HAMILTON FOR BREAKFAST – 2 NOV 08.
Five bikes and no pillions departed Muswellbrook at 7am, on a cool and overcast morning. On departure from Singleton our numbers had increased to seventeen bikes with four pillions. It was good to see four of our ladies twisting their own throttles on this ride. Well-done girls! The run to Hamilton was uneventful, but one member was having difficulty. Bear was, well, like a bear that has woken with a sore head and a dry mouth. He was suffering. At Hamilton we found an eatery that could accommodate us all and we breakfasted. Some had bacon and eggs just the way they liked it. Three venerable gentlemen partook of a „Big Mother‟ breakfast and survived. Another scoffed a „Gym Fanatics Nightmare‟ and rode away safely. Even Bear brightened up after food and a cup of tea. Breakfast at Hamilton was a satisfying experience. Having satisfied our immediate desires, we departed a little before 11am, in separate groups heading to a number of personal destinations. The Muswellbrook five with Bear as a leader rode to Raymond Terrace to visit a motorcycle accessory shop which alas was closed, (but we now know where it is), then back to Singleton via Fitzgerald Bridge, Thornton, Metford and East Maitland to Town Head Park, (near the Matilda tank) where we had a debrief. At the debrief, the ladies suggested our progress had been too slow to be exhilarating. Steady girls! We were back in Muswellbrook before 2pm, after 265km. It was a good way to spend Sunday morning. Breakfast rides seem to be a neat solution for summer Sundays, they beat the heat and leave time for the other things we must do. Plucka
2008 ADVENTURE RIDERS RALLY.
The 2008 Ulysses Adventure Riders Rally was held
on 10th and 11th Oct at Myrtleford in the Victorian high country. Plucker,
Mother Plucker and Bantam Wing represented the Upper Hunter Branch.
The trip down was via Gulgong, Wellington, Molong, Cowra, Young, Wagga, Albury
and Wangaratta. We then travelled along the Great Alpine Road to Myrtleford
where we found the Railway Hotel and registered. There were four local tours
arranged as follows;
1. AM Fri 10th Oct. A three-hour dirt ride with a local guide. (We passed)
2. PM Fri 10th Oct. A road ride, Myrtleford to Ovens, Happy Valley, Rosewhite,
then along the east Kiewa Valley road to Redbank, then to Tawonga South. The run
home was by Tawonga Gap to the Great Alpine Road, Bright, Porepunkah, a run up
Mt Buffalo to the Chalet and back, then Eurobin and Ovens to Myrtleford. 185 km
of mountains, bends and country roads.
3. AM Sat 11th Oct. Another dirt ride with a local guide. (We passed again).
4. PM Sat 11th Oct. A road ride to Yackandandah and Beechworth with time for
some local shopping and food. Both locations provide plenty of interest.
On both Fri and Sat nights there was a function at the Railway Hotel, (there is
no railway or railway station in Myrtleford these days), consisting of a „meet
and greet‟, a meal and a band from 9pm. On Sunday 12th Oct there was a long
breakfast at the Railway Hotel and riders departed for home in Vic, SA and NSW.
The Pluckers and Bantam Wing continued along the Great Alpine Road, over Mt
Hotham to Omeo, Bairnsdale, Sale and Traralgon to Yarram. We stayed a couple of
days with relatives and visited Wilson‟s Promontory. We returned home via Sale,
Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Eden, Wollongong, Kellyville and the Putty
Road. The weather was kind, apart from one windy day between Omeo and Yarram; we
were away 13 days and travelled 2864km. The 2009 rally will be held on 11th and
12th Sep at Tibooburra, NSW. Plucka.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 5TH
10 bikes and 12 people met at Maccas Singleton at 9am for a ride to the Belmont Sixteen footers for lunch, but as it had been very wet over the previous couple of days and with the condition of the road to Wollombi and also being a long weekend we decided to ride to Gloucester for lunch instead The group was headed of with Lyn and Max, Bear, Donna, Gary, Keith, Jill, John and I with our new members Jo and Brad and friends of Jill‟s Cheryl and Lee First stop was morning tea at Dungog via Bolworra and Paterson, and I am sure the road has developed more patches or was it potholes. Then it was on to Gloucester where we rode up to the lookout before lunch. What a great view After lunch it was straight out to the highway where we turned off and rode through Seaham and Lambs Valley home in time to see the Grand Final We all commented on how good the ride was as we had a leader and tail end Charlie whose positions changed during the day and those who wanted to put on a bit of speed had a turn out in front and the tailenders were not left wondering where to go Also we had 100kms stops to ease the tailbones of those riders who needed it and for any catching up to be done I would just like to say for myself thank you for all your encouragement Barbara Williams
Memorial Ride Report. Sunday 14th
September 2008
Eighteen bikes, twenty-two bodies plus Alex and Sandy in a car comprised the
Upper Hunter Branch contribution to the 2008 Memorial Ride, which gathered at
Macca’s Hexham at 9am under a threatening sky. The assembly was a great meet and
greet of people from different branches. We renewed contact with Graham and
Betty with their trike, among others. The ride was made up of 191 bikes, three
trikes and four cars, and travelled through light rain to Maitland Park. The
rain cleared at Maitland, where we were welcomed by a piper, called to order
around a rotunda at about 0930, and was then offered a sincere and poignant
service by Howard Mole, a bike riding, beer drinking Ulysses member who is also
a member of the Salvation Army. Howard spoke of the shock of loosing a friend or
loved one, but explained how we should not see death as an end, rather we should
remember them and the good times we had with them in our ride through life. The
Presidents of the Upper Hunter, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and Lower
Hunter and Port Stephens Branches then provided a role call of departed members.
