Thirteen gallant riders departed Berowra   at 10:00am   and charged forwards to Jerry’s for morning tea. Under blue skies and cool conditions a brisk pace was set for the enjoyment of everyone. The Gala regroup was abandoned so as not to lose momentum whilst being mindful the contingent often “moves on its stomach” as we made good progress northwards. After morning tea we set off to Wollombi, did a regroup there then tracked eastwards towards Cessnock. After going over Mount View Road (along with its 1 kilometre of dirt) all arrived safely at our destination for lunch. The return leg saw several different routes back to PITS for a debrief and a chat with Max who also arrived on the scene. Thanks to Rob T for his TEC duties. Look forward to catching up on the next ride. Cheers, Richo.

    GONBUG Northern Beaches Ulysses Ride Report 25 th June 2023               Mount Gibraltar, Sammy Gee’s Pies, Mittagong Chilly but fine – great day for an interesting place – Sydney’s Hard Rock dig-out. Who would turn up at 9 am for a ride to the Southern Highlands? Well – just three of us, and we’re really sorry you missed out on a beautiful day’s ride, taking in the ups and downs and brilliant views.   I   had reacquainted myself with Sydney’s Hard Rock Story – the Story of Trachyte, and the significance of Mount Gibraltar – that’s where the trachyte was dug out to provide strong, hard rock on which to mount Sydney’s magnificent sandstone buildings. But I hadn’t worked out the best approach - fortunately, “Mr Map-Brain” helped out and took us on some faintly familiar back-roads, out to Campbelltown area, past Anthony Hordern’s famous tree, now growing well again - who can forget “While I L...

When I checked on the interwebs where this ride was going,  I thought I should go, as it was too bloody cold last week. What I didn't check was who was leading. It was me! I only learned this after I had turned up at Berowra.  I had no idea of a route, so I took suggestions. It was decided to head up the Old Road to Calga, Peats Ridge Road and a coffee stop at "The HUB" at  Mangrove Mountain shops. After discussing world events and other things, it was on to  Wiseman's Ferry, then Old Northern Road and a short cut to Wiseman's Ferry Rd and Sackville Ferry road. Lunch was had at the old church at Ebenezer along with  tea and scones. (Not good for our image). The sky was threatening rain, but it held off with just a few spots. All agreed it was a very nice ride. Cheers, Suitcase

  The day dawned crisp and cold, perfect for a ride to Bulga Peter of the fractured finger had convinced me,   whilst having lunch at  Wisemans ferry last Thursday, to lead the ride. 12 riders were enjoying the camaraderie at Mcdonalds Windsor, until I stood up and announced that as Laurent was unable to ride, I would be deputising for him. Morning tea would be at Grey Gums. Two riders immediately said they would not go very far and would leave the ride early, great encouragement for my second lead. But  then  Kim said "I will go all the way" Bit puzzled, but I took that as a vote of confidence. Peter of the braces accepted TEC.  No corner marking needed, as it's very hard to get lost going to Bulga, despite it being over 150k. All went well until we reached the first roadworks, Andy's trusty steed promptly died. Would not start Our TEC volunteered to stay with him, whilst he tried to resolve the issue. Onwards; once we regathered at the next roadworks...

  GONBUG Ulysses Ride Report - Coffee Ride, Long Weekend 10 June 2023 Wow – what a brilliant day for a ride – no matter the destination. Not surprisingly only four riders turned up for a Double Demerits Ride. I suggested Terrey Hills for a “starter”, was appointed Ride Leader , and we used the left-left back road to get back onto Mona Vale Road then ducked around the back road behind the fruit markets, and across all the roundabouts to Terrey Hills, then I indicated we should make a longer ride by heading out past all those farmlets, horse paddocks, the Gun Club and the International School until I became a tad lost, turned around and we found the perfect sunny spot back in Terrey Hills village for coffee n cake n long-chat. Finally we re-mounted and followed Geoff W around the National Parks waterways, past Church Point and into Mona Vale, then waved goodbye – home by lunchtime. Thanks for the company on a perfect riding morning. MTC

  I had already looked up on the weather app when the rain was due to hit Oberon ( 9am ) and Lithgow ( 11am ) and realised that the ride was heading straight into the rain inbound from the southwest. I had also seen the ride leaders pleas for a substitute leader falling on deaf ears (including mine 😈). So it was no surprise to arrive at McGraths Hill   at 9:30am   to find the group sans a leader and the clock was ticking. Even though I know the predictable result I couldn’t just sit there and let what dry weather was there be wasted by prevarication so, given the lack of enthusiasm for Megalong Valley, I suggested an alternate where we would be heading away from the rain band, i.e.heading Northeast. Good idea but next week’s ride is going there someone piped up - damn! Shuffling furiously through my slightly dysfunctional memory banks for a similar but different alternative I thought of the Bulls Ridge turn off the Putty and the idea of a Wisemans Ferry bound ride popped...

