Make me the ride leader for the regular NBR Mudgee standard destination -  I generally go further West, I asked myself when I saw the new years calendar - I'm thinking last year's ride leader must have done something wrong, nobody likes Cowra!!   I accept the dates / destination - I think about planning - easy - same motel, same route, everybody knows the drift. Wait - Pete Walshaw calls me while the plan is still in my head - saying that he asked about Motel availability at the Soldier Motel as a by the way - and it's booked out for our week. I'll get onto it next week - looking on line - make a couple of calls - the town sounds full. Ask a few more questions - check the Web - big Touch Footy comp on for our week in Mudgee, options - delay the week, means changing the schedule, too late set in stone.    So if not Mudgee - where to go, same old same for me - Cowra, Tasy - nah  The Oxley - no wait Steve Simpson is ride leader in June for Arm...

  With so many on the "Not the Mudgee Ride" it was left to 6 riders to start the PADPAL. I say start as we dropped riders along the way. Plan was for smoko at Ebenezer Church on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, then onto Grey Gums for lunch. All went well, we even found Halcrows Rd off Cattai Ridge Rd as there are major road works at the intersection. As ride leader I arrived in 3rd place even though we were on the same Sackville Ferry trip. Lots of talk was had along with scones and tea - a great way to enjoy the company and day. A mutiny was had where the group decided to change the lunch destination, whereby as leader I objected and required the mutineers to go through leadership for any changes. Okay, we agreed to change to Wisemans Ferry for lunch. But only 3 headed that way, losing 2 at the church and another at Wisemans Ferry Rd - they had other interests. Luckily I managed to remain at the front and not come 3rd again, as this would have meant performi...

  A beautiful autumn day in Sydney saw 6 senior souls depart Maccas Heathcote for lunch at Shoalhaven Heads, via the long way. Seems like there had been a nasty outbreak of SCRAS (South Coast Ride Avoidance Syndrome) which had decimated attendance levels.   Never mind, it was perfect weather for riding and off we went via National Park and Albion Park to the Robertson Pie Shop for morno's. New owners have implemented a number of changes as well as a splash of paint...still a great location for a stop!    We then journeyed down Pearson's Lane, Kangaroo Valley, Berry Mountain and Berry to arrive at Shoalhaven Heads where we enjoyed a lunch on the shores of the river. The usual banter and lies imbued with Trump featuring prominently in our discussions.    Similar to the Straits of Hormuz, we noted the New Zealand Navy had initiated a hostile blockade of the Shoalhaven Heads with three of its largest Māori War canoes. Fearing we could feature on the menu of a M...

  It is our sad duty to inform you that our great friend and fellow Ulyssean, Graeme Andrews died last Tuesday 14th April at the Northern Beaches Hospital. He had been battling cancer for quite some time.   Graeme was a generous and dedicated member of the Northern Beaches Branch of the Ulysses Club. He was Treasurer for many years and also a keen volunteer at our Bunnings Sausage Sizzles. He would donate the contents of his famous "Shrapnel Jar" to the sausage sizzle which was always a considerable sum. We had many "Maintenance Days" in his mechanics magic cave when he would help us solve all sorts of maintenance issues with our motorcycles. A true gentleman, may he rest in peace.  

  Last week’s ride to Dungog was a long but very enjoyable day out, so I was looking forward to a shorter day in the saddle today with the destination, Nords Wharf, on the shores of the lovely Lake Macquarie. We were blessed with a cooler and sunny day and approx. 16 riders turned up at Berowra for the ride. There were no virgins but we did have one newby, Simon, who’d ridden with us previously a couple of times but hadn’t received the clap, so we rectified that   this morning !! Welcome Simon   The route was going to be pretty straightforward, it had to be as my BMW Nav 6 (my third) crapped itself a few days ago when I attempted to load todays route onto it.  ☹  Briefing over we headed up the Old Road, at Kulnura turned right onto Springs Rd, down Bumble Hill, onto Yarramalong Rd and stopping at the Triangle for morning tea. Very little traffic. Interestingly, as I was corner marking the turn into the Triangle car park, there were two bikes coming up behind me,...

  Dungog Ride Thursday 2 April 2026 Left home  at 7:30am  to beat traffic, starting the ride from 7-Eleven Berowra  at 9:30am . Rode through thick fog and 16°C temperatures via Berowra Waters Ferry, but overall, it was an enjoyable trip to Berowra.  Thinking I would be the first to arrive, there were already 3 other riding groups parked up including the regular Thursday ladies’ group on their little Pee Wee size bikes and always up for a friendly chat.  It was somewhat surprising to see 20 or so riders turn up for a long ride and ready to go considering double demerit points kicked in  at midnight for the Easter Long Weekend, and with that in mind I thought it was worth emphasising in my ride briefing,  so with the double demerit points in force we were going to take it easy particularly on the Old Highway where there is a ridiculous 60 kph speed limit where it makes it hard to comfortably ride in top gear. Anyhow, we had one new rider Erikh from ...