Sydney Branch Odyssey at Tumut on the October Long Weekend

As a by the way - Sydney Branch will be running their 29th Sydney Branch Odyssey over at Tumut on the October long weekend(from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October, 2019).
 
As they say:

"As our usual habit to wander around the state for nine years, this year we shall celebrate the 29th Sydney Branch Odyssey at the Snowy Mountains riverside town of Tumut. Please join us there from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October, 2019, the NSW long weekend. So put this event in your social diary now.

Registration details and prices are available from the Secretary, Sydney branch, at: scrtysydneybranch@gmail.com from early August.

Our agenda follows our tradition of:

• a casual 'meet & greet' drinks before a 'sit down' dinner on the Friday night in a local club, located in Tumut CBD;
• an optional half day bus tour of the region from mid Saturday morning to late afternoon, from and to the CBD, with two buses going in alternate routes for the same stopover locations;
• then down time before our 'formal' dinner Saturday night at the local golf club. Bus transfers will be available.
• More information may be obtained by the branch Secretary by an email to scrtysydneybranch@gmail.com or by phoning 0487 414 063 or sending an SMS.

The link to the Agenda is also here to cut and paste: 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vzun41y83dwqvfh/sydney%20branch%20odyssey%202019%20agenda%20info%20letter21%20aug.pdf?dl=0

Chomp & Chat ride to Marulan Sunday 15th September 2019.

Alan agreed to lead this ride after the designated leader had to pull out.  It was forecast to be a lovely day, so why not.  I decided I would tag along.

We arrived at BP Watson a little early, but one bike was already there and soon there were more.

After Alan gave the usual leaders briefing and explaining our route, we headed off up the Federal Hwy until we got to Mac’s Reef Rd to turn off toward Bungendore.  Left at the round-a-bout towards Tarago where we then went straight ahead on the Lumley Rd.  This road ends at Oallen Ford Rd which took us to the tiny village of Bungonia.  A right turn just out of town on the Jerrara Rd then led us back to the Federal Hwy near Marulan.

We pulled into the main street of Marulan and parked the bikes opposite the Meridian Café.  This proved to be a popular spot for lunch but the service was very efficient and we didn’t have to wait long for our respective orders.  We lingered there for about an hour with conversation flowing readily.

Once lunch was over, the discussion was held about the return trip.  First and foremost was the need for fuel in some of the bikes, so we all headed to the Mobil servo in Goulburn (near the traffic lights). From there, some chose to come home via the Federal Hwy, with the need to complete chores at home.  The remainder agreed to follow Alan out of Goulburn the back way and head towards Gunning via the Gurrundah Rd.  This heads towards Breadalbane using the old Hume Hwy, and after a few turns left and right we arrived in Gunning where we stopped for a coffee. 

Further splitting of riders ensued from here with some going straight ahead toward Sutton and subsequently to Queanbeyan or further southside, while we turned off onto Mulligans Flat Rd which brings you into the back of Gungahlin.  By the way, this road is now tar all the way.

It was a great day for riding with perfect weather and great company.  Thanks to everyone who joined us on the day.  Hope to see you all again.

Cheers
Lyn

Riders:

• Alan & Lyn Munday        Yamaha FJR1300
• Kevin Sherman              Indian
• Neil McRitchie                Kawasaki GTR1400
• Mal Garner & Sue Nott   Triumph Rocket 3
• Mark Micallef                 Boulevard M109R
• Mark Mitchell                 Triumph Tiger 1200
• Warren Richer               Triumph Thruxton 1200
• Andrew Campbell           Yamaha FJR1300
• Mark Sayer                    Kawasaki Z900RS

The Spring 2019 Riding On is out

Just a quick heads up to those like me who have elected to receive the electronic version of the club  magazine, the Riding On . 

The Spring 2019 issue is now available.

Duck over to the National site, log on and you can read excerpts on the web, browse the mag online or like me download the whole thing as a pdf. 
( I'm sometimes at a locale which doesn't have "fibre to the home", so a pdf is most excellent!)

National Annual General Meeting 2020 - Call for Nominations

Over on the National Site there's a call for nominations  for positions on the National Committee for 2020. 

If you have the time, energy, dedication and skills to offer, then "please consider". 

Nominations must be received by the National Secretary by November 30, 2019. and can be requested from the National Secretary or the National Administration Office.

Completed nominations should be addressed to Henry Rokx the National Secretary and sent by email to secretary@ulysses.org.au or by post to:
Ulysses Club Inc. Administration Office
PO Box 3242
NARELLAN NSW 2567

Please note that all nominations must be in writing and need to be signed by the Proposer, Seconder and Nominee, who must all be financial members of Ulysses Club Inc.


