Mudgee, NSW, 27 – 29 September

The riders and their trusty sidekicks were Tracey & Mick Winters, Lyn & Al Munday, Brian Agius, Trevor McLeod, David Robinson, Karen & Rob Clarke, Maream & Chris Dietzel, Catherine & Andrew Campbell, Kim Moorey & Ron Tito, and Sally & Ian Paterson. 

We met at the EPIC Macca’s, Northbourne Ave on Saturday morning. Despite the chaos of the beginning of school holidays, a 3-day weekend and the crowds of people who attend the weekly Farmer’s Market, we got away only 8 min late (Ian and Andrew had a close watch on the time).  The weather was perfect, perfect, perfect all weekend. Lots of traffic all the way to Goulbourn but after a stop at the Big Merino and coffee (and Ian’s meat pie) we headed for Oberon along my personal favourite NSW road – Tablelands Way, via Taralga, Abercrombie River and Black Springs. The views to the east take in beautiful farms and the stunning Blue Mountains for more than 150 km. 

After a lunch stop in Bathurst and Ian and Andrew checking that their money was lined up in order of denomination in their wallets, we made a short diversion into the struggling Kandos and the trendy Rylstone before getting to Mudgee. Although we missed the Kandos Mountain Hoedown and the Duelling Pianos at Hargraves we enjoyed the last of the Mudgee Food and Wine Festival which had created a rather festive buzz around town. 

We all stayed at the Ningana Motel, located conveniently across the road from the Oriental Hotel, next-door to a supermarket, and around the corner from two excellent cafes and the Lawson Park Hotel. Needless to say we ate very well – in fact a bit too well. 

An additional building, part of the Ningana, was a group of single storey 1920s terrace houses. Ian and I, along with Kim, Ron, Andrew and Catherine stayed in one of those as there was no room at the inn. BUT this place was cute AS. Very vintage. There were lots of ‘My Grandmother’ stories being told. But with six people and one bathroom we were a bit worried. It proved to be a needless worry as the bathroom was big enough to accommodate a 3 on 3 basketball game! We survived just nicely on a ‘whoever gets in first’ roster.

Saturday was the big wine tour hosted by Terry, our bus driver and tour guide as well a teller of bad jokes and good old stories (he’s also a Ulysses member in Mudgee). Three wineries, one delicious lunch at Robert Oatley Estate with lovely bucolic views, three more wineries, a taste of Moonshine that almost blew Maream’s head off, and we were a bit rubbery and smiling a lot and it seemed everyone was suddenly SO in love with their partners! You should have seen Brian and David . . . get a room!!

One more overly large dinner and yummy breakfast at the Butcher Shop Café (great) and off we headed back to the city (sob). We rode just over 900 km and we all agreed it was one of the best weekends away ever!! Thanks Ian for your truly professional organisation and turning on the most perfect (did I say that already?) weather!

Sally Paterson (1st time report writer)

Bowral - 21 September

Sunny skies for the team on this ride ! Our early morning meet up time was almost marred by a petrol truck wanting to mow all our bikes down while parked at the EPIC Caltex (arguments were raised for using the BP at Watson for meet ups instead) - the impending disaster was watched by a fearful few from Macca's (Macca's is a good reason NOT to use the BP at Watson for meet ups instead) while Gary sorted it. Turned out the truck driver was actually a nice bloke and gave us 45 minutes to get out of his way. This was more than enough time for our fearless leader to brief us and get us on our bikes.

Our route took us through Bungendore, Tarago, Windellama and on to Marulan for a quick stop.

 Marulan

The beaut stretch of road that is the Highland Way didn’t disappoint, and it was fun for all as we travelled in the dappled light of the trees. Two intrepid Hondas experienced the joys of off road riding on inappropriate tyres when one rider missed a turn, however we were soon all back on the way.  


Despite the look on Andrews face in this shot, he really did enjoy his messy Angus Beef Burger. Honest. And just look at the happy faces on these blokes - you can tell they are well fed and watered.  

Mark gave a demonstration of how he scares small children on Halloween with only his eyebrows, and Peter gave us an informative tour of the preserved dingo tracks from medieval times out front of the pub. 

We left the delightful little town of Bowral to fuel up again at Marulan, as we had all been assured by an eagle eyed price watcher that petrol was 10c cheaper there. 

The lunchtime feeding frenzy.

