Q&A: Get to know Maddi Costanzo

Maddi Costanzo is a National Premier League soccer player and now building on her love of sport to mentor and challenge other athletes, including several members of the City Coast Motorcycles MX Team. Read on for our exclusive Q & A.

Maddi Constanza Fitness and Performance Coach — Images by Sarah Jane Photography

Let’s start at the beginning… At what age did you start riding motorbikes and what are you riding now?

My dad got me my first bike when I was six years old, which was a Suzuki DR50 and Dad had a Honda CRF230. We used to ride on weekends around the local bush tracks and school holidays at my grandparents farm out near Parkes. I gave up riding to pursue my football career, as I participated in many sports but excelled in football. Since I currently train so many MX athletes, they have persuaded me to get my second bike and ride again at age 25. I am so excited to see what I will be getting from Dad this Christmas!

Who were your role models as a child?

Growing up I mainly followed football, so my role model was an old Socceroo player Tim Cahill; I am sure people used to see him on the Weet-Bix box. I grew up living on the South Coast, but all holidays were in the country at my grandparent’s farm. We were taught to work hard. Family members such as my uncle and Pop were role models teaching me how to ride bikes, quads, drive tractors and utes as well as how to maintain them like checking the oil and changing a tyre from the age of 11.

Rising through the ranks, what were your biggest challenges training and competing in international soccer?

Going overseas at the age of 11 to play football in Germany, Denmark, Holland, Sweden and then at age 12 to America were some of the biggest challenges. It is a young age to be in a foreign country and needing to take care of myself and be an athlete, but those big life experiences made me who I am today, very independent, driven and focused to succeed.

I missed a lot of social events, birthday parties, sleepovers and just being a kid. When I was growing up I lived in Ulladulla and my parents would drive for three hours to Sydney, multiple times a week to get me to training and camps. I did miss a lot of school and in the school holidays I was in football camps or competing at State and National football tournaments. I understand what it is like to be a young athlete and the sacrifices we have to make to pursue our dream career of being a professional athlete.

I still play at an elite level; getting paid to play is always a privilege and suffering two major setbacks in doing my left ACL, meniscus and LCL in 2016 put me out of football for 10 months while I had surgery. I came back the following season to win the NPL 2 Golden Boot and I put that down to dedication, commitment to wanting the best from each performance and never giving up. In 2019 I was at the top of my game again and in a preseason match I suffered my 2^nd ACL tear which was a meniscus tear in my right knee, and I required surgery again.

I am cleared to play and go in the NPL 1 comp. I like to share my story to remind people that we are capable of anything in life if we never give up, we work hard, we recover well, we learn to build a strong mindset and we try our best every chance we get to perform. You never know when it is going to be your last race, game or competition.

What were your highlights?

Definitely travelling overseas is the biggest highlight as an athlete. I also say my two ACL surgeries are highlights even though yes, they were a setback in my athlete career but on a different level they helped me grow as a person in the sense that if I didn’t suffer them, I wouldn’t have started my business so young, learnt about sports psychology, coaching and helped other athletes through the same struggles of suffering an injury.

Another highlight is the new opportunities that have arisen and to now work in MX camps with coaches, as well as the way I connect with all my riders so well. I think therefore I have quite a few of them because they work hard like me, but they can also take a joke and have a laugh with me – we all get along well! Most days I am their trainer but sometimes I am more like the big sister to show support, give advice and have friendly banter with them, especially the older boys. I love seeing their smiling faces and that they all have fun personalities of their own.

In just four years you have become one of the Illawarra’s most sought-after personal trainers and coaches. Where did your inspiration come from?

I am surrounded by great friends that all own different businesses, so I always bounce off their energy to keep growing my own business. I want to be the coach I never had for my athletes and educate them on training, nutrition, mindset and give them real life skills that they can use for the rest of their life.

Along with a mantelpiece crowded with trophies, you now have walls flooded with qualifications enabling you to provide athletes with a holistic approach to their chosen sport. What have you studied?

I left school at 17 and studied my Certificate 3 & 4 in Fitness. I then went on to study a Diploma of Sports Development, Level 1 Strength & Conditioning, Certificate in Sports Nutrition, Certificate in Sports Psychology, Certificate in Human Biology – Muscle & Movement and recently finished my Certificate in Child & Adolescent Mental Health.

You’ve been coaching juniors and seniors on the City Coast Motorcycles MX Team; how does your experience performing on the soccer field translate to training motocross athletes?

Yes, the riders keep me on my toes, but I personally have said this a lot over the last few years, “I love training my MX athletes the most!” They are open and willing to try anything, they work super hard and I love that I need to keep up and continually learn and adapt to help them more. I started training MX riders 3.5 years ago and even though MX and football are very different in terms of how they are performed the basics are always the same: Proper strength training to minimise injury, learning to fuel the body for performance which I say to my riders, “you wouldn’t try win a race on an empty fuel tank so don’t think you can go race on an empty stomach,” as well as sleep quality, learning how to recover after performing, etc it is all the same. When I can, I watch my riders race at the local track at Mount Kembla. I also made the four-hour trip to Cessnock this year to watch them in the King of MX to learn more about their body position on the bike so I can replicate that in the gym.

