Ulysses Club, Canberra Branch Website
This Sundays ride (2nd August) is to Taralga. 
I arrived a bit early, on a clear if not a bit cool winters’ day – at the IGA carpark Bungendore. Jo and Helen arrived in style – with Jo was proudly showing us his new acquisition – a very tidy Goldwing, and gradually the numbers grew
until we were an even half-dozen of us (plus pillion Helen).
We left a little after the prescribed start time – thinking there may be a few late starters. We took a casual pace down the Clyde, I glancing at the bush as we rode through the areas recently ravaged by fire, amazed at how the new growth is progressing. The morning coffee stop for us being the café on the waterfront at Nelligen. By this time the weather was spectacular, and so layers were shed.
After half hour or so, we set off – but not far. A couple of the group needed a tank top-off at the Caltex at the roundabout leading into Batemans Bay. We dutifully waited for the note of the Indian to roar back to life, and proceeded north up the Princes Hwy. Around 30 minutes later, we swung right onto Bawley Point Road and, keeping right on Murramarung Road, through Bawley Point to Kioloa, where we swung into the car park next to the local firestation.
Our lunch stop is “Saltwood” – which on first glance looks more like a gallery than somewhere to have lunch. I have to say, not the usual fare that I would go to eat – but it was a pleasant change from the usual biker lunch stops.
After an hour or so at the café, a quick discussion on what route to take from here. Consensus was we would head north, and just north of the turnoff to St.Georges Basin, we will turn left on Turpentine road. Jo & Helen will continue north and catch up with friends at Nowra and head home via Kangaroo Valley.
As we climbed toward Nerriga, it became apparent that it will be a cool return trip home, and the risk was the lengthening shadows and flickering light through the trees in late afternoon had us being ever wary of the Skippy’s that might want to challenge our enjoyment of the day.
At Bungendore, a brief wave to those not continuing on towards Canberra, and a brisk run up Smiths Gap – before the typical end of long weekend queue of cars coming through Bywong and waiting to get onto the Federal Highway, and I was home just on sunset.
A pleasant day, thanks for the company!
Chris
Attendees:
The ride is approximately 130 km, and will leave from the Caltex, Kirkpatrick St & Cotter Rd, Weston, following a briefing 10:20am, with departure at 10:30am.
