The 2013 Great Easter Egg Hunt (Ulysses Version)

Decide and Ride 31^st March 2013

Neil Goldfinch - Honda Blackbird Mike & Sharon Kelly - BMW 1200 RT

Marilyn Stack - Ducati MT1100 Peter Thomas - BMW F800 GS

Michael & Tracey Winters - Triumph ST1050

Easter Sunday dawned cold and wet. Summer had turned in to Autumn overnight but, apparently at the last ride coordinator’s meeting, an Easter Egg hunt had been promised by a saint, no less. So, in order to gain kudos by bringing chocolate in whatever form home, I dutifully decided to go.

I arrived at our Nicholls rendezvous first and Mike and Sharon arrived just as I had finished filling my tank. Soon Neil and Marilyn had arrived and we got to the deciding part of the day. Since the weather wasn’t exactly appealing, Mike suggested a short meander through the countryside followed by morning tea at The Blind Duck in Bungendore. This sounded far more appealing than the weather so we agreed. We even joked about ducking in on our ride coordinator and his good wife when Michael and Tracey rode up.

After we had convinced them we were, in fact, seriously, not joking, riding to Bungendore we headed north-west up the Barton Highway towards Murrumbateman then turn north-east on to the Nanima Road with nary an Easter egg in sight. 

It was a pleasant if somewhat chilly run following twists and curves to the Murrumbateman Road where we turned south east on the Sutton Road which took us to the turn off on to Shingle Hill Way. It was here that we realised why there was a lack of Easter eggs along our route. There at the T-intersection was a dead rabbit. It had obviously been killed and robbed of all our eggs by nefarious unknowns. From there we rode to the Federal Highway where we first zigged then zagged on to the Bungendore Road.

A delightful run down the escarpment in to Bungendore was followed by taking up residence under a goblin’s tree in the courtyard outside The Blind Duck. 

Where are the eggzzes?

We want the eggzzes!!

Cappuccinos, chais and lattes accompanied by sticky date puddings, pancakes and bacon and egg rolls were soon ordered and delivered by very friendly and expeditous staff. They were dutifully consumed attended by tales of past rides and then it happened. There on a small plate in front of us were chocolate Easter eggs. Don’t tell me miracles don’t happen on Easter Sunday!

Ahhhh Eggzzes!

 Physically and spiritually replenished. We rode south along Ellendon Street which became the Hoskinstown Road, leaving Michael and Tracey to make their own way the six or so hundred metres to their home. The Hoskinstown Road is now my preferred route to Queanbeyan. It sure is a lot more pleasing and enjoyable than the Kings Highway. On to the Captains Flat Road before rejoining the Kings Highway just east of Queanbeyan from where we made our own ways home. A great way to spend a morning.

Peter Thomas

Who hath smelt woodsmoke at twilight?

BBQ @ Black Mountain Peninsula

From 11:00 am

Saturday, 23rd March 2013

Come on two or four wheels and bring your favourite people.

Your club is putting on a free BBQ for you so you can chat and catch up on stories and events.

Sausages, bacon, eggs, bread, sauce, plates, soft drink etc will be provided but it would be great if you could bring a salad or dessert to share.

Branch social secretary Judy Perry 0438 511 991

2013 Canberra Branch AGM - 21 May

G’day all,

We all enjoy the benefits of being in the Ulysses Club – rides, companionship, magazines, discounts, true stories – but of course the club cannot survive without the active support of its members. Now’s your chance to help out by serving on the branch committee!

The Canberra branch AGM will be held at the conclusion of the monthly general meeting on Tuesday 21^st May 2013 (it is normally held in April but this clashes with the national AGM event this year). All positions will be declared vacant and, as per the club’s constitution, nominations for positions must reach the branch secretary 28 days before the branch AGM, i.e. by Tuesday 23^rd April (a week after our April meeting).

