‘It is always a proud time, thundering with the Croatian and Australian flags flying,’ says a member of the Croatian Riders Network.
Text: Ante Kasić
Photo: Croatian Riders Network
A full Day ahead
Everything was organised; the 16th Croatian Riders Network “Yashi Rally” was ready to go. AHD Geelong had organised a lovely breakfast for the first stop. Australian Croatian Social Club Mornington Peninsula Rye had organised a wonderful Croatian style lunch. The weather was forecast to be ideal; 21 degrees and slight chance of showers. With excellent t-shirt and patch sales, the indications were that the rally would be a promising success.
Thursday morning, leader and organiser Ante Kasić, received a devastating phone call from one of the members; the forecast was turning bad; 50% chance of showers in Melbourne with up to 2mm of rain, and 60% chance of showers in Geelong with up to 8mm of rain. Rain, always the enemy of motorcycle events, was to ruin it all.
What now ? After a few agonising hours, leader Ante decided, for the first time since 2010, to postpone the Rally. After all, we were to raise money for the Croatian Veterans Moto Club in Croatia. A poor attendance means little money raised. The bad news was given to the Croatian clubs; the food ingredients were already delivered and ready. They were not happy.
Rye Croatian Club sold the meat to its members and cancelled volunteers, AHD Geelong cancelled it’s staff, and many CRN members were devastated.
By Friday afternoon God had mercy and said “JUST JOKING BOYS!” The weather forecast had reversed; back to 30% chance of showers in Melbourne with 1mm, and 50% chance of showers and 2mm in Geelong. What a drastic change. Now what ? The rally should go ahead. Leader Ante quickly sent out emails to 150 members in addition to SMSs to 90 or so members; “RALLY BACK ON – SPREAD THE WORD!”
The clubs were notified but it was too late; Rye Croatian Club could not reverse the plans; the meat was now gone. AHD Geelong staff already made other plans.
Saturday came and we had to find an alternative place to have lunch.
To complicate things further, the Queenscliff Brewhouse, a beautiful pub where we had lunch in previous years, was temporarily closed.
The other pub in Queenscliff could not fit us in. The only option left was a Queenscliff Bowls Club. We told them our situation and after a quick discussion between manager and chef, the arrangements were made. An extra chef was to be put on and we would have to come as early as possible.
AHD Geelong, in true Croatian fashion, did not want to disappoint. They managed to secure a chef to come in early and provide a basic breakfast of egg and bacon rolls and a DIY coffee station. Beggars can’t be choosers; that will have to do.
As for the Croatian club in Rye, we told them that, if they could provide drinks and coffee, we’d be happy.
Once again, the rally was back on and arrangements in place.
Unfortunately, however, a good number of CRN members had already committed to other plans; the disappointing emails and messages were coming in. One member, who flew from Queensland to attend, made alternative plans also. Looks like it would be a day for the die-hards.
Sunday; Wow ! Any showers that would happen, thankfully happened overnight. The roads were partially wet, the temperature was cool, but not a serious looking cloud in sight.
From all around Melbourne CRN members cautiously negotiated the damp roundabouts and corners; it doesn’t take much to send a bike sliding. The closer we got to Federation Square the drier the roads were. The early birds watched as the riders gradually arrived. The number grew to 35 riders and two passengers. Not our best, but not our worst either.
We were concerned about heavy traffic due to the Avalon Air Show so the rally start time was earlier than normal. It turned out that the traffic was actually better than ever before.
Breakfast at AHD Geelong
By the time we arrived at AHD Geelong, the number had grown to 42 riders and the weather was getting better by the minute. It was actually perfect weather for a rally; not too cold, and not too hot. In typical AHD Geelong style, a lovely breakfast was waiting for us. The hospitality that AHD Geelong has shown to the Croatian Riders Network over the years is testament to the leadership that Paul Saric engrained in the clubs philosophy. A big thankyou to Manager Nick and the crew at AHD Geelong.
We were ahead of schedule so the ride to Queenscliff was without pressure and we could take the scenic route, along Geelong’s waterfront Western Beach Rd and through Eastern Park. It is always a proud time, thundering through Geelong with the Croatian and Australian flags flying; showing Croats and friends at their best. The more experienced CRN members did a great job controlling the traffic so that we can have a smooth ride as a group.
The Croats in the Croatian Riders Network are very proud that so many non-Croats have decided to become members and regular riders. They proudly wear our club t-shirts and a club patch on their vests; some even fly Croatian flags. The Croatian Riders Network has a tradition; once a non-Croat member becomes a regular rider, we perform a light hearted baptism like ceremony where we welcome the rider into the CRN brotherhood, make them an honourary Croat, and give them a Croatian name. Vietnamese Kim Than has become Stipe, Maltese Mario has become Marinko, Polish Anton has become Ante, German-Australian Trevor has become Trpimir, Maltese Ray has become Rajko, Aussie Sam has become Slavko. Etc They love it.
Lunch at Queenscliff Bowls Club
The staff at the Queenscliff Bowls Club were relieved when we arrived earlier than expected. A reasonable lunch was provided and the extra chef ensured that the meals were cooked quickly. A few of the members decided to do their own thing; a motorcycle picnic in the car park. The only thing that Marko Miskulin could not fit into his Harley Electroglide was a barbeque.
A short ferry trip across the bay and we arrived in Sorrento. The thunder of 40 plus bikes and lots of Croatian and Australian flag always gets a lot of attention as we roar down the ramp from the ferry. A 20 minute ride and we arrived at the Croatian club in Rye. As we thundered onto their beautiful green lawn we were welcomed with the usual smiles and applause. The mainly retirement age members love it that we make an effort to pop in and visit every year at this time. It was good to see that some younger members have recently joined to take over the reins.
Pastries, cakes and bocce at Rye Croatian club
We only expected coffee and drinks but our suspicions came true; in true Croatian hospitality style, the club laid out an assortment of beautiful cakes and pastries. There’s something quite amazing about Croatian woman and their cakes; especially Croatian Bake (Grannies) and their cakes; they’re made with love. A big thank you to President Leo Puretic and the members of the club for always welcoming us in such a warm way. While some of the club’s members admired the shining motorcycles, we enjoyed the beautiful cakes, coffee and drinks. Some of the CRN members enjoyed a game of Bocce as usual. The club requested a donation for the cakes and coffee; all proceeds were donated for the Croatian Veterans. A big thank you to the Rye Croatian club.
By now the skies were almost clear and we could feel the beginnings of slight sun burn. What a glorious day it had become. How wrong could the Bureau Of Meteorology be!
After a coastal ride towards Mt.Martha, it was time to enjoy the 7 or so minutes of winding road to Mornington. More often than not, it is spoiled by slow car drivers but it’s better than nothing. Next was the Nepean Hwy race track from Mornington to Frankston. We blame it on the sugar fix. We know that Sofia restaurant in Frankston was temporarily closed but still everyone was in a hurry to get there.
A casual chat to sum up the day and another Yashi Rally comes to an end. Here the Croatian Riders Network members say their goodbyes and, in small groups, fan out to the various sides of Melbourne. Those that live in the western side of Melbourne enjoy the coastal ride along Beach Road and continue home.
In conclusion, a modest but successful Yash Rally; no incidents, great weather, good company, a very decent amount of money raised for the Croatian Veterans, and everyone got home safely.
A big thank you to God for another good year and many safe rides.
