Get your December RO2 - Merry Christmas!

The December RO2 is available now.  

Clink (or click) HERE to download this great holiday reading. 

Cheers!

November 2023 Riding On Too is Here!

 Featuring "Where it all began" -  Get your November RO2 now.

Click here to download.

Help!! Bunnings BBQ!

Our last Bunnings BBQ for the year is taking place this Saturday, 4 November. We still need volunteers to help out on the day, in fact we need three more for the morning shift and and three for the afternoon. If you can help out, please contact Tony as soon as possible and let him know your availability email him - bbq.ulyssescanberra@gmail.com or call 0408 451 220.

We very much appreciate your contribution, please join us if you can.

 

Get the October RO2 now!

Your Canberra Branch October 2023 RO2 has been published 

Click Here! Enjoy!

RO2 September 2023

Spring is Sprung!

and what could help celebrate better than a nice fresh RO2!

>> and here it is!  <<

 

 

Memorial Ride - Nepean Dam - Sunday 10th Sept 2023

We headed up the Federal Highway to Marulan for a coffee, then on to Nepean Dam.  After the usual Memorial presentation for fallen Ulysses Members - "Lest We Forget".  The host put on a sausage sizzle and we met other Ulysses members from around NSW.

The return trip was back down the highway to Goulburn for fuel and then homeward. Ken took an alternate route via Wakefield Park.

Lead Rider, George Attard Triumph Tiger XRT 800
Bob Mullett - FJR 1300
Dave Jones - Yamaha Super Tenere 
Ken McLean - Yamaha 320

Ride Report - Sunday 3 September 2023 - Junee

We set off on Father’s Day in perfect weather 18C, arriving at Murrumburrah for mornos at Terracotta; the cherry pie was good. 

The group headed off through Cootamundra, Bethangra and then onto Junee visiting the Licorice and Chocolate Factory to pick up some goodies and then to the Junee Railway Cafe for lunch, however it was closed on the weekend due to lack of staff so we headed across the street to the Commercial Pub for lunch. 

We ordered our meal not expecting a 2 hour wait however we persevered and eventually got our meals. Our departure was around 3:30 pm so we traveled back through Cootamundra and then on to Jugiong before hitting the Hume Highway. 

The ride was reasonable considering the late departure, arriving back in Canberra around 5:45pm

That said we all had a good day out in top weather!

George Attard - ride leader Tiger XRT 800

Alan Munday - FSR 1300

Janet Mulgrue - AK550

Kerry Mulgrue - 650 MT

Robert Apps GSA1200

Heike Apps - GS1200

Get your August 2023 Riding On Too Here!

Click Here for the August 2023 RO2! 

Download & Enjoy!

 

Ride Report - 6 August 2023 - Boorowa

Author & Ride Leader: George Attard

We met at Ampol Nichols with an overcast day, headed to Boorowa via Binalong, arriving at Boorowa for Moros at the Bakery.

Noel had another commitment so so only did the first leg. It’s good that people can just do a leg of the ride if that’s all they can do.

The sun started to come through as we headed off to Crookwell, however it stayed cool for the ride peaking at 11degrees.  We had lunch at the Cat’s Pyjamas Cafe rather than the usual at Paul’s Cafe. Located just opposite and well heated.

 

We continued to Gunning for coffee and who is waiting for us there? Noel! His commitment had been cancelled.

Bob and I visited the Max Cullens Theatre to check his wares and an unusual instrument half piano half violin. I had just watched the movie Cracker  and there was a similar instrument in that movie,  it wasn’t the same instrument.

We then headed via Gundaroo and home. 

All in all, a good day -  riding with mates.

Riders and Rides:

Bob Mullett - FJR 1300

Steven Bardwell - Moto Guzzi V85TT

Noel Bently - BMW GS 800

Andrew Campbell - BMW R1250S

Janet Mulgrue - 500 Scooter

Kerry Mulgrue - Gas Gas 800

Glen Yeomans - Kawasaki ZX1

George Attard - Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

 

Look at What's On the Ride Calendar!

