Sunday 3rd November ride to Bemagui for lunch at Fishermen's Wharf Cafe.

Mick Winters (Ph: 0412 134 376) leads the Sunday 3rd November ride to Bemagui for lunch at Fishermen's Wharf Cafe. 

The ride will commence from Caltex Bungendore (42 MALBON STREET, Bungendore, New South Wales 2621) 

The briefing will be at 8.50 am and departure at 9.00. 

The route in short will be: Braidwood, Clyde Moutain, Nelligen (coffee), Princes Hwy and Bermagui (lunch and fuel). Return via Bemboka, Brown Mountain and Cooma (coffee). The ride is 520km ex CBR.
 
Warning: As noted above this ride leaves from Bungendore.

 1. Assess your own skill level and choose your rides accordingly.
 2. Be there with a full tank in time for the ride briefing.
 3. Ride responsibly - your safety (and that of your fellow riders) is up to you.

Facebook users can register their interest at https://www.facebook.com/events/673871449799819/

Rockley Pub Loop Ride Report 20 October 2019

“If anyone has a burning interest in doing the Ride Report, then let me know.”  The air of disinterest was palpable, so it came to pass that I found myself in the invidious position of ‘Scribe’ once more. There was always the faint possibility that something exciting would eventuate on the oft-ridden path.  Alas, nothing exciting whatsoever occurred, so this ride report could finish right here, and my job would be done.  We went to Rockley by the way.  That’s important.  It was a longer ride than usual, well-advertised as such and attended by a great group of ten eager riders. It included a couple of new bods keen to test the water and a few old bods who have been in hiding for a while.

For those still with me I shall continue with my diatribe.  I will attempt to enlighten you on the intricacies of turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse, or whatever the saying is.  I shall endeavour to create something out of nothing and if that’s not possible, then I shall attempt to create something interesting out of something not terribly exciting, of little consequence to those who failed to attend, and reflective of nothing more than a good day out on the motorcycle. Sometimes, the motorcycling takes precedence over the socialising. It’s a rare thing, but today was all about the ride.

This wasn’t expected to be a ride that would generate reams of commentary even though the roads were interesting to the point of being tricky in places.  The briefing was brief and I didn’t bother explaining the problematic process of getting from ‘Point A’ (the Advertised Starting Spot or ‘ASS’) to ‘Point B’ (the Morning Sustenance Stop or ‘MSS’) to ‘Point C’ (the Designated Lunch Location or ‘DLL’), thence returning directly to ‘Point D’ (the No Coffee Going Home Option or ‘NCGHO’).  Unless of course we all, or some of the we all, stopped at the alternate ‘Point D’ (the Afternoon Refreshment Stop or ‘ARS’) and then went on to the original ‘Point D’ which then becomes ‘Point E’ (the Have Coffee Then Go Home Option or ‘HCTGHO’).  Congratulations if you followed that explanation.  Your prize is in the mail.

Three paragraphs down and we haven’t even left the ASS yet.  I’m doing well.  It’s always a quandary about when to join the conga-line of bikes departing the ASS.  Do you join in behind the Ride Leader with the likelihood that you will have a cleaner run and faster ride?  The downside is the requirement to undertake Corner Marker duties if these have been called for by the Ride Leader.  Then you end up right at the back of the pack and can either stay there or ride the wheels off the bike getting back towards the front.  Some plead ignorance and ignore the Corner Marker bit, thus requiring rider three to do the duty.  Given the lack of requirement for fixed corner marking on this ride, we had few problems.  I prefer the Rolling Corner Marker System, or RCMS.  Phew.  Andrew was volunteered as tail, but even that wasn’t really
necessary.

Opting for a middle position means you are unlikely to get lost but may end up behind a newer or less confident or less capable rider.  That’s ok for most of us, most of the time.  The real downside is that this is where the elastic band effect takes place and you will often find yourself in a too-close pack of bikes, or suddenly scattered along several kilometres of road with no idea whether you are still playing ‘Follow the Ride Leader’ or some other game like ‘Lost in Space’.  The middle can be fun sometimes.  At other times, it’s just plain old ‘interesting’.