You can read this extract over on the National website ; you should log in for that complete experience :-)

Club Ride to ‘The Fish Shop’ Burrill Lake, 22 September 2019

I don’t know how it happened. A ride led from Bungendore without Mick Winters as ride leader. Nevertheless, I headed out to Caltex at Bungendore early, to find a few already there. The nicer weather today must have awoken the slumbering Ulyssians as, before long, there were 14 of us (and Margaret as the only pillion). We didn’t hang around long after the prescribed departure time of 10:00, as the café owner next to the servo was chomping at the bit to get us out of her car park so her clientele will have somewhere to park. A few quick words: ‘anybody feel like coffee at Braidwood? – No, OK, so we’ll gather up again at Nelligen then head north toward Ulladulla. Questions?’. There were none, so off we went at about 10:02.

The route was predictable – Bungendore to Braidwood as we do so often (but it’s good today with the spring upon us), and down the Clyde. The ride was, well, cautious. Very wary that the boys in blue just passed as out of Bungendore, they must be setting up somewhere. None seen by the time we reached the escarpment. One very cautious tin top driver at the top decided not to move over at Poo Bear corner, so with some deft overtaking (oops, sorry, I’m not hanging around here – I let the air horn let the guy know I’m passing) we nipped by and from there it was an absolute dream run down the mountain. This road is just sooo good when it’s not a long weekend or holiday. As promised, I pulled over at the entrance to Nelligen where the pub is.
 
We turned left and headed north on Hwy 1. Here too the road was pretty clear, and turning left after the bridge at Burrill Lake and left again, we found ourselves at “The Fish Shop”. I’ve not had lunch there before, but it is as is advertised. There were several people queued in front of us waiting for their orders, and it was only 1145 or thereabout. 

The lunch was great, best fish’n’chips I’ve had in a long time. Not many places to sit down to eat, some chose to eat at their bikes, others found a spot at a park bench at the waters’ edge and shared a yarn and some of our lunch with those ever-present seagulls. They really must know when the shop is open, and where to get an easy feed (silly humans, this lot, don’t they know fish and chips is bad for the wildlife?).

A few headed early – Mick B, Rob J and Dave J decided that northbound to Turpentine Road and Nelligen is the way home for them. I bailed as well – I’m off overseas on Friday for a month and decided I will head back south to Moruya to catch up with daughter at the Skydive Oz drop zone – she’s nuts, has her skydiving D license now and has done close to 280 jumps in around 12 months. Arrived just in time to see her drop in, pack chute again and up again for the 4th jump in the day. Kris J followed to fill up with fuel at Mogo.

The ride back up the Clyde was just as enjoyable as the way down, with little traffic. Later in the day as I was arriving into Bungendore I noticed Kris J again on my tail – must have spent some time chilling at the coast area herself, before heading home.

A great ride out, thanks to all for the company. Spring is out, come on out, all you riders that have been hibernating for the winter.

Chris Dietzel

Riders:

Kevin Sherman: Indian               Dave Jones: XT1200
Robert McNeilly: VFR800             John Grace: Tiger 1200
Chris Dietzel: GTR1400               Steven Bardwell: MotoGuzzi V7
Kris Jirasek: GSX1300 ‘Busa        Ian Paterson: GL1800
Mick Harvey: FJR1300                 Scott England: R1250RT
Mick Beltrame: R1250GS             Neil McRitchie: GTR1400
Rob Jones: KTM1090R                 Derek & Margaret Titheradge: Spyder

Recreational Registration Survey Launched

State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP has launched a comprehensive survey for off road bike riders to have a say in what a scheme to grant cheaper recreational registration and CTP insurance might look like.

In May this year, Ms Hornery met with representatives from peak bodies representing thousands of off road riders in NSW to discuss the need for a recreational registration scheme. A Notice of Motion was also moved in Parliament calling for the Minister to work towards implementing a scheme.

Off road bike riders across NSW have been calling for a similar scheme to the one that operates in Victoria and previous attempts in NSW to get a scheme up and operating have failed.

The survey is available at. http://soniahornery.com.au/recreational-registration-survey/

 

Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, 29th September 2019

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is an event to raise money for men’s mental health, prostate cancer and Movember.

Specialised for bikes such as Cafe' Racer, Bobber, Classic, Tracker, Scrambler, Old School Chopper, Modern Classic, Sidecar, Classic Scooter, Brat Styled motorcycles. Even if you can’t ride – might be something your Branch is interested in viewing and/or raising funds for.

