QUESTION: Your first time

[Chris]

Hi Y'all

In an effort to stimulate some discussion on the site we're going to pose you some questions.
We'll save the more controversial questions like 'what are the best oil or tyres' until later.

The question is...

When and were was your first time with Shearwaters?
Whether it was on a ride or at a social. Tell us all about it!

Cheers,
Chris

[punch]

I had joined Ulysses and was a member for 3 of 4 years but had never visited or joined a branch. I had joined Ulysses in one of those gunna moments. You know. I’m gunna be more social or I’m gunna find people to ride with. But it never happened.
I had ridden mu bike to Super Cheep in Pakenham (when it use to be there) and Archie came up and introduced himself. He invited me to a Shearwaters social. That was the start of (so far)7 years of friend and rides.
John Dobson

[Dean Watson]

Excellent idea.

It was a ride very early 1996. I recall the approximate date as I turned 40 in Jan '96 and I was riding my Yamaha Virago on this ride. I traded the Virago on my BMW R1100RT early Feb '96 and had to get the run in service done before riding to Canberra for the Celebration of Motorcycling late Feb '96. So it had to be Jan or early Feb.

I had been riding with the Virago Owners Club based in Geelong, but on my 40th Birthday, Ann bought me membership in Ulysses and then it was Shearwaters or Melbourne. Actually, my Ulysses join date is Dec '95, before my 40th, but they did it so she could have the card for my birthday.

We met in Tooradin for the start at the side of a building which may have been a petrol station, long since gone.

I have no idea of who led the ride or where we went, so nothing really has changed much there.

I do recall that it was also Geoff Barton's first ride with the Branch, and he was riding a (Blue?) BMW R100RT.

I didn't actually join Shearwaters until Feb '96, so the ride may have been after the January meeting.

[Chris]

I started by looking up riding groups in my area and found Ulysses. Found out that Saturday coffee was at Lang Lang at Des & Shirley's shop.

I was warmly welcomed and this quickly became my regular destination where Des dispensed his pearls of wisdom with great coffee.

This was about September as I recall and joined the club in January.

The first ride left from Berwick and headed towards Gembrook. A spirited gent on a yellow BMW decided to overtake me on a short straight between hairpins. BRAVO! I thought, Shame didn't notice the greasy road and the 40km/h advisory sign ahead until it was too late. Half way around the bend he sailed into the bushes, bike and all.
We all pulled over and the Shearwaters emergency action plan sprung into action. People directing traffic, calling emergency services rendering first aid. It was a well oiled machine.
I never saw the gent with such spirit again, I think his excuse to the police was that a bee flew into his helmet. 

It was quite the introduction to my first ride and guess where we ended up finally, yes that's right... YEA!

Two months later after the social I had taken something down to the car only on my return to find out I had been made secretary... I guess I was in!

Over the years the most important lesson is to be comfortable when riding hence the evolution of the machinery required to achieve for the most important part of the bike, the pillion 

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