Those who opt for the tail-end group sometimes do so to just drift along and enjoy the scenery.  The downside is that you may get voluntarily stuck behind a slower rider and lose sight of the middle pack as well as the Ride Leader.  So long as you know where the next stop is, that’s ok as well.  As it was, everybody jockeyed for their preferred position like new starters at an orgy and we rolled out of the ASS in quick succession.  I led the procession, mainly due to my place as Ride Leader for the outing.  So far, all was going well.  It stayed well for the whole ride, excluding some apparently dubious overtaking manoeuvers back in the pack at one point.  Lots of cars have dash-cams these days, so it’s best to avoid such things.

The MSS was only a short distance away.  Short?  Well, by my calculations anyway.  Given the weather conditions of too cold, just right or too hot depending on starting attire, we all made it safely to ‘smoko’ at Taralga.  That’s an old term when it was acceptable, and often encouraged, that workers take a break from their toil and have a lovely refreshing cigarette.  There is nothing like going outside for a breath of fresh air and having a durry to fill your lungs with toxic smoke.  I’m a non-smoker.  Smoko at Taralga was a pleasant break from the still crisp morning air and we all partook of a warming brew at the Tangled Vine.

I heard no grumbles about the quality of the beverages, so I’ll assume that everybody was delighted with the selections they made.  Surprisingly, we were back on the bikes in quick time and heading deeper into the wilds of NSW and some fast and flowing roads.  Given the warming air and coffee-fuelled bellies, I was on the lookout in my mirrors for sleepy riders heading into the bushes for a nap, but none eventuated.  Most seemed to be awake for the run to lunch, or they simply closed their eyes and followed the noise from the rider in front.  That was very tricky given the twists and turns we negotiated.  The bugs were out, so visors were down on the full-face helmets to prevent additional post-smoko sustenance from ingested bugs, beetles and other semi-liquid but delightfully crunchy goodies.

Arriving at the DLL was a lesson in how to undertake synchronised parking as we all peeled into the reserve opposite the Rockley Pub and lined up in an almost orderly fashion.  Andrew opted to park over at the pub, perhaps fearful of being associated with rest of the rabble.  Lunch at the DLL was, by most accounts, awesome.  That’s an Amazingly Well Exhibited Selection Of Marvellous Eats – A.W.E.S.O.M.E.   I had spotted some roadkill by the edge of the parking area as we pulled into town.  It was once someone’s favored pet cat, or small dog, or wild possum, or something equally inedible and thankfully unrecognisable.  No, I didn’t munch on the roadkill for lunch.  The Rockley menu was far more appetising.  I chose something quick and easy.  It turned out to be quick, easy and delicious.  It was also much better than road-kill, but I should have chosen the bangers and mash instead of the burger as that looked even better.  Maybe next time.  The coffee was nice too.  I like a good coffee.

The lunchtime conversations flowed easily as we discussed anything and everything bike-related, retirement-related, road-related and socially-related.  Then, with lunch over and a scant few crumbs left on the plates, we headed for the bikes.  Departing was as easy as arriving.  Only the direction had changed.  Somehow, we all successfully negotiated the correct departure path to the so-called highway and headed for our respective NCGHO or HCTGHO via the ARS, only interrupted by the Perthville refuel.  See paragraph three if you have already forgotten what those acronyms stand for. There will be a test.  The plan was to travel back south via equally tricky roads as the ones we had headed north on.  Fuel at Perthville took a while but the run from there through Trunkey Creek, Tuena and Binda was delightful with a big D.  I do like this particular loop.  Everybody decided to have a farewell brew at the Gunning ARS before heading home.  That’s always the sign of a good ride.

This was a good run.  There were no dramas that I know of, unless someone had a problem as we split up after the ARS and the HCTGHO.  If so, apologies for not reporting it and taking photos.  I went directly from the ARS to my HCTGHO via Mulligans Flat to give me time to wash the bugs off the bike, have a quiet beer and unwind.  A few went the same way, while others headed in different directions.  My choice of lunch tucker was a highlight of the day for me.  I think it was up to scratch for everyone else, so that’s a good thing.  It was also a great group to lead and there were no aberrations in the cosmic vortex as far as I am aware.  That’s so much better than a wayward bee in your undies.

