Ride Report - Club ride to Taralga, 15 March 2020

Ride day stared of as a very crisp sunny 9 degrees with a planned maximum of 18 in Canberra but only 14 for our Chomp and Chat destination Taralga. As ride leader l decided to arrive early at our departure point to allow time to fuel up and gather my thoughts on the day ahead. I left home in Lyneham and while fuelling up at Nichols garage which was extremely busy but no bikes, a thought came to mind; “ Isn’t this the departure point l have for Wednesday’s ride?”

Hmmm, this called for my Thruxton’s hyper ride mode. Upon landing at BP Watson at 1015 (still 5 minutes before briefing time ) l was welcomed by the first three riders, Neil Mc, George A and Peter O. Shortly after the others arrived namely; Carol and Barry S followed by Ian P (with new tyres) and Noel B all very keen to join us for the day. No one was aware of my early morning mix up or the mad ride between Nichols and Watson.

Following my first ever brief we managed to getaway about 1040. It was a cracking pace passing through Sutton - Gundaroo - Gunning - Crookwell and in a blink Laggan. Each point we passed through proved 2 degrees cooler than the previous. From Gunning ride up into the very green highlands with those exceptional sweepers was enjoyed by all as there was hardly any traffic on the road. Considering only a month ago the whole area was parched dry, very hot and danger of fires, this was fantastic. Between Crookwell and Taralga the clouds darkened and became threatening but luckily cleared slightly upon arriving in town. Despite this by then most of us were chilled and lm sure my teeth chattering.

Once the ride leader with Neil’s help had sorted out just where the Tangled Vine Cafe was we parked where we could near the cafe and headed in for warmth and a well earned rest. Unfortunately the Cafe was packed and we quickly found ourselves shown through the cafe to the elements out the back near the loo. Luckily the sun broke through and shone directly on our table providing a little warmth. Lunch also provided some warm and so did our active and humorous conversations.  We quickly forgot about the weather and concentrated on the important subject of just what the effect toilet paper was having on our national and international economy.

After lunch it was decided to leave the only remaining roll of toilet paper in the loo and instead head to Gunning to continue our discussions on other ways to save the world. However, it was agreed we wouldn’t make the distance unless we topped up the Ducati and Thruxton R (what do you expect with sports bikes? ) at the Mobil in Crookwell. Yea Old Gunning Cafe enjoyed our business especially when we promised to not touch their toilet roll stocks. 
 

Some of our bikes outside Gunning Cafe.

Ian’s Goldwing with new tyres going for a reasonable price.

After an enjoyable 45 mins it was time to depart with everyone peeling off after Gundaroo and only three of us Ian P, George A and myself investigating Mulligans Flat road as an alternative into Canberra outer suburbs and eventually home. Overall, l think everyone had a great ride, plenty of laughs and good company, after all that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

​WR

List of Riders:

• Warren Richer RL - Triumph Thruxton R 1200
• Ian Paterson - Honda Golding GL1800
• Neil McRitchie - Kawasaki GTR 1400
• George Attard - Triumph Tiger 800
• Peter Ongley - Ducati Monster 659
• Carol Solley - Can Am Spider
• Barry Solley - Honda ST1300
• Noel Bentley- BMW F800GS

For Sale Update March 2020 - Honda NT700V

Heads Up!

We have just added another bike to our Branch For Sale pages.

It is a Honda NT700V Deauville.  

With its panniers and topbox its ready to head out on Ulyssian adventures!

and the other details are:

• Engine 0.7l
• Colour Black
• 46,000km’s
• Good tyres
• UHF Radio
• Two headsets
• Registered to June 2020
• $3,950.00

Contact: Alan 0438 510 137

Merimbula Long Weekend ride 7,8 & 9 March

The weather report for the weekend was very favorable for a great weekend away.

Departed Caltex Hume after the usual banter and briefing to head off to Nimmitabel for morno’s. We picked up a stray here, Allen Wells, aa friend of Marg & Derek and many Canberra Ulyssians. Allen and Jan have relocated from Wagga and now live in retirement in Pambula.

At this stage the Quads decided to head straight to Pambula whilst the bikes headed to Bombala then onto Pambula. The destruction caused by the fires was quite horrendous. Lunch was held at Pambula then the quick run up to Merimbula to check into our accommodation and a quick walk around town.

Dinner Saturday was had at the Sapphire Club, lovely meals but a bit noisy.

Sunday was another beautiful day.

First up was a run down to Pambula to check out the local markets. If you have seen one market you have seen them all. 

After the markets we took the coast road up through Tathra onto Bermagui for a lunch of fish and chips at the Marina. My friends Brad & Gail from Cobargo joined us for lunch. These lovely people lost their mechanical business to the fires of New Years eve. Very enlightening talking to Brad & Gail of the trials and tribulations of dealing with Governments and insurance companies for grants, loans and pay outs to re-establish their business to begin working again and re-employing their staff.

After lunch we headed up to the headland to have a look at the sculptures on display. Some were absolutely fabulous, whilst others left you shaking your head.

After saying goodbye to Brad & Gail we then took the coast road back to Merimbula.

Dinner that night was at the Lakeview Hotel. Again great meals and much quieter than the club.

Monday saw us run straight up the Brown Mountain to Nimmitabel for morno’s, again, and then onto home.

