Branch activities suspended due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Hello Fellow Ulysses Members and Friends,

The Branch Committee met via phone conference on Wednesday evening.
 
The meeting convened primarily to discuss how the ACT Branch Ulysses moves forward given the Government’s recommendations surrounding the COVID-19 virus and how it will impact on our all social gatherings.
 
The Committee discussed the impact of social-distancing and have agreed to suspend some of our activities until it is deemed safe to come together physically as a group.

Suspended – Cancelled Activities

• All organised rides will be cancelled – up until the end of May.  A ride committee will convene as soon as practicable to get some of the planned rides back into the calendar for us.

• All Social Dinners will be suspended until further notice.

• Social Monthly Meetings will be cancelled until further notice.

• The Branch Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled each year in April, obviously will not take place.  We will monitor and follow the lead of the National Ulysses Club with regards to the holding of our Branch AGM.

I am pleased to say that your devoted current Committee has agreed to continue to serve the Branch in the positions they have been elected to, until the 2020 AGM is held. Members will be asked to think about nominating for a Committee position as soon as we have a clear understanding of how to proceed. 

Communication and Support

The Committee feels that, at this difficult time of social-distancing and isolation, it is more important then ever to ensure we provide good communication and support to all Members.  The media channels available to us will continued (ie: the Website, the R02 Newsletter, Facebook and emails) to ensure our Ulysses members feel informed and supported and these will be sent out to everyone at required.   

We would prefer to name this time “Physical-Distancing” as we are still a strong “Social” group.  To that end, the Committee have offered to be available on the phone for any members who may be feeling isolated or in need of support.  Phone numbers and email addresses are on the Branch web-site and I urge Members, if you find yourself in need of a chat, to just pick up the phone or drop any of us a line.

Please make staying safe your highest priority at this time. Watch out for updates from us.  We will see you on the other side with hugs and handshakes a plenty.

Regards,

Maritta Heiler | President, Canberra Branch #44790
Mob: 0417633000
maritta.h@bigpond.com
Find out more at http://ulyssescanberrabranch.blogspot.com.au
Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ulyssesclubcanberrabranch/

Ride Report Rosehill Back Roads Tour 22 March 2020

This was the third time I had led this ride, but it takes in so many different roads, intersections and turn-offs that I had to resort to my cheat sheet beforehand and even at some points during the excursion.

It’s a cracker route, though, following some of the best little back roads in the region as it winds its way from Canberra to Cootamundra and back. To quote John Grace, a repeat Rosehill Back Roads Tourist, “Berremangra Road is a bloody beauty – it’s as if they just poured a line of bitumen across the paddocks.”

Seven of us on six bikes gathered at the new Caltex servo overlooking Cotter Road at Weston, having been teased by unseasonal fog on the way in. We left right on time at 9am and headed out of town on Uriarra Road, crossed the Murrumbidgee, climbed out of the valley on Fairlight Road and turned right onto Mountain Creek Road in bright sunshine.

The valley of The Mullion was a joy to behold. The recently rained-upon pastures were such a vivid shade of green we almost had to don our sunnies, and there were bright white, freshly shorn sheep and little black Angus calves (baby cows, for our city readers) everywhere.

Our leader set a steady pace (slow and steady wins the race!) along Mountain Creek Road and then Wee Jasper Road to Yass, where we were briefly separated by a traffic jam. But this was the last of the traffic we would see all day – with the COVID-19 coronavirus stalking the highways, byways and cruise ships, there were not many people travelling. In fact, we probably saw more motorbikes than cars, no doubt all out and about on “essential travel”.

From Yass we rode up the usual non-back road to Boorowa for coffee and a pie at the Superb Café (superb by name, not by nature) which has resorted to serving even the eat-in food in takeaway containers. No crockery, no cutlery, no germs being hauled back into the kitchen to make the leap to clean dishes and thence to unsuspecting victims in the dining room (or I guess that’s the theory).

A note here about social distancing: it has been decreed by the coronavirus cops that each person must have four square metres to themselves when inside a restaurant. While critics might point out that all seven of us sat huddled around the same table in the middle of the room, the absence of any other diners meant that yes, in fact, each of us occupied, on average, four square metres.

We departed Boorowa at 11am and headed back south a few kilometres before turning west onto Cunningar Road and left onto Galong Road, riding through the dwindling village of Galong and crossing Burley Griffin Way onto Bouyeo Road.

