Grenfell Ride - 26th February

During the ride briefing Andrew explained the ride route, which was changed after a number of riders explained they were aware of lengthy muddy road works. While refueling and corner marking arrangements were also discussed at the ride briefing, the agreed plans did not totally eventuate and resulted in confusion and the disappearance of about 50% of the group after lunch.

After the route was finalized we headed off to Boorowa for morning tea.

However, going through Binalong was not a smooth run as the main part of the group turned before a corner marker, leaving Andrew the ride leader and Garry who was marking the corner now separated from the rest of the group. Luckily Andrew and Garry could see the rest of the group up ahead and then could catch up.

Morning tea at Boorowa was enjoyable.

After morning tea, Andrew lead us on an enjoyable ride to Grenfell for lunch. The ride went through a variety of roads and interesting lane ways.

While the ride to Grenfell was a good ride, the country side was very dry and lots of animal were seeking shade under trees.

We came across one closed road and two very small sections of gravel road works. Luckly for the group the gravel sections had not been watered on the day and were dry. The closed road cause a slight problem as the group lost two members who left the group and found their own way to Grenfell.

After lunch the group headed to Young for fuel as agreed at the ride briefing. The only problems were somehow one of the group got left behind in Grenfell and when Andrew pulled into the BP at Young most of the group kept going as they had fueled up before we left Grenfell. Luckily the group did stop not to far down the road from the BP and those of us who followed Andrew into the BP could now rejoin the group after getting petrol,

It can't be satisfactorily explained what happened next, as while we then headed off as a group towards Harden, 50% of the group just disappeared, never to be seen again. Hopefully they all made it home safely. Four of us followed Andrew to the Terracotta at Harden Murrumburrah for afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea was very enjoyable and we relaxed over cakes, milkshakes and coffees. While enjoying the air conditioning, drinks and fine cakes we laughed about and discussed everything from the joys and pitfalls of having possums in your yard to the guys in America who blew up a dead whale to get rid of it off a local beach, only to result in dead whale raining down on everyone who was there.

The remaining four of the ride, ie, Andrew, Kris, Steve and Garry then left the Terracotta, said their goodbye. Steve rode off followed by Andrew and Kris. After buying a kilo of honey from the Harden Honey House Garry soon followed them back to Canberra.

We all need to thank Andrew for taking on the role as Ride Leader and also thank Mick for undertaking Tail End Charlie duties.

The group was:

ANDREW CAMPBELL - YAMAHA FJR1300,
GARRY MCCURLEY - HONDA VFR1200,
MICK BELTRAME  - VICTORY XC,
DARRYL CULLEN - SUZUKI 1250 BANDIT,
STEVE ALFORD - GUZZI V7,
LES and JULIE ROBINSON - TRIUMPH TROPHY,
TREVOR MCLEOD - YAMAHA FJR1300,
KRIS JIRASEK - BLUE SUZUKI HYABUSHA  GSXR1300,
SANDY FISK  - TRIUMPH SPEED MASTER. 

Harold Parsons Ride - 25th March

At the February branch  meeting I made mention of a annual motorcycle event held down in the Gippsland in Victoria. While its main aim is to celebrate Harold Parsons and his 1920s motorcycling records, it also celebrates older motorcycles and motorcycling in general. All riders are welcome, modern machines included.

I've attended one and very much enjoyed it, following a marked circuit on tarred roads which showcased many local roads easily missed when you are passing through the region on the way to Phillip Island, Melbourne or Tassie.

In any case - if a few days away exploring a pretty part of south eastern Victoria in good company appeals - please consider. The date is the 25th March and you can compete in the time trial  or just ride the circuit and soak up the atmosphere. Lunch is included in the entry.

Cheers
Gary Mac

The text below is from an email from the organisers:


Greetings Maffra-Sale Motorcycle Club Vintage Members,

On Saturday 25th March 2017 the vintage end of the club will run it's 35th Harold Parsons Memorial Ride. The Sale 'swap meet' aside and the twice a month rides, the 'Harold Parsons' is our one big event of the year.

To this end I encourage all members to fit a Harold Parsons (HP) Ride into their life every couple of years and thus support the efforts of the club members who organise the event. I especially encourage our members who have never made it to a Parsons, to get one under their belt.

