Merry Christmas Canberra Branch!
Your December RO2 2022 has been published.
Click here to download. Enjoy!
Ulysses Club, Canberra Branch Website
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Christmas Night Markets - Invitation to Show Off!
The Canberra Branch have been asked to put some bikes on display at the Christmas Night Markets at Belconnen Bunnings on Thursday, 8 December.
It is a great opportunity to promote the Ulysses Club and encourage prospective members to join the Canberra Branch.
Bring your bike along and hang out with us from 6pm.
For more info contact Branch President, Glen Jones.
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Christmas Toy Run - Saturday 3 Dec - Don't miss it!
The Canberra Motorcycle Toy Run is 3 December.
Riders are asked to assemble at Old Parliament House from
8.30am with the ride procession heading off at 10am.
The Canberra Branch will be running a breakfast BBQ for ride participants.
We have committed to cook 300 egg & bacon rolls.
All the profits will be donated to Vinnies and the Salvos.
BBQ Co-Ordinator, Tony and volunteers will be there to set up at 8am so please drop by and support us.
If you're keen to help out on the hot plate for half an hour so, that would be great, just let Tony know (his contact number is on the Contacts page)
The weather looks promising, it really is time to throw off the COVID shackles and get involved again. See you there!
Monday, November 14, 2022
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Ride with Eurobodalla Branch - Details Here!
The Eurobodalla branch are organising a 3 day ride in November and are inviting Canberra Branch members join in for all, or some, of the ride. The intention is a midweek ride from Tuesday to Thursday in the third or fourth week of November and staying in Jindabyne for both nights.
Our ride itinerary will likely look as follows:
Day 1 Tuesday 9am Departure from Batemans Bay via Narooma, Bega, Wyndham, Bombala, Dalgety, Jindabyne
Day 2 To Thredbo for coffee and onto Khancoban for lunch
and return via Cabramurra, Kiandra, Adaminaby back to Jindabyne
(320k round trip)
Day 3 Ride to Charlotte Pass and back for early lunch in Jindabyne before returning home
Accommodation will probably be at one of the motels in Clyde Street Jindabyne such as the Jindy Inn, Kookaburra Ski Lodge or
the Alpine Gables to stay close together.
There are many other options in town.
Interested?
Please contact Rob Overdijk by email on overdijk@bigpond.com
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Sunday, June 19, 2022
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Ride Report – Boorowa – Crookwell Loop, Wednesday 16th February 2022
A team of five keen riders assembled at Ampol Nicholls at around 0920 for a 0930+ departure. The sun was out and it was looking like a brilliant day ahead. Luckily our departure point was Nicholls well away from any areas still occupied by the remnants of Occupy Canberra which were determined to hang around the region for a while yet. We had two volunteer photographers for the day namely Dave and Peter so things were looking up. Following the brief we decided to set a mean course for Binalong and then on to Boorowa Bakery for a coffee stop. Barton Hwy was uneventful but slow for the first 10kms due to construction on the new Barton Hwy dual carriageway.
 |
| The team at Ampol Nicholls meeting point. |
Once through Murrumbateman and on the 110km dual carriageway we veered south on the Hume and headed for the turn off on to Burley Griffin Way, then made our way towards Binalong. It was along this section that we came across some NSW road works which had actually packed down the gravel but had just wet it down to cut the dust. Unfortunately for motorcyclists this wet effect, just caked our undercarriages in grey/brown mud and dust, - fantastic. Being in the lead as we transited through this section behind a large semi-trailer, I thought just how much time I was going to have to dedicate to cleaning it just to get this muck off the bike and chain - great. Hmm, much can be said about shaft drive versions.
Once on the outskirts of Binalong we crawled quietly through town and did a right on to Hughstonia road. This is a great little farmers lane which takes you all the way through the farming district to the outskirts of Boorowa. Three of us decided to just top up our tanks at the Boorowa garage noting the next part of our loop leading back into Canberra via Crookwell was just on 220kms not including any other deviations. At the Superb bakery, noting it wasn’t busy we decided to enjoy our coffee and cake inside rather than sitting in the sun which was getting near on 27-28 degrees.