City Coast Motorcycles MX Team's Brock Ninness with coach Maddi Constanzo at King of MX. — City Coast Motorcycles MX Team’s Brock Ninness with coach Maddi Constanzo

You provide one-on-one sessions with clients and often attend their competitions. How have you kept them focussed throughout the COVID lockdown?

I do online and face-to-face coaching, I have riders all over New South Wales, a few in Victoria and in America that I coach via Zoom and online programming. With COVID I did a lot of Zoom sessions with local riders as well as a few one-on-one sessions outside and just checked in with messages, etc. They kept up their fitness with at-home training, running and mountain bike riding.

You’re travelling to Sydney four times a week for soccer training, juggling some 40 clients and running a business, not-to-mention putting up fresh social media content daily, yet you still manage to exude energy and positivity at every corner, Maddi, how do you manage your own work/life balance?

Look I’d be lying if I said it was easy and always fun, but it can be a challenge. Just like anyone I have my down days but ultimately my drive is my athletes; I want to be a good support for them and a role model to show you can have anything in life, but you better be ready to outwork everyone else if you want it.

I try to set aside time to see friends, relax and do the things I love but there is a lot of sacrifices especially when running a business. My sleep can suffer, my training goes out the window sometimes so I can get all my athletes in the door to train. But at the end of the day, I want to build a brand, I want to grow and have a successful business that supports riders and other athletes, as well as have a business that can support me and my future family. These keep me motivated to keep pushing my limits, to execute day in, day out. I also say if you want to achieve things in life as well you need to know your WHY. My WHY is always my family, mum, sister and nephew as I want to be able to help them with anything they need and would love to take them on a holiday, one day.

City Coast Motorcycles MX Team's Indi Hooper with coach Maddi Constanza. — City Coast Motorcycles MX Team’s Indi Hooper with coach Maddi Constanza. Image by Josh Lynch Photography

Let’s wind the clock forward to ten years from now; where do you see Maddi Costanzo?

Ideally, I would love to have my own performance centre with a track next to it so it is a one stop shop for riders, I want to grow and expand to having them even in multiple states and have coaches work under the Costanzo brand. I want to travel more being an off-the-bike trainer at MX bootcamps and do collaborations with MX shops such as City Coast Motorcycles and MX coaches. That is the dream lifestyle!

 Connect with Maddi Costanzo on Instagram

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 Connect with Maddi Costanzo on Twitter

 Check out Maddi Costanzo’s Podcast

Our BMW Winter Service Bonus Returns!

Wínter Service Offer 2021 at City Coast MOtorcycles

Your BMW Deserves the Best, and so do YOU!

Discover the benefits of genuine BMW Motorrad service with our 2021 Winter Special Offer.

Service your motorcycle at City Coast Motorcycles this winter and receive a voucher to spend on genuine BMW accessories or apparel valued up to $150*. THIS OFFER HAS BEEN E-X-T-E-N-D-E-D to August 31, 2021!

Take care of your bike, and experience the difference between OK… and perfect.

Winter Service Special 2021

City Coast Motorcycles BMW Service Centre Benefits

BOOK ME IN!

Terms & conditions

^{*Offer is valid from 01.06.21 – 31.08.21 (‘Promotion Period’). Minimum total service cost of $200.00 including GST, is required to be eligible for this offer. The offer only applies to BMW Motorcycles serviced during the Promotion Period. This offer is limited to 1 voucher per motorcycle, identified via the vehicle’s VIN number. Voucher is non-transferable and must be redeemed by the recipient of the mechanical services, at the same BMW Motorrad dealership which rendered those services. Voucher can be used on genuine BMW Motorrad accessories and/or Gear & Garment. Voucher will be surrendered on redemption and is not redeemable in cash to any extent. Voucher must be redeemed within 5 business days after the service date (excluding any public holidays) after which the voucher will expire and may no longer be redeemed. Offer applies only at participating BMW Motorrad dealers. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Stock may vary between BMW Motorrad dealerships. Excludes fleet, government and rental buyers. Consult your participating BMW Motorrad dealer for further details. BMW Australia reserves the right to change, withdraw, or extend the offer without notice.}

DGR Wollongong 2021 reaches $150K for Men’s Health

With fundraising due to close on Sunday June 6th, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – Wollongong has passed the incredible milestone of $150,000! Meanwhile, it has been in a tight contest with London for 2nd position out of over 700 cities worldwide.

DGR Wollongong 2021

Participants Phill Critcher and Ermond Morelli are on track to come 2^nd and 3^rd globally out of over 65,000 riders, while their team – The FC’s – is also ranking 3^rd. Since City Coast Motorcycles introduced the ride to Wollongong in 2017, almost $350K has been raised to support Movember. This is an outstanding achievement and we could not be prouder of our riding community who have wholeheartedly embraced this niche event for classic and vintage motorcycles.