More info: https://www.gentlemansride.com/about/

 

Motorcycle Awareness Week – 12th to 19th October

At the last branch meeting we were reminded that October is the month for  Motorcycle Awareness Week. 

MAW19 will kick off at the Bikers Breakfast at Joe's Motorcycles, then run all week with the challenge to Look For Joe Rider and end with a MASTERS course (just the thing for the returning rider).

• Bikers Breakfast on Saturday 12 October (for egg and bacon rolls at Joe's Motorcycles at 15 Collie St,Fyshwick on from 8.30 to 10.30am)
  

• Joe Rider will be out on the town all week, (and each spotting reported to joe.rider@mraact.org.au will get you into the daily draw for a $50 fuel voucher)

• MASTERS course on Saturday 19 October

22 Sept Ride - Burrill Lake to the Fish Shop (for Fish and Chips!)

Date:                    Sun 22nd September
Destination:         Burrill Lake
Distance:              425 km ex Canberra
Leave:                  Caltex Bungendore
Time:                    Briefing 9:50am, departure 10:00am
Lunch:                  The Fish Shop (best fish & chips on the coast)
Leader:                 Chris Dietzel 0432 632 667‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬  
Warning:              This ride leaves from Bungendore

 ( Extracted from the Ride Calendar )

September 2019 RO2 now available

Just a short note to advise that the latest (September 2019) RO2 is now available for your perusal.

And of course, that next Tuesday is the Branch meeting date - see you there?!

@ Canberra Deakin Football Club  
3 Grose St Deakin ACT    
http://www.deakinsports.com.au/

 6.00pm to enjoy a meal or a drink before the meeting which starts at 7.30pm. 

 

Next Ride: Chomp & Chat at Marulan; Meridian Café 15 Sept

Date:                    Sun 15th September
Destination:         Chomp & Chat: Marulan
Distance:              250 km
Leave:                  BP Watson
Time:                    Briefing 10:20am, departure 10:30am
Lunch:                  Meridian Café
Leader:                 Al Munday 0438 510 137

Canberran Branch Ulyssians on the Women Riders World Relay - WRWR

The WRWR relay is a world-wide women’s motorbike relay, and so far it has covered the remote, the daring and the vast parts of our world. The relay currently has 19000 members globally. Each country carries the baton which contains the scroll and participants sign the scroll – contained in a handmade wooden baton with a GPS monitor. 

The mission statement of the relay is to bring fun, experience, confidence and a sense of unity to women riders globally – encouraging them to be adventurous, courageous, inspiring, real and united. 

The other goal is to raise awareness among the motorcycle industry that women are a force in motorcycle riding, and need proper gear, less pink, a better fit and more functionality. The baton started its journey in Europe in February 2019, and has since travelled across the world landing in Australia in August. In early September, the baton arrived from Newcastle in Batehaven for its final Australian leg.

On September 6 it was transported up to Sydney for handover to the New Zealand contingent, and 4 Canberra Branch members were ‘guardians’ for its journey. 

Some of this group also participated on other routes, and one held responsibility to carry the baton on a leg of its journey. We felt privileged to meet and ride with a few brave women from around Australia and overseas who completed every leg of the Australian Relay.

For those who missed out on an official relay route, there is a Ripple Relay (passing a flag from state to state) across Australia, with a Canberra route planned for 1 December – details can be found here, let me(Kim Tito) know if you are interested in participating! https://www.facebook.com/events/parliament-house-canberra/act-ripple-relay/1098525713681082/ 

Kim Tito 

Riders:

• Chris – Honda DN01
• Genelle – BMW 700GS
• Karen – Honda Africa Twin
• Kim – BMW F700GS

National Memorial Day Ride to Cordeaux Dam (8th September)

Tomorrow's (8 Sept) ride is the National Memorial Day Ride to Cordeaux Dam.

The overall distance is approximately 430ks. leaving from BP Watson .

    
The briefing will be held at at 8:20am, with departure 8:30am
 
Lunch will be a Sausage sizzle at the Dam.


The illustrious ride leader will be Darryl Palin (0412 213 764 ).

 

Social Club Dinner at Gungahlin Lakes Club (30 Aug 20019)

The latest social dinner was held at the Gungahlin Lakes Club on Friday 30th August. 

As we assembled, our reserved tables stood suitably vacant but obscured by a long line of fellow diners queuing to order, so we wisely elected to sit near the bar and enjoy a drink and chat as a few more of our numbers arrived. 

It was an effective strategy and the queue shrank and it was only a  short wait before we were down to serious matters of drinking, chatting and eating.

Thanks to all who attended!  A good night out in good company!

(and a Big thanks to Kyla for organising it; bring on the next one!)