Ride Report – ANZAC Day Temora 25 April 2018

This is the final year of the 100th Anniversary of the “Great War”; arguably, the period that forged the birth of this great Nation we live in. Whatever the day means to all of us, for our Branch it is our pleasure to be invited to attend the Temora ANZAC day march with our bikes, which we have done for longer than I have been a member. 

I personally have no ancestors that go back to that time, or were in the Australian military at all. But I, as an ex serving member of the Royal Australian Air Force that committed to 23 years of service, attend ANZAC ceremonies because I am always in awe of the sacrifices made by the many men and women of this nation who gave us the country we live in today. (Just think for a moment – along the small, northern part of the “Western Front” – across all sides of the conflict, military and civilian, in a region called Flanders (Belgium) during that time, approximately a quarter of a million people lost their lives; this area is no larger than greater Belconnen and Gungahlin combined). Where did I find this out? – In 2016 when I did my Europe trip. Horrific. If you haven’t visited any of the many Commonwealth War Graves over there, make it a point when you go to Europe. 

I arrived at Caltex Nicholls at 0715 for Peter Arday’s ride. Peter gave us the ride brief “Coffee in Murrumburrah, and don’t take too much time or we’ll leave you behind”. Ian added “and we are picking up Marilyn Starrick at the off ramp of the service centre at Yass”. The day was spectacular – not as cool as it usually is on this day. The ride was.... brisk. There was no Marilyn at Yass, but Marilyn and Steve met us at the cafe. As it was, when we had our coffee break we did take our time and nobody was left behind, making it with sufficient time to spare at Temora to assemble and take a couple of layers off (it was 25 degrees!) and put the service medals on. I made contact with the boss of the local constabulary, so as to ensure that it’s OK to ride without a lid on. His answer was “just don’t fall off in front of me”. That settled, and the ‘march’ began. A couple of minutes later, all done we parked our bikes for the service.
 

Marilyn: “Feel very honoured to have laid a wreath with Sally and Elly
on behalf of the Ulysses club Canberra, at the Temora ANZAC day
service. Beautiful country service and very well attended.”

 Marilyn and Sally did the honours and escorted the wreath to the dais, and we listed to the speeches by the local school kids and the invitational military officer for this year (Colonel someone, sorry, forgot. But one of our party – I think Vidas - said that he served with this Colonel’s father. Coincidence?).
After the Service, some of us chose to eat the Servicemans’ Club, while others chose to head home.

It was a great day, and thanks to all of you that were able to make the ride.

Sorry, photos are “MIA” – my phone died.

Chris Dietzel

• Peter Arday (Honda NT700)
• Mike Kelly (BMW R1200RT)
• Darryl Cullen (Suzuki 1250S Bandit)
• Vidas Sadauskas (H.D. Street Glide)
• John Storn & Ellie (Yamaha FJR1300)
• Kevin Sherman (Valkyrie)
• Warren Richer (Honda VFR1200)
• Trevor McLeod (Yamaha FJR1300)
• John Barratt (BMW R1200GS)
• Ian & Sally Paterson (Honda Goldwing)
• Chris Dietzel (Kawasaki GTR1400)

And joining us at Murrumburrah:

• Marilyn Starrick and Steve (Ducati and ‘uncertain’)

Canberra Times - Safety concerns with cross traffic through the Light Rail works

There was an article in the 27 April Canberra Times noting safety concerns with cross traffic through the Light Rail works.

The MRAACT have a link to the article and a request to provide any information regarding this and similar issues affecting motorcycles in the ACT to assist them in their lobbying work on our behalf.

Have a read; you can find out more about the issue and perhaps be able to comment further to assist.

Don't forget ; any road condition concerns can also be flagged online at "Fix My Street"

Ride Safe!

Ride Report – Araluen 22 April 2018

I woke late, content to have a relaxing day. The club ride will do that for me. I had a quick look at the Branch ride calendar. Damn, it’s getting late and the meet point is Caltex Bungendore. No breakfast at home, and arrived in time to have a coffee and cake at a cafe at Bungendore, seated so as to watch the arrivals next door at the servo.

Mike was the ride leader, and he gave an almost ‘PeterArdayEsque ride briefing, so as nobody would be left in the dark as to what was happening. “OK, so we are riding back towards Canberra North and.....” What? “... turn right at the roundabout and head to Tarago. Make sure you turn right at the Loaded Dog. If you find yourself in Goulburn, I am not coming to find you. We’re doing this loop or we will be too early at the Araluen pub for lunch. We will gather again at Braidwood, just across the main junction on the way out to Araluen and Majors Creek. Questions? Who wants to be tail end – Chris, you have HiViz on..” No, I said, I don’t do the tail end....

And so it was. The loop road through Tarago was good (a bit of roadwork and dirt, lucky Gary McC is not here to see this!) and the run down to Braidwood was a leisurely 110km or so. We had coffee in Braidwood (wait, I can’t remember if we did!). At any rate, refreshed, we met across the junction and some that felt the need filled up (must have forgotten at Bungendore). Mike asked if anybody felt like going a bit quicker down the hill into Araluen, feel free to go up front. Sharon feels better at the leisurely pace. Thats’ quite OK, I headed off, followed by the VFR’s and the other GTR.

We soon arrived at the pub. And who’s out the front? – our esteemed (Ex) President Ian arrived at Bungendore too late for the briefing and so found his own way, without knowing that we put on an additional 50km or so by going via Tarago. Mike sorted out the table booking, and we had to get in and eat before the ‘other group’ (I think Lions or Rotary) ate all the choices. As it was, the kitchen struggled with our orders. But we all got a meal. It was a great day, and after a while we bade farewell and headed home at our own pace.
Thanks for the ride Mike; as usual the company was great. It’s so good riding with Ulyssians as the rides tend to be relaxing and stress-free.