Your Ride Co-Ordinator has published the Canberra Branch scheduled rides up to January 2024!
Check it out HERE!

 

 Christmas in July Dinner 

Time to dust off your Christmas outfit, wrap yourself in tinsel and head to Yass. 

Yes, it is a Christmas in July Dinner at Thunderbird Motel on Saturday 29th July

The plan :

• 6pm Pre dinner drinks with Bulldog & Suzy
• 6.30pm Dinner at the Ewe'n Me Restaurant  $55 per head)

• Please bring a Secret Santa gift ($10-15).  
• There will be a Christmas tree!

Please RSVP by Friday 21st July either by email (thesuzybee@gmail.com) or text (0466437800).

 

 

July 2023 - Riding On Too

  Here is the July RO2!

Click here or on the image!

 

June 2023 - Riding On Too

 Click here to view and download the June 2023 edition of the RO2 - Enjoy!

Time to Ride - Calendar - January to July 2024

Click here to access the Canberra Branch Scheduled Rides

Get you May 2023 Riding On Too now!

Another great edition of the R02 has been published. 

Out in time for a Mother's Day relaxing read.

 Get your copy now.

Click here to download and enjoy!

 

WANTED - BRANCH RIDE COORDINATOR

The Branch needs a Ride Coordinator urgently! 
The riding program is a primary activity for the Branch but it doesn't happen by itself. 
The role involves compiling a ride program and the coordination of a group of ride leaders. 
It's hardly onerous but highly crucial to the Ulysses - Canberra Branch business. 
Please consider helping out - contact the Branch President for further info.  

NATIONAL RALLY - SOCIAL DINNER - 5 MAY

Are you attending the 2023 Ulysses Club National Rally in Lismore?

All Canberra Branch attendees are invited to meet up for dinner. 

A table has been booked at the Metropole Hotel.

TIME: 6pm on Friday 5 May. 

Please send your RSVP to Glen by 2 May, so numbers can be confirmed      president.ulyssescanberra@gmail.com

 

The Peter Arday Memorial Ride - Anzac Day.

Ulysses Members and Friends are  invited to attend  that the Peter Arday Memorial Ride to Temora for the 2023 ANZAC Day March and Wreath laying Ceremony 

Tuesday, 25 April.

The ride leaves at 8am sharp from the Ampol service station at Nicholls (Gold Creek). 

The schedule will be tight, so please arrive on time to give yourself time to fuel up and down a coffee! 

We'll be travelling directly via the Burley Griffin Way.  

Lunch will be at the Temora RSL, who are very much looking forward to hosting us. 

The wearing of Medals is encouraged.

RO2 - APRIL 2023 - DOWNLOAD NOW!

Click  HERE  for your April Edition of the RO2.

Enjoy!

 

Get your March 2023 RO2 Here!

 

Click here to download and Enjoy! 

February RO2 - Vale Derek Holyoake

The February R02 has been published.   Click HERE to download

 

Save Wakefield Park - Forum

 

Show your support and attend the Save Wakefield Park Public Forum. 

Because NSW Parliament ran out of sitting days in 2022, our Save Wakefield Park petition was not debated. With the NSW State election happening in March 2023, we are doubtful if the petition will ever be brought up for discussion by the next elected parliament.

We have planned our own forum where representatives from the various political parties can attend and share their thoughts on how we may resolve the problem, restore operations at Wakefield Park, and secure the facility's long-term viability.

If you are able to attend the public forum, kindly do so.  Please reserve your seat by clicking the provided link. 

Date: Sunday, 19th February 2023

Venue: Auditorium - Goulburn Workers Club,

1 Mckell Pl, Goulburn, NSW, 2580

Time: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Registration Link: Click here to read more & register 

Ride Report - Catch-up - 23 November 22

 We met at Ampol Nichols and discussed the weather, road conditions, a possible route and the merits of foam seats as opposed to the gel type. We decided firstly to head to Yass and regroup at Kaffeine to further contemplate the day’s route and secondly that gel seats had longevity issues.

