Day Ride to Gulgong

Eight bikes and pilots (including two ladies but no pillions) assembled at Maccas Muswellbrook in perfect weather. Garry was displaying a newly purchased Rocket III, Keith a newly installed comms system. The rest of us displayed enthusiasm for the ride. We departed for Scone via Koyuga and Dartbrook through sleepy countryside and the only sign of the departed rain was a little water across the road in some places.  From Scone to Merriwa we opened the taps and burnt some of the glaze off engine cylinder walls. On reaching Merriwa we needed a spell, so partook of light refreshments and a look through the Merriwa Visitors Centre and Craft Shop. The latter is well worth a visit.   Two bikes returned home from Merriwa, leaving six of us to continue on to Gulgong for a light lunch at Lawson's on Mayne. The return run was a gentle cruise under gathering cloud but warm weather, uneventful apart from Donna losing communications at Sandy Hollow. Nothing good comes from "The Squalor". Despite our suggestions the system remained mute, so we all continued on home after an enjoyable day.

    Plucker.

Overnight Ride to Wollongong. Aug 16 /17

8 Bikes and 11 bodies left Maccas Singleton and headed down the Putty Rd.  It was a beautiful ride down the Putty to Colo Heights Services Station were we regrouped and had a beak.  There were heaps of bikes there on their way to a Vietnam Vets weekend so it took a while to get served but we didn’t mind. After we were all watered and fed we continued down through Windsor, Richmond, Penrith and continued onto the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple with Gerry as our leader.  We did the usual U turn and tour of discovery but it was worth it.  After enjoying a lunch at the temple we walked around and were amazed at the sights.  Did you know that Budda had 10,000 disciples – at least that’s what we were told.
Some of the group required petrol urgently so it was decided that we would put the address of our Motel into the GPS’s and stop at the first petrol station on the way.  Well you can guess what happened.  Our GPS and Graeme’s didn’t agree…… there were 2 Keira Streets in Wollongong.  After yet another U turn and another tour of discovery and filling the tanks of our might beasts we continued on to the right Keira Street only to do about 6 U turns trying to get into the Motel.
We all met in the lounge after a shower and  walked down to the local club – we thought we were walking into the botanical gardens.  We enjoyed a great meal, lots of laughs and a few drinks then most of us decided to head home, some stayed to play the pokies – Simmo said “I’ll get the beer and meet you in there.”  After walking around with 3 beers in his hand for 5 minutes trying to find the others he decided to ring Willo and find out where they were. Willo’s reply “ 6 feet in front of you” .
Our accommodation was OK but don’t talk to Donna about it.  We headed of about 8am to have breakfast at a café in a Mall near were we stayed.  The breakfast was delicious and so with full tummies and empty bladders we rode along the new Ocean Road and did the tourist thing at the lookout.  It was amazing to ride over the ocean and not beside it.  We continued on up to the top of Stanwell Tops and decided our route home.  
Some went straight up the free way and the rest of us went via  Menai and through the back of Liverpool (another tour of discovery) and eventually found our way to Windsor and then onto Colo River for a pit stop.  Back up the Putty Road and home.
We had a great weekend with fantastic company.
Max & Lyn

Ride Report for August 3, Gloucester 

Ten bikes and twelve bodies fronted at Macca's for this ride, quite a cool start to the day.  New members Wendy & Kevin came for a ride and our very own Barbara Williams did her first club ride as a rider on her stunning Hyosung 250.  Kerry Solman lead the pack via Maitland, Bolwarra, and Paterson into Dungog and of course our first stop was the Dungog bakery.  Barbara's first ride had it all, wooden bridges and two separate lots of slippery gravel road works, all seemed a piece of cake to the Barb.    Both Kerry and Donna overshot a corner and had to do the old 'u' turn, great move for the Ride Captain hey!  We arrived at Gloucester too early for lunch, so it was decided to head further north and have our lunch break in Nabiac.  The pub looked pretty busy so we had our lunch in the outdoor cafe next to the pub, was warm and sunny by then and very pleasant.  Lyn & Max left us in Nabiac to return to Newcastle so they could visit Lyn's Dad in the John Hunter Hospital.  The balance of the group rode south, had a petrol stop at Bulahdelah and then exited the freeway at Seaham and returned home via Lambs Valley.  Somewhere in Lambs Valley we accidentally became 2 groups with the front crew taking one way home and the 2nd group obviously took a different route.  Was a shame as it would have been nice for the front group to have said farewell, especially to our new members Wendy & Kevin and to see how they had enjoyed their day.  Kerry Solman & Barry Thomas both reverted to the year they turned 18 back when they were 'boy' racers, took a while to catch up to them, and yes I was green with envy at the fun they were having.  Another good ride with great company.