  Wollombi Ride report 1/6/2023 What was to be a rather plain ride to Wollombi turned out to be more than that. Really, it was Old road to Calga for a regroup then Jerrys for smoko then off to Wollombi for lunch. For most back along the bitumen and for the few more adventurous a quick trip along the dirt to Finchleys lookout and return then off home.   So what really happened?   Ross arrived on his scooter and quickly corralled 4 young bikie chicks and fought to stop them leaving. When I say young, I mean by Ross’s standard. Eventually they got past and rode off much to his disappointment.   I was informed a gentleman in a car was not well and an ambulance was called, only to find out later that not well meant the worst possible not well in that he was deceased with his pants down and a strange look on his face.    Two cop cars arrived lights and sirens followed by an Ambulance.   I called the group together and gave the ride briefing, checked Waze for...

  Gonbug Ulysses Ride Report Glenbrook National Park( a smidgeon of dirt) Saturday 27May2023 What a magic day – cool & clear, for 3 of us ( John O , Geoff W and Herself ) to ride out west, firstly all the way along Comenarra Parkway’s gorgeously “autumnised” twisties, then along to New Line Road and some familiar roads out to Windsor, keeping it as rural as possible (avoiding the awful creeping suburbia). Enjoyed coffee/croissants in Windsor’s familiar centre strip, opposite the Macquarie Arms, then bumped along the cobbled back road, past Francis Greenway’s masterpiece,( St Matthew’s Church), then right onto the link road towards Richmond, but then left across the level crossing, out the back of Clarendon / Hawkesbury Showground (sadly, we had to miss the Orchid Show), along Racecourse Road, then across the busy main road, to aptly named The Driftway (80k limit, nil traffic), then left towards Yarramundi and up the triffik tight twisties (past the Castlereagh Lookout) , th...

  The Gloucester Glide We met at McGraths Hill 0930 on Wednesday to go via the Putty to add a little length to the ride. Nine starters with perfect sunny weather for two days. Had morning tea at the halfway house for a change. Note to self: make the stop just before, at a designated rest stop. The Putty is work in progress with lots of unmanned stop lights. The Northern end of the Road has been seriously eroded as it follows the river. Lunch at Macca's Singleton & on via Dungog. The road that has patches on its patches is being finally upgraded. We arrived too late to do the optional extension to Barrington tops.   The Buckets way motel was as homely as ever. Dinner at the pub was ok but had a very limited selection. I'll look into an alternative. Not withstanding that, a good time was had by all. The highlight being the delivery of a poem from Alan Bateman adapted from Shakespeare from the speech by Henry V before the battle of Agincourt on 25 th October 1415  ...

 Today's ride planned to visit both "Pie in the Sky's" - at Bilpin and Berowra. Only three starters and a few showers about, so agreed to only go to one "Pie" - at Berowra. Pretty quiet on the roads today, not too many bikes about. Arrived at PITS and chat with Terry, Tim, Paulette and Edwin, MTC and John W. Had a very nice apple pie with ice cream, and bought two pies to go.  That's three pies, I suppose... Home via Bobbin Head. Wow! Meat pie for lunch. Yay!

  Thank you, thank you, thank you to Lismore and Friends  -  May 2023 Go visit NSW State Parliament in Macquarie Street and the Lismore Exhibition “Through the Heart – a Flood Fears and Tears” by Photo-Journalist Jacklyn Wagner. Until 25 May. (See story “Capturing the resilience of Lismore” Sydney Morning Herald 17May23) Over 700 Ulysses Members gathered in Lismore early in May 2023 for our annual “shindig” and 2023 National Gathering. And the wonderful folk of Lismore put on brave faces, fed, watered and hosted us, and gained our enduring respect. Thank you very much, Lismore and Friends, for looking after us with such warmth and humour. MTC Margaret The Colourful     Ulysses #9797

  I arrived at McGrath’s Hill Maccas. The instructions were clear. A 9.30 departure, Frosty leading. Good old Frosty!   Only Richo was there. He wondered if he’d got it wrong? Wayne turned up a minute or two later, having dropped into Bunnings to get some polish for his knobs. So concerned was Wayne, he called Frosty. No response.    Slowly the crowd, such as it was, built up. Six of us.  9.30am arrived and according to the manual we must be gone. We quickly elected Andy to the job. Everyone was happy, except Andy. It was 9.31. Andy boomeranged the leadership role to the most pathetic rider, me, and knew he could rely on my impatience to just get going. At that point, Tony and Ross dribbled in, still looking for the right way from last week’s ride. They fell, confused, into line.   It was quite chilly, but otherwise a beautiful morning. We floated up past the grass farms, reciting “How Green is my Valley”. The sun shone, illuminating a clear blue sky. A lar...

