4 Day Ride.

The ride started off beautiful. It didn’t last!!!!
10 bikes and 17 bodies left Singleton on Friday 26 September in perfect conditions. We travelled down the Putty Rd and stopped at Colo River for refreshments. Travelled through the bush fire and on to Mittagong. After booking into our Motel we rode to Bowral in T-shirts to look at the Tulips. Back to Mittagong for tea at the Golf Club after putting on a jumper or two. We were very generous and donated our 3 raffle prizes to a charity of their choice. Some stayed drinking until close and others went back early.
Day 2. It started off well. A few klms down the track we were confronted by a huge black cloud. Maurie said “I’m stopping to put on wet weather gear” so we all did. That was our mistake, we weren’t quick enough – the hail hit, then the rain then the wind (just ask Albert how strong it was) then more rain. Finally we made it 40klm down the road to a truck stop that Robbie knew about off the highway at Murulan and after we defrosted we had breakky. Albert learnt that you can’t put plastic rain pants near heaters, even if you are in them.
We then headed off down the road and the wind and rain got worse. We turned onto the Federal Highway and started to go across the wind at approx a 60 degree angle. Have you ever experienced making a left hand turn whilst laying to the right, it was a new experience for everyone. At least by this stage the rain was easing. Max made an announcement “The Cooma turn off is coming up on the left, Canberra on the right.” 7 bikes chickened out and went to Cooma. 3 intrepid riders and pillions went onto see Floriade in Canberra. It was worth the trip.
Sago snow hit Cooma that afternoon so we all went out shopping, some to buy some warm clothes and gloves, didn’t they Bear? Some thawed out in the Cherries room (some in bed, with Max, no names Sue and Ros) having a few more drinks, just like the night before. Peter (our new friend from the Lower Hunter) wanted to know what we had in store for him on Sunday as he had never experienced travelling with a mad group before that seems to organise the four seasons in 1 day. We told him he would just have to wait and see. We had tea at the Cooma Hotel and downed a few more drinks, some went to bed and some watched the football.
Day 3. Almost a non event. No dramas just perfect weather. We travelled down the Monaro Highway (through snow at Nimitabell) with Bear having a wee stop to admire the snow. We travelled on down almost to the border and made a left onto an old timber logging road, Imlay Road that was tarred and beautiful. Bear had another wee stop, (I think we weren’t going fast enough for him). We came out just south of Eden where we had morning tea. We then travelled up the Pacific Highway to Narooma where we had fish & chips for lunch. We arrived at Lake Tabourie late afternoon, but in time for the football and a few drinks. Our hosts put on a lovely BBQ tea for us and he tried to keep up with us at the bar – he had no hope. We didn’t see him the next morning, but his wife was sent out to take a photo of us.
Day 4. We left in good riding conditions. We travelled to Nowra and then up through Kangaroo Valley ( Ogy and Bear found out why it is called Kangaroo Valley) and onto Mittagong where we had smoko. By this time it was cold and the wind had started again. From there we travelled through to Mt White for lunch at the Road Warrior Café. We rode down through Mangrove Mt and up to Wollombi. From here we said our goodbyes and divided up into 2 groups, one to go Via Cessnock and the other Singleton. Overall a great time was had by everyone.
Regards,
MOTHER & SON
 

Ride Report Karuah RSL 

There were 14 bodies and 11 bikes turned up for the ride on a very nice Spring morning. Carmel's first Ulysses ride on her new scooter. Ken Lilley turned up on his new BMW1200LT, now that looks like a comfortable bike. Lyn decided to throw caution to the wind and jump on the back with me as Max was working. Max, you know what they say?, "all work and no play .........". As is usually the case we had a quick discussion and decided to go to Tea Gardens instead for lunch as it was such a beautiful day. Ron devised a route taking the back roads to Greenhills and surprisingly finishing up at a bakery for Smoko. Here we met another two starters who joined us for the ride. After an hour at the Bakery, John McGee had eaten enough to get him to the Tea Gardens pub for a three course lunch! Took the back roads again and arrived about noon ready for some fine seafood. No sooner had we arrived at the pub and Gai was into the schooners on Tooheys! We all had a great meal and decided to go home down the highway. Good weather, good company, good food, good ride and no dramas. regards.
Dave McIntyre

