Staff Bonding Christmas Party

What do you do when you get to the end of the year for the annual Staff Christmas Party? Why, take them on a Harley Ride of course. And, that is exactly what we did with Visual Thing last Friday, we took 11 of them in 4 sidecars for a 1 hr tour from their vase in Richmond and dropped them off at Waterfront City in the Docklands.

In the hour we managed to get all the way down to St Kilda, across the Westgate Bridge, out to Williamstown and then back to the Docklands where we stopped for photos before they all jumped on a boat to spend the rest of the day cruising the Yarra River.

Coxy's Big Break and Harley Rides

From time to time we get called on by various Melbourne TV networks to do a spot on one of their shows. This time it was Cox's Big Break, a travel show which goes to air each Saturday on Network 7 at 5.30pm.

Here is the episode that included Harley Rides :

Visions of Melbourne Australia

Here is video compilation of photos that I have taken around my home town here in Melbourne. Photography is my other "passion" after motorcycles. As you will see by viewing this this animoto video clip, Melbourne is a very beautiful city which we can share with you when you come on a Harley Ride with us.

The Group Ride

We frequently get requests to take out large groups on a Harley Ride. Last Saturday we took out a group of guys from Queensland, who were out for a Boys's Weekend for a two hour jaunt.

The ride was organized as a surprise by Peter who led the group. His request, "Take us for a ride and include a stop at a Pub." So that is exactly what we did - picked them up at their hotel, and cruised across the Westgate Bridge to Williamstown where the boys went in to one of the local bars and had a beer, before we cruised back to the City and dropped them at the Belgian Beer Cafe.

Here are some pics we received by email:








Here we are briefing everyone on what is planned for the trip.

























It was a hot day - so jackets were optional.



Here we are on the Westgate Freeway.


And, at Williamstown.

Finally, home via the Burnley Tunnel - 4 km long and 200 feet below the Yarra River.

Here is a note received from Peter:

G'day John and all the Bikie boys,
Just wanted to say thanks again for the great afternoon out on Saturday, My boys could'nt stop grinning and talking about the great feeling of the bikes on the road. You turned the weather on perfectly and some great pictures were taken. I have copied Mark(who was one of the boys) in to hopefully send through some photos that you can use for your website if you wish. And I am sure all of the boys will promote your services as they had a ball, but also the friendliness of your guys and the quality of the bikes was exellent. Mick could'nt shut up about the Trumpy in fact. We will make sure he get's a Harley next time.
If I am in Melbourne again I will look you up and hopefully go for a ride.
All the best and thanks very much!
Regards,
Peter Bourke
Financial Planner
ANZ Financial Planning
Business Banking Sunshine Coast

Fathers' Day

The weather in Melbourne has been perfect over the last week and the demand for Harley Rides on Father's Day for this year, 3rd September 2006, as a consequence was high. But, then as Sunday dawned the weather deteriorated and it looked like it was going to be a wet day.

Our first customers took it all in their stride as we kitted them out in "head to toe" protective gear that included the obligatory windproof/waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers. We did strike a couple of showers along the way, but at the end of the hour they were dry and had hardly noticed the rain.

The next booking saw Melbourne's weather change for the better - the sun came out! Good old Melbourne - four seasons in one day. It stayed like this for much of the rest of the day. Quite enjoyable really.

But, as fate would have it Melbourne's weather had a sting in its tail. The last booking fort the day, pick up at 5.15pm - weather still looking OK. As we headed towards the Westgate Bridge I could see a band of dark clouds off to the southwest. Then as we rode up onto the bridge, the rain set in. Thankfully, I had remembered to fit a screen to my bike as I left home at 8am, as now it was providing excellent protection from the rain - which is something like having someone throw gravel at you as you ride into it.

I turned to mention the weather to my passenger, and to my surprise he exclaimed that he couldn't care less and was enjoying the experience. Anyway, I was dropping him back home and he could change clothes there.... Hmm, I think to myself, before the ride they panic about the rain, but when we get hit by the rain in the middle of the ride it just doesn't bother them.

Rain can cost a lost booking when it threatens, but strangely when it hits without warning the customer doesn't notice it. People - its why I love what I do....