Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Wyangala Dam 26 Oct 2014

  • Chas Towie        ST1300
  • Darryl Cullen        1250S Bandit
  • George Attard    Sprint 1050
  • Ian Paterson        GL1800
  • Andrew Campbell    ZX14R
  • Trevor McLeod    FJR1300
  • Dave Greig        DL650
  • Gary Thomas        DL650
  • Chris Dietzel        GTR1400
  • Kris Jirasek        GSXR1300
  • Dave Robinson    FJR1300

Despite the early start (8:30 am) it was already kind of warm as we pulled out of Nicholls and headed north on the well-worn Barton Highway. Everyone claimed to know the way to Boorowa so we didn’t bother with corner markers. Amazingly, everyone made it to the Superb Bakery for coffee and a pie.


It was now quite warm and sunny and those of us with removable jacket liners ripped them out before Chas led us out of town on the Rugby road. After a few kilometres we turned left on the less travelled Frogmore road, which Trevor had been warning was a mess of dinner plate sized patched potholes. To our great surprise and joy, the local council had just finished resurfacing the worst stretch of the road, which has been transformed from a bone-jarring horror into a thing of wonder with a smooth surface, sweeping bends and enjoyable riding. Hope it lasts!


Corner markers marked the few corners and by about 11am, despite one wild goose chase leading to a dead-end, we pulled in at the day’s holy grail – the entrance to the Wyangala Dam recreation area. Chas then confessed that he had never been here before and had no idea of where to go or what to do. Fortunately there was a map on a couple of posts, and some swift negotiation with the girl manning (girling?) the boom gate saw us allowed into the recreation area without having to pay the $10 entry fee – as long as we didn’t get off our bikes and start a picnic.


The place was busy with water skiing boats, campers, picnickers and a swarm of people picnicking along the shoreline near the boat ramp. The lake level was obviously less than full. I estimated it was about 70% full but I checked later and it was only 53%. There’s a lot of water in the top 10 or so metres!
We exited the recreation area, rode across the dam wall and back and, like the hippies in 1969, headed for Woodstock. The road was mostly fairly narrow, and brought us face to face with the occasional 4wd towing a speedboat, but it weaved and curved up into the hills and then along a high ridgeline with sweeping views to the west. Definitely worth a return trip!



Woodstock the village (as opposed to Woodstock the 1969 music festival, which my bride Sally missed out on despite living only two hours away) is small and sleepy. However, somebody obviously loves the place as considerable money is being poured into renovating the old two-storey pub and another beautiful old building across the road.


We joined some locals in the cool of the pub and settled in the dining room for lunch and refreshments. I had a steak sambo which had plenty of salad but the thinnest steak I think I’ve ever seen. Not to worry, the chips had gravy on them.


It was over 30 degrees as we rode out of Woodstock, having not seen a hippie or even a decorated Kombi van. We headed north for a short distance and turned left onto the Mid Western Highway, heading for home. The temperature peaked at 34 degrees just before Cowra (that place is always hot), where we stopped for fuel. 


After that there were only two more stops – Boorowa for afternoon tea and the George Harcourt Inn at Gold Creek for a cold one – before I got home and washed the bugs off the bike. Already this season I’ve cleaned up about a million more bugs than I did in all of last summer. Something to do with a wetter season.

Ian Paterson


Monday, October 27, 2014

Motorcycle Awareness Week - Biker's Breakfast

As a social part of Motorcycle Awareness Week the Friday Biker's Breakfast is always popular with riders dropping in for an egg & bacon roll or sausage sandwich (or both) and a cuppa before their day begins. 

Set near one of the pools (regrettably empty) in front of OPH the Breakfast offers a chance to wind down from the week and a catch up with fellow riders.

Canberra branch provided the BBQ support: here are a few of our BBQ team:

Mick, Peter, John, Chas and Jen on duty (Note Joe Rider in the background - doesn't that guy get around!)

Friday, October 24, 2014

Motorcycle Awareness Week - Ulysses at the Forum


On Wednesday 22 October the Canberra branch of the Australasian College of Road Safety held an open forum "Whose responsibility is it" (to look after the safety of motorcycle riders?) Drivers or the motorcyclists themselves? 

The open discussion on motorcyclist safety included a presentation on the trial of lane filtering in the ACT. Speakers included representatives from MCC NSW, JACS and ACT Policing. 

The forum was well supported and provided a useful exchange of information and views.

Ulysses was there  - here are a few of our own from Canberra branch.