After some welcome caffeine at Kaffeine a plan was formulated to meander (the word of the day) towards Gunning for lunch - based mainly on road conditions and noting Illalong Road is still not open. So we headed back along the Yass Valley Way to join the Hume Highway at Manton then up to the Jerrawa Road turnoff, through Jerrawa and on to Dalton. We then took the Dalton Road to Gunning for lunch at the Merino Cafe.

The food at the Merino Cafe is always good and didn’t disappoint. The conversation quickly turned to talk of past bikes, past cars and past times.

We left Gunning for Breadalbane via the Cullerin Road and from there took the Breadalbane Adventure Trail to Collector. This road was probably the most affected by recent weather and we traveled reservedly dodging the many blemishes in the road surface. I became bored with dodging holes after a while but was forced to resume the weaving pattern when they became a little deeper and wider. Pictures attached.

From Collector we turned towards Canberra with a short deviation via the Old Federal Highway – the second section with police escort – until rejoining the Federal Highway at the Tulip Farm.

Thence to Canberra, parting at the Fyshwick turnoff.

A pleasant leisurely ride with good conversation, food and weather and a mixture of roads.

George Attard Triumph Tiger 16 XRT
Dave Mossman BMW R1250 RS
Bob Mullett Yamaha FJR1300P

Another Catch-up Ride Report - 20 December 2022.

A decide and ride day leaving from BP Watson at 09:30. Steve had an idea about lunch at the Bay while Dave and I didn’t have an idea so the Bay it was for a seafood lunch.  Dave would reassess the day at Braidwood.

We headed down Macs Reef Road through some light rain but seemed to be getting ahead of it. First stop was Braidwood for coffee with nothing to report apart from a washed out section of road and a little traffic to watch from behind. There was a half blue sky by Bungendore Road and it was a sunny day by the Kings Highway. The usual roadworks sections on the highway.

Dave turned back at Braidwood after a coffee break to see if he could catch the only bad weather of the day a second time.

Apart from a couple of learner drivers, the road to the coast was clear. In open areas the crosswinds were strong at times – especially crossing the Clyde on the new bridge but comparatively speaking, it wasn’t too bad as they became much stronger later in the afternoon.

‘Stingrays’ on Clyde Street provided the seafood lunch as there were queues for the food that’s typically eaten in the company of seagulls. I can recommend the grilled Barramundi.

The trip back to Canberra was as expected with a little more traffic and the road much in the same state of repair as we left it a couple of hours earlier. Quick stop to examine some road kill before the Clyde Mountain thence straight home parting at Bungendore.

Bungendore to Queanbeyan was a little puzzling. There seemed to be an Eastern Long Neck Turtle migration. Probably pointless to try to help due to the number but nevertheless the maths was not looking good for them.

Bob Mullett - Yamaha FJR1300P
Dave Mossman -  BMW R1250 RS
Steve Bardwell -  Moto Guzzi KY V85 TT

Get the January RO2 now - Happy New Year!

Download and Enjoy! - Click Here!

 

Ride Report - 27 November 22

Grenfell (cancelled) Ride and Decide (Young)

Shelbie McDonald was the only participant to turn up to the canceled ride on time – 08:50 for 09:00 departure. I was eleven minutes late and had I been twelve, I would have missed her riding away. We decided to do the planned ride anyway, or at least grab a coffee at Boorowa and work out what to do next.

There was a little light drizzle along the Lachlan Valley Way with the road being in comparatively good condition. Only a couple of reduce speed signs that could be safely ignored.

Coffee and a snack at the Supreme Bakery where we were treated to poetry from a local gent. I didn’t catch most of the words but apparently Shakespeare was born in Boorowa, although the ditty sounded more like Chaucer. The sun was definitely not over the yard arm at this time on a Sunday morning.

