Newsletter August 2014 | Page 4

4 G’Day Members, THE RAMBLINGS OF THE RIDE CO-ORDINATOR I am really under the gun this month! The President needs input and I have been off pretending that I have a life. It’s just not acceptable these days. I promise to get in front of the game next month. Before I get on to future activities, I must acknowledge the great day we had at Helen and Grahams’. They managed to turn on fantastic weather, location and food. There was a big turnout of members and pillions. I hope I will be joined by the membership in thanking them for such a wonderful afternoon. Now - THE FUTURE Lions Road TT 4-6 Oct. I have an aversion to riding on long (ie; double demerit) weekends. I have also run out of time to organise a group ride to the event. I have therefore decided not to go ahead with this as an organised ride. Weekend 11-12 October: Visit to the National Motorcycle Museum, NABIAC, NSW. Getting to Nabiac as a group is quite a challenge given the varying time and speed constraints of our membership. My GPS gives the following guidance as the fastest routes: • Bega-Gloucester is 682km – 8hrs & 10mins riding time. • Bega-Nabiac is 701km – 8hrs 7mins. • Gloucester-Nabiac 50km – 42mins. I am planning the following alternatives which members can choose from: Getting There: • Speed Challenged :- depart Wed, 8th, via your chosen route. Meet up at Gloucester. • Dilettantes :- depart Thu, 9th to travel via back roads through towns such as Goulbourn, Oberon, Lithgow, Wisemans Ferry, Cessnock and Stroud to Gloucester. There will be an overnight stop at TBA. • Time Poor :- Depart Fri, 10th. Travel direct to Gloucester or Nabiac. Whilst There Sat, 11th: • Breakfast in Gloucester, then ride to Nabiac. • 10 am Coffee and chat in Nabiac (including catch up with the Time Poor. • 11am-3pm (as required/desired) tour of National Motorcycle Museum. • Return to Gloucester for dinner and a long sleep. (The Time Poor may choose to head back home direct.) Getting Back Sun, 12th: • Dilettantes :- we will spend a couple of days exploring some of the great roads in the area. For a start it will be up Thunderbolts Way to Walcha and then down the Oxley to Port Macquarie. Then Dorrigo, Armidale and then head for home. • Everyone Else :- return home via your own choice of route and time. I’ll flesh out the detail in the coming weeks. If you think that you want to do this ride, let me know so that I can keep you updated. Weekend to Parkes This one is being organised by the inestimable Treasurer. The intention is for a weekend in Parkes, departing on a Friday and riding there directly. We will spend two nights in Parkes, visit the Radio Telescope and then back on the Sunday. It is around 600km to Parkes. The dates haven’t been confirmed, but I am aiming for the last weekend in November or the first weekend in December. Also, James has some ideas for side trips, but I will leave that to members to do as individuals if they want to . Keep the shiny side up! Bruce By Default Ride Co-ordinator to the Sapphire Coast Branch of the Ulysses Club 0419 316 612 or [email protected]