  Summerland Point I was looking forward to a good ride, in the pack, when accosted by the allocated leader, who, keen to enhance his credentials with the traffic police, had gathered an inordinate amount of points recently, and was looking for a replacement. After discussion and the promise of free coffee and cake for future rides, I was tempted to comply.  The route was from Berowra, the full length of the old road, Dog Track road then morning tea at a clearing in The Strickland State Forest. All went relatively well until the  return from the picnic area where the last  2 riders, who came that way 30 mins before, turned right instead of left. After an undue wait, the corner marker just after the bridge over the highway was heard to mutter 'sod 'em' and promptly chased the pack. A good run was had to Mangrove Mountain, Bumble Hill, Yarramalong road and then  a stop at the bottom of the Hue Hue to wait for the majority of the pack who were spread throughout the...

 Here follows my Report for the ride to and from the Rally. There will no doubt be lots more to say about the Rally itself, which overall was a great success for the town, the organising committee and the participants. I understand there were well over 800 registrations with around 15 from Northern Beaches.  Weds 3rd May  Off to Lismore. Four 9am starters from St Ives - Geoff, Kevin Hardy, Peter Walsh and Keith Bourdon. Picked up Erica at Berowra and headed up the Expressway to the Peats Ridge exit, and on to Wollombi for a leg stretch. Then through to Broke for a non-coffee stop.  On via Mt Thorley onto the Golden Highway and up through Jerrys Plains, across the Edderton Road and to Muswellbrook for fuel. Beautiful day so far but the breeze picking up. Up the New England Highway, round the Scone bypass, and arrived at the pie shop at Murrurundi with 5 minutes to spare. After a pie and a chat we added a layer or two and headed up through the Liverpool Range into cold...

 Danny and I were meant to set off for Lismore on Monday 1st May but as I was suffering from a bad cold we left the next day. We took the back road to Wollombi, Broke and on to the New England Highway at Singleton. The road from Wollombi to Broke was badly damaged by the recent rain and there were plenty of potholes to avoid. From Singleton we headed up the New England highway stopping at Murrurundi for lunch and fuel. The weather was fine if a bit cool and there wasn't a lot of traffic so we had a good run to Armidale where we stayed at the Deer Park Motor Inn. Feeding the deer at The Deer Park Motor Inn - Armidale On Wednesday we had breakfast at the Deer Park Motor Inn as it was included in the room tariff. The owner  (German) served us as he was having problems getting staff. After breakfast it was still a bit chilly (Armidale is 1100metres above sea level) so headed up the New England highway to Tenterfield with the grip warmers on flat chat. Luckily the weather warmed up...

  The Frosty Snowy Ride Report . Last Sunday, all of those booked for the snowy ride looked at the weather report with trepidation. The first two days were scheduled to be stormy and wet. What a joy therefore to find that all four days were perfect weather.   We met at Heathcote, travelled through part of the National Park, down the old highway past Wollongong to Albion Park then on to the Robertson Pie Shop for a welcome morning tea. Down Pearson's Lane, through Kangaroo Valley, through the roadworks to Nowra, then that delightful road to Nerriga, there was still   8 km gravel on the stretch to Braidwood where we had lunch at the bakery.   The afternoon saw us enjoy the Kings Highway down to Bateman's Bay, then along the coast road to Bermagui for our first night stop. Dinner at the local club that night.   Our casualty for the afternoon was Hollywood, who limped into Bermagui with a slowly deflating rear tire. Discretion being the better part of valour, M...

Morpeth PADPAL This is the tale of many dramas with some attendant queens, it has many twists and turns (a bit like today’s ride)  so keep up or you’ll get lost! So it all started with a message from a serial latecomer saying he was going to be late and where was morning tea. The answer went back Cooranbong Park. Meanwhile another drama was unfolding at the air hose with another rider attempting to top up his front tyre but only succeeded in letting more out so he gave up. The briefing for the other 5 riders who had turned up on spec was brief and to the point. We going to Morpeth via Yarramalong, Mandelong, Cooranbong , Mulbring, East Maitland and Metford. With such a small group there was no mention of corner marking and Peter of the Braces volunteered for TEC. So, sans the latecomer, we rolled out  at 10am  and headed up the old road, all seemed to be progressing smoothly until just after the Road Warriors we came upon a plain clothed bluebottle grey BMW with lights fl...