This year's event was another very successful run for the VVC and attracted many attendees from other Motorcycling groups in the Canberra area. This year was about 10 percent up on last year in terms of bikes and people. We had approximately 130 bikes (at least 60 VVC bikes), and over 140 attendees at the ride. The Gluhwein event is the third most involved in terms of food and hard work for VVC members on the VVC Calendar, the major ones are of course the Swap Meet and the Annual Rally.

Once again the ever reliable John Broad and others were hard at it on Saturday, picking up the victuals and gathering all of the hardware for the event. On Sunday morning John and Richard (Stanfield) were out very early to secure the Cotter site and get the BBQ set up and water on the boil. The start time was supposed to be 9.30, but there were plenty of early arrivals, so by 9.30 the back had almost been broken on the breakfast line.
They were a hungry lot this year and by 9.45am we ran out of bread (temporarily). The weather had started to sour as well and the Southern sky looked decidedly threatening.

So, at around 10.00am, the Riders Brief took place, with the attendees invited to take a leisurely ride to Corin Dam and back. In the intervening time the Gluhwein, Soups and other delicacies would be readied, together with a new supply of bread. It now started to rain lightly so many of the less well prepared riders made a run for the garage in Canberra, rather than risk a wet backside going to Corin Dam. There was a also a cautionary note about gravel on some corners enroute to Corin Dam.

It only rained once during the Corin Dam ride- all the way there in fact. The return trip was much more pleasant and the roads were almost dry upon return to the BBQ site. Upon their return the riders were treated to three different and tasty soups, prepared by Bill Lewis, Cheryl Boyce and Ann Toet. There was also fresh buttered bread, sausage sandwiches, Ray Scott's patented Gluhwein, and this filled any space left from breakfast. Ray's Gluhwein is supposed to have had the alcohol boiled off, but I wouldn't be too sure of that. Together with carrot and chocolate slab cakes, Lynne Scott also brought some homemade cakes and profitoroles and these were quickly descended upon by the participants.

Aki Jaaitainen had the back-up trailer duties and made the run to Corin Dam, returning with Chris Young's Excelsior on board. Hope that it is nothing serious.
All in, it was such a great day and many thanks to everyone, especially John Broad. Waine Summerfield was the BBQ chef stalwart throughout the day and there were many other people involved in the setting up and cleaning up required for this size of event.

Very well done to all concerned and see you on the next run.
Peter Toet

Some PHOTOS can be seen HERE



Roll Call
An impressive turn-out in anyone's book. The VVC has done its' best to decipher names/bikes /etc as written into the attendance book. If you or your bike are incorrectly described, please take more care writing them in next time. We love to record your attendance as it helps people remember "the bloke with the 70 Bonny or such", but we are limited in our ability to translate entries. This is not a criticism, just an observation/recommendation.
Best Regards, Peter Toet