We were now in the infamous Jugiong Triangle, a seven-sided triangle bounded by Jugiong, Coolac, Cootamundra, Wallendbeen, Harden-Murrumburrah, Binalong and Bookham. Apart from its mysterious shape, it is also known for its disappearing livestock, which grow to a certain size before suddenly vanishing from the landscape and leaving no trace of their ever having existed (except for some scattered turds). Scientists are sceptical but privately admit to being baffled.

Undeterred, we rode west on Bouyeo Road, south on McMahons Reef Road and then even more south on Berremangra Road or BM for short. While only 20km in length, BM has everything for the back roads aficionado. It’s narrow, it’s twisting, it has lots of ups and downs, blind crests, a mostly smooth surface and spectacular country vistas. Oh, and the occasional mob of cattle (grown-up calves, see above) grazing the unfenced roadside grass. It was a shitload of fun!

BM ends at the Hume Freeway, which we followed west to Jugiong before heading north on Jugiong Road and then vaguely west-ish on Rosehill Road, another delightful back road that winds and climbs through steep, hilly granite country. The Jugiong Triangle hasn’t received as much rain as the rest of the region and the thin veneer of green growth still has a way to go before it can finish off the drought.

At 12:30pm we pulled in for lunch at the Family Hotel in Cootamundra. Customer numbers were way down because of the damned virus but the reception was as friendly as always and the food was good. You can’t complain about two plump sausages with mash, gravy and lashings of dead horse for ten bucks (unless you’re a vegan, I suppose). John splurged a bit more on a delicious Scotch fillet steak. 

Distant socialisers

 

Simple fare - perfect!

When we emerged, it was sunny and 26° with a light breeze – almost perfect riding weather. But our row of grown-up bikes had been joined by the tiniest, bluest motor scooter I had ever seen. It was as if a Vespa had been hit by the Jivaro headhunters’ shrinking juice revealed to the world in “Uncle Scrooge and the Money Champ” (Uncle Scrooge #27, written and drawn by Carl Barks, 1959). But no, it belonged to a burnt-out local chippie who came out of the pub to say g’day and lament that he wasn’t going with us on his other bike, a Hayabusa.

Street level social distancing.

We refuelled at the Coota Caltex before heading across the railway line, past the showground and out of town on Pinkerton Road, Kilrush Road, Cullinga Road, Cullinga Mines Road and Jugiong Road (the same Jugiong Road as before but the other end of it) to the southern outskirts of Harden.

Then it was right onto East Street and right again onto Bouyeo Road (the same Bouyeo Road as before but the other end of it) for a roller-coaster ride back to Burley Griffin Way near Galong. Confused? Imagine what it was like navigating…

Apart from a short detour on Red Hill Road (the old Burley Griffin Way) into Bowning, that was the end of our back-roadery (except for Scott, who returned home via Mountain Creek Road). The rest of us had a coffee break with the horses, peacocks and emus at the Rollonin Café before following the highways back to Canberra. I got home at 4:20pm, which would be really interesting to someone with OCD because we had ridden 420km.

Parade ground distancing

Alas my friends there is but one spoon.

As a footnote, a few hours after we got home the PM declared pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafés off limits because of the virus. We just squeaked this one in!

Ian Paterson

• Ian Paterson             Honda GL1800 Goldwing
• Neil McRitchie           Kawasaki GTR1400
• Alan & Lyn Munday    Yamaha FJR1300
• Warren Richer           Triumph Thruxton R
• Scott England            BMW R1250RT
• John Grace                Triumph Tiger 1200

Telemachus Awards at the March meeting

At the  March 17 Branch meeting, Lyn and I were presented with a Telemachus Medal each. The Telemachus Award recognises service to the branch. 

In our case it is for a number of things but particularly for Lyn's work on the RO2 over many years (since 2010 ) and myself for the webmaster role on the branch website and blog since 2005. 

We would both like to thank the Branch Committee and all the membership for this recognition. We are both very proud and appreciative.

Thank you all! 
Lyn Munday, 
Gary McDonald

Rosehill Back Roads Tour, Sun 22nd March

This weekends (Sun 22nd March) ride is the famous Rosehill Back Roads Tour. It will be approximately 420 km and will leave from the Caltex, Kirkpatrick St & Cotter Rd, Weston at 9am folling the 8:50am briefing.

Lunch is planned for the Family Hotel, Cootamundra and the illustrious ride leader will be Ian Paterson who can be contacted for inquiries on 0427 291 728
 
The Route notes are: Out via Mountain Creek Rd, Yass, Boorowa (coffee), Galong, Bouyeo Rd, McMahons Reef Rd, Berremangra Rd, Hume Hwy, Jugiong Rd, Rosehill Rd & Cootamundra (250 km, lunch & fuel). Back via Cullinga Mines Rd, Jugiong Rd, Bouyeo Rd & Bowning (coffee).