Urunga Ride Report
 
5 Bikes and 7 bodies left for Urunga on a cold cloudy morning. We stopped at Ebor for a nice lunch and warmed ourselves in front of the fire. After some rain, roadwork’s with mud and then gravel the rest of the trip to Urunga was nice and dry. We met Matt and Lyn and Dave and Jan there and also Kerry Baxter and his friend Lisa who had come up the coast way ,for some very nice afternoon drinks and then tea and even more drinks. After they threw us out of the bar, we retired to the sitting area outside Marks room for some more drinks. (Everybody, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring your hip flask full as Mauries does not hold enough) After about 4hrs sleep we all met for breakfast bleary eyed and weary and them headed back down the coast without incident. Another enjoyable weekend with excellent company and lots of good riding. No get offs,(just a couple of little slides) no police fines, just good times were had by all, ahhh its hard to take, I can tell you. Oigy

Under the auspices of cloud cover and pending showers, 14 bikes and 26 bodies headed North, South, East and West in order to arrive at Harrington. Much to Bobby McGee’s dismay we eventually arrived in Dungog, for those dying for a relief stop. A cup of coffee, a pie or sausage roll put away we set off for Stroud and eventually Gloucester.

Re-fuelling at Gloucester we pushed forever onward to Nabiac, some thought better and went to Taree direct ,( more like missed the turn) then boringly up the highway to Harrington. We arrived at Harrington for lunch and made sort of tentative arrangements to meet for dinner. With not a lot organised we managed to come to a consensus and decided to meet at the Hotel for Dinner. What was yet to come could well have been left out for poor old Oigy and Sue.

After logging into the Motel Nic-01 was volunteered to pick up the slab and we imbibed on a few beers, peanuts and copious quantities of laughter at Oigy and Sue’s expense. Gai made sure their room had two beds and ensured Sue that there would be at least one of us accompanying them throughout the afternoon and night. They were made aware that there was only room for one at a time in the shower and no they could not use the second bed to store their luggage as Oigy thought. Bobby McGee was beside himself when someone sat a saucer of peanuts on his motorbike seat and chased poor mother Lyn halfway around Harrington trying to have them removed.

When it was time to shower shave and shampoo, mother Lyn and aunty Gai made sure that Oigy and Sue were kept company and tried to sell them Ulysses club cakes and stuff just to make sure that they were not alone too long. With wonderful assistance from the Moteliers we were chauffeured to the Hotel for dinner a meal that was appreciated by most I believe. The Hotel’s one man band did well and provided foot stomping, well shuffling anyway, music all night. Poor Gai’s feet will never be the same. I saw to that. My apologies Gai but I didn’t have my dancing pumps on only joggers.

A lovely breakfast was shared by most at the motel, some suffered through it and we managed to meet up with most of the party and waved bye, bye to those who forgot the meeting time and place. It was our signal to head off home, and we did down the highway due to the drizzle. Our newest club members joined us from Thornton and Shayne and son Jordon had a great weekend to boot. Hope the back is feeling better Uncle Max, maybe someone should have been selling you and Lyn some cakes as well.

Thanks again for the company, it was a wonderful weekend, the ride wasn’t bad either. MJC

Moffats Oyster Barn (NOT) Ride Report

A rather brisk morning saw 10 bikes and 18 bodies (some breathing some not) depart for Moffats. Max tired of Lyn’s incessant nagging, saw fit to take her of the air, both transmitting and receiving. Ahhh silence in golden!! A scenic ride saw us arrive at Glendale for morning tea. Great spot, plenty of variety.

Off to Moffats in a roundabout way. It’s a shame Sue is so afraid of the bike and has to wrap her arms and legs around Oigy and hang on for grim death. Lets hope she settles down soon. Oigy seems to be enjoying it too much.
Arriving as Moffats following a brief stop to attempt to repair Dave McFlatyres puncture, only to learn he had a second one.(Never does things by half.) Moffats informed us that we should have booked. You could have fired a machine gun around the place and not hit a soul.(Bet they got an email!!) So a quick phone around the place saw us booked at Zacs at Karuah. That was an unusual experience. Appetites sated it was onward home.

All in all another good day out, great company and good riding. A special welcome to Terry, Sandra, Russell and Lynne. Hope we weren’t to disgraceful for you.

John McGee