Our President Jim spoke eloquently expressing sympathy for other branches that
lost members over the past year. He gave a moving tribute to our departed
members, Margaret Davison and David McIntyre. The service concluded at 1020 with
Andy playing his harmonica and the piper playing a medley of tunes. We then
dispersed, the socialites of the Branch returning to Singleton for lunch at the
Imperial Hotel, the adventurous of the Branch riding west to Broke and the Broke
Fair.
Plucka
Elizabeth Gates Village.
Saturday 30th August 2008 saw some special visitors to Elizabeth Gates Village.
With the motto “Grow Old Disgracefully” you would be forgiven for thinking these
particular visitors were perhaps not so special. Don’t let the motto fool you
though. By visiting, the 30 or so Ulysses members and their machines was an
opportunity for residents to be visited by a different face other than family
and friends and staff. It is a chance for men to talk to men about machines and
engines and no doubt swap a few tale tales of their transport exploits. It was
lovely and sunny after a slightly foggy morning and residents walked or were
wheeled to see the bikes. Getting out and about at home in the sunshine in the
company of others. Four bikes rode straight into the nursing home for residents
not so easily moved to admire the bikes also. Admiring the bikes is a sensory
experience in itself. Big bikes, little bikes. Loud bikes. Some bikes with
fabulous stereo systems playing great music. Shiny, bright and polished bikes.
Every colour bike you can think of, blue, red, green and pink. Yes, a pink bike
with butterflies flying over the tank and mudguards. The visit stimulated many
memories for the residents also. Mavis remembered fondly her brother who rode a
motorbike. In the post war years when petrol was rationed many families had
x-army bikes as their only means of transport. Conversation between residents
was about riding in the sidecar to church or a picnic, 3 or 4 kids in the
sidecar and mum on the back of the bike. There were many discussions between the
staff and residents and families. Everyone asking the other, “Did you see the
motorbikes on Saturday?” Alice wasn’t really too fussed about going to see the
bikes but guess who talked to everyone and sat watching the bikes come and go
all morning.
Best of all however was the reaction when the photographs of the fun morning
were displayed. “Is that you sitting on a motorbike Mum?” “I thought you came to
a nursing home!”
The visit was also an opportunity for the Ulysses members to give back to the
community. The group presented a cheque to the Cancer Council. The members have
a love of motorbikes and riding which they are willing to share with others.
Residents and staff of Elizabeth Gates Village thank members of Upper Hunter
Ulysses Club for visiting.
Ulysses is a club for older motorcyclists, the largest organization of it's kind
in Australia, is now a familiar part of this country's riding scene. The
original suggestion for a club for over 50's motorcyclists 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 Hall, 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.
The name comes from a poem of the same title by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. 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.
4 Day Snowy Ride. Alternate Day
1 Thurs.
A small group left on a more scenic route, than the main group to Cooma. 6
bikes, 7 bodies left Oxford Cycles at 7.30 am. 1 double up, 5 solo. Travelled
down the Putty road, our first stop Colo Heights for fuel and a short break.
Then across to Kurrajong onto Mt Victoria down to Oberon for our next fuel stop
and a short break. Onward then to Goulburn for fuel and lunch. Left for Cooma
via Bungendore and Queanbeyan arriving appr. 3.15pm with a short break between.
A pleasant day of riding, and together with day 2, 3, and 4 were absolutely
perfect, and we are sure the whole group would agree.
Robbie and Jenny
Ride report for 4 days to Snowy
& back.