Below are some images we captured on the day – click on the thumbnail to open the gallery. We are happy for you to share them on social media; please give ride hosts City Coast Motorcycles a nod if you do so.

Professional photographs are available for sale from Keogh’s Vision Photography and The Illawarra Mercury

Remembering Geoff Sim

The team at City Coast Motorcycles are deeply saddened by the loss of our Founder, Geoff Sim. This tribute shares his life and legacy.

Geoff was born in 1948 and spent his formative years in the Sutherland Shire, at West Como, where the Woronora River merges with the Georges. Geoff and his childhood friends pursued a Huck Finn lifestyle in home-made canoes and old rowboats, fishing and hunting mudcrabs in the mangroves. They would push their way through vines and thick bush to a creek and catch yabbies. Along the cliffline they would rockhop like wallabies. These escapades must have played a part in the adventurous lifestyle that was to unfold for Geoff for the rest of his days.

After Como West Primary School, Geoff attended Jannali Boys High, where classmates like Peter Allen and Rob Black led him towards an interest in motorcycles. Geoff duly bought a 250 Honda CB72 in 1966 and that was the start of a life-long passion for all things motorcycling, from touring to adventure riding to racing and a thriving dealership in Wollongong.

Geoff with his first motorcycle — Geoff Sim’s first motorcycle was a 250cc Honda CB72.

Geoff was a naturally fast rider from the get-go, and a succession of speeding fines suggested the road racing circuits might be a cheaper way to obtain his speed jollies. He began racing at the start of 1968 on the 250 Honda and then progressed to a 350 Honda.

Shortly thereafter, Geoff bought the ex-Ron Toombs TD1C Yamaha. Upon its retirement, he had it superbly restored by Wollongong’s Richard Johnston, resplendent in the livery and racing number of `Toombsie’ and mounted in a glass case at City Coast Motorcycles as a tribute to one of Australia’s greatest riders.

Geoff Sim racing Bathurst in 1969 — Geoff Sim racing the ex-Ron Toombs TD1C Yamaha at Bathurst, 1969.

Geoff’s next race bike was a kitted R5 350 Yamaha twin, sponsored by his partner Robyn. Geoff had a lot of success on that bike, including three memorable scraps at Oran and Amaroo Parks with the young Gregg Hansford, who went on to international stardom.

Geoff Sim and Gregg Hansford — Geoff Sim (22) famously scraps with Gregg Hansford (02).

Geoff also had success on larger production-based machines such as Mach 3 Kawasaki 500, Mach 4 Kawasaki 750, Honda 750, Ducati 750 and Kawasaki 900. One year at Mount Panorama in the Unlimited Production Race, Geoff had a memorable race-long dice for 4th place with `Mountain Maestro’ Ron Toombs, both on Kawasaki 900s. With co-riders such as Peter Stronach and Roy Denison, Geoff achieved some high placings in several Castrol Six Hour races.

Geoff Sim Castrol 6 hour — Geoff Sim (36) rounds up his opponents in the Castrol Six Hour.

Through befriending Kevin Cass in the racing scene, Geoff was availed a business opportunity: In 1973, Geoff opened a Kawasaki dealership named Centrestand Motorcycles near the railway in Crown Street Wollongong, before relocating to Corrimal Street. Geoff expanded his portfolio when he purchased the Corrimal Suzuki business off Wollongong legend Bill Morris. Veteran Bill – whose motorcycling achievements on dirt and tar race tracks, in business, in the race-tuning workshop, and in racing sponsorship would take a book to relate – grew bored with retirement and went back to work for Geoff in highly specialised areas like crankshaft balancing. Upon buying Kevin Cass Motorcycles, Geoff finally settled on the present arrangement, City Coast Motorcycles in Keira Street, which is an authorised dealer for BMW, Triumph and Yamaha.

Geoff Sim spare parts — From humble beginnings, Geoff Sim went on to own three motorcycle dealerships at the one time. Pictured: Geoff at the spare parts counter at Centrestand Motorcycles.

Geoff and Robyn went on to have a son, Timothy who inherited the racing genes. Tim was born to love two-wheels; racing motocross, supercross and mountain bikes – all at a national level. Tim began working after school at the family business by cleaning and changing tyres.

Tim and Geoff — Geoff Sim’s son Timothy was literally riding before he could walk.

Geoff taught Tim every facet of running a successful motorcycle dealership. Upon finishing school, Tim continued to work his way through the ranks with Geoff as his mentor; several years ago he took over as the Managing Director and Dealer Principal.

Tim, Wayne Gardner and Geoff — Timothy Sim, Wayne Gardner and Geoff Sim celebrate 30 years of City Coast Motorcycles in 2003. Geoff was one of Wayne’s first supporters.

The high point of Geoff’s racing career was winning the Australian 125cc championship series in 1975 and 1976, conducted over rounds in each state. He was mounted on a TA125 Yamaha provided by Kevin Cass. His second 125 GP crown was a dead heat with Dave Burgess; the only one for first place ever seen at Mount Panorama.

