Thursday 31st May 2012

No rain, clear skies ……. There must be a catch, but lots of riders didn’t think so as they arrived in droves; well lots anyway.

Bob took a rather inventive approach to leading a ride; basically wind them up and let them go, but it worked and a great day was had by all.A BIG thanks to Bob for his lead now please enjoy his report ………..

Tim Bailey said that Sydney would get rain to-day so I put on my rain pants as extra insurance (they usually keep it at bay) just in case my old magic of "it never rains on my parade" had faulted. Got sprinkled on getting to Berowra ---- bugga, not a good start.

26 eager riders and one pillion fronted for to-days epic ride.

 The route I chose was the standard for four ferries, Berowra ferry, on toNorthern Rd and Cattai Rd. to Wisemans ferry rd and then the left turn to Sackville ferry and up to Ebeneezer Church for morning tea.

Knowing that I am the "Mobile Road Block" I declared it a ride at your own pace ride. After crossing Berowra Ferry in the lead, only two Jack Rabbits passed me and not until we were on Wiseman’s rd. I think I must be getting better after all.

As is the usual procedure on this ride I stopped for a re-group at the turn off to Sackville. This created a bit of a wait for us leaders and I could feel the agitation to get moving again. Rob our stalwart TEC came around the corner and I was swamped with howling motor cycles following him past me sitting at the front of the mob. No worries they all knew where to go. Meant I could corner at my speed - no worries. As I rounded the corner on the approach to the ferry I was surprised to see it had moved out on a crossing with only half the group on board and still plenty of space. Seems there was a small gap between the riders and the ferry crew just shut the gate and set sail. BUGGA another ten + minute wait.

Morning tea was split between the picnic area in front of the church and at the cafe tables where the ladies serve that yummy Devonshire Tea.( Stuff the diet.)

As we assembled to ride off to Wisemans Ferry for lunch I delivered a briefing on the route emphasizing turning LEFT. Away went the "lemmings" following blindly.

I was among the last to get going and was surprised and concerned when on reaching the Lower Portland Ferry to discover that only 4 bikes had crossed ahead of my group of 4. Where was every one else?

I never did find out exactly what happened but eventually everyone turned up at the lunch spot. Stories about just following so and so. Reminded me of Lemmings just blindly following.

Not to worry I am sure those concerned enjoyed finding some new roads etc. My little group rode the riverside which is always very scenic but slow.

Lunch over I gave further instructions on how to get out of the park , go to the end of the road and turn LEFT and board the ferry etc for a farewell at the PITS.

I did also give instructions for those who chose to turn right but those instructions do not need to be repeated.

Sounds like a disaster day but it wasn't, it was fun and great to be riding.

Sadly my rain pants etc did not work keeping the rain away as most of us got wet for a short bit near Peats Ridge

BIG THANKS to all who came along and especially to Rob doing his usual great job as TEC

Always Ride with a Smile

Bob

Hill End 19th May 2012

18 bikes Bruno was the leader today,we were picked up at Wallacia at the BP at about 9-15am . The weather was warm for an autumn morning ,rode through the traffic at Penrith then onto the Castlereigh road to North Richmond and headed up the Bells Line of Road and onto Lithgow were we refueled and headed to Kelso Macdonalds where we regrouped after our feed of Maccs. Then onto the twisty and scenic little road to Hill End.A quick shower and change we set of to explore this historic village,we were informed that it was discovered in1872 when a large nugget of gold was discovered it weigh in at 630lbs then the gold rush was on
Vic Neil Pauline and I walked the town and saw many quant little houses ,in its hey day there was 52 pubs but now there is only one The Royal Hotel, we also visited the museum which was the hospital over 100years ago.
Walking back to the motel we pass a mob of kangaroos and some beautiful birds .
Meeting up with the others in the BBQ area we have a few drinks and nibbles before dinner.Dinner was not much and the feed back is that they should change the cook.

A good nights sleep was had by all ,Pauline was nominated to do a plate with the Ulysses old man and a thank you ,she did a marvelous job and it will hang proud in the Lodge from the Ulysses MacArthur Branch.A photo opportunity was taken and presentation of the plate,we set off on the ride home back through Kelso and onto Oberon where we were to have coffee and a toilet stop,some took the opportunity to have lunch.We left them to the lunch and rode the Tablelands road to then to Goulburn and onto Marulan where we had lunch and said our good byes.it was a very pleasant ride and we had very pleasant company

Thursday 17th May 2012

Ride Report – The “Thanks Rob Dow” Ride

Some 20 sad old men, plus a sheila called Charlene (who became tail-end-Charlene, for reasons we won’t go into) met at Macca’s Eastern Creek. The objective was to get to Thirlemere, which, if you went straight, was within jogging distance. People from the North Shore, hitherto cosseted, had come over to the west on instructions from the Prime Minister of Australia, Juliet Gillard. Under Juliet’s guidance, we became immediately lost in the carpark, and someone asked if this was just a coincidence or is just the way things work nowadays?

Having regrouped, off we shot, as Big Ben (the one at Blacktown) chimed 10 bells. We went down Wallgrove Road, keeping a tight formation, mainly because each of the four sets of traffic lights changed to red as soon as they saw us. We got toElizabeth Drive, and Julia Gilliard must have provided instructions that we not be cosseted and the lights turned red as soon as a motorcycle came near. It took four or five changes before we all got through, whizzing, whooping and hollering downElizabeth Drive, and wandering up Badgery’s Creek Road. Ms Gillerd said she’d build an airport there one day, and we all agreed that would be a fine idea so that there would be more traffic.

There is a little gem of a road out that way called Greendale Road, so we whizzed, whooped and hollered down there as well, arriving at Wallacia in a little line about 10km’s long. And off to Warragamba, so that we could look at Juliet Gilliard’s water which will now never run dry because of the new carbon tax, and the $10 billion the government will give away to people that can find odd ideas that are good enough to con a Labour government panel, chaired by Christine Milne.

Warragamba looks terrific at the moment, and we looked at the water, said “wow, Jules!”, used the nice clean toilets, lolled around the grass, and held an auction. Rob Dow, who you will all recall had a nasty prang last year but is now cheerily recovered, has decided his riding days of derring do are behind him, so donated  a pile of high quality riding gear and we held an auction in his honour. Thanks, Rob, because we now have $175 that has, in turn, ended up with the Ulysses Club Arthritis Research Fund (UCARF). Wayne Rees managed the financial aspects here, and I must say shows exceptional prospects as a treasurer. To Rob, all the very best from the fellows, and Charlene, as you whittle down your golf handicap.

Warragamba is where the water stops. We wanted to see where Julia’s water started so went via some pleasant backroads to Burragorang, and let me tell you where Juliet’s water starts is simply splendid. I kid you not, the view down Burragorang valley, is one of the most beautiful in all of the Blue Mountains, and there is little traffic on the way. Take the family, soon.

We then wandered off to Thirlemere, via further rustic little roads where we arrived in time for lunch. The objective was to go through the train museum. It was a delight to see the old fellow’s puff their way down to the museum, tuckered up, and then wander back untrained, indignant at the charge of $16.00, net of Senior’s discount. Economists gathered about, keen to study this example of price inelasticity and enquiring after Ronnie Knight who is one of the World’s leading economists and philosophers. Ronnie couldn’t be with us, as he recently undertook surgery, and he was both sore and sorely missed. He’ll be back soon.

The cosseted northerner’s were very grateful for the route advice of that uncosseted westy, Kawasaki Kermit (aka Vic), and Ms Guillerd is, no doubt, in a much better mood as a result of our sauntering in the heartland?

Stephen Davies.