The lads at rest

Always a pleasure ! - Kim Moorey

Team Honda:

Peter Arday - ST1300
Garry McCurley - VFR1200
Kim Moorey - DN01
Ron Tito - CTX 1300
Ian Patterson - GL1800
Mark Wagner - NT700V
Sandy Fisk - NT650V

Those batting for another team:

Kevin Shanley - Bandit 1250
Andrew Campbell - ZX14R
Trevor McLeod - FJR1300
David Robinson - FJR1300
Robert Apps - R100RS

Ladies Ride to Bungendore 20 September

The inaugural Ulysses Canberra Branch Ladies Ride to was held on the 20th September.

• Emma Campbell – Suzuki Intruder
• Rachel Crispin –Ninja 300
• Shelley Shanley - Ninja 600ZXR
• Karen Clarke – Roadliner
• Jan Wills – Honda DN01

Being ladies, we left the Gold Creek servo at the respectable time of 9:30 and headed to Gundaroo.

I led and K agreed to go tail end Charlie.

Out along the Barton and turned right on the Nanima Road past Poacher’s Pantry and The Chocolate Farm – we all resisted temptation to stop at both.  Well really, I didn’t ask, but it can be part of another Girl’s ride.

At Gundaroo

Turned right onto the Murrumbateman Road and left past Bowylie Station to Gundaroo.  Coffee at the Pizza place, great coffee and chats.  Lucky we didn’t rush off – not that we had long distances to go – as 2 young ladies came across Karen’s Mobile on the ground near the bikes and came looking for the owner.

Bowylie is where Dick Smith now lives of course.  However back in the last half of the 70’s my Mother and youngest Sister lived at Bowylie.  We had great fun riding our horses around the property.  The entrance to Mum’s place was off Shingle Hill Way, so naturally we had to go that way so I could show the girls where they lived.  Shelly took over tail end Charlie from Gundaroo to Bungendore.

On to the Federal Highway briefly and then on to the Bungendore Road past Bywong and on to Bungendore.

We arrived a little early (of course), so we wandered through the shops.  We dawdled through the Antique shop – there is so much to see in there!  AND no one bought anything – dada!

Lunching at the Wood Works Cafe

Lunch at the Woodworks Café, where Tracey Winters joined us and kindly took photographs.  The food and company was great. It is always good to hear about the lives of others and make new friends.

Although not a great distance was covered for the day, we all really enjoyed our ride, especially the two Learners, who enjoyed watching the experienced girls ride. I think it gave them a nice serving of confidence.

I look forward to the next  girl’s ride and the vote from the girls is definitely up to do another.

Thank you Tracey for the photo’s :-)

Jan

View of the bikes at Gundaroo

National Memorial Ride to Cordeaux Dam – 13 September 2014

The riders were:

• Michael & Tracey Winters    Triumph Trophy    
• Mike and Kipper    Victory
• Arthur    Kawasaki 1700    
• Garry McCurley    VFR1200
• Alan & Lyn Munday    FJR1300    
• Andrew Campbell    GL1800
• Karen Clarke    Roadliner    
• Rob Clarke    FJR1300
• Chris Dietzel    GTR1400    
• Jeff Heiler    Triumph Rocket 3
• Daryl Palin    Goldwing       

Waking to a glorious sunshine filled day by the time we got to Watson to meet the others for the 8.30am departure the fog had descended. However after crossing back over the border, this gradually lifted and the traffic flowed well. We may have given the speed limits a little nudge believing that no one on a motorbike traveling out of Canberra would be booked the day after the Wall to Wall. 

We stopped at Marulan for coffee arriving at Cordeaux Dam around 11.30. While perhaps the ride to Picton is considered a bit boring by some, this ride is about the destination, not the journey. We go to remember our Ulysses members that have ridden on.

Queuing for coffee - or checking out the trike?

 Lunch was the obligatory sausage and onion in a roll and cake, kindly provided by the Macarthur Ulysses Branch washed down with coffee. The crowd gathered to listen to Jen Wood’s speech as well as an address from the Macarthur Branch’s president followed by a minute’s silence to remember and commemorate those who have ridden on.

Some of the Canberra Branch riders at Cordeax Dam

Hoping to beat the crowds we didn’t linger, making a quick trip to the dam itself before leaving for Marulan to feed the bikes. While some riders chose to ride straight down the Hume Highway to home some of us decided to take the road less traveled through Lake Bathurst to the Roselea Café – and who should we see just out of Goulburn but Jen Woods and Gary McDonald. They joined us at the café for coffee – with Gary again refusing to share his cheesecake with the group.

Alas my friends there is only one spoon...