Donna

Sunday the 6th of July 2008.

9 bikes, 9 men, and 4 bikie chicks went to Cardiff R.S.L. for lunch, Via Milbroadale, Broke, Wollombi, Paxton and a few other places. The ride there went off without a hitch, with the exception of Keith Smith and Barry Thomas,  who swapped bikes for a sprint into Freeman's waterhole. Keith did not heed Barry's advice of smooth acceleration, and the way he had the front wheel in the air, one would of thought that he was auditioning for the Moscow Circus as a Unicycle rider  When we arrived in Cardiff our intrepid ride leader got a bit mixed up, and we ended up at Cardiff Panthers instead of the RSL. After a quick tour of Panther's car park it was a short detour to the RSL, where we all over indulged in the all you can eat buffet. It was good to see a representation from Muswellbrook, including  Plucker and Mother Plucker, Barry Eveleigh, and his mate Albert.  All up it was a good ride, the weather was kind to us, and the company  superb. 
Stay upright.

SIMMO.

Ride Report for Townsville/NT/SA Group

 T'ville to Julia Creek, group consisted of Jenny & Robbie Merrick, Shireen & Wayne Smith, Lucy & Graeme Lothringer, Cannonball, Bear & Donna. Light rain all morning, but not enough to even put on the wet weather gear for (this was the only rain for our entire trip). Our motel looked like nothing more than a large shed, but what a surprise it was, newly renovated rooms with the owner organising a bbq pack for us all as there was nothing open in town on a Sunday night. Had a new camp kitchen by the pool, where we cooked our bbq, a wonderful spot with great amenities, a real little gem. Julia Creek to Mt. Isa was only a short run, but long enough for Robbie to get a flat tyre and for Donna to fall flat on her face while walking along a footpath. Spent the afternoon exploring Mt. Isa which included a very interesting visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Centre. Mt. Isa to 3 Ways, long slow day of riding to conserve fuel due to the distances between fuel stops, good accomm, bar & restaurant, Bear was reunited with his brother-in-law, Howie, who had ridden down from Katherine to spend the night with us all and join us on a section of the ride. 3 Ways to Mataranka was a long day of just riding, very average accomm. Mataranka to Darwin was another day of quick riding as Cannonball had his wife Sharyn arriving at 3.00pm to join us for our Darwin sector. Accomm was excellent in a lovely van park, Donna was joined in Darwin by her sister Alannah who was her pillion for the Darwin to Alice Springs sector. All met at the bar that evening for a welcome drink with the new comers to our group. Our 2nd day in Darwin , we did an organised bus trip to the Litchfield National Park which proved to be a very scenic and enjoyable day, with some swimming beneath a waterfall, followed by a walk through a rain forest. Our 3rd day in Darwin saw us wondering around the town centre, followed by the afternoon spend on a hop-on-hop-off bus which took us to many interesting venues in and around Darwin including WWII storage tunnels, WWII Museum and a Cyclone Tracey Museum. Wondered around a Greek food festival and then had a seafood smorgasbord dinner at a restaurant on the wharf overlooking the harbour displaying "don't feed the crocodiles" signs, this dinner was to celebrate Sharyn's birthday. Our 4th day in Darwin was spent wondering around Casuarina Shopping Centre replenishing supplies, followed by the evening strolling through the Mindal Beach markets where we had our dinner and watched the sun set over the ocean. We enjoyed very hot weather and most took advantage of the van parks pool. . Darwin to Jabiru, waved farewell to Sharyn and headed to Jabiru, we were all impressed with our accommodation, staying in tents but wow, they were magic. Raised above the ground with polished wooden floor boards, ceiling fan, double bed plus bunks, they had zip open fly screens which allowed in the breeze but you could not see through. Each tent set up had their own private ensuite just opposite the tent and communal bbq area which we took full advantage of. Spent the next day on a boat trip on Yellow River viewing the wetlands area of Kakadu, (Uncle Bear & Captain Cannonball, Yes it is a good story), this was a very worthwhile and educational trip. Bear did a light plane flight around Kakadu in the evening which he thoroughly enjoyed. Jabiru to Katherine, disaster struck, Bear left the road on a bend while avoiding a car & caravan and hit a pot hole, Wayne luckily saw this in his side mirrors as Bear was the rear rider. Wayne radioed the rest of the group and we were all with Bear within minutes of the accident. Somehow Wayne by himself was able to lift the bike off Bear, the bugger was so hot he was just riding with a long sleeve t-shirt and leather vest. Having 2 nurses on board was a blessing, Lucy had a first aid kit with her. We were in sight of the Mary River roadhouse and stopped a car who assisted us by driving Bear back to the roadhouse. As luck would have it for us, there was a couple at the roadhouse who had been involved in a minor accident and were waiting for an ambulance, so Bear was only at the roadhouse for short time before he was able to receive additional medical treatment. Bear was transported to a Medical Centre in Pine Creek, about 100klms away and the boys of the group were able to get Bear's bike back to the roadhouse. The roadhouse owners assisted us by storing Bear's bike until transportation could be organised. We rode to Pine Creek and met up with Bear who by then was about to be transferred (after lunch) by vehicle to Katherine Hospital, so Alannah went in the vehicle with him to keep him company. Upon our arrival in Katherine, we again met up with Bear's brother-in-law Howie, which turned out to be a real godsend for our group. Donna went to the hospital with Howie to find our Bear had a broken bone in his foot and would require a plaster cast, he badly grazed his arm and required stitches which he was annoyed about because they would mess up his tattoo's. He was released from hospital around 11pm, a very long day for all, and Howie drove him to our van park. We were all relieved that it was an accident he could walk away from and that the bike was insured so we figured it was a good result, but 5 sad for Bear that his holiday had come to an end. He had to stay in Katherine for at least a week, but insisted we all continue on our way as he would stay with Howie. Graeme was on the phone to the NRMA Insurance and organising to get Bear's bike back to Singleton, all pitched in to help Bear where possible. The following day the rest of the group did a half day boat trip on the gorge which was a fabulous experience. Katherine to Mataranka, short day so we could spend the afternoon in the thermal pools, Howie drove Bear to Mataranka