Young 26 June 2016 - Ride Report

It was minus 5 and foggy when I went out to get the papers, minus 2 and foggy when I left home on the Wing, and a bit above zero and fog-free when we headed out from Nicholls on the Barton Highway. The sun shone, the grass was green, the crops were leaping out of the ground, the frost was steaming, the farm dams were brimming and there was water everywhere. It was like riding through Scotland.

After Murrumbateman it became even more like Scotland when we again disappeared into cold, damp fog and the temperature dropped back down to minus 2. By the time we got to Boorowa we were feeling the chill. All the tables inside the bakery were taken so we dragged the big al fresco table out into the feeble sunshine and huddled together as we warmed up with coffee and pies.
But it was all a bit too much for Mick and Tracey (Mick’s dodgy knee had turned to ice) and Manfred (he was just too bloody cold) so they turned back and presumably rode through all the freezing fog again on their way home.

Farm dams are full and the countryside around Young has been transformed by all the rain

 (Those familiar with the countryside around Young may suspect that Ian is confused to the locale of this photo - or is perhaps indulging in a little whimsy)

The rest of us headed out in the weak sunshine to Murringo and, rather than turning left towards Young, kept riding north down through the gorge and out to the Olympic Highway. A right turn, a few kilometres on the highway, then a left through Bendick Murrell took us up to the top of the range with its expansive views (which are especially beautiful in September when the canola is in flower). 

This is a lovely detour, and there were so many corners to mark that everyone got a go (except me, for I was leading, and Sandy, for he was tail-end Charlie).
We turned left near Iandra Castle and rode south through Monteagle to Young for fuel at the BP and then lunch at Wilder’s Bakery in the main drag. 

Peter and Trevor consider their lucky escape from the perils of imagined roadworks

Ian fangs in while his companions politely avert their gaze

Drone tech view of Wilders Bakery

 
At the bakery we met Peter and Trevor, who, having heard rumours about wretchedly repulsive roadworks on Lachlan Valley Way between Yass and Boorowa (memo to P & T: the roadworks are finished and the road’s great), had made their own way to Young via Harden and possibly Lake Cargelligo. They were full of warnings from Harley riders of a giant pothole on Burley Griffin Way but it turned out to be a bit like an election promise and failed to materialise.
 
From Young we had a quick run down the lovely Moppity Road (no traffic holdups in Galong, which was a relief for everyone) to Burley Griffin Way and then home via the highways.

Ian Paterson

The Riders were:

Ian Paterson            Honda GL1800
David Formica        Kawasaki ZX14R
Alan Munday            Yamaha FJR1300
Michael & Tracey Winters    Triumph Trophy
Les Robinson            BMW 1150GS
Manfred Halton        BMW R1200R
Peter Arday            Honda ST1300
Andrew Campbell        Yamaha FJR1300
Chris Dietzel            Kawasaki GTR1400
Peter Daniell            BMW R1200GSA
Sandy Fisk            Triumph Speedmaster
Trevor McLeod        Yamaha FJR1300 

Xmas in July

Hi Everyone

Are you ready for a great time? Now it is here - The Ulysses Club Canberra Branch Christmas in July.

It is going to be held at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on the 16th July 2016.

I had a look at the menu and my mouth is already watering at the banquet to be served to our members.

I hope you can attend as it is a great occasion when all our members let down their hair and some fun.

I will not be able to be there as I will be convalescing after my knee operation.

So don’t just read about what a great time the other members had in the RO2.

You must come along and experience it for yourself and be a part of a memory that will last forever.

I have attached the flier for the 2016 Christmas in July.  >>HERE<<


Regards

Mick

Decide and Ride - Crookwell 12 June 2016

The day dawned as Canberra’s coldest morning so far in 2016 (a minimum of -2.8 degrees) with a heavy frost covering my suburb in the early hours. Still, as we know a frost is usually followed by a stunning day and today
did not disappoint. However, it was still only 6 degrees as I headed towards Watson to meet with the other 'decide and riders’ and along the way gave thanks for heated grips (and seat J)!

By just before 10.00 am there were 9 of us swapping social chit chat while enjoying the sunshine which was beaming down and increasing the prospects of a beautiful day by the minute. 

The chatting could have gone on for hours but Trevor stepped in and suggested that we ride to Crookwell. General murmurs of agreement were interjected by Andrew who put in a special request for a stop at Gunning so that he could thaw his fingers in light of the 'no heated grips' status of his ride. Much mirth followed from the 'I have heated grips' members of the group.

With the stops decided, Trevor suggested we head out along the highway and along Shingle Hill Way, then on to Gunning. So we set out along the said route and eventually all arrived at the Merino Cafe. Andrew quickly made for the hot water tap and with his fingers thawed, he was soon ready to join the pack for a much welcome coffee.

Gunning was also playing host to plenty of other bikers out enjoying the stunning winters day, including Gary and Nat to whom we gave a cheery wave as they headed out - here's hoping you had a great day too.

Suitably and variously charged with caffeine and chocolate we headed out to Crookwell with a non-direct route suggested by Trevor. Unfortunately, us last two riders missed a corner marker to go along Range and Kialla Roads and took the unintended route through Grabben Gullen. Our oversight was very clear when we rode into Crookwell from the opposite direction and there was some worry about whether the corner marker/s were still waiting, but they turned up soon after. My apologies to the marker/s and the inconvenience caused, however the easier run through Grabben Gullen was well suited to my skill level.
 

But all’s well that ends well and without much delay today's team of 9 were
reunited and we piled into (I think) Catherine’s Café and Bakery a well-earned lunch in a crowd of what seemed to be mainly locals enjoying the lovely weather out too. Thanks to the cafe staff for speedy and very courteous service. Pics attached of our eating expertise. Congratulations too to the Ulysseans ** who patiently kept the cafe door closed despite the best efforts of multiple other patrons to keep it ajar!

Lunch eaten and stories exchanged, we agreed to all take a direct route back to Canberra and each set off at our own pace. As the first to get away and the slowest rider today, I had the chance to reflect as each of the other riders passed on the pleasure that comes from sharing the journey with such a great group
Oh and for good measure (following the lead of those who have gone before) I have thrown in 2 pics from myrecent trip to Croatia – Slovenia – Italy, where I constantly longed to be riding instead of driving.

The windy road and view is typical of the Croatian coast – where many of you have ridden and enjoyed. And the mass motorbike parking is typical in Trieste, Italy where 2 wheelers are everywhere, as was the case in all other places I visited (except of course Venice).

Jenny Carlin

Riders:

• Trevor McLeod FJR1300 
• Heine Apps R100RS
• Robert Apps R100RS 
• Sandy Fisk Triumph Speedmaster
• Andrew Campbell 
• ZX14R Robert M109RZ
• David Dawson R1200GS 
• Rick Costan Ducati
• Jenny Carlin C600Sport

 ** I was very interested to read the Riding On Editor’s note regarding the correct spelling.
“I do not describe myself as a Ulyssian.
Why not? Because the only words I can think of that end with ‘ssian’ are Russian and hessian. Think about
how we say those two words and you will see that we are all Ulysseans.” Good work Gary. Ed.