Ride Leader (that’s me!) did a great job (apparently) and everybody behaved themselves because it was too hard to behave each other.  My mirrors showed a continual expansion and contraction of the little group throughout the ride.  No big deal, but the old DR650 definitely lost all cobwebs keeping up.  The rolling corner marker system seemed to work ok and is my preferred choice outside the city limits.  Well folks, it’s time to end the drivel and finish here.  Catch up next
time.

Attendees were:

• Ride Leader and Scribe Mick Beltrame   (BMW R1250 GS).
• Follower Paul Woodward                       (Yamaha FJR 1300)
• Follower Dave Jones                             (Yamaha XT 1200)
• Follower Bill Henshaw                           (Triumph Explorer 1200)
• Follower Paul Arranz                             (Suzuki DR 650)
• Follower Donna Crowther                      (BMW K1600)
• Follower Andrew Campbell                    (Yamaha FJR 1300)
• Follower Kevin Sherman                        (Indian Scout)
• Follower Craig Fraser                            (Yamaha FJR 1300)
• Follower Rob Jones                               (KTM 1090R)

Chomp and Chat – Murrumburrah, 13 October 2019

Perfect riding weather greeted us as we set out on a fairly straight forward ride to our lunch destination, Murrumburrah.  

We covered the less interesting stages of the route without incident; taking the Barton Highway to Yass, and the Hume Highway to Jugiong. 

The riding became much more enjoyable when we turned off the Hume onto Jugiong Road and headed towards Harden. This is a very pleasant, winding road with undulating hills and magnificent rural scenery.

Our lunch venue was the Barnes Store Emporium and Café in Murrumburrah. The staff were very welcoming and friendly, and the food was perfectly acceptable lunch-time fare. 

We enjoyed a long, relaxed lunch with pleasant conversation – just as the Chomp & Chat is intended to be. We welcomed a new Ulysses member to the ride – Noel Bentley.

After lunch people decided to take various different routes back towards Canberra. The mild, warm sunny weather made us all reluctant to miss the opportunity of riding some country roads. Damon, Jen and Steven decided to ride back on the Wee Jasper Road, Mountain Creek and Uriarra Crossing. Noel and John headed back through Boorowa, Rugby and Crookwell.
John Grace

Riders were:

• John Grace           Triumph Tiger 1200
• Kevin Sherman     Indian Scout
• Steven Bardwell    Moto Guzzi V7
• Damon Hatchett    BMW R850R
• Jen Hatchett            "
• Noel Bentley         BMW F800GSA

October 2019 RO2 now available!

Here's a short note to advise that the October 2019 RO2 is now available for your perusal.

This link will take you there (https://tinyurl.com/yymbpjxn)

And of course, 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.

Social Dinner and Welcome Ulyssian Nat Comm to Canberra 11th Oct

Final call for anyone wishing to join us on 11th Oct at EASTLAKE FOOTBALL CLUB 3 OXLEY ST, GRIFFITH ACT 2603 for a  Social Dinner and to welcome Ulyssian Nat Comm to Canberra. The event starts from 6pm

 
The Facebook event link is
https://www.facebook.com/events/385841212091476/
or email Kyla at mickandkyla@hotmail.com

Weekend motorcycling: Bikers Breakfast (12thOct) and Chomp n Chat (13thOct)

Its a busy weekend for motorcycling with the Bikers Breakfast at the start of Motorcycle Awareness Week and a Chomp n Chat the following day. Start Saturday off when you pop over to Joe's Motorcycles at 15 Collie St,Fyshwick on from 8.30 to 10.30am) for an egg and bacon roll and a chat in good company.  as the Joe Rider campaign also begins. (each spotting of Joe reported to the MRAACT gets you into the daily draw for a $50 fuel voucher!‬).

With your motorcycling thirst still unquenched, Sunday 13th October will bring a Chomp & Chat to Murrumburrah, to the Barnes Store Emporium Café. 

The 260km ride will leave Caltex Nicholls, following a briefing at 10:20am with departure at 10:30am. 

Led by John Grace (0418 487 104) the ride will head out via highways, Jugiong, Jugiong Rd & Murrumburrah (lunch). Back via Burley Griffin Way & highways.

Looks to be a good motorcycling weekend!

Ride Report: Rosehill Backroads Tour, 6 October 2019

Six brave souls turned up for this ride despite the challenges presented by the start of daylight saving, not to mention double demerit points due to the long weekend.