so he could have this one last day with us all. While in the main street of Mataranka before heading out to the homestead, we bumped into Lyn & Matt Sponburg who were also staying at the homestead. We spent most of the afternoon in the thermal pools, quite a lot of tourists there. Said our sad farewells to Bear, was a shame for him as he had looked forward to this trip for so long. Joined at dinner by Lyn & Matt, had a good evening. Mataranka to Tennant Creek, had a good run, arrived at 3.30 to be told only one room had been booked for our entire group, totally unprofessional van park, rude and unhelpful but we eventually all got accommodated. Lucy & Graeme had friends in town so they went out to dinner, we were advised not to venture out after dark as it was "pay week", so we had take-away chicken packs at the park. Tennant Creek to Alice Springs, had a good run, stopped at the Devil's Marbles for a photo opportunity. All very happy with our excellent accommodation at this well run park. Joined for a bbq dinner by friends of Lucy. Spent the next day discovering Alice, nice days but cool evenings. Shireen & Wayne did a bus tour to the gorges. Enjoyed our visit to the School of Air, we were able to listen to the lesson being given at the time of our visit. Had our evening meal in a tavern called 'Bogangles', furnished along the lines of a Planet Hollywood/Hard Rock Cafe. Was a fascinating spot, had a display cabinet with 3 pythons residing around an old motorbike, but one guy insisted on carrying one of the pythons around the tavern all night long, Shireen & Donna didn't let that guy out of their sight. Wayne found the real Ned Kelly in his coffin and was caught with his hand on Ned's nuts. (But he wasn’t the only one) Robbie & Jenny stayed in Alice Springs while the rest of the crew went out to Kings Canyon. Shireen & Wayne went by motorbike as they were then going to Ayres Rock, however Cannonball, Lucy & Graeme, Donna & Alannah went by 4WD. On our way out to Kings Canyon, we called in to view Simpsons Gap, Stanley Chasm, the Hermannsburg Mission. Had a terrible trip on a corrugated road which took one hour to do 20klms into Palm Valley which wasn't worth the side trip. Apparently Palm Valley is quite beautiful, but we only got to the beginning of the valley as it was 2pm and a 2 hour walk into the Valley, so we had to turn back, so for us it wasn't viable at that time of the day. Had tent accommodation at Kings Canyon, very basic with 2 single beds in each tent, but tiled floor and excellent camp kitchen which we used and also enjoyed an open fire which was good for our toasted marshmallows. (Guess who’s a fire bug) We all did the 3-1/2 hour walk around the rim of Kings Canyon and I don't have adequate words to describe the beauty and wonders we all experienced. It was a spellbinding walk that impressed us all. Most of us spent the afternoon having a pensioners nap, all pretty knackered and ended the day around the camp fire. Shireen & Wayne said their farewells to Alannah, as they were heading to Ayers Rock and the rest of us were heading back to Alice Springs for 2 more nights. Shireen & Wayne were unable to climb Ayers Rock due to the wind, however they did ride around the rock(several times) and enjoy the sunset & sunrise. Back in Alice Springs we all enjoyed another day of sightseeing and then had a farewell dinner for Alannah. Alice Springs to Coober Pedy was our longest day and weather starting to get cooler with each passing day heading south. We were all dissatisfied with our underground accommodation booking so we all ended up in cabins in a van park. Riding into Coober Pedy you could be forgiven for thinking you had just landed on the moon. Real amazing looking place, right out of a Star Wars movie. We enjoyed an excellent meal in John’s Italian restaurant, actually it was so good, we repeated the process the following evening. The next day we did a Coober Pedy town tour with a local bus company, viewed an underground church (you would have to see it to believe it) we were all so impressed, then also viewed an underground home & mining complex. Drove around their golf course, no grass, and black greens. Was a very interesting day, spent the afternoon exploring the town, Shireen was the only lucky lady who scored an opal necklace. Coober Pedy to Port Augusta, via Woomera. Woomera is partially a ghost town, there is a small military presence which maintains and keeps the town in top notch condition, however, most of the accommodation that remains has miners from nearby Roxby Downs in residence. Upon leaving Woomera, we stopped for fuel and Wayne couldn't get his bike to start, pushed it away from the pumps & spent an hour or so finding out what wasn’t stopping the bike from starting. It was decided that Cannonball and Donna would continue into Port Augusta as Donna had arranged to meet up with her Mother, brother & sister-in-law driving up from Adelaide. Roadside assist was contacted & Graeme /Lucy & Robbie /Jenny relented and headed for Port Augusta, 173kms away, while there was still daylight. You do not travel at night, unless you are a road train. Roadside assist will 6 be discussed at meetings in the future so we will leave this part till then. A good Samaritan stepped in (with a truck load of tools & gadgets) did some checks & declared we had 2 blown headlights & a beggared battery. Jump started us & advised us not to stall it & to go like buggary for Port Augusta as there isn’t much daylight left and no chance of getting a battery except where we where headed. Back on the Sturt Highway again at4:30pm, the last 27kms in darkness, arriving very stressed but in one piece at about 6pm. “A trip never to be done again” said Shireen. The bike stopped at park office, not to start again but ridden/pushed with great zeal & enthusiasm by Graeme & Cannonball to the cabin. The group had dinner with Donna's family at a nearby hotel. Had a full day in Port Augusta, Wayne trying to sort out his problem with his bike and the rest of us having a wonder around Port Augusta. Now it is bloody freezing, had another dinner at the same hotel with Donna's family again. Port Augusta to Broken Hill another freezing day, just putting miles behind us now as we head for home. Had tea with Wayne's sister and her husband who were also in Broken Hill, Lucy & Graeme had dinner with the Mudgee Ulysses Group, who we had been bumping into here and there on our entire trip. Broken Hill to Nyngan, uneventful, cold trip, but had our last evening out together in a wonderful hotel with good meals. We finished the evening off in the Catholic room having Bailey’s and chocolate. Nyngan to home, all over until the next time. Apart from Bear's accident and Wayne's bike problems, was a wonderful holiday, interesting sights were seen and lessons were learnt, another great group holiday. cheers, Donna