After five years on the committee – three as secretary and two as president – I have decided to hang up my boots. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in office and will continue to be a keen Canberra branch member, but I think the club will benefit from regular renewal, new ideas and fresh enthusiasm. In saying that, I also believe the 2012-13 branch committee has done a fantastic job and I thank Chris, Peter, Judy, Mick and John for their fervour, friendship and fun. Most of them will be renominating but no matter what they decide to do, any financial member is welcome to nominate for any position on the committee.

There are six positions to be filled: president, secretary, treasurer and three ordinary committee members. None of these jobs is particularly arduous or time-consuming. In fact, serving on the branch committee is fun and a great way to get to know your fellow Ulyssians better. You don’t have to be an experienced rider or a long-time member – all that’s required is a modicum of time and a bit of enthusiasm. We are all volunteers, so please consider lending a hand. Search your heart – you know you can do it!

A nomination form is attached as a PDF and a Word doc (take your pick). The form will also be in the March and April editions of RO2 and can be downloaded from the branch website. As you’ll see on the form, each candidate must be proposed and seconded by current financial members. Chas Towie will be the Presiding Officer.

Returning a nomination form is easy!

In Person:  Hand it to branch secretary Chris Dietzel or another committee member at the March or April meeting, the social BBQ on Saturday 23^rd March, on a ride or anywhere you can

Email:  cdietzel@tpg.com.au

Post:  Ulysses Club Canberra Branch, PO Box 387, Curtin ACT 2605

Remember, completed forms must be with the branch secretary by Tuesday 23^rd April.

It’s your club, so have your democratic say by standing for office or nominating someone else for office, then coming to the AGM and voting (there is no postal voting in branch elections). Current financial membership cards will be required for admission to the AGM.

Cheers,

Ian

Paterson’s Posse to Mallacoota

9 to 11 March 2013

Two night riders (the stayers):

Ian & Sally Paterson (ride leader) his trusty blue ‘wing

Al & Lyn Munday Kawasaki GTR 1000

Chris & Maream Dietzel Kawasaki GTR 1400

David Greig & nobody else (ride scribe) the still gorgeous Triumph Thunderbird

One night riders (1 night raiders):

Andrew & Kathryn Campbell Honda Goldwing – but a different blue

Peter Arday (club comedian) Honda ST1300

Trevor McLeod Yamaha FJR1300

Brian Agius  Honda ST1100

Seeing as this is ‘el presidentes’ ride it seems most fitting to start the ride report with one of Ian’s famous ‘true stories’…………. the difference the time of course, is that this is a TRUE story AND it involves said el presidente 

It goes something like this - & of course we don’t let facts get in the way of a good yarn, do we?

The Paterson’s, it seems, were only a few metre’s from home & had indeed not even left their street when the unthinkable happened. Immediately upon turning out of their street Ian’s mirrors were filled with the dreaded colourful red & blue light display often associated with the constabulary – yes members, Ian had been busted for failing to adequately stop at the STOP sign! In his own words “…. but nobody ever stops there & it shouldn’t be a stop sign anyway – ridiculous…..” says Ian.

But wait, there’s more folks, yes indeedy…… upon fessing up to the ‘crime’ & being asked by the young lady constable for his driver’s license, Ian decided to instead present his AMEX card – we can all only surmise that our illustrious President was indeed set on paying his fine on the spot possibly only to be told they are not empowered to collect fines on the spot……. of course he may also have been attempting to bribe the good lady constable…… hmmmmm.

The upshot is Ian actually escaped with a warning “not to do it again” to which he duly promised! A footnote from Sally is that Ian had the shakes for quite some time after that, but he must have calmed down by the time they arrived at Caltex Hume.

So once the Paterson’s had arrived – very close to the allotted start time, if not actually late & after regaling us of his antics with the local Police Ian gathered us around & outlined the route we’d take to Mallacoota – down the Monaro to Cooma - to - Nimmitabel (compulsory pie & coffee) – to Bemboka (actually a couple of k’s past Bemboka hang a right) – to Candelo – join the Princes at Wolumla – then down the Princes to Eden for lunch. Then after lunch on the Princes again to Genoa & then left to Mallacoota. This all sounded pretty good to most of us as they had been there before, but to me it was all gooble-dee-gook!