Thursday, 18 September Donna, Dave & Kerry left MM to meet Wayne on the Highway
then to ride to meet up with fellow riders Jim, Colleen, Sylvia, Keith, Gary,
Graeme, Lucy, Albert & Ros, at SM. One group consisting of Mick, Raylee, George,
Barry, Gary, Robbie & Jenny had already left Singleton on a different route via
Putty to Cooma. News had reached the group that Barb was having trouble getting
her bike to go & she & John would catch us up down the road. The weather was
good but a little chilly. After a group photo taken for an article in the Hunter
Valley News the larger group left SM consisting of 10 bikes, & Bear on his bike
joined us in the ride & left the group at the freeway to ride home. It was a
lovely ride through Broke to Wollombi, a real shame about the pot holes in the
road though. Morning tea was at Kulnura, as we were about to saddle up again
Barb & John joined the group & yes Barb on her bike & John riding his bike. Then
it was off to Penrith to fuel up for a lovely ride to Goulburn for fuel & lunch
at Macca’s. Had hoped to meet up with the other group but alas wires must have
been crossed. After lunch it was through to Cooma with a few spurts along the
way with various leaders. 16 bikes at Cooma with 22 riders & now time to relax
after a long ride, over dinner with great company & for desert a birthday cake
for Donna. Thanks to Wayne & any one ever else that may have been in on the
idea. Yes there were enough pieces for everyone skilfully cut by Donna with
Graeme’s engineering skill. Friday, 19 September before going to breakfast
Barry discovered he had a flat tyre. Dave had a little air compressor with him
so they pumped Barry’s tyre up so as he could get it repaired at a tyre repair
place. We had breakfast while we waited for Barry to have his puncture repaired,
he had breakie & we were able to leave Cooma with everyone on their bikes, no
one left behind to catch up. We split into 2 groups again as some had never been
to the Snowy before & wanted to do a little sightseeing. The ride from Cooma was
cold & windy, the scenery different very dry & big boulders in the paddocks.
Through East Jindabyne where Donna wished she had an extra bike helmet. Then we
stopped at Kosciuszko National Park entrance for photos & instructions from Gary
(on the BMW) whom then became our leader. Our next stop was Thredbo, where our
leader Gary was the first off his bike to throw the first snow ball.
Sylvia was also throwing snowballs at whomever she could, told Kerry who was
still trying to get her helmet off, to turn the heated seat on she would soon
warm up again. Wayne was making a snow angel. Many a snow ball was thrown the
children had lots of fun. We had our own “Snow Bunnies”, Raylee chased Sylvia
with a snowball & to miss the oncoming snowball Sylvia dodged between two
vehicles. At this stage a gentleman came walking up from behind the vehicles not
sure if snow connected with his vehicle or not but we politely asked if he would
take a group photo for us which he did. Then it was time to ride carefully down
the mountain & once again regroup with the faster & experienced riders. Don’t
know what happened to Gary & his BMW but they parted company as we were
preparing to leave, both were ok thank goodness. The change in weather, it was
time to ditch the thermals & wet weather pants. Time to fuel up the bikes,
regroup with the others & have lunch sounded good. What a change in scenery,
green paddocks & lots of feed, the country side was a picture. Lunch was at
Corryong in Victoria at a bakery. Time for us to leave for our next destination,
so off we went again, some of us took the wrong road but hadn’t travelled far
before realising our error & backtracked. Leaving Corryong, we rode through to
Tumbarumba, then to Batlow & to our final destination for that day, Tumut. Jim &
Dave had a friendly banter about Dave’s number plate, which continued the rest
of the journey. We all met at the motel & socialised in the car park with a
little line dancing by Jenny, Dave & Kerry. Then it was time for dinner at the
pub. It was unbelievable how the dining room had been set out, like a wedding
reception. So we took that opportunity to celebrate Mick & Raylee’s 33rd Wedding
Anniversary which was actually 20 September & yes we did sit them on the top
table. Lots of laughter & joke telling which was all good fun thanks
Keith & Donna.
Saturday 20 September a short ride today from Tumut to Orange. Rode through Gundagai hearing there was a festival happening but we were too early so continued our ride to Cootamundra for a stop. We couldn’t have wished for better weather & the country side a picture of Green & Gold. Regroup at Cowra were some of the riders went to Macca’s for coffee & ice-cream & the rest went to the Japanese Gardens. A lot of ideas for various gardens was gained & given here. A nice place to have lunch although someone thought they could get faster service at a café, however lunch was lovely Dave when it did arrive. This became a joke between John, Barb, Dave & Kerry from then on. Time to leave & head for our overnight stay at Orange, on arriving you could feel a slight chill in the air. Once again we had a wonderful meal at a local hotel. At least this time we could all be seated at one table. Sunday 21 September an early start this morning 7.30am & breakfast at Wellington Macca’s. Then ride through to Gulgong & Merriwa were those who didn’t fuel their bikes at Gulgong, fuel them at Merriwa. Some riders after fuelling their bikes at Merriwa continued their ride home. Others decided to stop have a cold or hot drink & something to eat then continue their ride home. Thankfully we had a safe ride. I would like to congratulate Barb on riding her motor bike. You certainly had fun & an inspiration to ride a bike on your own, keep riding. What an awesome four day ride, shame it hadn’t been longer, the weather was wonderful, the scenery spectacular & the company superb.
Kerry