RIDE TO TOWNSVILLE – 25th AGM. W. & J. TINDALE
25 May 08. On a cool dry Sunday morning 20 bikes and a trike departed the Upper Hunter for the 25th AGM. We travelled via New England, Kamilaroi and Newell Highways, stopping at Gunnedah for coffee and a snack, Moree for fuel and refreshments, arriving at Goondiwindi late afternoon. The Royal Hotel provided comfortable accommodation and outstanding hospitality with a fine private meal for Ulysses members from both Upper Hunter and Mudgee branches. 26 May 08. Monday we rode north from Goondiwindi to Moonie, then along a poorly aligned road to Condamine, thence to Miles for fuel, coffee and a snack. From Miles we rode much better roads to Taroom for lunch at the two available servos. We regrouped and rode on to Theodore and Banana, the latter a village named after a bull, (as Queenslanders do), rather than a tropical fruit. Banana Hotel was new, comfortable and apart from a large truck stop the main commercial enterprise of Banana. The refreshments and camaraderie were good, the meals appealing and most of us had a good nights sleep. One unfortunate found his roommate had locked him out and could not be aroused, unlike the neighbours who came out to see what the problem was. With the help of the reception staff & their key, Birthday boy got to bed, and so did we finally. 27 May 08. Tuesday morning was surprisingly cold, indicating Banana has some altitude. We had a rapid run to Rockhampton where we stopped for photos to celebrate the crossing the Tropic of 7 Capricorn, then on to Marlborough for fuel, refreshments and an ogle at a CanAm Spyder. The long run from Marlborough to Sarina was so boring the trike pillion decided to do some crochet work, but dropped the ball of wool on the road. At the next stop the bike was having some mechanical problems and the trike pillion was horrified until she ensured the bike did not have wool snagged around exposed moving parts! Sarina to Mackay provided the only rain on the run up, with a sort shower as we approached Mackay. Our motel proved elusive for some of us, but once located was comfortable and within walking distance of an Irish theme pub. The pub had a wide menu selection, cold beer and entertainment from a branch member who reduced us to tears of laughter with his skit on the perils of sex with an avid reader. 28 May 08. Wednesday was the final run from Mackay to Townsville, uneventful with a fuel stop at Bowen and near Home Hill. We did see a motorcycle policeman on highway patrol, but no overt police presence. The route into Townsville was well signposted for visiting Ulysses members, taking us to the registration centre at River Way, Thuringowa. Those with GPS then guided us to our accommodation at the Coconut Glen on the northern edge of Townsville. To celebrate our safe arrival we held a BBQ tea at the BBQ area and waved to passing train drivers. 29 – 31 May 08. We enjoyed the 25th AGM and discover the attractions of Townsville. 1 Jun 08. Sunday. Those riding on to Darwin and beyond departed with our best wishes. Some of the remaining bikes took the ferry to Magnetic Island, while five bikes and ten bodies decided on a day run to Charters Towers. The outward run was in light drizzle and mist, and Charters Towers proved interesting but smaller than we had envisaged. 2 Jun 08. Monday. With the AGM now officially over, we departed in our separate ways, some riding south through Charters Towers then the Gregory Highway, some south along the Bruce Highway, and three bikes and six bodies headed north to Cairns. It concluded a great branch ride with many laughs and new places, roads and friendships discovered.

