Upcoming Rallys for the hard core who don't want to travel far!

Here's a couple of "local" rallys coming up - both have been around for a while - and both are pitched at the hardened camper - although I've known a Loaded Dog to have been unseasonably warm at least once in its thirty odd years - I'd count on taking warm clothing and darn good tent and sleeping bag to both. 

The Loaded Dog - held at the Tarago Showgrounds on Mothers Day weekend.
12 -14 May 2017. The pub is just 2k down the road. 
 There's a little more info over at the BMW Motorcycle Club ACT website.

The Alpine Rally - Just over the hill and a little later in the year. The Alpine has a great history. 9-11 June 21007, (Queens Birthday Long Weekend)
held at the Yarrangobilly River, Cotterill's Cottage NSW, next to the Snowy Mountains Highway.

And you can download a flyer with all the details by clicking on the above image!

4 Day Ride to Temora 22 – 25 April 2017

The days leading up to the weekend were consumed with conversation about what the weather was going to do for our upcoming weekend away.  The plan was to ride from Canberra to Mudgee and stay there on Saturday and Sunday nights, then go on to Forbes for a stop over on Monday night, before riding on to Temora for the Anzac Day march.

Jan put the waterproof cover over her gearsack to scare off the rain on Saturday, which worked.  Derek’s Yamaha doesn’t like to travel more than about 170kms on a tank, so they took off first, knowing they would have to make a fuel stop on the way.  The rest of the group took off from Watson on time and rode to Taralga in beautiful conditions for a well anticipated cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate (and some lovely food to go with it).  From there we headed off to Bathurst for our scheduled lunch break.  Unfortunately, the Oberon Council had only just recently tarred the road over the Abercrombie pass and failed to sweep off the loose gravel on one corner, or put up any signs to indicate the direction or tightness of the corners. On approaching said corner, it was impossible to detect which direction the road was taking us.  The Goldwing was in the lead and decided it didn’t want to take said corner, so had a lie down.  We continued on, leaving a left hand rear view mirror on the side of the road, but fortunately no injuries.

We eventually arrived in Mudgee at a reasonable hour and had time to rest and recover, before going to one of the local Hotels for dinner.  
 

Dinner at Mudgee Soldiers Club

Instructions were to meet at 10am at one of the Motels the next morning to decide what we were going to do on Sunday.  Derek & Margaret went to Dripping Rock, Peter and Trevor stayed in town and had a day of R&R, Jan & Butch were still out walking.  The rest of us went to Gulgong, which was only 29kms away, and had a lovely walk around the Historical town.  Gulgong was featured on the early version of our $10 note.  The attached recipe was found on a shop window – maybe it would suit a future AGM Saturday night dinner!! 

Remember to adjust ingredients to the number of guests expected.

We found a pub that was serving $6 meals so decided that would make a great lunch.  Jan & Butch had caught up to us by then and joined us for lunch.

Lunch at Gulgong

It was then decided to go to Hill End on the way back to Mudgee.  We arrived there to find they had been holding their End Festival with markets, sporting events and lots more.  But it was starting to wind down by the time we got there – maybe another time!!!

Jen on the $10 note

Dinner that night was at the local Soldiers Club.  Then off to Forbes the next day at 9.30am.  Morning tea was at Wellington and lunch in Parkes. Mike and Sharon joined us here having ridden from Canberra that afternoon.  A few went for a walk, others sat around the Motel and exchanged more yarns - plenty of that over the course of the weekend.  Dinner in Forbes was at their Leagues Club, but an early night was had by all.

More conversation about the weather ensued.  Would it rain or would it not? That was the question.  Unfortunately, just 20 kms or so out of Forbes on the way to Temora on Tuesday, the skies opened up and it didn’t stop raining all day.  We stopped at the Shell servo at Wyalong for fuel and coffee and everyone was pretty damp.  The sidecar sprung a few leaks, so Derek and Margaret headed home from there. The rest of us went on to Temora.  It was still raining.  We waited for the start of the Anzac March, most leaving helmets on to stay a bit drier.  Here we met up with the 4 brave riders who came over from Canberra that morning.  Jan and Vidas did the honour of laying the wreath on behalf of the Canberra Branch.  Alan and I, as well as a few others headed straight back to Canberra, choosing not to stop for lunch in Harden as originally planned.