 Today, although a solemn occasion, was one of those days that make you glad to be alive, to appreciate your friends and to cherish your time together. Coming on the same weekend as the Wall to Wall it makes you value the small things that we all take for granted – good riding weather and time spent with friends.

Tracey Winters

Motorcycle Safety. Whose Responsibility is it?

One of the important events occuring during the 2014 ACT and Region Motorcycle Awareness Week is an open discussion called "Motorcycle safety. Whose Responsibility is it?"

So please feel welcome to join the organisers for an open discussion on motorcyclist safety including a presentation on the trial of lane filtering in the ACT, and a further discussion with ACT Policing. 

Who’s responsibility is it to look after the safety of motorcycle riders? Drivers or the motorcyclists themselves?

Supported by the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust and the College of Road Safety, MRA-ACT and Stay Upright.

Details here:

Wednesday 22nd October, 6.30 to 9.00pm.
Venue: Canberra Southern Cross Club, Cnr
Catchpole & Bowman Streets
Macquarie ACT
To attend please book on 02 6162 5158
Or email enquiries@freebott.com.au

>> Download Flyer here<<

Gundagai Riverfest - 7 September 2014

Ride Crew:

• Ian & Sally Paterson GL1800
• Garry McCurley VFRd1200
• Peter Arday ST1300 
• Stephen Light 1600 Nomad
• Kris Jirasek GSXR1300 
• Hartmut Kehm BMW R 1200GS
• Chris Dietzel GTR 1400 
• Andrew Campbell GL1800
• Glen & Hayley Jones Ural Ranger

Warning: What happens on the ride WILL be shared with
everyone!

A beautiful day for a ride. The sky blue, blossoms blooming, birds chirping and road kill yet to be on the breeze. After Peter discovered I (Kris) had recently done a bike course, he offered the assessment that I may be able to use 6th gear now on the Busa. I felt flattered, of course.

Ian briefed us about where we were going and Peter offered to be Tail End Charlie. We tried hard, but couldn’t shake him off. He kept finding us.

First stop on the roundabout way to Gundagai was Murrumbah and the Terracotta Café. Peter was in the zone and had us all in stitches. A few highlights to share:
Peter recalled a session at his PTS therapy group where he shared his call to Lifeline. He called to talk about feeling suicidal and was asked if he could drive a truck. Also, he brought up the subject of the preferred aftershave for young men in NZ. For 21 year old men it is Mint Sauce. Kris said that would be very  tasty lamb to eat (you wouldn’t need rosemary to remember).

Ian mentioned that some meds he had been taking had some unexpected side
effects. Peter suggested that Viagra 3 times a day had cured him. Ian shared with us that since coming off the meds, we could all relax, everything was right in his world again. Ian also talked about his conversation with his dentist, that missing teeth lower your intelligence. Surprisingly, his dentist hadn’t been aware of that.

Coffee and cake finished, we said our goodbyes to Hartmut as he left to go back to Canberra and onwards for us to Gundagai via Coolac. The canola fields a beautiful gold with their perfume in the air not to mention the bugs finding our visors.

At lunch in Gundagai there was a festival happening but apparently the parade had happened on Saturday. Everyone meandered around at their leisure,  grabbing a bite at the food tent that appealed to them most. We gathered  around and sat under a tree and listened to a bit of the local talent for a while. 

Stephen couldn’t handle any more fun so decided it was time to go and so did Glen and Hayley. The rest of us saddled up and headed to Jugiong for a
last snack together.

Had a great ride and great company. Anyone wanting to know exactly which way we travelled, ask one of the ones with a sense of direction.

Kris

PS: Note to Ian – maybe the pet rabbit could do with some of the meds

Wall to Wall Ride 2014

The 2014 Wall to Wall ride will be held again on Saturday, 13 September.The Ceremony will be held at at the National Police Memorial in Canberra. 

Canberra Branch Ulyssians have taken part in previous years.

More information can be found on the website or in riders packs provided if you register.

The ACT ride details can be found >>here << 

 Click here to view a map of the 2014 Ride Route.

 

The "Wall to Wall : Ride for Remembrance", highlights a positive image of police in the promotion of motorcycle safety and awareness, and is an annual charity event in commemoration of the service and sacrifice of our police and an opportunity for each of the State’s to raise much needed funds in support of their police charity organisations.

It is open to serving and retired members (sworn and unsworn) and all other friends, family and proud supporters of policing. The ride is not only a wonderful commemoration of service and sacrifice , but also a fantastic social event for enthusiastic motor cyclists across Australia in celebration of the police family.