 

Mid Week Ride Binalong – Crookwell – Gunning loop - 18 March

I'm told this was the first Wednesday ride in quite some time. We can consider it a success, with ten keen riders participating. It's certainly an activity worth repeating. 

Our ride leader, Warren Richer, chose an entertaining route and succeeded in ordering up some delightful weather for us - a mid-20s sunny Autumn day.
On the outward-bound leg of the trip we headed down the Hume Highway and then onto Burley Griffin Way. Passing a rather tolerant highway patrol officer we rode through the historic Binalong village and then turned right onto Hughstonia Road. Some of the riders were unfamiliar with this picturesque road and enjoyed the classic Aussie pastoral scenery and the near-total lack of cars. This lovely little back road is a very pleasant alternate route to Boorowa. It takes a bit longer than the Lachlan Valley Way but is more interesting and considerably more peaceful.

The countryside is very green now; much improved since the rain. However, on closer inspection it's evident that the grass cover is very thin. I suspect that some parts of this district are experiencing a 'green drought'. Follow-up rain is needed to ensure the moisture penetrates deeper parts of the soil profile.
 

As usual we patronised the Superb Café in Boorowa at our morning coffee stop. We were greeted with a Covid 19 notice on the front door advising customers that the café was providing take-away cups only (no crockery for coffee or tea). Food was delivered in paper bags instead of plates. This prompted a good deal of conversation about the pandemic. As is usual, if authorities adopted the advice of Ulysses members, the crisis would be greatly reduced. But seriously, it is sobering to realise how much the pandemic has impacted on Australian's lives, when even a Ulysses ride is affected. While greetings and farewells on this ride were as friendly as usual, there was noticeably less hand-shaking. 

From Boorowa we took the Rugby Road and headed towards Crookwell. As many Ulysses members would know, this is a very entertaining and extremely picturesque route. There are loads of entertaining corners and hilly, sweeping bends. There was very little traffic, apart from an oversized piece of farm machinery being towed through the countryside. For many kilometres this vehicle became a mobile roadblock for some of our group.

There were a couple of close calls due to incompetent drivers, including a truck driver outside Crookwell, who decided to use two-thirds of the road, nearing clipping Warren and Daryl in the process.

Our group was comprised of sensible, capable riders and, despite the usual irritations caused by other road users, we had a terrific ride. Tearing along the rural back roads, leaning into the fast, sweeping bends, I was reminded how blissful motorcycling can be on a mild Autumn day. 

Look out for future mid-week rides on the Ulysses calendar.

John Grace

Riders:

• Warren Richer        Triumph Thruxton 1200
• Alan Munday        Yamaha FJ1100
• Scott England         BMW R1250 RT
• Terry Soutberg    BMW R1200 GS
• Greg Bailie        BMW R1200 ST
• Barry Solley        Honda ST 1300
• Daryl Palin        Honda Goldwing
• Noel Bentley        BMW F800 GSA
• John Grace        Triumph Tiger 1200
• Brian Carew      Triumph Bonneville

Ride Report - Club ride to Taralga, 15 March 2020

Ride day stared of as a very crisp sunny 9 degrees with a planned maximum of 18 in Canberra but only 14 for our Chomp and Chat destination Taralga. As ride leader l decided to arrive early at our departure point to allow time to fuel up and gather my thoughts on the day ahead. I left home in Lyneham and while fuelling up at Nichols garage which was extremely busy but no bikes, a thought came to mind; “ Isn’t this the departure point l have for Wednesday’s ride?”

Hmmm, this called for my Thruxton’s hyper ride mode. Upon landing at BP Watson at 1015 (still 5 minutes before briefing time ) l was welcomed by the first three riders, Neil Mc, George A and Peter O. Shortly after the others arrived namely; Carol and Barry S followed by Ian P (with new tyres) and Noel B all very keen to join us for the day. No one was aware of my early morning mix up or the mad ride between Nichols and Watson.

Following my first ever brief we managed to getaway about 1040. It was a cracking pace passing through Sutton - Gundaroo - Gunning - Crookwell and in a blink Laggan. Each point we passed through proved 2 degrees cooler than the previous. From Gunning ride up into the very green highlands with those exceptional sweepers was enjoyed by all as there was hardly any traffic on the road. Considering only a month ago the whole area was parched dry, very hot and danger of fires, this was fantastic. Between Crookwell and Taralga the clouds darkened and became threatening but luckily cleared slightly upon arriving in town. Despite this by then most of us were chilled and lm sure my teeth chattering.