Caroline, Jan & Vidas before the march

By the time we turned off the Hume Hwy to Canberra, the wet weather gear had well and truly failed to protect the body from water.  It was lovely to get into a nice warm shower and put on some dry clothes.

Thank you to Darryl for leading the group so well and thank you to everyone who attended, making it a great weekend away.  Great company, fun times.

Lyn

Riders:

Saturday

• Darryl & Caroline Palin        Honda Goldwing
• Alan & Lyn Munday            Yamaha FJR1300
• Chas & Jen Towie            Honda ST1300
• Jan Wills                Honda DN01
• Butch Wills                BMW K1100LT
• Derek & Margaret Titheradge        YamahaVMax with Sidecar
• Peter Arday                Honda ST1300
• Trevor McLeod            Yamaha FJR1300

Monday

• Mike & Sharon Kelly            Triumph 1600

Tuesday

• Michael Winters              Triumph Trophy
• Garry McCurley              Honda VFR1200
• Vidas Sadauskas              Harley Davidson Street Glide
• Chris Dietzel                 Kawasaki 1400GTR

California Superbike School – Level One – 17 April 2017

Finally it was here, CSS minus one.  That is, the day before the California Superbike School, Level One course at Phillip Island that I had been eagerly anticipating since enrolling a month earlier.   The day also coincided with Easter Sunday.  

So as the small minority of local Christians gathered to hear the proclamation “That Christ has risen” and respond enthusiastically, “He is risen indeed”,  I was checking that the bike was secure in the trailer and the various items of personal equipment were in the car.  I decided to drive down so I could be as fresh as possible on the big day.  

My riding pal had ridden down earlier in the week, using the opportunity to visit family in the region.   His advice was to go to Phillip Island via Cann River.   So the first stage was the well-trodden path to  Cooma.  My first surprise was the closure of the Williamstown petrol station and the erection of an ugly array of black panels by the puritans of a new faith.  Matching their equally ugly windmills over Lake George dedicated to destroying what birdlife is in the area.  Perhaps these black shapes are an attack on the local flora.

Bombala is the outer boundary of the Canberra motorcycling region and soon I was entering Kim Jong Dan’s (Andrews) eastern Gippsland.   A lovely part of the world and some very nice motorcycling roads.   The Easter festival must have denoted the rising of the caravan people as the road was packed with these devices, or is east Gippsland where they go to die?   

The trek east on the Princess Highway was via Orbost, Bruthen, Bairnsdale, Sale and Traralgon, taking me close to the Yallourn region.  I wondered if Kim Jong-Dan would be as brave as Kim Jong-Jay (Weatherall) and blow up the power station, often putting Pyong-Adelaide in the same darkness as its sister city Pyongyang?  Time will tell but I would plan on day activities down south in the future.  My trek to Phillip island continued via Mirboo North, Leongatha, Wonthaggi and finally Phillip Island.  All up an eight and a half hour journey.     
The big day dawned and it was an early start to proceedings.  Students are instructed to be ready to enter gate 7 of the hallowed grounds of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit at 7 am.   

After completing the requisite forms the gates were dutifully opened at 7 am and we all filed onto the track grounds and onto the pit garages via the tunnel beneath the track.   For first timers like myself, emerging from the tunnel into the bright sunshine of Support Paddock Garages was like a religious experience.   The track and grounds looked, and were, in immaculate condition.  We were directed to park behind the Pit Garage/Media Centre and prepare our bikes for Scrutineering. 

An interesting feature of scrutineering was the taping of the mirrors and the speedo, and the tyre pressure being set to 30psi front and back.   The speedo is taped to force you to use your sense of speed and the mirrors to keep you focussed on the track.  Soon I was wheeling the bike onto the area designated for the “Green” (level One) group and affixing my bike numbers.    Back to the car and put on the good gear and join my leather clad comrades.

The Safety and Admin briefings followed, then the course participants for levels one to four identified and the teaching part of proceedings started.    For level one it was a lesson on Throttle Control.   But this was no dry academic dirge but an informative, entertaining and engaging discussion on all things related to throttle control by our enthusiastic instructor of more than 20 years’ experience.   In this first lesson I learned something that really impressed me and something I don’t think I would have intuitively figured out.