Outside Boorowa Bakery
After our break and customary loo stop we gathered outside and decided on the next stage of the ride. Noting we were all experienced riders and most of us had done this ride several times over the years and still love it, I decided to offer any team member an opportunity to swap leads if interested. Dave put his hand up straight away and as such proved a great lead rider. He enjoyed it so much he led all the way through to Gunning. Definitely Ride Leader material in the future - no pressure Dave.
 |
| Dave ready to lead to Boorowa |
The Boorowa - Rugby - Crookwell section was interspersed with some mean pot holes and wash-outs just where you didn’t or really should have anticipated they might be - namely just over a crest on a bend or around the approaches into Rugby the town. Despite this our riders were amply spaced and as such handled them with ease. Peter on his Ducati had decided on leaving Boorowa to do tail-end Charlie however, I noticed he seemed to have taken on a friend in the form of a white Hilux which trailed him at distance all the way to the outskirts of Crookwell. The driver probably thought he was a team member then after an exciting ride through the country, got bored and headed off towards Bathurst direction.
Crookwell to Gunning as many of you know, is mostly down hill with great sweepers and on this occasion proved just as excellent as usual. Each time we venture along this route there appears to be more and more wind turbines and on this occasion most appeared to be bored as they were stationary or sleeping.
Outside the Old Hume Cafe and the team under the trees out the back for lunch
At Gunning we enjoyed a lunch break out the back under the trees of the Old Hume Cafe, as the Merino Cafe, the original destination, was closed for a two week break. We talked about the road just travelled, the ups and downs and the fantastic vistas encountered on each hill along the way.
All in all it was another enjoyable Mid-Week ride achieved by all.
Warren
The Weather: 29 - 31 degrees across the South West Slopes and Lachlan Valley Region
Distance traveled: 330 kms
Riders:
- Peter Ongley Ducati Monster 659
- Dave Mossman BMW R1250RS
- Ken McLean Yamaha R3
- Tony Henderson Triumph Tiger 800 XCX
- Warren Richer Triumph Thruxton R1200
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Ride Report: 3 February 2022 Charlotte Pass
As far as I know, Canberra Ulysses haven’t done a ride to Charlotte Pass for at least three years, and I hadn’t been on that road for nearly 40 years. Thus, I decided that a reconnaissance was required. My wife and I took a drive there, had a pleasant lunch, and on the way back hit a pothole the size of Brazil which completely shredded a front tyre. An expensive tyre replacement and an even more expensive trip home on the back of a tilt-tray truck; the things we do for Ulysses. I’ve resolved to never again own a car with low-profile run-flat tyres.
Anyway, unaware of all this, four more riders joined me to make the journey again whilst avoiding potholes. It was an unseasonably cool day - about 12 degrees as we started - but fine. The Monaro Highway to Cooma was typically monotonous, but we broke it up with a coffee stop at Bredbo. Cooma was bypassed by heading through Polo Flat, then we headed south on Maffra Road. This road has around 35 km of continuous sweeping bends but few trees, so the visibility is excellent; it can be rather exposed on a windy day, but we had no such problems. The route then took us through Dalgety to a fuel stop in Jindabyne.
Kosciuszko Road from Jindabyne to Perisher Valley is a lovely road for motorcycle riding: continuous bends, but only a few tight ones; and a smooth surface with clearly-painted lines and not a pothole in sight. It starts in eucalypt forest, ends in alpine plain and, although it was now midday, the temperature still hadn’t risen above 12 degrees. There was some re-surfacing in progress which hadn’t been on NSW Live Traffic, but it was in the vicinity of the ranger station anyway, where we had to stop and fork over $7 each for the privilege of riding in the Kosciuszko National Park.
Our lunch stop was made at the Alpine Eyre Cafe; best burgers in Perisher, open Thursday - Sunday, and with a big sign out the front saying ‘Open’. Except it wasn’t. No obvious reason why. Oh well; the group agreed to make Jindabyne our lunch stop. In the meantime, we rode the last 7 km to Charlotte Pass - narrow, but scenic - then made the downhill return journey to Jindabyne where lunch was about what you’d expect from a cafe in a country town.
What can be said about the ride home from Jindabyne? It’s a road very well known to all of us, not particularly interesting, and from Cooma to Canberra it always has stupid motorists who dither along below the speed limit until the passing lanes, when they go like a bat out of hell.
Oh, and one more observation. Warren Richer wrote his details on the ride sheet as “BMW R900XR”. The keen observer will note that Warren has an F900XR; this error can only mean that Warren subliminally hankers after a boxer twin!
The team:
- Noel Bentley BMW F800GS Adventure
- John Grace Triumph Tiger 1200
- Bill Henshaw Triumph Tiger Explorer
- Warren Richer BMW F(that’s an F)900XR
- Scott England BMW R1250RT; ride leader and scribe
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
First Aid For Motocyclists - Upcoming Training
Especially with the rally coming up so soon! The next training day in your area is on the 19th of March in Downer ACT. To register click Here for the direct link to the FAFM Motorcycle booking page.