L to R: Chris,Garry,Jen, Chas,Mick,Tracey and Jen


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Chomp & Chat and Rusty Riders - Lanyon Homestead – 19 October 2014

Travellers -
  • Geoff Wookey    Suzuki Bandit 1250    
  • Arthur McGlynn    Kawa 1700
  • Garry McCurley    VFR1200    
  • Kris Fraser    GSXR1300
  • Steve Mills    SV650    
  • Mike Kelly    BMW R100RS
  • Col Whittaker    Honda VT 750    
  • Jo & Helen Dutton    Honda ST1300
  • John Barratt    BMW GS800F    
  • David Greig    Vstrom 650
  • Rachel Crispin    Kawa KT 300 Ninja    
  • Emma Campbell    Suzuki Intruder 250
  • Manfred Halton    R1200R   
  •  Mick & Tracey Winters    Triumph Trophy

As this ride was a Chomp and Chat we assembled at the very respectable time of 10.30 under the golden arches at Weston - perhaps not such a great idea for a Sunday morning meeting place as the car park was full and we gathered on the footpath huddled under a tree. However the weather was good and we were all looking forward to a ride in the sunshine. 


Rumours of a crowded ride through the planned Cotter Road route with Veterans riding, other bike groups, Tidbinbilla Open Day along with the ubiquitous pushbike riders etc, forced a change of plans as this was a trip for Rusty Riders. One rider decided to chance the original course while the rest of us travelled the scenic route along Parks Way, past Duntroon and the Airport, dogleg at Queanbeyan, down Old Cooma Road, north along the Monaro Highway and then through the wilds of far Southern Canberra to all arrive safely at Lanyon Homestead. Here we met up with the lone Cotter rider who reported the road wasn’t nearly as cluttered as forecast – oh well, maybe next time.


 There were maybe twenty cars in the car park at Lanyon but thanks to the ride leader’s contacts at this establishment we enjoyed our own private marquee for lunch. There was a menu full of choices, but the grilled sausages and steak sandwiches seemed to be the favourites. Had Peter Arday joined us he would have found a fellow tea connoisseur. We sat for quite a while chatting, making the most of the good food and the beautiful views of the surrounding Brindabella Ranges and Murrumbidgee River.


 After lunch most of the group left for home, but 7 of us stayed for a guided tour of the Homestead and its outbuildings. While the English amongst us scoffed at the idea that a house built in the 1840s could be considered historic, to us Aussies the homestead was testament to the fortitude and ingenuity of the early settlers. The other side of the river was unexplored territory and in those days you were a long way from civilisation and any sort of help if needed. Convicts built many of the outbuildings.


The highlight for me was the stables with the original timber stump floor made of sections of tree trunks cut and fitted in a close packed hexagonal pattern – this was apparently softer on horses’ hooves.


Lanyon at this time of year is beautiful – the wisteria, climbing roses, lilac, lavender and poppies are blooming. The many varieties of fruit trees are green and the severely pruned photinias sprouting bright red leaves provide a striking contrast. Lanyon is a picturesque destination suitable for a short Sunday ride – somewhere to while away a few hours.

Tracey Winters



Monday, October 6, 2014

Motorcycle Awareness Week 2014

 Another timely reminder for Motorcycle Awareness Week 2014 from Jen Woods:
 
Yes, it's time once more for Motorcycle Awareness Week!

The week long campaign is hosted by the Motorcycle Riders Association of ACT. The event launches on Saturday 18thth October and the event will run all week, with a discussion evening organized by the ACT Chapter of the Australian College of Road Safety, themed around the question “Whose Responsibility Is It?” being held on Wednesday 22ndOctober from 6.30 to 9.00pm at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Cnr Catchpoleand Bowman Streets, Macquarie. Have you registered yet?

JOE Rider, rider awareness campaign also kicks off for the week, and the Bikers Breakfast and Ride to Work Day is on Friday 24th October, in front of Old Parliament House on King Edward Terrace from 7.00 to 9.00am.

We'd love to see you at these events during the week.

Jen
on behalf of the MRA ACT Committee
0418 215 336

Motorcycle Awareness Week 2014 - Joe Rider

Jen Woods President of the MRA ACT writes:

Hi all,

with Motorcycle Awareness Week being run from 18th October, we are seeking riders to wear the JOE Rider vests for the week. It's important that we have enough riders wearing the JOE vests to enable other road users to see JOE. This is being supported by a radio campaign to ensure the message goes out to our community that they should watch out for riders on the roads.

This “Spot Joe Rider” campaign will be launched Saturday 18th October. Riders wearing the JOE Rider vest will ride all week, during peak hour and other times of the day, from all points of Canberra, and members of the public are asked to keep an eye open for JOE and report in where he/she is “spotted”. All sightings should be logged to joe.rider@internode.on.net

If you'd like to be "JOE" for the week please let us know by return email, or email to
or by phone to  0418 215 336.

Thanks to those of you who regularly do this for us - making a difference.

Thanks
Jen
on behalf of MRA CT committee
Follow us on Twitter @MRAACT


Saturday, October 4, 2014

One Tree Poker Run - Tuross Head

Annette Kennewell, from the Tuross Head Country Club has written to invite us to attend their One Tree Poker Run on Saturday 25 October.

For more information and to register please visit http://www.turossheadcountryclub.com.au/pokerrun.html

Further information or flyers to can be obtained from Annette on 4473 8186 or mobile 0417 203 610.