Our first session on the track was a two lap “sighter” where we followed a car.   Riding down the access road parallel to Gardner Straight for the first time was a memorable experience.  Spread out before us was Bass Straight and the view along the coastline with the surf rolling up the cliffs was special.    Back at the pits we were advised that Green Group would have a 20 minute break while the Yellow Group had their first session executing the throttle exercise.  

During the practical exercises an instructor per three students is allotted, guaranteeing each student personal instruction.   Each exercise during the day has certain riding criteria.  In the first lesson, Throttle Control,  students are instructed to maintain fourth gear once up to speed and not to use the brakes, unless safety necessitates.  A hand signal discussed during the theory lesson is used by the instructor to indicate how a particular technique is applied.   Once demonstrated at a few turns the instructor then invites you to lead and they follow to see how you perform.  If you do okay they will overtake and give the thumbs up.   Prior to the exercise the instructor notes your pace and executes the demonstrations at that pace, thus catering to all student levels.  

This pattern is repeated with exercises on Turn Points, Quick Steer, Rider Input and Two-Step Turning.   So five on track sessions of 20 minutes each, five classroom sessions and five rest sessions.   At the end of each 20 minute track session the instructor provides feedback in the pits.  

My riding partner had previously attended Stay Upright courses and felt although CSS was more expensive it provided a much better learning environment and overall value for money.    
CSS offers four course and more information can be obtained on their website - https://www.superbikeschool.com.au/

I thoroughly enjoyed my day out with CSS and would recommend the course to any road riding motorcycle enthusiast.

Leigh
 

Snow Goose Hotel, Adaminaby; special accommodation offer for Ulysses Club members.

As mentioned at the April meeting, the Snow Goose Hotel, Adaminaby has made a special offer for Ulysses Club members on accommodation.

"Fancy enjoying a great ride through to the Snow Mountains and the hospitality of the Snow Goose Hotel Adaminaby? 

Andrew, the new owner of the Snow Goose Hotel, Adaminaby has some great new Accommodation prices to make the most what Adaminaby and the Snowies Region has to offer! 

The township of Adaminaby is located approximately 45kms west of Cooma in NSW and every road into town is a motorbike riders dream. Adaminaby has a deep and meaningful history, focused on the grounding values of family and community. The Snow Goose Hotel is no different. We want to ensure that you have the best stay possible, no matter what your reason for visiting our beautiful location may be.  

Our goal is to have strong relationship with our guests and inspire and assist you in fully appreciating all of the magnificent diverse culture and land that is the Australian Snowy Mountains.  

The Hotel is a part of the central hive of the community, with the sense of this running throughout the Snow Goose in the memorabilia on the walls and the continuous hosting and support for local events and patrons.

The staff of the Snow Goose Hotel are here to provide you with the comfort you deserve, excellence in food and drink and great country hospitality."


www.snowgoosehotel.com.au
Blackout dates (June, July, August)
To book online http://snowgoosehotel.com.au/bookings/
NOTE: please use the special offer code below when booking ​
Discount code:  UC0417
Email:  snowgoosehotel@gmail.com

Snow Goose Hotel Adaminaby

MRAACT Blanket Run for 2017

Hot off the press: the MRAACT Blanket Run for 2017 will be held on the 13th May.

Meet at Old Parliament House from 8:30 for a 10am departure . Breakfast will be available.

Details below:

 

Chomp and Chat to Tarago – 19 March 2017

I arrived at the BP at Watson as a great bunch of risk takers rallied for today’s quiet ride in the country side. The weather report was for a chance of showers towards the coast and I only experienced drizzle on the way to Watson.

We set off to ride through Bungendore travelling along the Kings Hwy to the Braidwood - Goulburn Rd turnoff at Manar. 

We had somehow lost Andrew along the way - he had texted me he was returning home due to wanting to keep his bike clean as a possible buyer was expected that afternoon. 

The group travelled along in heavy drizzle winding our way towards Tarago when we were surprised to find road works for about a kilometre.  We traversed the rough dirt/muddy parts of the road along the section under repairs.