Geoff Sim and Dave Burgess — Geoff Sim (32) and Dave Burgess (19) famous scrap for first place at the 1976 125cc Australian Road Race Championship.

During this period he also took the TA to New Zealand, where he contested 125cc support races in the Marlboro Series, winning at Pukekoe, Gracefield, Wanganui and Timaru, dicing with and defeating future international Grand Prix star, the American Randy Mamola. Randy was the reigning US 125 champion but to be fair he was aged just 16 at the time, not a grizzled veteran of 27 like Geoff. While not a university student, Geoff also participated in 24 hour rallies at the University of NSW MCC alongside his friend, Trevor Fitzpatrick during the mid-to late 70’s.

Geoff Sim was twice crowned Australian 125cc Road Race Champion on his Yamaha TA125.

Geoff’s other great passion was aviation. Initially, this took the form of control-line powered models he and a Como friend Peter Stevenson, both in their early teens, constructed in the laundry. Thankfully by the time Geoff progressed to flying full-sized aircraft, he had become more adept at keeping them airborne than had been the case with the models.

Towards the end of his high school years, Geoff and his lifelong friend Peter Allen joined the Air Training Corps at Mascot and learnt to fly light aircraft. Approaching the age of 30, this pursuit began to assume greater prominence in Geoff”s leisure activities and he retired from motorcycle racing.

Geoff purchased a Lancair kit plane, which he built with the help of several others. While running his motorcycle dealership, they put together the Lancair behind the counter. With light weight and high performance provided by a Lycoming engine, the two-seater Lancair was far sportier than the average Cessna or Piper – just what an ex-motorcycle racer needed.

Geoff Sim Lancair — Geoff Sim’s adventurous spirit led him to flying. His first pair of wings was a Lancair kit plane.

Geoff also owned shares in a couple of gliders, which he flew in competitions. He became adept at this exacting sport and secured several noteworthy placings in State and Australian titles:

“Years ago we both had Australian altitude records on separate days at Jindabyne. One was absolute height and other was altitude gain in motorgliders. We agreed to claim a record each. Geoff had to have the beard shaved off for that camp as we only had constant flow system with masks,” says friend Ian McPhee.

Geoff gliding at Lake Keepit in 1986. — Geoff Sim gliding at Lake Keepit, 1986.

However, spending all this time up in the clouds never diminished Geoff’s love of adventure motorcycling, a pursuit that took him to India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, across Russia from China, and all over Australia including crossing the Simpson Desert.

“I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on our friendship and adventures over the decades and realised that there have been very few people who have directed the course of my life more than Geoff,” says freelance writer David McGonigal.

“In 1975 a group of us were camped by the river below Hill End and Geoff asked me ‘Hey Dave, what bike are you going to buy when the RD350 dies?’ and I replied ‘that bike would go around the world’. The idea was born and I rode the RD around the world between 1976 and 1979 (with a pocketful of sparkplugs).

“I’ve written that riding around the world with a mate is like a marriage without any of the benefits. Yet in 1998 Geoff and I completed a large part of my 7-continent all-time-zones world ride when we rode from Vladivostok to Moscow and beyond. I was on a BMW R1100RT and he was on a Yamaha SRV250 which made us just about even on power vs riding skill.

“Geoff had a prang between Moscow and St Petersburg and it was a battle to get him the treatment to keep him alive and evacuated to Helsinki and home. Buddhists believe that a life challenging experience like that means you own a part of each other’s soul and so it has felt ever since,” said David.

Geoff Sim Himalayas — Geoff Sim traversing the Himilayas.

From mid-2020, Geoff began to experience the symptoms of a complex medical condition which he faced bravely and stoically. On February 12, he passed away aged 72, too young, but he packed a lot into those years and had lived life to the full. He will long be remembered for his intelligence, his steadfastness, his generosity, his decency. Along with a legion of cherished friends, he leaves behind his son Timothy and grandchildren, Jasmine and Taj.

Geoff Sim under glider wing

Thank you to Geoff’s brother, Chris for sharing his story.

Your Right To Ride at City Coast Motorcycles

It is a well-kept secret that anyone involved in an accident and not at fault is entitled to a replacement like-for-like vehicle at no cost them. City Coast Motorcycles’ Service Centre has you covered thanks to Your Right To Ride. This motorcycle-only fleet offers accident replacement motorcycles to not at fault parties.

Your Right To Ride

“We’re seeing a major increase in people choosing to ride over drive or catch public transport so it’s important to know our rights and feel supported while out on the roads – or in the parking lot,” says Customer Relations Manager Renee Sofi.

The concept of Your Right to Ride is to take the weight off not at fault riders with a simple step-by-step process. Like-for-like replacement vehicles are delivered to a customer’s preferred address and theirs for the duration of repairs at City Coast Motorcycles or until a settlement payout is received. What’s more there are not any km restrictions.

