EDITORIAL
TRAVERSE :
You Don ' t Need A Therapist
T he month of March was one of motorcycle festivals , a community coming together despite differences in brands , riding styles , opinions of how to ride . One thing comes through more than anything else , we are all the same .
Aging European machines with odd names , bikes built by ‘ Paco ’ Bultó or Birmingham Small Arms , large Americans entering a new arena , or small Japanese with a slight puff of blue and a RING-ringringing through the old growth forests and plantations . The bikes are varied , the riders are essentially the same . We all get together at the end of the day , with beer in hand , talking up the days riding and adventure .
Two events during March provided great evidence of this . The Spoke Festival in Tasmania and the Openroads Rally in Victoria . Both had a mix of everything , and yes , of course there was a vast selection of machines that came with the usual banter , yet everyone came together for the common good . It ’ s unique
to motorcycling . Both events huge successes due to this sense of community and both events that will continue to grow in coming years .
Its been a similar experience with the passing of one of the loveliest of all ‘ adventure ’ riders . The Old Bloke On The Bike , Ron Fellowes passed away a few weeks ago and the outpouring of grief from the bike community has been breathtaking . Stories of a man who always had time to help others , to offer advice , to listen to others , and always with a smile . Ron will be missed but the travelling motorcycle community will be richer for knowing of him and his lack of room for watermelons .
Leigh
TRAVERSE 5