We decided that since Grenfell was still wet and the minor roads presented a mental challenge anyway, we would head for Young. As we were about to leave, Kerry and Janet Mulgrue pulled up. They were on the 09:20 for 09:30 ride and had also decided on bypassing Grenfell for Young. Skipping a coffee and fortunately also missing out on a reading from the Bard of Boorowa we headed for Young with a chance of Murringo markets along the way.

Murringo (without markets) to Young saw the first significant road damage so far with a short gravel section just out of town. The rest of the section had the occasional small pothole and washed-out verge but mostly very good for the area.

Lunch at Wilders Bakery Cafe in Young.

My bike (FJR) leaked coolant on arrival at Young. I suspected it was due to a blown fan fuse or faulty motor or relay but it stopped and was not a problem for the ride home. I had topped it up a week earlier but it knew best - back to minimum and happy. Further research showed purging excess coolant is common.

From Young we took Back Creek Road which in places was a little worse for wear and tear. Nothing else of note to report on the way to coffee, banana cake and fruit juice at the ‘Cafe on Queen’ at Binalong. Shelbie left early due to commitments and after refreshments the rest of us departed for Canberra. Illalong Road is still closed despite not be indicated as such on the NSW roads site. Traffic was good apart from the occasional car we couldn’t persuade to pass. 

A very pleasant day in all respects –company, conversation, food, traffic and weather. Arriving finally in Canberra we parted at Kuringa Drive.

• Shelbie McDonald Kawasaki Z650
• Janet Mulgrue Kymko AK550
• Kerry Mulgrue CFMoto CF650MT
• Bob Mullett Yamaha FJR1300P

Ride Report - Snowy Mountains - 6 November 22

On a long ride such as this - over 600 km - it’s rare to get nearly perfect riding conditions for the whole journey, but today was such a day. Cool, partly cloudy and nearly windless, with just a few very light spots of rain in the afternoon and light traffic throughout.

The first part of the ride was on highways to Jugiong for coffee, where the familiar Long Track Pantry had, surprisingly, not many customers and plenty of spare tables. From here we continued to Tumut for fuel. This part of the ride at this time of the year usually has vistas of yellow canola and purple Salvation Jane; this year all the fields were a relentless bright green from all the rain that’s fallen.

Continuing south from Tumut to Tumbarumba, the condition of the roads - like so many secondary roads now - has deteriorated, and dodging potholes kept us focussed. I hit one in a particularly bad area, but no damage was done and it seems that the other riders all got through the day unscathed. The Tumbarumba Pub is a typical country pub and the food is about what you’d expect. They do a Parmi Challenge; three parmis on the one plate for $48, but if you can scoff them in 20 minutes, they’re on the house! Sadly, none of our riders was up to the challenge.

The next part of the journey is the raison d’être for this ride. Between Khancoban and Thredbo is around 75 km of continuous bends, climbing to around 1580 m in altitude. This section is all eucalypt forest, part of which was severely burned in late 2019; mostly this is regenerating well and this area, too, was very green. The road is in top condition, the weather was glorious, and we didn’t see any wildlife on the road, so it was a magnificent ride. A quick stop was made at Scammell’s Spur Lookout; the view here is to the range around Mt Kosciuszko, and there was still plenty of snow along the ridge.

With such a long day, we made a coffee stop in the afternoon at Lake Crackenback where it was really very pleasant sitting chatting in the sunshine. The last stop was for fuel in Jindabyne, then we had the rather familiar and boring ride home on Kosciuszko Road and the Monaro Highway.

The riders for the day were:

• Steven Bardwell - Moto Guzzi V85TT
• Bill Henshaw - Triumph Tiger 1200 XCA
• Hartmut Kehm - BMW R1250GS
• Shelbie McDonald - Kawasaki Z650
• Kevin Sherman - BMW R1250RS
• Scott England - R1250RT Ride Leader and author

Author Scott England