Percy Peacock described the process as straight-forward and stress-free:

“Great service. Had no transport after being hit by a car and my scooter named Bruce was written off. I was provided with a reliable scooter while I was waiting for the at fault driver to pay the insurance company. Huge reduction in stress following a traumatic incident! Very happy to recommend YRTR to everyone needing a motorbike or scooter following an incident or when it’s being fixed,” said Percy.

Your Right To Ride Brochure

The Your Right To Ride fleet includes a wide variety of two-wheeled road vehicles to enable the like-for-like concept, from Vespas through to learner-legal Hondas to the Triumph Bonneville to the Ducati Monster.

Should the unthinkable happen, be sure to make note of the personal details and insurance claim number of the at fault party then simply go to yourrighttoride.com.au and complete the form. Claims are usually approved within 24 hours.

Your Right To Ride logo

Mark Hawwa: DGR Social Connections Challenge a “World First”

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) have partnered with Movember for a new community program aimed at better connecting male motorcyclists. We chat with Mark Hawwa – the Founder of DGR, Throttle Roll and Ride Sunday – about this special initiative.

Mark Hawwa - Founder of the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride — Mark Hawwa – Founder of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) has been going since 2012. How did it start, and how have you seen it change over the years?

I had just come back from a trip to Japan and fell in love with their mix of a classic and custom motorcycling scene. When I got back, I was determined to get a bike that could bring that style back here to Australia, but none of my mates rode that kind of bike, so I started the Sydney Cafe Racers. As the custom style caught on, I started seeing people from around the world get into these groups and we connected over a joint love of custom motorcycles. Then the idea for DGR hit me when I saw a poster of Mad Men’s Don Draper sitting on a Matchless motorcycle in his beautifully tailored suit and thought it was a really interesting way to show a motorcyclist. At the time in Australia, we had a lot of issues with public perception of “bikies”, so it motivated me to spread the word throughout these groups and get everyone riding on the same day on their classic and vintage style bikes to dress dapper and ride together to break down that negative stereotype. That was 3,000 riders in 64 cities, and now we’re connecting 116,000 riders in 678 cities, so quite a lot has changed!

DGR has a special relationship with its global charity partner the Movember Foundation. How did the idea of the DGR Social Connections Challenge come about?

The relationship with Movember formed in 2016. We were working with various Prostate Cancer Foundations around the world to localise people’s donations and provide them with tax deductibility, but it was a tough job. We connected with Movember and everything just moved forward naturally. We have really similar goals in how to provide support for men and are actively funding a wide range of prostate cancer research and mental health programs to connect men in motorcycling.

The DGR Social Connections Challenge came about with us knowing how dedicated our community through DGR was in fundraising and in changing the way men communicate, so we thought it was finally time to help bring specific programs targeted at all riders to make a difference to them directly. This program isn’t just for people in DGR, but for every single male motorcyclist. We’ve never done anything like this before and Movember was really excited to build out a program that helps us better connect with riders as a part of their “going to where men are” approach to mental health. It really is a world-first and we’re honoured to be able to bring this to the global riding community.

What countries are involved?

Currently, we are accepting pilot programs in Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, and Canada as these are the areas that we can directly offer funding and support. Once the pilot programs go through the Challenge, there is definitely an opportunity for them to scale further and operate in more areas.

Are the grants open to groups as well as individuals?

Absolutely anyone is welcome to submit an application. Groups or individuals. We’d also recommend you have a mate or two helping out as this is potentially a 15-month program if you get through to Phase 2, so having a bit of friendly support wouldn’t be a bad idea.

How will the Challenge be carried out?

The Challenge will be carried out in two key phases at this stage. It’ll be broken down as Phase 1.1, Phase 1.2, Phase 2, and Phase 3. A maximum of 25 grants valued at up to AUD $7,500 will be awarded internationally under Phase 1 of this opportunity.

Step 1 asks applicants to submit an Inspiration Statement. The applicants with the most creative and innovative ideas will be invited to pitch their idea. Successful pitches will be considered upon receipt of a signed, short-form Movember funding agreement which will lead them into Step 2.

In Step 2, development funds will be provided to assist in research, engage with the targeted group, design and create an initiative plan over a 9-week period that has the potential to be piloted. This is the core period where we can really give attention to people’s ideas and see if they can work.

From here, the best candidates will be invited into Phase 2, where we really get into the nitty-gritty of the program. A maximum of ten pilot project grants valued at up to AUD $75,000 will be awarded internationally under Phase 2 to carry out implementation of pilot project plans over a 12-month period. This is where programs will really scale up and take serious shape to test out the ideas and try to bring riders together in the process.

Continued investment may be forthcoming in Phase 3 for those projects that show the greatest promise for ‘scaling up’ at the end of the pilot period. This is an extended piloting phase, so the continuation is really dependant after Phase 2.

The great thing about this is event programs that are not invited into Phase 3 will be in a position to keep working at their ideas. The support that we’re looking to provide over the course of the next 15 months will give our applicants a huge level of insight into how they can scale and succeed their ideas.

DGR Wollongong 2017 — Image by Keoghs Vision Photography

How will the grant applications be judged – what are you looking for?