Some 20 minutes late the small band of Ulysses brothers & their sisters mounted our trusty steads and headed down the Monaro.

An uneventful & boring ride to Cooma – taking the Polo Flat by pass we, collectively arrived at Nimmitabel & enjoyed an excellent coffee, pie & chat - although ‘some’ of us (namely the ladies reneged on the pie & had a cake) at the bakery. 

After 30 odd minutes we mounted up again & headed departed for the lunch stop at Eden. The route down through Candelo was pretty damn good although there was more traffic that I was expecting, especially the ‘goose’ in the orange XR Falcon – what a goober!

I have no idea what the name of the lunch joint was but my ‘fush & chups’ was not too bad & the location overlooking the local marina was pretty neat.

At precisely 1335 (or was that 1340?) we again mounted up & went looking for a servo to fuel up. At precisely 1350 we departed Eden for our final destination – thereinafter I didn’t take notice of time as it was simply time to get it done & crack open the beers for by now it was getting bloody warm!

So warm in fact that beers were held over in favour of a dip in the pull (that’s pool to you Aussies). Where, you guessed it – Ian broke out the budgie smugglers! 

Evidently this form of attire is an improvement over past performance ....egads!

 

But I’m told this year’s style is a significant improvement on previous attires Ian has modelled. After the swim we gathered around a picnic table, shared some nibbles or snacks (or whatever you guys call them) & cracked a couple of stubbies while we contemplated where we would go for dinner. Based on previous visits down that way, the local Golf Club was agreed upon. Such is the way these days, the Club put on a courtesy van & we had door-to-door service & the meal was reasonable although not up to Ian & Sally’s last visit there – the large mob of ‘roo’s entertained us for a short while although the ladies payed unusual attention to a couple of large & a little over zealous boy roo’s . By 2015 the courtesy bus was back & we headed back to our digs where pretty much everyone turned in for the night – must have been the big ride!

Sunday dawned – thank goodness otherwise we’d be dead, & after a totally uninspiring breakfast we set the 1-night ‘raiders’ on their way & the 2 night ‘stayers’ prepared for the scheduled ‘cruise’ on the lakes (or should that be estuaries?). We had intended on walking to the jetty as ‘el presidente’ had confidently stated it wasn’t even a couple of k’s away – well strategic use of a number of smart phones soon corrected that point showing it was more like 4 or 5 k’s away & while we may have got there ok, getting back was another issue, especially given it was expected to VERY hot later in the day – which it turned out to be! Ian & Sally, having done the cruise previously, abstained so the rest of us proceeded to enjoy a couple of hours on the briny – very nice it was to! Mental note to self – fishing next time!

The Mob on the Porkie Bess

Such was the heat, we had another dip in the pool & finished the afternoon “conserving our energy” – some might say ‘nana napping’ before meeting in the bar to decide on that night’s dining establishment, which turned out being the pub as it happens. At precisely 2030 dinner was adjourned in favour of Downton Abbey & what-have-ewe’s on the telly so we all bid our goodnights but agreed we’d head off at 0800 Monday & stop at Cann River for breakfast before making our way to Cooma & Canberra via Bombala. 

After a reasonable brekky at Cann River we headed off toward Bombala – what an outstanding piece of road, especially out of Cann River. After a brief leg stretch at Bombala we decided on a detour through Maffra to Cooma – this was a great run, except for a mob middle-aged Muppet’s on Harley’s, & other makes who may have had some technology we didn’t know about as their ability to see round corners & over hills was exceptional – glad to see muppets exist in Oz as well!

Lunch at the Lott in Cooma was pretty good & at roughly 1250 we bid our farewells headed for home.

What can I say. Even though numbers were down on what I was expecting it was yet another enjoyable Canberra Ulysses Club ride. Special thanks to Ian for leading the ride & to everyone for making the effort. I for one really enjoy the overnight rides as you really get to know people better.