Thanks to all who came away for the weekend, again another fabulous Ulysses weekend away.

 The "Riders" were:

• Darryl Palin                                  GL1800
• Bryson Holden                              FJR1300
• Marg & Derek Tetheridge               Spyder
• Maritta Heiler                               VN900
• Caroline Palin
• Maxine Diamond-Holden               JGC Quad
• Chris & Marean Dietzel                 Subi Quad

The March 2020 RO2 is now available

The March RO2 is now available for your viewing pleasure!

(Click on the image below to open the magazine or follow the page link below)

  

Click >>here << to go to the RO2 page

Club Ride: Bushfire Recovery ride, Pambula, 1 March 2020

A bakers’ dozen bikes turned up today at Caltex Hume, for a ride to Pambula. The weather was ideal, and fortunately, the Brown Mountain was declared open early in the week – after a landslip left two massive boulders straddling the road. Unfortunately that 13 bikes was reduced in number by one, with Ian’s Goldwing declared unserviceable due to a well-worn rear tire (it was down to the inner belts showing). Given Ian was the ride leader, it didn’t take much for Alan to volunteer to lead, and Ian headed home to spend some time with Sally.

Alan gave the ride brief “allow the three seconds gap from the rider in front, I’ll be sitting on 110 on my speedo, and we will have coffee in Bombala – does everybody know the way?”. Nods all round, and we set off. We arrived in Bombala, and the usual coffee shop / bakery is now closed and up for sale. The town is really struggling. Those needing fuel filled up here, and by the time the stragglers arrived in the substitute coffee shop – we were still waiting. An hour or so later, everybody had finally received their coffee. Let’s just say the service was atrocious, but so be it. We were finally ready to hit the road again.

The route from here is via Cathcart and Mount Darrah Road, through Wyndham and into South Pambula. Coming through Cathcart and up into escarpment territory, the widespread damage from fire is just so sad to see. Parts of the valleys never before seen off to the right, were now easily visible through the stubble of the trees. Having said this, the road is still a joy to travel on, with no shortage of twisties to keep the blood coursing through the veins.

We arrived at the Pambula hotel, and grabbed our lunches and a mixture of liquid refreshments. Saddling up after about an hour here, we got back on the road – heading north on the Princes Hwy for a short few km, before exiting again at Wolumla, onto Candelo-Wolumla Road. The road from here through Candelo – the heart of the Bega Valley, is just spectacular. So much drought and fire, yet here the rolling hills are a perfect blanket of green grass. No wonder the cows like it here and the dairy industry is doing as well as can be!

Turning left onto the Snowy Mountains Highway just east of Bemboka, we enjoyed a spirited uphill ride through Brown Mountain – until we had to drop to a frustratingly slow pace by a few slower larger vehicles and tin-tops out for a Sunday drive. A brief stop in Nimmitabel, and we parted ways homeward bound.

A  great day, thanks to all who attended.

Chris

List of riders:

• Alan Munday (ride leader) – Yamaha FJR1300.
• Chris Dietzel – Kwaka GTR1400.
• Kevin Sherman – Indian Scout.
• Jeff Jarvis – HD Soft Tail Deluxe.
• Steve Smith – HD Limited.
• Bill Henshaw – Triumph Explorer.
• George Attard – Triumph Tiger 800.
• Terry Southberg – BMW R1200RS.
• Chas Towie – Honda ST1300.
• John Grace – Triumph Tiger 1200.
• Warren Richer – Triumph Thruxton
• Scott England – BMW R1250RT.
• Ian Patterson (non-starter) – Honda GL1800.

Chomp & Chat to Taralga 15th March

A check of the "What's On" reveals that this Sundays ride (15th March) is a Chomp & Chat to Taralga to feast in company at the Tangled Vine Café.

Ride leader Warren, (‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Warren Richer 0409 836 595‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬) will lead the illustrious travelers from BP Watson,with a briefing at 10:20am, for a departure at 10:30am

The ride is expected to cover a distance of 270 km and is planned to follow a route, out via Gundaroo, Gunning, Crookwell & Taralga (lunch). Back via Crookwell (fuel if needed), Gunning (coffee), Gundaroo & Mulligans Flat.

Have fun!! Ride safe (and wash your hands!)  :-)

Merimbula Bushfire Support Ride

Straight from the "What's On" page, this weekends big ride is the Darryl Palin led Merimbula Bushfire Support Ride. 

It will be a chance to spend a few dollars in communities that have been hit by the bushfires.

Starting from Sat 7th – Mon 9th March it will cover some 640 km
Meet at  Caltex Hume for a briefing at 8:50am, for departure 9:00am
Darryl Palin can be contacted on 0412 213 764.
           
The Route notes are: Sat 7th: Hume – Nimmitabel (coffee) – Brown Mtn – Bega (lunch) – Merimbula, 250 km. Sun 8th: Day ride to Bermagui, Cobargo and back, 160 km. Mon 9th: Merimbula – Bemboka (coffee) – Brown Mtn – Nimmitabel, Cooma (lunch) – home, 230 km.

Accommodation reccomendation: Sapphire Waters Motor Inn, Merimbula, (02) 6495 1999. Book early (mention Canberra Ulysses for $99 room) and let Darryl know you’re coming.

Flyer: >>Click Here<<