History of the Ulysses Club

Last updated: July 14, 2009

The name comes from a poem of the same title by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (read it here). It tells how the great Greek hero Ulysses, now middle-aged and securely in charge of his kingdom of Ithaca, is getting bored with things around him and longs to go adventuring again with his shipmates of old. It describes very well indeed the sort of person who still has enough spark to go on riding into middle and later years. The Ulysses club is about similar ideals.

Who Can Join Ulysses?

Anyone over the age of 40 who holds a current motorcycle licence, or who is a regular partner of such a person, and over 40, is eligible to join. Until you reach the grand old age of 50, you will be a "junior" member, but with full membership rights and privileges. It's just that you might have to help some of the "seniors" off their machines sometime!

There is a joining fee of $20, and 3 year membership is mandatory, currently at $60. This we feel gives a considerable incentive to long term survival! (Overseas members incur additional charges.)

We've mostly all done our bit in life and feel that getting bogged down in the rigours of later life is just not on. The club offers the opportunities for over forty year olds to get out there and show the world that we still have what it takes to enjoy the excitement that awaits every skilled rider and would be rider. To show that we aren't ready to lay back and watch the weeds grow and then look back and wonder "could I have done better". No, for us it is the open road and the friendship that comes with the great companionship of many others who wish to enjoy the biking way of life.

How Do I Join?

Here is an on-line Membership Application to become a member of the "Ulysses Club".

What are the Clubs Aims?

To provide ways in which older motor cyclists can get together for companionship and mutual support.
To show by example that motor cycling can be an enjoyable and practical activity for riders of all ages.
To draw to the attention of public and private institutions to the needs and views of older riders.

The Club Newsletter

The Club publishes a quarterly newsletter, Riding On, which contains information about forthcoming events, provides a forum for members' news and views and carries articles on topics of interest to geriatric bikers. It also produces an annual year book which lists members' names and addresses throughout Australia so that a stranded traveller may not be too far from help and companionship, or a member can invite a convenient neighbour when looking for company on a ride.

How It All Began

The original suggestion for a motorcycle club for over 50's was put forward in a letter by Stephen Dearnley published in the August 1983 issue of Bike Australia. This drew two significant responses: one from Rob Hill, a reader at Albion Park NSW, who suggested the present name and motto for the club: the other from Peter Thoeming, then the editor of Bike Australia who sketched the logo and offered support from his magazine if Stephen could get the club off the ground. This was done at an inaugural meeting in Sydney on 6th December, 1983 when the five people present approved a basic constitution and the Ulysses Club was duly formed. From that tenuous beginning it has never looked back and the club now boasts a large and extensive network of members throughout Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Ulysses Constitution

Visit the Official Ulysses Club web site now!