Club Ride to ULLADULLA VIA NERRIGA ON 22 MARCH 2015.

GARRY MCCURLEY - HONDA VFR1200,

NATALIE TE BAY - HONDA VFR1200,

ANDREA LANAGAN - SUZUKI BOULEVARD,

HELEN DAWSON - BMW K1200LT,

KRISTIAN TEREBESSY - BMW K1200LT,

LES ROBINSON - BMW 1150GS,

CHAS TOWIE - HONDA ST1300,

MARK WALKER - HONDA NT700V,

CATHY WALKER - HONDA NT700V,

NEIL GOLDFINCH - HONDA BLACKBIRD.

As the road to Nerriga is now fully tarred, it was decided to go to Ulladulla for lunch via Nerriga and then home via Batemans Bay.

In my trail bike riding youth while growing up in Goulburn, my friends and I often rode this road when it was all dirt, bull dust, corrugated or slippery mud or carved up by a convoy of army trucks. As we were on trail bikes it was great fun. So it's a bit of a different fun adventure to now ride the road fully tarred and on a road bike.

The full ride route was - BP Watson - Bungendore for morning tea - Tarago - Nerriga - Nowra - Ulladulla for lunch and fuel - Batemans Bay - Braidwood for afternoon tea and goodbyes - Bungendore -home.

Due to the current hot weather some had liners removed from their jackets and concerquently found the trip to Bungendore a bit on the cool side.After an enjoyable morning tea we headed off with greyish skies to the wilds of Nerriga and the Sassafras area.

However, just before leaving Bungendore we noticed a beautiful Morgan car that 1 member of our group lusted after☺.

We stopped at Tarago to regroup before continuing onto Nerriga and a planned stop at the waterfall the other side of Nerriga.The weather was OK but getting bit more grey in patches after leaving Tarago.

Also, after leaving Tarago we came across a fox having his or hers morning tea courteous of a dead kangaroo on the road side. On seeing us the fox decided to scamper away by luckily running back into  the bush and not out on the road in front of us.

The ride to Nerriga was enjoyable via crossing the Shaolhaven river at Oallen Ford while pasting through pristine rural and national park countryside. As we approached the Sassafras and went past the spectaular pancake rocks a heavy mist descended on us. The mist shrouded the Pancakes rocks making the rocks and whole country side very beautiful and pictusque. 

After the mist shrouded Pancake rocks we road onto the waterfall for a scenic look. Just before arriving at the waterfall a yellow tailed black cockatoo flew overhead and disappeared into a misty mountainonous ravine. This whole area is very pictusque and worth a stop and  look at.

After a break at the waterfall it was onto Nowra leaving the mist behind us, past the Albatros Naval base and onto the Princess Highway.  The highway was quiet busy and it took a few moments to  actually get onto the Highway.

Once on the highway it was a pleasant ride through lush green countryside containing black & white milking cows with grass up to their knees, onto Ulladulla for lunch at the fish Co op. We were very lucky at the fish Co op to find a vacant table that we all could sit at for an enjoyable lunch of grilled fish, chips and salad.

After lunch some had a walk along the boardwalk that ran all the shore line. It was then time to go, fuel the bikes and head off to Bateman Bay, up the Clyde Mtne to Braidwood. Again the ride to Braidwood was enjoyable with mostly a good run up the Clyde.

At Braidwood some had hot drink we said our good byes and rode home.

In summary the whole day was fantastic and as usual with a great bunch. I look forward to doing the ride again.

Garry - Ride Leader.

Sunday 15 MARCH 2015 Chomp and Chat to Bushranger Hotel Collector

With fine weather and a great crew Chas held a little ride update prior to departure and welcomed our new guests for the day.  Off we set up the highway turning off at the Tulip Farm and onto the old Hume highway. Here we took the casual ride until we came to the Shingle Hill Way heading to Gundaroo. It was great to see the corner markers taking up positions thus showing the way for our new riders to the club how we manage to keep everyone together.

Apart from the locals at Gundaroo things were fairly quiet and we ventured on our way to Gunning. There was very little traffic on the road which made the ride all the more pleasant. The country side continues to be rather dry but one can expect this as the autumn season is upon us and all the leaves are in the process of changing their leaf colour.

On arrival at Gunning there was no need to stop to regroup as everyone was comfortably traveling at an easy pace, hence we pushed onto Breadalbane. Not much activity around this little place so onward to Collector. This was a nice narrow little country road somewhat in need of new bitumen in places but as we know local councils are a little short on money. We did encounter a Lone motorist heading in the same direction as us but that was all.