FAFM will also be donating $15 from every registration attendance of this course to the black dog foundation.
You never know when you may need the skills to save your mates life!
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Saturday, February 5, 2022
Peter Arday - Riden' On
It is with great sadness, we announce and mourn the loss of our beloved Canberra Branch Member Peter Arday. Pete has been fighting health problems for some time and won his battle in the early hours of the morning on 4th February.
Our thoughts are with his loving wife Suzanne and all Pete's family at this difficult time.
Peter will be missed by many many Canberra Branch Members. He will be remembered fondly as a joker, a friend, a confident and an all round good bloke.
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Thursday 10th February
at St James Church in HOLT
"A true friend is never truly gone.
Their spirit lives on in the memories of those who loved them"
Vale Peter
Thursday, February 3, 2022
We Were Like Bats Out of Hell! (30Jan'22)
Tory rides an interesting Yamaha FJR1300 with some unique modifications and plenty of miles on the clock. Bill returned for his another attempt at a ride (he missed his last ride after he kindly escorted John home with a leaking tyre valve) and then of course Kevin (AKA Mr Metamucil because he is so regular) turned up for a fang around the countryside.
We reflected on the demise of Meatloaf (we didn’t but it segues into the next part of the report) and then............(cue the music please)
*Image published under "fair use" : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bat_out_of_Hell.jpg
Junee, Wednesday, 15 December '21
With great excitement I turned up early at Ampol Nichols and prepared for the day's journey to Junee. The sun was out after days of rain and I was raring to go.
Warren was next
to arrive and I was suitably impressed as I know Warren generally dodged
the longer rides because of his ailments. Next to arrive was David, a
noted fair weather rider and things were looking good for the day. As he
pulled up I noted a couple of things about his bike, firstly a couple
of shiny new tyres and more importantly it had had a wash.
I
discovered later that he hadn't washed it at all,Tuggeranong Motorcycle
Centre did it when they changed the tyres. Sorry Dave, that's a
failure.
Ride briefing followed quickly and we
set off on the day's journey. The usual Barton highway dodgems past the
roadworks, potholes and police cars hiding in the bushes ( not that we
would ever break the law and speed!)
Lachlan Valley Way was a treat because of very few cars, which made things smooth and effortless.
First
coffee stop was Jackson's Bakery in Harden. On leaving Harden I noted
with some interest that someone had painted murals on the local wheat
silos. Quick photo shoot and on our way. The road to Junee was good
thanks to several road crews that had filled in the potholes. I had been
down the road a couple of weeks earlier and it was quite rough.
Lunch was at the Junee railway station and I can recommend it to anyone if they are ever there.
After
lunch we topped up with fuel and pointed the bikes towards Gundagai. By
the time we had reached Nangus it had started drizzling and by Gundagai
it was raining heavily. Warren and I made a detour at Jugiong for
coffee but David decided to keep going and get home. All in all a good
day's riding except for the last part, I arrived home soaked but will
remember to pack my wet weather gear for next time.
Thanks to Warren and David for their company
Kevin
- Kevin Sherman BMW R1250 RS
- Warren Richer BMW 900 XR
- David Mossman BMW R 1250 RS
Monday, January 24, 2022
Ride to Jugiong and Harden, Wed 19th Jan 2022
Turned up at the Nicholls Ampol Garage just after 1000 to find Scott refuelling and shortly after Kevin arrived. Not long after Dave arrived, then it was two Triumphs namely George on his Tiger 800 and Mick on his TR6. By the time we grouped up and finished chatting we had six riders ready to hit the road by 1030 with the exception of Mick doing some minor adjustments to the 72 TR6 and checking the rear tyre for suspected slow leaks. The weather forecast was for a warm day but with BOM Warnings of high winds building up from Victoria, the Riverina up to and across the Southern Ranges just to make life interesting.
Once on the move we negotiated the road works along the Barton Hwy, a painful 60kph then 80kph stretch for about 10 kms before we were allowed to build up to the limit, a leisurely 100kph. Traffic at this time was light. At Murrumbateman however, things got a little busier with more traffic joining and a big bunch of riders joining from Sutton way.
 |
| The Long Track Pantry |
By the time we hit the outer Yass area the traffic started to clear a little. We persisted along the Hume highway south towards Jugiong. On arrival in Jugiong we were joined by Steven and his little touch of Italian flair, his elegant Moto Guzzi California. Being a little late that morning he had headed straight past Nicholls towards Jugiong thinking we had already departed the scene. In Jugiong, the Long Track Pantry was humming with local as well as interstate travellers, even the NSW highway patrol frequent it. After a coffee and chat outside in the sun about various topics including previous rides, live stock on country roads and of course phone reception out in the country we decided it was time to move on.
