Cootamundra - 20 July

"Hey it's July and the winter sun is shining
And the Cootamundra wattle is my friend
For all at once my childhood never left me
'Cause wattle blossoms bring it back again"

John Williamson

Another cold winter morning in Canberra. Not expecting a large roll up so surprised to see 11 people needing a ride. After a chat (we’re good at that) and a pre-ride briefing we headed off to Boorowa for a coffee and pit stop. Along the Barton and Hume Hwy, turning off at the Lachlan Valley Way. Trevor turned up as we were about to depart, so being nice people we waited for him. We left on time.  An hour later we arrived for our first stop. 

Thirty minutes of rest then hit the road again. This time onto the Murringo Gap Road to Young via Murringo. The trip to Young is about fifty clicks so it was not long before we were riding through Young heading for the Milvale Rd which goes to Temora. After about twenty plus clicks we turned right onto North Berthong Rd which is a very good cross country road, to get us to Burley Griffin Way. Then a left turn and along BGW, one km, then right turn onto the Berthong Rd which runs into Coota. I told you we would get there today!

Found our way to the Globe Hotel, our lunch destination. A warm welcome by the staff and a playful dog, named Hereboy. Now Kipper had a buddy. Also there, fresh from Ladysmith, were Derek and Margaret (aka Bindy). Ordered drinks and lunch, then relaxed in the sunny beer garden and waited for our fare. As usual our conversation turned to “what’s wrong with everything and the world”, and some ideas on solving these problems.

By the time our lunch arrived we still had not put everything straight, so some more unfinished business to take up next ride. The surprise of the day was that all our lunches arrived at the same time. That does not happen often with a large group. Chas Towie was overcome with emotion, as he is lucky to get his meal at all, let alone with everyone else.

After lunch and when Tracey had finished playing with Hereboy we saddled up for our return to Canberra. Yes, yes I know, and other places via Harden, Binalong and Yass. I think everyone had a good day if not you will have to try next time.

Many thanks to all our ride buddies for a great outing. Take care,

St Pedro.

The day’s crew;

• Darryl Cullen                             1250s Bandit
• Garry McCurly                            VFR 1200
• Michelle Mount                          Bergman 650
• Chas Towie                               ST1300
• David Robinson                          FJR1300
• Mick Beltrame & Kipper               Victory XC
• Ewan Ward                                ST1100
• Stephen Light                            1600 Nomad
• Michael & Tracey                        Triumph
• Trevor McLeod                            FJR1300
• Derek & Margaret Titheridge         Spider
• Peter Arday                                ST1300

Here's a few snapshots from the ride.

The border collie taxi with another satisfied customer

Late comers travelling from Wagga pushing to the front of the queue - or - "look at my new ride - ain't she shiny!"

Most of us in the sun (winter sun!)

Titheridge pizza lovers

DUCATI - care and feeding

Fancy owning and caring for a Ducati??

CMC have a special event  for you!!

"This event is aimed at introducing the Ducati brand to beginners and returning riders with 4 or 5 workshops held during the evening."

  RSVP via the CMC website: 
 www.canberramcc.com.au

RIDE TO ULLADULLA ON 6 JULY 2014

Garry McCurley – VFR1200
Steve Mills – SV650
Mick Harvey – FJR1300A
Andrew Campbell – GL1800
Manfred Halton – R1200R.

The ride route was a follows:

EPIC Caltex – Bungendore – Braidwood – Batemans Bay – Ulladulla – Nowra – Kangaroo Valley – Highlands Way- Marulan – Home.

While the day was cool we never saw any rain. The day was mostly sunshine with only a bit of cloud every now & again and provided you were dress for the cool air riding was great fun. Manfred left after morning tea in Braidwood while Steve, Mick, Andrew, & myself headed to Batemans Bay.

The Clyde was good for riding down & surprisingly no damp or slippery looking corners. We regrouped at the Steam Packet & head towards BBay.
 On arriving at BBay there was not a cloud to be seen, only bright crystal blue clear sky & sunshine with a temperature at the coast of 13 to 15 degrees all day. After turning left at the highway we rode to Ulladulla for fuel & lunch at the Fish Co Op.

We had a very good run to Ulladulla arriving just before 12pm & beating the lunch time rush. Service at the Fish Co Op was excellent as we had lunch ordered & delivered to our table in record time. After a very nice lunch we had a very enjoyable ride to Nowra & up to Cambewarra look out for afternoon tea  - please refer to attached photograph.

As the sun was getting low in the sky we did not stay long at the lookout & rode to Kangaroo Valley then long the Highlands Way to Marulan. Again there were no damp or slippery looking areas as we rode up Kangaroo Valley. Although the air was cool around the Highlands the coast temperature was good & the mountain scenery was very enjoyable.

Before leaving Marulan we refuelled our Bikes, said our goodbyes & successfully rode home before dark set in.

In summary the day was really enjoyable.

Garry

Inaugural ‘Soldier On’ dusk ride, 22 June 2014

The Branch received an impromptu email from Defence Riders. One of the Riders (Mike Dunn) invited any interested motorcyclists to attend the inaugural ‘Soldier On’ dusk ride. 

This ride is a fundraiser and awareness raiser, dedicated to the returned Service men and women, many of them who do need, and will need, support in the transition to life after trauma and injury. It is intended to be the first of many rides to come.

We (about 60 in all – bikes of all sorts and riders of all levels of ability and skill!) met up at Blamey Square, Russell Hill, well in time for the ride brief and departure at 1515. I met up with a few fellow Canberra Branch Ulyssians (Ron Tito, Kim Moorey, Richard Hay and a few others) at the start.

Mke advised that the ride will conclude at the Australian War Memorial at about 1615, where we can if we like, lay a wreath at the Last Post ceremony, conducted daily at 1700 (this is an idea that Dr Brendan Nelson, the Director of the AWM, brought back with him from Ypres - near Brussels, where he was recently the Australian Ambassador to the European Union. Reportedly he attended Ypres and surrounds some 20+ times during his tenure). 

Corner marking and traffic control was managed by some of the Vietnam Veterans (Veterans) group. The ride took us from Blamey Square, across Kings Avenue Bridge, and through the Federation Square area of Barton and the Parliament House precinct, onto Adelaide Avenue, Hindmarsh Drive and onto the Parkway. We continued up the Gungahlin Drive Extension, swinging off at Barton Highway, along Northbourne Avenue, back onto Parkes Way and then up Anzac Parade to the AWM, where we parked the bikes in front of the AWM at the main hall. 

We arrived in time to find out that 6 wreaths are available, so I accepted one slot and filled out the card on behalf of our Branch. I asked Kim if she would like to accompany me in the laying of the wreath. Thanks Kim! The laying of the wreath and playing of the last post was as always, a sombre event, and it turns out that the bugler is an acquaintance of Ron’s.    

Despite it being a bit on the cool side, I enjoyed this ride (but not so much some of the abilities of the learner riders in the group, who really should have given themselves much more space and remained at the rear of the pack).



Chris
 
List of Riders:

• Chris Dietzel – Kawasaki GTR1400
• Ron Tito – Honda NT700 Deauville
• Kym Moorey – Honda DN01
• Richard Hay – Triumph Explorer 1200
• Plus more than 50 others!