On arrival at collector we all pulled into the Bushranger Pub ordered our food and drinks then adjourned to the outside area for a chat. It was great to see everyone telling a few stories albeit they were all genuine. However Ian did not give us a rendition of a true store. But I must add that Ian kindly took up the position of Tail End Charlie for us and executed it without a flaw. Thanks Ian.

Prior to our departure from BP Watson I managed to call the proprietor of the Bushranger and let him know that about 15 of us would be there for lunch. During lunch he thanked me personally as this allowed him to bring in some extra help for just the period over the lunch hour.

Riders in animated conversation appear to be unaware of their photographer

With a variety of tucker consumed and more stories, tales, and what have you, it was time to say cheers and head back down the concrete for home. It was rewarding to receive compliments from our new riders to the group that they enjoyed the ride new roads and company.

Jen and I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant company and meeting new members not to mention that a ride is always good. Thanks to all the crew.

Cheers Chas

The Crew:

Chas & Jen Towie        ST1300           
Garry McCurley    & Natalie TeBay    VFR1200
Wes Robinson            BMW1150
Ian Paterson            GL1800
Trevor McLeod            FJR1300
Genelle Mills            BONNEVILLE
Arthur McGlynix        HONDA 650
Jeff Jarvis            TRIUMPH AMERICA
Chris Dietzel            GTR1400
Andrea Lanagan        SUZUKI BOULEVARD
Andrew Campbell        GODZILLA ZX14R
Kris Jirasek            GSXR1300
Geoff Finger            NL750

Call for volunteers for a BBQ at the VJMC Show and Shine on the 14th March

The Club will be running a BBQ at the VJMC Show and Shine being held at the National Museum of Australia on Saturday 14th March.  

We will be catering for about 300 and some extra help between 10AM and 2PM is needed to cook and serve.  

If you can help, even for an hour or so, please email Leo Farrelly at leofarrelly@mac.com.  

It should be a great day and your assistance will be much appreciated."

( this is one of the events for the ACT & SNSW Region Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club NATIONAL RALLY
WWW.VJMC.ORG.AU)

Volunteers sought for a motorcycle gear field trial (thermal assessment) Sunday 15 March

 Volunteers sought for a motorcycle gear field trial (thermal assessment)

Dear Canberra Branch members

Liz de Rome, is being  funded by NEURA to conduct a study including a field trial to assess the thermal comfort of riders wearing a realistic range of motorcycle clothing under real world riding conditions in warm weather).

Liz needs the assistance of the Canberra motorcycle community to make the study a success.

You might remember  Liz from the fantastic "Good Gear Guide" and the Gear Study she conducted a few years back, also in Canberra

Participants and the trials Participants (n=20) must be experienced licensed riders. 10 riders would take part in each of two trial rides. One route would be rural, high speed roads; the other urban with slower speeds and lots of intersections and stopping points.

Ride details:

• The rides would be designed to take approximately 90 minutes with two five minute rest stops at half hour intervals.
• Riders will ride alone, setting off at 10 minute intervals.
• Riders would wear their own motorcycle clothing.
• Skin temperatures will be monitored throughout the ride using tracking buttons attached to participants’ chests. The data from the buttons will be down loaded at the end of the trial.
• Self-reports will be obtained from participant pre and post the ride, and at each rest stop. 
• A mixture of paper/pencil and computer-based formats will be used to obtain self-reports on temperature sensation and discomfort, perceived skin wetness, fatigue, mood and cognitive performance (Vigilance and Attention).

In addition to the 20 riders, we will need another 10 volunteers for half a day to help with the conduct of the study. 
Prior to the day of the ride, participants will be asked to complete an on-line survey 

We  need to make this ride a success for Liz, because we really believe in the work she does on behalf of motorcycle and scooter riders, and also because this study could inform and pave the way for further advances in rider hot weather gear.

The MRA ACT is holding the ride (with two different routes) on Sunday 15th March to start at 10.00 from the new Stay Upright Rider Training venue at 58 Hincksman St Queanbeyan East. Riders will need to be there from 9.00.

To register your participation, please let Jen Woods know on jenwoods@internode.on.net, or Liz on l.derome@neura.edu.au

Further information including participant information and consent forms for the volunteers can be downloaded >> here.<<