Damn, photos have lost themselves somewhere (I changed my phone).

Chris Dietzel 

Riders were:

• Mike & Sharon Kelly – BMW R1200RT (Ride Leader)
• Michael & Tracey Winters – Triumph Trophy
• John Storn & Ellie – Yamaha FJR1300
• Warren Richer – Honda VFR1200
  
• Matt Hopf – Honda VFR800
• Neil McRitchie – Kawasaki GTR1400
• Craig Fraser – Honda Goldwing
• Chris Dietzel, Kawasaki GTR1400

Oh, and a late starter beat us to Araluen. What? 

• Ian Paterson – Honda Goldwing

Anzac Day at Temora

 A message from Ian re Anzac Day at Temora

G’day all,

Participating in the Anzac Day march and service at Temora has become a tradition for the Canberra Branch. It is very well received by the locals and we have been invited to take part again this year.

Peter Arday will be leading the ride to Temora next Wednesday, the 25th. It is being run to a fairly tight schedule to make sure we get there on time. All members are welcome to join us. Please wear your gongs if applicable. As an added attraction, the service is usually graced by a flyover by one of the Spitfires from the Temora Aviation Museum.

Here’s the schedule:

Leave Caltex Nichols 7.30am sharp
Pit Stop Barnesstore Cafe Murrumburrah 8.30am approx. 30 mins
Arrive Temora 10.00am
Lunch Temora Services Club 1.00pm
Leave for Canberra 2.00pm

Some riders are staying at Temora on the Wednesday night, at the Goldtera Motor Inn, (02) 6977 2433 (book your own accommodation if you wish to stay).

If you have any queries, contact Peter Arday on 0411 529 151‬.

Cheers,
Ian

Ian Paterson
Ride Coordinator
Ulysses Club Canberra Branch
0427 291 728
prez.ulyssescanberra@icloud.com

15 April Chomp and Chat to Goulburn

I love riding in 60km/h winds …. said no one ever. Especially through the windiest towns in NSW – Tarago, Currawang and Goulburn. 4 brave souls rocked up at BP Watson for a journey to Grit Café, Goulburn. 

 We left right on time at 10am, braving the winds up the Federal Highway to Macs Reef Rd and onto Tarago Rd at Bungendore to head up to Collector Rd. There’s a reason there are wind turbines there – if today was a sample of usual weather in the region - they must be making a fortune.

We followed Collector Rd through Currawang, dodging a fallen tree thanks to the flashing lights of the car on the other side of the road telling us to slow down for a hazard. Next hazard - a bunch of cattle in the middle of the road. Luckily, the farmer led us through them in his ute slowly and stealthily.

There was a bit of zig zagging through Goulburn with Garoorigang Rd still closed, but we finally made it to our destination. Poor Mick Riddle looked aghast to be in Maccas carpark, but I soon reassured him that we were off to Grit Café for brunch. 

Garry regaled us with tales of his trip to Bali (Bali = BAD), Kim talked about being strip searched at Bali Airport and her experience with road cattle while riding in Vietnam, Chas told us how he ended up in Canberra, and Mick discussed the pros and cons of flying planes vs earthworks …. (note to self: there’s more money in earthworks).

After a warming coffee and a beaut brunch, Garry headed off to visit his mum and the rest of us braved the wind to go home via the Freeway. My wind riding skills are much improved, those wind wiggles are all more experience for me.

Thanks to everyone who came on my maiden ride leading experience, and thanks to Chas for being tail end Charlie.

Kim

Chas Towie ST1300
Garry McCurley VFR1200
Kim Tito F700GS
Mick Riddle R1150RT 

Decide and Ride - 8th of April

Having not been on a ride for a while I was looking forward to one on Sunday the 8th of April. It was forecast to be a (ridiculous for April) 30 degree day with not a skerrick of rain – my kind of riding day.

Given the weather conditions, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised to find at the published ride start point, one Mr Michael Beltrame.

Michael is a rider who usually favours riding in bible-esque torrents of rain, wearing a hair-shirt and cilice while beating himself with a birch branch. Apparently he’s also up for a ride in favourable, pleasant and dry conditions – welcome to sensible town Mick!

As well as Mick there was Les, who’d finally got the slimy clay off his bike from a previous ride, and (slight) latecomer Ian.

After some discussion about ways not to go (Gunning to Crookwell) we decided we’d head to Boorowa for morning tea/coffee and then to Taralga via Crookwell.

The Crookwell to Taralga run is fast becoming a perennial favourite with some lovely alternating sweeping bends. It’s also usually quiet.

We lunched at the Tangled Vine with most, choosing the hamburger in one format or another.

Then home via Goulburn and for me, down the federal highway having deployed cruise control.

All-in-all, a good day. Unfortunately, no rain for Mick this time.

Riders:
Andrew Campbell    Yamaha FJR1300
Les Robinson        Triumph Trophy 1200
Mick Beltrame        BMW R1200GS
Ian Paterson        Honda GL1800

Blanket Run 12 May 2018

G’day all,

Put the Blanket Run in your calendar!!

Saturday 12th May at Old Parliament House is when the ACT Motorcyclist Blanket Run is to be held.  Meet from 8.30 for a 10.00am departure, and bring new Blankets, non-perishable food, and cash to donate to the Salvation Army so that they can help people in our community who are facing a long cold winter.

Bring your family and friends and spread the word. Please send the attached flyer around - the more riders we have the better.

Contact committee@mraact.org.au for questions if you have any.