Once the ride leader with Neil’s help had sorted out just where the Tangled Vine Cafe was we parked where we could near the cafe and headed in for warmth and a well earned rest. Unfortunately the Cafe was packed and we quickly found ourselves shown through the cafe to the elements out the back near the loo. Luckily the sun broke through and shone directly on our table providing a little warmth. Lunch also provided some warm and so did our active and humorous conversations.  We quickly forgot about the weather and concentrated on the important subject of just what the effect toilet paper was having on our national and international economy.

After lunch it was decided to leave the only remaining roll of toilet paper in the loo and instead head to Gunning to continue our discussions on other ways to save the world. However, it was agreed we wouldn’t make the distance unless we topped up the Ducati and Thruxton R (what do you expect with sports bikes? ) at the Mobil in Crookwell. Yea Old Gunning Cafe enjoyed our business especially when we promised to not touch their toilet roll stocks. 
 

Some of our bikes outside Gunning Cafe.

Ian’s Goldwing with new tyres going for a reasonable price.

After an enjoyable 45 mins it was time to depart with everyone peeling off after Gundaroo and only three of us Ian P, George A and myself investigating Mulligans Flat road as an alternative into Canberra outer suburbs and eventually home. Overall, l think everyone had a great ride, plenty of laughs and good company, after all that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

​WR

List of Riders:

• Warren Richer RL - Triumph Thruxton R 1200
• Ian Paterson - Honda Golding GL1800
• Neil McRitchie - Kawasaki GTR 1400
• George Attard - Triumph Tiger 800
• Peter Ongley - Ducati Monster 659
• Carol Solley - Can Am Spider
• Barry Solley - Honda ST1300
• Noel Bentley- BMW F800GS

For Sale Update March 2020 - Honda NT700V

Heads Up!

We have just added another bike to our Branch For Sale pages.

It is a Honda NT700V Deauville.  

With its panniers and topbox its ready to head out on Ulyssian adventures!

and the other details are:

• Engine 0.7l
• Colour Black
• 46,000km’s
• Good tyres
• UHF Radio
• Two headsets
• Registered to June 2020
• $3,950.00

Contact: Alan 0438 510 137

Merimbula Long Weekend ride 7,8 & 9 March

The weather report for the weekend was very favorable for a great weekend away.

Departed Caltex Hume after the usual banter and briefing to head off to Nimmitabel for morno’s. We picked up a stray here, Allen Wells, aa friend of Marg & Derek and many Canberra Ulyssians. Allen and Jan have relocated from Wagga and now live in retirement in Pambula.

At this stage the Quads decided to head straight to Pambula whilst the bikes headed to Bombala then onto Pambula. The destruction caused by the fires was quite horrendous. Lunch was held at Pambula then the quick run up to Merimbula to check into our accommodation and a quick walk around town.

Dinner Saturday was had at the Sapphire Club, lovely meals but a bit noisy.

Sunday was another beautiful day.

First up was a run down to Pambula to check out the local markets. If you have seen one market you have seen them all. 

After the markets we took the coast road up through Tathra onto Bermagui for a lunch of fish and chips at the Marina. My friends Brad & Gail from Cobargo joined us for lunch. These lovely people lost their mechanical business to the fires of New Years eve. Very enlightening talking to Brad & Gail of the trials and tribulations of dealing with Governments and insurance companies for grants, loans and pay outs to re-establish their business to begin working again and re-employing their staff.

After lunch we headed up to the headland to have a look at the sculptures on display. Some were absolutely fabulous, whilst others left you shaking your head.

After saying goodbye to Brad & Gail we then took the coast road back to Merimbula.

Dinner that night was at the Lakeview Hotel. Again great meals and much quieter than the club.

Monday saw us run straight up the Brown Mountain to Nimmitabel for morno’s, again, and then onto home.

Thanks to all who came away for the weekend, again another fabulous Ulysses weekend away.

 The "Riders" were:

• Darryl Palin                                  GL1800
• Bryson Holden                              FJR1300
• Marg & Derek Tetheridge               Spyder
• Maritta Heiler                               VN900
• Caroline Palin
• Maxine Diamond-Holden               JGC Quad
• Chris & Marean Dietzel                 Subi Quad

The March 2020 RO2 is now available

The March RO2 is now available for your viewing pleasure!