 We arrived at Tarago parking in front of the Loaded Dog Hotel before heading into the dining area where we had reserved a number of tables for our group. We settled down to enjoy a great feed and a cool beverage with a mixture of true and tall stories being shared over lunch.  

We were joined by Ian Paterson who travelled out from Canberra to join us for lunch and Tracey who joined us on her way back from visiting her parents in the Blue Mountains for the weekend. 

Then we were joined by Mike and Sharon Kelly and Mark Mitchell who were returning from the Black Dog ride as the weather down the coast was only getting wetter. We packed up and said our good byes and I waited for everyone to get going before heading off towards home.

I would like to thank everyone who joined us on a great day out even though the weather let us down a touch.

Mick


Riders:

• Barry Solley  ST1300
• Carol Solley  Can Am
• Andrew Campbell  ZX14R
• Trevor McLeod Yamaha FJR 1300
• Peter Arday  Honda ST1300
• Kim Tito   F700GS
• Ron Tito  R1200GS
• Richard Hay   R1200RT
• Daryl Palin  Honda GL 1800
• Michael Winters     Triumph Trophy

Joining us at the Loaded Dog for lunch:

• Tracey Winters     Subaru                 
• Ian Paterson     VW
• Mike and Sharon Kelly BMW R1200RT
• Mark Mitchell     Ducati Scrambler

Sunday 2nd April 2017 Club ride to Cootamundra

The Sunday 2 April was giving all indications that we would have good riding weather, after the previous two mornings of early fog, today was clear and if not exactly warm, it was dry and comfortable.  Most of us had arrived at the rendezvous at Nicholls service station in plenty of time in eager anticipation of the forthcoming ride.  Or it could simply have been because we all had an extra hours sleep the previous night due to the ending of Daylight Saving Time in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Peter Arday had valiantly volunteered to lead the group to Cootamundra.  The intention was to have lunch at the Globe Hotel, provided it was open.

Peter provided an excellent detailed briefing on the proposed route to Cootamundra.  The decision was made to stop at morning tea at Boorowa  and the first decision made we set off.

The trip out through Murrumbateman onto the Highway was uneventful.  Near  the Yass Service Station exit a white vehicle was parked in the dip between the north and south bound highway but as law abiding riders we were all doing the right thing and we drove on (got to be lucky sometimes).  We turned  onto the Boorowa road from the highway which is finally sealed after having been in a state of repair for a number of weeks. 
Riding along we saw a flock of small birds about 20 – 30 harassing a wedge tail eagle who was doing its best to evade the critters.  It looked like it had something in its talons.

We arrived at the Café in Boorowa and after coffee and cake Peter gave a refresh of the route for some of us with memory problems (me). 
At the café a couple of us decided to take an alternative route to Cootamundra.  The remainder of us set off to travel via Young. 
The road to Young is currently being improved (I think that’s the word) so we had several short stretches of dirt to negotiate however these dirt patches dry and compacted and there was very little traffic so it was easy riding. 

We rode through Young and then I must admit had no idea where we were going other than seeing the sign to Temora and at one stage crossed the Olympic Highway.  However the route that Peter had selected was very pleasant sealed roads with little traffic and pleasant meandering through the paddocks.

We arrived at Cootamundra and found the Globe Hotel.  The two riders who had elected to travel the alternative route arrived at about the same time however they had both been subjected to random breath testing as they entered the town.  We never encountered the RBT unit on our route into the town.

Unfortunately the Globe Hotel was closed but as luck would have it across the road was the RSL Bowls club so we all elected to eat there.

After lunch we all elected to return direct to Canberra via Harden.  The ride was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The country is looking very green at the moment.  The weather was spot on for riding with a light wind a temperature between 18C to 22C for most of the trip.


Les Robinson


Riders:

• Peter Arday (ride leader)    ST1300
• Ian Paterson    GL1800
• Neil Goldfinch    GSX1300
• Trevor Mcleod    FJR1300
• Les Robinson    Triumph Trophy 1215SE
• Peter Schreiber     Boulevard M50
• Andrew Campbell    FJR1300
• Roger Lines    Suzuki GS450S
• John Mellor     BMW R1200RT
• John Grace    Moto Guzzi1200S