Once you have experienced a Harold Parsons Ride you will understand the interaction and fellowship of the day. The mix of riders on older bikes and newer riders on later model machinery with a coffee in hand is a great morning in the car park, in front of the club rooms. As riders are despatched at roughly one minute intervals, it makes for a relaxed start to the day through to the unknown 'sit down' lunch destination.

It is a great opportunity to network, as about 80% of attendees in the past are not members of our club but many are members of type specific clubs (BSA Owners Club, Velocette MCC Australia, etc) and of course quite a few riders do not belong to any club at all. It is to this latter group that our multi brand of motorcycles at the Harold Parsons gathering, promotes the interest in older bikes and the benefits of networking and interacting through 'classic' clubs.

All of the above aside, it is a great day out. Hit the Maffra-Sale MC website and click on the 'Harold Parsons 2017' tab, find pdfs for the 'Info Sheet' and 'Entry Form' and share it with your non-member riding mates. I assure you that they will thank you for a great day out !

Cheers,

'Aba'

Pete Abikhair
Harold Parsons Ride Committee

  

Are you interested in becoming a Motorcycle Riding Instructor?

MASTERS - Mature Age Skills Training for Experienced Riders

The MASTERS Course is a defensive road skills course initiated by the Motorcycle Riders Association of the ACT, developed and conducted by Stay Upright Rider Training and partially subsidised by the ACT Road Safety Trust.

It is tailored to the needs of long-term licensed riders from the ACT and surrounding region only who have not had any formal rider training in the last 10-15 years and who are returning to motorcycling after a lengthy break.

Please read the flyer below - if you are a returning rider or a rider who has never had rider training - please read the flyer below - Ulyssians can claim a further rebate through the Club,  in addition to the subsidy making this a very cheap investment in your riding skillset. (log in to the National Website to find out more )

Chomp and Chat ride to the Merino Cafe at Gunning on the 19 Feb 17

While the rich kids were off having a good time at Sussex Inlet, the rest of us in Canberra battled on with the scheduled Chomp and Chat ride to the Merino Cafe at Gunning on the 19 Feb 17.   It was one of those days you would read about in a motorcycle brochure - 24C and clear skies.      

The well trodden route of Federal Highway, Sutton Road/Gundaroo Road to Gunning.   A fairly typical Australian secondary country road of bumps and lumps, but it was still good to be out on the bike.  

The gang retired to the rear of the Merino cafe and enjoyed the local fare.  In our brief lucheon we covered most of the world's affairs and a potted history of Ulysses AGM meetings of recent years.

After lunch the itinerary was open so riders wandered back to Canberra via a variety of routes.  Kim (SV1000) and Leigh (Royal Enfield) made a side visit to Dalton and had a look at the aptly named "Fossil Rock". Fossils were discovered in the region in the 1880's. This remarkable specimen was once used as a doorstep for one of the local shops.   

From here we retraced our steps back to Gunning, then returned to Canberra via the Cullerin Road (old Hume Highway - fun but bumpy), Breadalbane Road - (fun but very bumpy and narrow) and Federal Highway (smooth but boring) with a side stop at the Lake George lookout.

Perfect day for a ride.

 Leigh N

 

Sussex Inlet Weekend 18th & 19th Feb17

Well what a start to the weekend with weather predictions not in our favour, however not to worry the excited gathering met at the Watson Servo around 9am and Chas gave an outline of the route we would most likely take. Some decided that they would travel down through Nerriga rather than take the suggested Jamberoo Mountain road due to the dubious weather conditions.

Departed Watson were 12 people on  8 motorbikes and Catherine and Sally travelling cosy in Catherine’s car. Mick,Kyla,Jan and Butch traveled down on the Friday making it a three day stay.  Now we set off down Mac Reefs Road to Bungendore and hooking up with Michael and Tracey on bike and Darryl and Caroline in their car. Through to a regroup at Tarago and off to Bungonia. Ian left at this stage to go down via Nerriga. Bungonia to Marulan was to say a little cautious as the weather seemed to be surrounding us on all sides and the threat was increasing. On approach to Marulan we were not disappointed as Huey decided to open up the sky’s and let loose with more than a bucket load. Luckily for us we had just stopped at the Meridian Café and only got sightly wet. We were to hear after the weekend that three ladies were struck by lightning near Bowral.

