Paul Keller Memorial Ride

[Swampy]

A reminder folks that the Paul Keller Memorial ride is less then 2 weeks away now!!

For those wishing to take part on this ride in memory of "German" Paul Keller we will be meeting at Catalano's in Victoria Park on Sunday morning on the 2nd of May.

Catalano's opens at 0700 hrs. so there is ample time for you to have a breakfast and a coffee or two before departing that location at approx. 0830 hrs.

The destination is The Quindanning Hotel which was top of Paul's favourite rides!!

It would be good to see those of you that don't normally participate on Bozo's Sunday rides join the regulars in paying tribute to an old stalwart of this fine club as we journey down memory lane to Quindanning!!

Regards

Swampy

[Cookie]

Hello Swampy
Looking forward to joining you for the ride to Quindanning on Sunday, Covid restrictions permitting of course

[Swampy]

Hi All, I posted this on the wrong forum a few days ago, Must be age related so my apologies to all!!

I met up with Chieko Keller and her son Simon a few days ago and are both looking well and are appreciative that we are conducting another memorial ride for Paul!!

Chieko has taken over from Paul in following the Club on it's website so it would be great if some of the photographers in the club who are attending the ride this Sunday could post some pics for her to peruse!!

See you all on Sunday morning.

Swampy

[Bozo]

A great turn out to breakfast and lots of memories of German Paul. A few club members had hoped to be on the ride but were unable to join us.


Amongst the array of bikes, Tim had a very impressive RnineT with a bespoke blued exhaust sat in amongst other classic RnineTs.


Fourteen left Catalanos on the Memorial Ride. Firey Ross, Beemer Dave, Lefty, Cookie, Stoy, Robin, Rainer, Tim, Andrew, Paul, Ken, Peter Bee, Swampy and Bozo headed to the Albany Highway via the Bickley Valley and Canning Dam. Roadworks and a large truck were a minor inconvenience to get to North Bannister. Beemer Dave made a big effort to come along after his recent shoulder surgery took a few shortcuts. Tim, Firey Ross and Robin left at various points along the Albany Highway.

Both Lefty and Stoy had moments with debris on the road but remained upright.

Travelling to Wandering, we heard stories from Lefty about talented musicians used to open a caravan park. A spirited ride was cut short at Crossman by a red traffic light on roadworks.

At Boddington, we encountered a second police car and policeman with his speed gun directly pointed at us, who at that point of the ride were law abiding citizens. Swampy had memories of a COVID encounter on the Pinjarra Williams Road and it took a bowl of chips to settle his nerves.

An enjoyable run to Quindanning, where we were met with all of the large tables reserved for other motorcycle clubs and children's birthdays. We were also met by Goldie who made a special trip across for the Paul Keller Memorial ride.

Phone reception was problematic so we had to manually register for COVID. As soon as the drinks hit the tables we were invaded by bees. Peter Bee was a prime target. Swampy made a speech about long term club member Paul which prompted a lot of reminiscing about him and other past members.

Ken took off to Bunbury, Andrew headed back to Perth and the rest of us took Lower Hotham Road and the Pinjarra Williams Road to get to Donnybrook. A run down Del Park Road and most of the mob headed home via Hopelands Road keeping a close eye out for cows.

Quindanning was special for Paul Keller. It was his last Sunday ride with the club just a few months before he died. He particularly liked the sweeping bends on the Pinjarra Williams Road and the Lower Hotham Road.

Thanks to Swampy for organising the ride and acting as tail end charlie for most of it. Thanks to Peter Bee for also doing tail end charlie work and for bee whispering work at Quindanning. Great that Cookie could come along and that Lefty, Beemer Dave and Goldie made a big effort for their old mate.

Bozo

[Bozo]

Quindanning has a Motorcycle Riders Association of WA Memorial to the "memory of riders that have ridden on". The plaque is on a seat outside the main entrance to the Quindanning Hotel on a seat. It was very appropriate for today's ride.


Bozo

[Bozo]

Not quite the attack of the killer bees but group members had to cover drinks. Peter Bee was nonplussed about it all and was probably the reason that the group (covered in dead bees from the trip down) did not get stung.




Bozo

[Swampy]

What a glorious fresh sparkling morning greeted us to Commemorate the Late Paul Keller on his memorial ride to The Quindanning Hotel today!!

We started with 14 riders ably lead by Bozo Fitzhardinge and headed for the hills via Canning Damn before turning south on Albany Hwy.

By that time our numbers had dropped to 10 as we slabbed it down the highway to North Bannister for a welcome comfort stop and regroup.

Out through the farmlands surrounding Wandering on a lovely piece of winding highway before entering Boddington which was bustling with people attending some type of Fair!

We pulled into the Quindanning Hotel to find most of the tables had been pre booked and reserved for another motorcycle club. We however were thankful we had arrived early and placed our meal and drink orders before the hotel was over run!!

First in and best dressed and it was not long before everyone in the ravenous group were hoeing into hot foods and cold drinks.

The Quindanning Hotel was Paul Keller's favourite destination and the group spent some time reminiscing about rides we had shared with him.

The weather was perfect for riding out in our glorious countryside with everything greening up. There was not a Vespa of a breeze and the temp. hovered around 21C on a bright sun shining day, Perfect!!

It was good to see Cookie our Club President attend along with old stalwarts of the club which included Lefty, Goldie and Even Bemer Dave who is still recovering from a shoulder replacement. Well Done Dave it was a Stirling effort on your part to go the distance!!

Also in attendance was Paul, a new member of the club, Raynor, Stoy, Bozo, Peter B. and another whose name eludes me at the moment! (My apologies if I left you out)!!

The return run home was via Dwellingup and Del Park Road onto the South West Highway before the group split to return home!!

Thank You Bozo for taking the lead and to those of you able to attend today to remember well like and much respected member of our fine club!!

Swampy

PS. My apologies to Chieko and Simon as the pic's I took were not of a great standard and I am not conversant with posting them on this forum.
However you are still able to view some on the BMWMCCWA Facebook page!!

[Bozo]

Pictures of the Paul Keller Ride at Quindanning.




Bozo

[Bozo]

Some of Swampy's Pictures at Quindanning





Bozo

[Bozo]

Swampy's picture taken as Beemer Dave arrives at Bannister

[Bozo]

Another one of Swampy's photos at North Bannister.

[pspencer]

Thanks Swampy and Bozo for great ride reports and photos. Also thanks to all for attending the Memorial Ride. Paul did like that ride.