TOWNSVILLE TO MUSWELLBROOK. W. & J. TINDALE.
Monday 2 June while most remaining branch members returned home riding south, three bikes and six members road north to Cairns, stopping for refreshments at Cardwell. Enrooted our President, leading us on his new bike on a double lane stretch of highway, was surprised by a tin top passing him on his left side. Luckily he was watching his left mirror. On arriving at Cairns we visited the local tourist information centre and sorted our visit options then separated to our respective accommodation locations. Tuesday 3 June. All three bikes rode north to Port Douglas, Mossman and Daintree where we stopped for lunch. The afternoon was spent spotting crocodiles on the Daintree River, where we saw two and a half, the half been a juvenile croc no bigger than a goanna. We then rode south to Mossman Gorge for a look at the rain forest then returned home along the coast. Wednesday 4 June. Two bike and four members rode to Freshwater Station and joined the train to Kuranda. We spent a couple of hours wandering the markets of Kuranda, had lunch, and returned to Freshwater by sky rail and bus. Thursday 5 June. Joan and I rode south to Gordonvale, then up the Gillies Highway to Atherton where we visited the Crystal Caves, on to Mareeba to visit the Coffee Works then back to Cairns by the Kennedy Highway. Friday 6 June. Joan and I started our return journey alone, with overnight stops at Townsville with my brother, Mackay, then Gladstone for a week with Joan’s brother, Buderim for three days with friends, then home via Esk, Toowoomba and overnight at Goondiwindi before following rain and riding in fog home to Muswellbrook on Friday 20 June. We rode 6,000 km and had a ball. Our only mishap was when I managed to lay the bike down when I stuffed a slow speed U turn in Scone and tipped Joan onto the road. What a way to finish! Roll on AGM 2010.

Bill T.