 |
| Chilled out at the Long Track Pantry |
The Jugiong road up to Harden was as usual simply superb with its sweepers however the wind was building up the higher and closer we got to Harden/Murrumburrah. Once in Harden some of us peeled off to refuel in Murrumburrah (and some air for Mick’s rear tyre) after which we headed on up into Harden to join the rest of the gang at Jacksons Bakery. The Bakery is another rider friendly cafe which provides great fresh food and plenty of seating out doors in their garden.
 |
| Jackson Bakery and the outside garden area |
After lunch, and because of the high winds we decided to stay off the great country lanes around here and just stick to the main roads for home. The concern being in the high winds obstructions on the country lanes. On departing Harden, Scott decided to head directly home down Burley Griffin Way. So the return ride for the remaining six was along Cunningar road towards outer Boorowa. This was exceptional with the added challenge of a fairly strong head wind. At the Boorowa turn off we spilled a right on to Lachlan Valley Way in order to head towards the Yass township for a last coffee stop at the Kaffeine 2582 cafe.
Overall, it was a great ride around the region even though it was windy and it was a familiar favourite route for many of us. Let’s face it, we all just wanted to get out on our bikes on any sweepers we could find in the country. That was definitely achieved by all and Mick’s TR6 blew us all away for a 1972 Triumph Bonneville. When Mick originally turned up on his one of many bikes, I must admit the thought had crossed my mind if it would self destruct on the ride. However in the end I was left feeling very impressed with its performance
 |
| At the Kaffeine Cafe in Yass. |
Again it is very hard to beat a mid week ride where tourist traffic is light even during the Christmas holidays.
Warren
Overall Distance finally traveled: 310 kms
Ulysses Riders:
- Kevin Sherman BMW 1250RS
- Dave Mossman BMW 1250RS
- Scott England BMW 1250RT
- Mick Kent Triumph TR6RV
- George Attard Triumph Tiger 800
- Steven Bardwell Moto Guzzi California
- Warren Richer BMW F900 XR
Sunday, January 23, 2022
The Snowy Classic 2022 Convoy - Calling for Motorbike Riders. Help and get Paid!
The Snowy Classic is a cycling event in the Snowy Mountains, from Jindabyne. This year it will be held on Saturday 26th March 2022. Bicycling Australia are seeking assistance from motorcycle riders who would be part of a Convoy team who would traverse between the cyclists on course and watching that they all complete their ride safely.
They have received great help from Members of other Ulysses branches for events around the country, and are reaching out to the Canberra Branch now.
They are looking for 3-4 Ulysses riders that could assist across 2 courses that they are running in the Snowy Classic 2022.
You will need to line up with the Convoy on Koscuiszko Rd, Jindabyne at 7:00 AM on the day (They can provide accommodation on Friday evening in Jindabyne)
The last rider is due home approx. 5:00 PM so this will be the latest time any rider would be required on course and each rider will be ‘knocked off’ by the Ride Director/ECC as needed.
The job will be to patrol the ride mid-pack and ensure rider safety, the event is on fully closed roads, managed by NSW Police you will be asked so report in any general traffic seen on course or traffic trying to enter the course from side roads, you will be watching for any riders needing assistance (mechanical or medical) on course. If required, riders will be called upon to be reactive to needs by the on course Ride Director.
Bicycling Australia is offering $250, per motorbike rider, as remuneration for the rider's time at the event and can provide accommodation in Jindabyne on Friday night due to the early start Saturday AM, if required.
All comms equipment (radios) and safety vests will be provided.
If you are interested or have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Holly Kemp directly on 0413458852.
This has been posted on behalf of:
Yaffa Media Pty Ltd
17-21 Bellevue St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
M: 0413 458 825
E: hollykemp@yaffa.com.au
Sunday, January 16, 2022
The January RO2 is out now!
Happy New Year Canberra Branch!
Here is your January RO2
Enjoy!
To download click the image above or >>here<<.
Saturday, January 15, 2022
The Snowy Loop and the Ulysses Survivor - 9 January 2022
One could be mistaken for thinking that Sunday’s snowy loop ride was a season of the famed TV show Survivor. We all gathered at the Hume service station blind to what was about to unfold on a coolish yet calm day. So there we were, Kevin and Scott as the BMW Luftwaffe lads, John and Bill as the Triumph Tiger tamers and me on my Moto Guzzi California looking so cool I would have stopped the traffic had there been any. We waited for the usual late comers, but none appeared so off we went, pumped for a great day’s ride through our glorious Kosciusko Nation Park. It was true Eye of the Tiger stuff.