My major concern at this stage was for Steve as he had no wet weather gear, Intrepid Steve pulled into the awning at the Servo and did not get a drop on him, however at least he did feel obliged to top up the tank. While at the Meridian Café we were assaulted with the loudest thunder clap and rain that I had not seen for quite some time, looking north we could see how Berrima/Bowral were receiving the hardest downpour .  Chas decided to still continue down to Jamberoo for our scheduled lunch at the pub.  We left travelling in between lows and fortunately had very little rain. At Robertson it did not look so good but we were very fortunate going down Jamberoo Mountain taking it very steady to arrive dry and ready for a good lunch.

After personally visiting the Pub some two weeks prior and making the appropriate booking they still managed to mix it up. We also had the pleasure of a couple from the South Coast Branch join us for lunch which was very nice.

Jamberoo departure saw us travel down to the highway then divert to Gerringong along the coast road to enter Nowra via Coolangatta. The scenery through this little track was great. Onwards another 60k’s and we arrived at Sussex Inlet.

After a rest with cuppa’s and chats we set off to the RSL and had pre dinner drinks outdoors at the club with lots of stories and talks true or false told.  Dinner was in the Restaurant which was exclusively ours and the repast was excellent. There was a band playing in the lounge but somehow our travellers seemed to be more inclined to take the opportunity to say bye and hit the hay.

Jen and Chas met Mick and Tracey on their early morning walk along the river boardwalk. This is a beautiful area lots of Kangaroos etc. enjoying the surrounds and so peaceful and serene Jen tried out all the exercise equipment scattered along the path. Chas just watched on (Lazy sod).

Most met for breakfast at the Jopen Café with a great verity to choose from. After this a few folks decided to stay a while in Sussex and have a good look around the town and district before heading off home. Chris and Maream travelled back via Batemans Bay so that left seven of us to come home via Kangaroo Valley for morning Tea and back via Sally’s Corner to Goulburn and lunch at the Astor Hotel. 

Departing Goulburn Vidas kindly gave Wendy some helpful hints climbing aboard Garry’s bike which Wendy appreciated. It was nice to know that it was suggested we make this an annual trip as it was so enjoyable, however I declined the offer to personally take it as I feel the longer break between trips makes it a better proposition and something to look forward to.

The happy crowd was Garry and Wendy, Michael and Tracey, Allan and Lyn, Andrew and Catherine, Mick and Kyla, Jan and Butch, Vidas, Steve and Trish, Chris and Maream, Ian and Sally, Darryl and Caroline, Chas and Jen. Twenty three who had a great weekend.

Snowy Loop . . . no, Crookwell again, 5 February 2017

The Snowy Loop Club Ride was cancelled because it was going to be too bloody hot. It was replaced by a Decide & Ride because D&Rs are always cooler than Club Rides.

Well, this one was. Instead of being stuck on either the Hume Freeway or the Monaro Highway coming back from the Snowy in the peak of the afternoon heat, we just did a short run to (relatively) cool Crookwell for brunch and were home before it got too hot. 

Well, most of us. Two brave souls decided to keep to the original plan and do the Snowy Loop. We wished them well and waved them goodbye but they were never heard of again (Vidas, where are you?).

Trevor led the rest of us – Andrew, Jenny, Chris, Manfred and me – via Gundaroo, Gunning and Grabben Gullen (I call this the Telstra route because it’s got 4Gs) to the Crown Theatre Café in Crookwell’s main drag. This café gets five stars on Trip Advisor but mysteriously they didn’t have any meat pies. However, they did have some huge sausage rolls and they let me pick out the hugest one of all to accompany my morning coffee. With extra dead horse at no extra cost. Five stars!

This is what happens when you don't cadge a passerby to take the group shot!

Crookwell was full of bikes on this morning, probably because it was several degrees cooler than anywhere else in the region. As we discovered as we rode out of town towards Goulburn, it was also the weekend of Crookwell’s annual show. Not only that, but the cat rescue place was giving away kittens. Not even Andrew took that bait.

Goulburn, Tarago, Bungendore  – the towns just whizzed by, and we were home by 2:30pm, just before the hottest heat hit. Beer o’clock came early!

Ian Paterson