(Click on the image below to open the magazine or follow the page link below)

  

Click >>here << to go to the RO2 page

Club Ride: Bushfire Recovery ride, Pambula, 1 March 2020

A bakers’ dozen bikes turned up today at Caltex Hume, for a ride to Pambula. The weather was ideal, and fortunately, the Brown Mountain was declared open early in the week – after a landslip left two massive boulders straddling the road. Unfortunately that 13 bikes was reduced in number by one, with Ian’s Goldwing declared unserviceable due to a well-worn rear tire (it was down to the inner belts showing). Given Ian was the ride leader, it didn’t take much for Alan to volunteer to lead, and Ian headed home to spend some time with Sally.

Alan gave the ride brief “allow the three seconds gap from the rider in front, I’ll be sitting on 110 on my speedo, and we will have coffee in Bombala – does everybody know the way?”. Nods all round, and we set off. We arrived in Bombala, and the usual coffee shop / bakery is now closed and up for sale. The town is really struggling. Those needing fuel filled up here, and by the time the stragglers arrived in the substitute coffee shop – we were still waiting. An hour or so later, everybody had finally received their coffee. Let’s just say the service was atrocious, but so be it. We were finally ready to hit the road again.

The route from here is via Cathcart and Mount Darrah Road, through Wyndham and into South Pambula. Coming through Cathcart and up into escarpment territory, the widespread damage from fire is just so sad to see. Parts of the valleys never before seen off to the right, were now easily visible through the stubble of the trees. Having said this, the road is still a joy to travel on, with no shortage of twisties to keep the blood coursing through the veins.

We arrived at the Pambula hotel, and grabbed our lunches and a mixture of liquid refreshments. Saddling up after about an hour here, we got back on the road – heading north on the Princes Hwy for a short few km, before exiting again at Wolumla, onto Candelo-Wolumla Road. The road from here through Candelo – the heart of the Bega Valley, is just spectacular. So much drought and fire, yet here the rolling hills are a perfect blanket of green grass. No wonder the cows like it here and the dairy industry is doing as well as can be!

Turning left onto the Snowy Mountains Highway just east of Bemboka, we enjoyed a spirited uphill ride through Brown Mountain – until we had to drop to a frustratingly slow pace by a few slower larger vehicles and tin-tops out for a Sunday drive. A brief stop in Nimmitabel, and we parted ways homeward bound.

A  great day, thanks to all who attended.

Chris

List of riders:

• Alan Munday (ride leader) – Yamaha FJR1300.
• Chris Dietzel – Kwaka GTR1400.
• Kevin Sherman – Indian Scout.
• Jeff Jarvis – HD Soft Tail Deluxe.
• Steve Smith – HD Limited.
• Bill Henshaw – Triumph Explorer.
• George Attard – Triumph Tiger 800.
• Terry Southberg – BMW R1200RS.
• Chas Towie – Honda ST1300.
• John Grace – Triumph Tiger 1200.
• Warren Richer – Triumph Thruxton
• Scott England – BMW R1250RT.
• Ian Patterson (non-starter) – Honda GL1800.

Chomp & Chat to Taralga 15th March

A check of the "What's On" reveals that this Sundays ride (15th March) is a Chomp & Chat to Taralga to feast in company at the Tangled Vine Café.

Ride leader Warren, (‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Warren Richer 0409 836 595‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬) will lead the illustrious travelers from BP Watson,with a briefing at 10:20am, for a departure at 10:30am

The ride is expected to cover a distance of 270 km and is planned to follow a route, out via Gundaroo, Gunning, Crookwell & Taralga (lunch). Back via Crookwell (fuel if needed), Gunning (coffee), Gundaroo & Mulligans Flat.

Have fun!! Ride safe (and wash your hands!)  :-)

Merimbula Bushfire Support Ride

Straight from the "What's On" page, this weekends big ride is the Darryl Palin led Merimbula Bushfire Support Ride. 

It will be a chance to spend a few dollars in communities that have been hit by the bushfires.

Starting from Sat 7th – Mon 9th March it will cover some 640 km
Meet at  Caltex Hume for a briefing at 8:50am, for departure 9:00am
Darryl Palin can be contacted on 0412 213 764.
           
The Route notes are: Sat 7th: Hume – Nimmitabel (coffee) – Brown Mtn – Bega (lunch) – Merimbula, 250 km. Sun 8th: Day ride to Bermagui, Cobargo and back, 160 km. Mon 9th: Merimbula – Bemboka (coffee) – Brown Mtn – Nimmitabel, Cooma (lunch) – home, 230 km.

Accommodation reccomendation: Sapphire Waters Motor Inn, Merimbula, (02) 6495 1999. Book early (mention Canberra Ulysses for $99 room) and let Darryl know you’re coming.

Flyer: >>Click Here<<