John led the charge with Scott taking up tail end Charlie when after a few kilometres down the road the song Eye of the Tiger song was soon replaced the Little River Band’s Lonesome Loser. John had pulled over to the side of the road concerned about the dodgy steering on his bike. It turns out he had a flat tyre.
Scott exhumed a very fancy 12v pump from his gigantic paniers and we started the process of finding the source of the leak……unsuccessfully. There we were, five grown men by the side of the road, spinning the front tyre around and around trying to find this bloody hole in his tyre without any success. Talk about a bunch of duds. It’s no wonder our wives send us out of the house on Sundays. Our masculinity was soon restored when we discovered that the seat of the tyre valve had perished and was leaking profusely when touched. This rendered our three pumps and puncher repair kits absolutely useless. Hmmm we thought. What do we do now? John was soon voted off the island along with Bill who kindly followed behind with his pump and made sure he got home safely. I believe they had to stop and pump up the tyre four times on the way home. It’s a good thing John had not yet moved out to Murrumbateman.
So then there were three. The three Amigos! The ride down the Monaro Hwy evoked the usual coma like response until we rode through Cooma and hit the road to Adaminaby. All was good with some lovely sweeping bends until we came up behind a B Double with a massive payload of concrete structures on its way to the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project. Why is it that you always come across these beasts just as the overtaking lane finishes? We eventually passed him when, as if Satan himself was having a laugh, we came across another one. F#@*%! Dismayed by the interruptions, we finally made it to our coffee break at Adaminaby.
Now I’m not a man who is easily impressed but the big rainbow trout at Adaminaby is a sight to behold. It has recently received a lick of paint and is looking mighty tasty. But the mood soon changed again as Scott received some bad news. Bronte, his 40kg Golden Retriever had contracted some sort of a gastro bug and was in desperate need of some veterinary care. Like a good owner and husband, Scott raced home to rush the poorly pooch to the vet. I believe all is well now and Bronte is back to eating dead birds, rats and poo as all good Golden Retrievers do.
So then there were two. Unperturbed by the lack of friends Kevin and I took off on what is one of Australia’s best motorcycle rides. Smooth roads with beautifully cambered bends had us grinning from ear to ear until, you guessed it, those damn B Doubles. What the? We eventually passed and then spent the next hour of so blasting through the sweeping bends of the park. Some kind soul had even scrapped up all the brumby poo and piled it up off the side of the road so the roads were smooth, clean and fast. We sighted a few brumbies near the road but they didn’t seem worried by our presence. Conditions soon changed from smooth and 18áµ’C to rough and 30áµ’C as we made our way down the mountain towards Talbingo. Despite the change we had a blast making our way down the twisty mountain road. We eventually made it to the Oriental Hotel in Tumut for the mandatory Fish n Chips and Chicken Schnitty.
In memory of our fallen friends Kevin and I decided to take the alternate route through Brungle that John had originally planned for us. Kevin and I had never been on that road so a bit of Google Map planning was in order. We had a lot of fun twisting our way through the green farmland with rustic farm houses and flooding rivers until we were forced to break hard in order to avoid 100 or so cattle meandering along the road. The sound of the motorbikes seemed to send the cattle into some sort of a frenzy. As if excited by the sight and sound of my Moto Guzzi (it has that effect on some people) the cattle started to hump each other in the middle of the road. Kevin was looking a little worried when, like a knight in shining armour, a lady on horseback rode up and said “get behind me”. She cracked her whip and as if he had been conditioned by the sound, Kevin jumped into action and ‘got behind’. It was like we were taking part in an SBS Viceland documentary. I’ve never seen Kevin so animated. After about 10min we made our way through the fornicating beasts and started to enjoy the scenery once more until truck came flying around a corner and was within an inch of wiping both of us out. I thought ‘I’m not sure if my dicky ticker can take much more of this’. We made our way back onto the freeway at Coolac and then stopped for a break at Bookham where we debriefed.
We cruised into the ACT without a fuss and I pealed off towards my home in Belconnen. Then like the winner he is, Kevin rode off into the sunset as if he was the ‘Sole Survivor’ and $1,000,000 richer for the experience.
Steven Bardwell
John Grace (part-time leader) Triumph Tiger
Ben Henshaw Triumph Tiger
Kevin Sherman BMW R1250RS
Scott England R1250RT
Steven Bardwell Moto Guzzi California
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