We met (most of us anyway) at the new cholesterol corner at Caltex  'The Foodary' Weston Creek.

We headed out through Uriarra Crossing onto the highly entertaining Mountain Creek Road. The scenery along this road is looking magnificent even in drought conditions. We then followed Wee Jasper Road to Yass, and Lachlan Valley Way to Boorowa, managing to avoid any meaningful interaction with the highway patrol.

Of course, it hadn't occurred to any of us that the Saturday of the October long weekend is the date of the world-renowned Running of the Sheep event in Boorowa. Our normally peaceful entry into sleepy old Boorowa was rudely disrupted by a blocked main street, jumping castles, bagpipe players, market stalls, street performers and the general annoyance caused by large numbers of sheep-running aficionados. I imagine there were also numerous visitors from Pamplona. We still managed to procure the mandatory coffee and pies at the Superb Café.

Having extricated ourselves from the sheep-induced frenzy in Boorowa we backtracked slightly to Cunningar Road, onto Galong Road, Bouyeo Road, and through the busy metropolis of Galong. We headed down a section of McMahons Reef Road and then onto Berremangra Road.

Berremangra Road is a bit of a revelation for back-roads enthusiasts. The scenery is beautiful and the narrow, sealed road has lots of interesting twists and hilly bends, not to mention blind crests and stray cattle. Dave described it as a real roller-coaster. You certainly need to have your wits about you – no lapses of concentration on this little road!

Berremangra Road joins the Hume Hwy a few kilometres East of Jugoing. We turned off at Jugiong, following Jugiong Road and Rosehill Road to Cootamundra. Again, the scenery and roads were very entertaining - lots of hills twists and turns, and very little traffic. 

Lunch at the Family Hotel at Cootamundra. The 'Family' is a rather plain, working class hotel on the outside but has a nice big dining area and good pub food at very reasonable prices. The roast pork special at $14 was hard to pass up.
 

Roast of the day - Family Hotel Cootamundra

We had plenty of erudite conversation on this ride, including politically incorrect 'true stories', and a discussion about the intelligence of sulphur crested cockatoos and how to cook them.
We returned home via Cullinga Mines Road, Jugiong Road, Bouyeo Road, Burley Griffin Way and then onto the boring old Hume and Barton highways.

This was a very well-planned and researched ride (thank you Ian) with a group of capable back-roads riders. There were a couple of alarmingly close encounters with grey kangaroos, but while we maintained a very good pace, everyone rode safely and well within their limits.

Hopefully there will be plenty more back roads tours in the ride calendar in future.

John Grace

Riders were:

• Ian Paterson – Honda GL1800 (Ride Leader)
• Andrew Campbell – Yamaha FJR1300
• Scott England – BMW R1200RT
• Darryl Cullen – Suzuki Bandit 1250
• Dave Jones – Yamaha XT1200
• John Grace – Triumph Tiger 1200 (your correspondent).

 

Double demerits over the October Long Weekend

Don't forget that Double demerits will start on midnight Friday 4 October and run through to Labour Day to finish on midnight of Monday 7 October.

Double demerit points apply for speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.

Take it easy folks; safe riding!

 

Club Ride - Rosehill Back Roads Tour, 6th October

On the 6th of October, to celebrate the return of Daylight Saving, ride leader Ian  will take a trusty band on the Rosehill Back Roads Tour (a 420k extravaganza for back roads aficionados!)

The ride will be leaving the Caltex Foodary at Weston Creek (Kirkpatrick & Cotter). The briefing will be at 8:50am, and departure at 9:00am to arrive for lunch at the Family Hotel, Cootamundra.

 Ride Leader: Ian Paterson 0427 291 728

The planned route is as follows:      
Out via Mountain Creek Rd, Yass, Boorowa (coffee), Galong, Bouyeo Rd, McMahons Reef Rd, Berremangra Rd, Hume Hwy, Jugiong Rd, Rosehill Rd & Cootamundra (lunch & fuel). Back via Cullinga Mines Rd, Jugiong Rd, Bouyeo Rd & Bowning (coffee). 

                       Warning:  Daylight saving starts on the 6th

PS - if you arrive late :-( 

the Family Hotel is at 103 Hovell Street Cootamundra NSW 2590