We definitely have a few things we’re looking out for in this. If the name is any indicator to you, we’re looking for ideas that help connect riders socially, outside of the DGR community. This is a really wide-net to men in motorcycling, so it should be something that connects all men, and especially, those guys that may be a little harder to reach when it comes to connecting. With the focus on connections, we are also looking at programs that strength peer-to-peer support and can allow us to provide positive role models and mentors to all riders, and improve everyone’s knowledge about mental health and suicide prevention.

What’s involved in submitting an idea?

All you need to do to get this off the ground is register online HERE and submit an Inspiration Statement by July 6th. From there, you may get invited into Phase 1.1 to pitch your concept with a few other pieces. You can find a more detailed breakdown of this at www.gentlemansride.com/blog/dgr-scc

How soon will the funds be allocated?

Funding will be provided within the Phase stages by Movember, so successful applicants will be able to allocate those funds to areas that will help them succeed best. The great thing here is Movember will be with them all the way to help identify where these funds might be best placed.

Is this something DGR and Movember plan to do on an annual basis?

Who knows?! This is a first-time for us, so once we get through it, we’ll absolutely be reviewing and seeing just how successful the concept is. In some way, I’d like to though. It’s really important that we’re funding programs where our riders need it most, so this will absolutely be a test of that.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, Wollongong — Some very distinguished Wollongong gents. Image by Keoghs Vision Photography.

Given that the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global event, what changes can we expect for 2020 with varying COVID-19 social restrictions worldwide?

Worldwide, we’re looking at a Solo Event for 2020, which will eliminate mass events and have riders taking to the streets on their own to raise funds for the event. It’s a tough one, because some are able to hit the road in groups or alone, and others may not be allowed to ride at all, so we need to find a way to engage everyone. To achieve this, riders around the world will be encouraged to dapper up and either hop on their bikes if they’re able to, or to snap a shot of themselves with their classic and vintage styled motorcycle and join us online. The focus for this year will be to connect riders from all around the world, despite their COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. We want riders to know that we may be socially distanced, but we can still be connected digitally.

We not only need to take people’s local lockdown restrictions into consideration, but we also needed to consider how riders and hosts have been financially affected in losing jobs and security, and how this may have impacted their lives. It’s a three-degrees of separation thing, some hosts either had COVID-19, or knew someone who did, and even have family members who lost their lives because of it. We wanted to be sensitive to those who spend countless hours volunteering to run their ride, who may not be able to get involved. The main thing we’d want people to be aware of here is that we know that some areas of the world might be opened up by the time DGR hits in 2020, but DGR isn’t only a local event – it’s a global movement – and when we have so many folks who are integral in running their rides who have been heavily impacted by this, we need to look out for them and each other.

You can pre-register now or find out more at www.gentlemansride.com.

DGR 2020
 Connect with the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on Facebook
 Connect with Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on Instagram
 Connect with Movember Australia on Facebook
 Connect with Movember on Instagram

Rare 1936 BMW R5: An Affleck Family Legacy

When Dwayne’s grandfather Ken Affleck passed away at age 95 in 2014 he also left behind his pride and joy – an extremely rare BMW R5. Just 2,632 were built between 1936 and 1937 and only a handful remain. Dwayne now has the honour of restoring his Papa’s legacy.

Rod (left) and Dwayne (right) are lovingly restoring a rare R5 family heirloom

Dwayne, you’re an avid motorcyclist. Is a love of riding in the genes?

I would say, “yes” but not just a love of riding – it’s a love of all things automotive, mechanical and engineering. My grandfather and my great grandfather even built their own plane, back in the day. Papa later worked for ESSO as the Head of Oil and Fuel Engineering which lead to him being involved with F1 drivers like Jim Clark and Jack Brabham. My father Rod is a retired mechanic and I’m an auto electrician. We’ve all had (or still have) involvement in two and four-wheeled motorsports. I have definitely discovered motorcycling more in the last five years which has taken me all over Australia and to the other side of the world by competing in and finishing Red Bull Romaniacs in 2019.

Ken Affleck with the Esso Team at Warick Farm — Pictured far left: Ken Affleck with the Esso Team at Warwick Farm

Your grandfather Ken has left you with a very special motorbike. What does his rare 1936 BMW R5 mean to you?

It means everything! It’s been so cared for and loved; in fact, it’s pretty much as it came off the floor with the exception of some minor marks and aging paint as it was used as a bike should be ridden and enjoyed. Being so entrenched in the family, it’s also significant that I’m working on it alongside my dad and my twelve-year-old son, Harry. It is very much a family affair.

Do you know of any other R5’s in Australia?

Currently we’ve been unable to track down any other complete R5s in Australia, apart from one in pieces awaiting restoration. Shannons and Lloyds couldn’t either when approached for an evaluation of my grandfather’s bike. We know some R5s have been here in the past, but have then been sold to overseas buyers. There are those that haven’t seen the light of day so they have lost track of them and don’t know if they still exist as a whole bike. To my knowledge there seems to be only a few known of world-wide, one of which is owned by Lord March – Founder of the GoodwoodFestival of Speed. I believe BMW themselves have three in different states of condition (one restored, one in their bunker and one unrestored). There are a few in the US and a handful throughout Europe, but being a pre-World War 2 and only 2500-odd made, a lot would have been scrapped for materials during the War or lost to the fighting.

