the facts and figures today. I was quite surprised. The site is averaging around 150 hits per day. And while there were spikes at the times when I sent out the update emails, the number of visits per day was actually fairly consistent; dipping to around 130 and rising to around 200, but overall remaining surprisingly constant.
Despite the spikes I mentioned, I’m not sure if visits from email links are registered as hits. Looking at other statistics, it appears that they may not be. (I’ve been suspicious that this is the case when previously looking through the site’s stats). If that is the case, I would expect that the total number of visits would be a lot higher than this – at the times of my email updates anyway. I’m sure if this was taken into account those spikes would be much greater.
What is always remarkable when looking at these statistics is where the visits come from. As you would expect, Australia is the most common country of origin, but it is followed very closely by the USA. After that is UK. Then it’s a fair drop to Canada, followed by the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Germany. All up, visits to the web-site came from an amazing 69 countries!
Ah, but statistics can be confusing! Looking at the statistics of how long people were spending on the site once they got there, it is obvious a lot of hits come from people just surfing, or clicking links that pop up in Google. They click the link, see that it is not what they were after, and click onto the next one.
A lot of visits come from search-engines, (most likely Google). And speaking of Google, for many years the site has been top of the list if you typed “the old bloke” into Google. When I tried this today, I found we have been displaced – pushed down to 2nd on the list by a new song release from Colin Buchanon.
Bike tests are the most popular pages. (This is further indication that the visits from clicking email links aren’t counted, because the Blog and Feedback pages are down the list a ways; and I know people read them!). And what do you think the most popularly visited bike test is? The Yamaha TDM900. I checked over a few months, and it is always at the top. What comes after that varies from month to month, but the Triumph Speedmaster, Suzuki GSX1400, Yamaha XVS650 and Yamaha XJR1300 keep bobbing up to the top and sinking down, then bobbing back up again. The BMW K1300 is another one that often pops into the higher places on the list. Why the Yammie TDM? I know it is very popular in some overseas countries – much more so than it was here – so maybe that’s it? It also seems to have more “key words” (words that search-engines pick up) that attract the attention of the search-engines than other pages.
Also interesting is how people access the site. Naturally enough, most visits come from desktop computers. But a significant number come from smart-phones – which is surprising because the site isn’t designed for mobile devices, and many don’t work well on the site. (Perhaps a big slice of those visits that don’t stay long come from people accessing it on devices).
Anyway, the site is obviously still attracting visitors – which, considering the lack of regular updates over the past few months or more, is quite surprising. It shows that the web-site is a stand-alone success – it attracts visitors to the site regardless of whether there is new stuff on the site or not. And that’s a good thing! 

JUNE 21, 2018. I’ve been surprised at the lack of complaint from the local motorcycling community following RAPTOR, the so-called “Anti-Bikie” group moving into the area and setting up operations. They have a bad reputation in the motorcycling world for their  indiscriminate harassment of motorcyclists who gather in groups, or look like they might fit a particular, preconceived idea of what they think an outlaw bikie might be. Or even just randomly harassing people. I’m not saying they have actually done this, because I haven’t had any dealings with them (thankfully) and I probably don’t fit the profile in appearance that they are after, but they did attract a lot of criticism – from various sources, not just local bikers – for their harsh treatment of one of the patrons at a local bike show a while back. It was claimed to be unprovoked harassment of an innocent attendee. I can’t say, because I wasn’t there, but there was certainly a lot of publicity given to the incident.
The group has set up camp here, with a task-force of 23 officers. Knowing the reputation of this particular law-enforcement team, I would have expected a great outcry from the local motorcyclists, but no, everything is quiet. (Or am I just not getting posts from the right Facebook pages, or hearing form the right groups of riders?). I must stress that I personally have no complaint against them, because I haven’t had any negative dealings with them; or any dealings with them at all. Remembering what went on in Queensland a couple of years ago – and hearing of similar incidents in NSW – the only real issue I have is when they target innocent groups of riders. From stories we have heard, when they stop someone, or a group, it sounds very much like they are being treated as guilty until proven innocent. That is not how it should be! I hope the lack of outcry is an indication that they are treating the motorcycling public as innocent until proven guilty, and taking a more reasonable approach towards the general motorcycling community than has been claimed in the past.
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