Ken Affleck's 1936 R5 looking — “To my knowledge there seems to be only a few known of world-wide,” says Dwayne of the rare BMW R5

Ken was a new father when he purchased the R5. Was it his first motorcycle?

His first bike was second-hand 1925 BSA 250 round tank 2-speed which he later sold. He then got a DKW motorcycle. In 1948 he purchased the BMW R5 Sydney dealer called Arncliffe & Homebush Motorcycles. My grandfather knew the owners and learned the R5 was for sale there on behalf of an Air Force personnel. Then in the early 2000’s he bought an R27 BMW 250 single cylinder. This was because he wanted to attend the early VMCC Easter Bike Rally at Bathurst and couldn’t get some parts in time for the R5.

Given its age, this R5 is in remarkable condition. Is it true that when Ken married your grandmother he wasn’t allowed to ride it?

Mama definitely wasn’t fond of the bikes, but when the kids came along and were growing up Papa decided to give up bike racing and general riding. He stored the R5 until her passing in the mid-1990s, then dusted the bike back off. He pieced a few bits back together and started riding again in his mid-70s all the way up until he was 93 years old. Papa was a very active member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club NSW during his later years.

Ken with daughter Annette (Dwayne's Aunt) — Ken with daughter Annette (Dwayne’s Aunt) aboard his R5

Back in the day, why do you think the R5 was such a gamechanger for BMW?

After riding it around the streets when we first picked it up I would have to say it’s an amazingly balanced bike with a great riding position. I’ve ridden a few other newer bikes (1960s models ha ha ha) and they ride nowhere near as well as the R5 does. The, design and engineering in the bike is astounding in my eyes for its era, too plus in its day it rivaled cars for top speed performance.

What type of work is involved to get your R5 project on the road?

Surprisingly not much has been needed. We aren’t there one-hundred percent just yet, but it’s just some perishables like fuel hoses, some carburettor gaskets and oil seals as we did have it running when we picked up the bike. We’ve kept it in storage for four years until we were in a position to give it proper attention it deserves. With the recent world situation and travel restrictions there’s been delays unfortunately. We expect it to be finished towards the end of May or early June.

Dwayne says working on the BMW R5 is “very much a family affair”

Many aspects of BMW’s new R18 have been based on the R5. What are your thoughts?

Personally, I absolutely love the new R18; the efforts that they’ve gone to, to give it the old-school character while working with modern regulations for emission, etcetera are huge. I can only imagine how hard it is to make a bike stand out today, especially in the cruiser market they (BMW Motorrad) are targeting. It’s a tough task with very well established competitors .

BMW R 18 — The R5 is the main inspiration for BMW’s new R 18 cruiser (pictured)

Tell us about Ken’s scrambling days:

Papa was involved with the Dulwich Hill Motorcycle Club as they had a track situated on his large Kellyville property. He was a multiple trophy holder with the Two-Stroke Club of NSW in 1939. He and was involved with a trials club who held events at Castlereagh on the rocks and banks of the Nepean river; the idea was having to ride over the boulders without putting feet down to not lose points.

Ken was the 1939 Two-Stroke Club of NSW Champion

Later in life Papa loved to run with the VMCC who used to hold average speed rallies and navigational events; this included him having a minor off while riding down a dirt road and he couldn’t slow the bike quickly enough and ended up having a soft lay down of the bike in the grass just off the road. He was so mad because he finally got to pass this “young, slow annoying rider ” who was holding him up. We found out this “young” rider was in their late 70s and my grandfather was in his early 90s at this stage (ha ha ha!) Another time he was enjoying his riding a little much and ran wide going under a viaduct out at his favourite event near Bathurst, scrapping the side of himself down the guard rail just enough to leave some bruisers – but not enough to knock him off the bike or even leave a mark on it.

Meter on BMW R5

Do you have any future plans for the R5 or R27?

The R5 will be kept in the family forever. It’s one of those special bikes that we’re the only custodian of as my grandfather will always be the owner of the bike. The R27 just needs a blinker/horn combination for registration and my parents will be looking to sell it soon after. It never had any real significance to my grandfather who only kept it as a backup for his beloved R5.

Special thanks to Dwayne and family
for sharing Ken Affleck’s R5 legacy.

Discover how the R5 was the inspiration for BMW’s new R18 cruiser in A Bavarian Soulstory – Episode 1.

WMCC Upgraded Track is “Next Level”

Tim and Bushy from City Coast Motorcycles and Jay Marmont are among a select handful of riders who sampled the upgraded motocross track at Wollongong Motorcycle Club, yesterday. Finishing touches are being added ahead of the venue reopening.

Jay Marmont testing the upgraded tracks at Wollongong Motorcycle Club — Jay Marmont tearing it up yesterday. Image by Josh Lynch Photography.

Wollongong Motorcycle Club President Andy Davey is pumped about the new design:

“The year got off to a great start before being hit with COVID-19. The Committee decided to change up the track to keep the riders interested. A big thanks to Cashy, Bushy, Jay Marmont and Matt Lindsay for all their help.

“I’m excited for the Club to come out the other side of the coronavirus with a fresh track. The good news is we will open on May 23^rd with groups of ten with two-hour sessions. This will be done following the strict regulations,” said Andy.

Bushy testing the upgraded track at Wollongong Motorcycle Club — Bushy getting a taste of the fresh new track. Image by Josh Lynch Photography.

Machine operator and renowned track builder Mal Cash says many factors have been taken into consideration:

“It’s great to see Wollongong Motorcycle Club moving forward with the progression of the complex. We have built the main track with the spectators and riders in mind. And, we have also considered the history of this track and the unique layout of the terrain,” Mal said.

Tim trying experiencing the upgraded tracks at Wollongong Motorcycle Club. — Tim loving the bigger jumps. Image by Josh Lynch Photography.

Tim from City Coast Motorcycles was suitably impressed:

“It was great to break in the new track which is next level and has some fun challenges. I can’t wait until it’s finished,” he said.

Clutch Moto – Wollongong to the World

City Coast Motorcycles is proud to announce it is the Illawarra’s exclusive stockist of Clutch Moto. The brand is the brainchild of three Wollongong moto enthusiasts – Chi Ly, Vinh Nguyen and Lee Tanks – who by chance discovered a hole in the moto apparel market. The trio have now engineered a world class product that combines moto fashion with function and protection.

Clutch Moto at City Coast Motorcycles

“Essentially, it started off with Vinh and I making our own gear, whether it be a jacket or shirt,” says Director of Safety & Operations Chi Ly.

“We wanted to ride our bikes and look good and feel good. It started as kind of a backyard brand where we created what we felt was cool or fashionable and within our own style.

“All of a sudden people wanted to know where we were buying our gear from. So, we sewed on our own patches and it moved on from there.

Clutch Moto at City Coast Motorcycles

“I was keen to make safety-conscious items. What I had in my wardrobe was safe, but it wasn’t fashionable or comfortable and did not suit the climate we were riding in. I started changing my regular jeans and having a friend who is a dressmaker sewing Kevlar into them.

“Clutch Moto was born when Vinh, Lee and I agreed we should open our own brand. Our design is our difference…

“We researched and discovered a new guard plate technology called ‘SuperFabric®’ which is a lighter, heat resistant and a more comfortable alternative to Kevlar. We have also invested in Forcefield Isolator body armour – a world-leading technology that offers unrivalled protection in its class. And to top off the look we’ve used raw Japanese denim milled on vintage looms which is known for its superior quality.

Clutch Moto at City Coast Motorcycles

“Vinh is a fashion designer and working with these components has given him the ability to design apparel for those who don’t want to compromise on style and protection. As a rider, he’s also able consider the finer details, such as rubber-coated buttons so your tank is not scratched,” Chi said.

The brand is going from strength-to-strength, now conveniently located at City Coast Motorcycles where locals will be able to find the right fit. 2020 promises to be an exciting year for Clutch Moto as it expands its women’s range.

 Connect with Clutch Moto on Facebook
 Connect with Clutch Moto on Instagram

To celebrate our partnership with Clutch Moto and the festive season, we’re giving away a Free T-Shirt and Clutch x Port & Hide leather keyring with any purchase of Clutch Moto pants until December 24, 2019.

Coach Robb Returns to City Coast Motorcycles

Back by popular demand, MotoE is returning to Australia. Meet Coach Robb – trainer to some of today’s top amateur and professional riders – in store *** at a revised date in March 2020 ***

Coach Robb Beams

As part of a nine-track Australian tour (including Wollongong Motorcycle Club 20-21 January), Coach Robb will make a special appearance at our Keira Street showroom at a revised date in our showroom in March.

Since 2005, MotoE’s Coach Robb has worked with and produced some of today’s top professionals including Ryan Dungey, Adam Cianciarulo, Jeremy Martin, Jordan Bailey, Alex Martin and Stilez Robertson.

This is an informal session where questions are welcome. Examples of topics for discussion include:

Why high intensity training off the motorcycle is not translating to faster lap times.
What you should (or shouldn’t) eat on race day.
How to maximize your endurance training off the bike.
The importance of a proper warm up before racing.
Simple things you can do to improve race day confidence.

LUCKY DOOR PRIZES
1 x FREE Voucher to MotoE’s Wollongong Riding & Performance Camp
6 X FREE Day’s Riding Vouchers at the Mount Kembla Scramble Circuit thanks to Wollongong Motorcycle Club

ENTRY via GOLD COIN DONATION in support of Illawarra Convoy.

This event will be lightly catered. PLEASE REGISTER YOUR RSVP AT THE LINK BELOW to learn from the best in the business!

262 Keira Street, Wollongong