Blessing of the Bikes Maitland
I can,t remember the date but we met at the usual spot (Maccas at Tuggerah) and met up with the Hornsby Ulysses group and some from Hawkesbury river and then we met the Newcastle group and surrounding areas at the Hexham McDonalds before making our way to the Maitland memorial Park where we had the blessing of the bikes .Has anyone got photo,s from that Ride (SPUD)
Clarification
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Christmas Campover 09 Norah Head
Well another year has passed and another christmas campover complete with visit from Santa! I must say we are very lucky to have him visit us each year during this very busy time, so we must say a huge Thank You! xxx He and his Elf did a fine job this year going up every street in the Holiday Park much to the delight of the visiting children (and others) who lined the streets to wave as Santa passed by.
As evident by the photo’s there were toys for the big kids to play with, and play they did! That poor little Pocket Rocket only stopped when the battery ran out, and even then only long enough to pick up a charge before the next big kid stole it! Thanks so much to Big Steve who brought it along.
I loved the fact that the cabins and tent sites were facing each other at Norah Head, so members managed to mingle and mix very well this year. There was sharing of barbeques at the cabins, and even relay ’sittings’ at the tables on verandahs which worked very well. I’m crossing my fingers that we get to go back there next year.
Merry Christmas ! Shaz
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- A hoon on the pocket rocket!
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- Another hoon!
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- I can do it!!!!
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- Practising bowling Lois?
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- Another hoon on a bike
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- Archie? Where’s Archie?
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- Gimme Five!
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- Santa and his Elf!
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- Ready to Roll
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- Santa! Unhand that girl!
Vale Kev Ray Wagga Branch
Kev originally came from the Coast before he and his family moved to Wagga, and then just a few years ago moved up North to retire. He was a man who loved his bikes and was proud to be called a Ulyssian. His funeral was at Palmdale on Saturday, and quite a few of his mates from the Wagga Branch came up Friday to see him off in style. We would like to thank those members who came along and gave our Wagga friends some support and friendship.
Shaz
FORSTER 7.11.09 With Redback in the WET
Sat – Sunday 7th & 8th November 2009 FORSTER Bella Villa Motel
Ride 53 560 klms Aprox 14 bikes, 1 trike, 5 Cars, 50 People
Saturday
9am
Leaving right on time, under a very overcast looking sky, I decided to put on my wets just in case,We picked up Smithy & his trike at Morrisset & Elvira & Garry at Kurri giving us 11 bikes, 1 trike & about 4 cars, we had quiet a nice ride through some beautiful countryside so nice & green, over little bridges & rivers, a past Dairy grazing properties, & on into Dungog, without any rain, except for a spit here & there, Fuel & morning tea & refreshed & ready to ride once more.
11.45am
Along the buckets way towards Gloucester this road is a little bendy up through the mountains & a little rough in places, but still a great ride, finally the rain came, but I had to wait a little until we got nearly into town, to pull over safely for those that didn’t have their wets on, to do so. From here on & into Kranbach Hotel it rained pretty constantly, on arrival at the pub we were greeted by no other than Wonder Woman herself, Denise from Forster, alias my right hand organizer, a great lady indeed
2.40pm
After a nice feed & cold refreshment it was time for our last little stint in the rain into Forster, just before the expressway turn at Nabiac I decided to bunch the group up a little so I took a turn to the left & did a big loop & came back facing the tail end riders coming the other way, No that’s Bullshit isn’t it Shazza, I got bloody lost even with my smart arse new GPS System, O’well shit happens, from here on the rain increased & came down quiet heavy, but we all arrived safe & no lost souls.
3.15pm
It’s Party time, we all socialized, nibleees & drinkies, good music from Lois & her stereo system, I must say this was a nicer Motel, than our last one, & the hosts Stan & Margaret, couldn’t do enough for us, What’s this some idiots went swimming in the rain just because there was a pool, Man Mountain nearly had a fit, get that bloody helmet off Redbacks head before he goes in it’s mine.
After nice hot showers and change of clothes we darted down to the club in between showers, some even got lifts by Denise’s car shuttle service, the evening buffet meal was delightful even boasting seafood, all for around $20, Our Coach was waiting out the front on time at 8.45pm & took us over to the Sporties Club Tuncurry for entertainment, On the way out to the coach a certain young lady decided to check out the lovely smelling roses (check out the photo’s) There was happy faces on & off the dance floor at the sporties club & the band DeJar Vue were fantastic, I didn’t realize what great dances we had in our Ulysses Club talk about grow old disgracefully, Christos made sure he lived up to the motto, by giving a strange lady a peck just, because she was wearing a bright coloured shirt, & after my break dancing exhibition on the floor, Leslie thought she might have a go at it, 11.30pm
Time to catch the coach home, luckily we had a short break from the rain, but the coach was all locked up, we couldn’t find our driver, he finally turned up he was sleeping in the back of the coach, he decided on the way home to give the jolly lot, whom were singing Hey Hey Baby including our Ex president Ian Hoy, a few circles around the roundabouts, we thought we were in a carnival ride.
SUNDAY
Excellent breaky, group photo, & all heading home in poring rain, some of our girls were lucky enough to score rides in some of the cars, making it a dryer alternative & a little easier for the boys, the rain continued all the way home making it a very hairy ride indeed. Oh well these things happen at least everyone got home safe, But I feel sorry for Mick he forgot to put on his radiator cap & to what I hear ceased his motor not far from home. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, & a big thank you Paula for being so thoughtful & getting me a nice card & scrathchies, lotto & lottery tickets from the group. We will be back again in 2011.
PS bloody sunshine all day today.
Time to hit the seat …….Bye for now. …………………REDBACK………………………..
Vale Graham Brown
![Graham_Fish_catch[1]](http://www.ccrb.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Graham_Fish_catch1-300x225.jpg "Graham_Fish_catch[1]")
Graham passed away in a tragic accident whilst on his motorcycle. Always a happy person and a personal friend, he was also a devoted husband to wife Anne and a proud and loving father to his two sons. As well, he enjoyed the friendship of many in the motorcycle community. At the time of his death, Graham was riding his bike on a beautiful day. Something went wrong, a mistake, a moment of hesitation, I don’t know. I rode with Graham a fair bit and enjoyed the fact that he did his own thing. He didn’t have anything to prove. He wasn’t being irresponsible. What ever happened, Graham and his family have paid a heavy toll. I was there at the scene, Graham died instantly and would have not suffered. The ripples from such an event carry widely. Rest in peace Graham, you are missed already and will be forever. Brian.
In an amazing twist of irony this wonderful photo of Graham appeared in the Central Coast Advocate newspaper on the same day as his passing.
The film project that his students submitted to the Kid Witness News project won the best short film section for primary students in NSW.
This is a real achievement!
There is a great deal of work in coordinating these student projects and this result shows that his enthusiasm and dedication to kids remained.
I know there was shock and sadness at Bateau Bay school where his wife had spent time teaching and both the boys attended so I can only imagine the impact on those at his school.
Graham’s funeral will be at Palmdale at 1:30 next Thursday, followed by a wake at Tuggerah Lakes Golf Club, Shelly Beach. Regards Mohawk.
Update: Please note friends are welcome to attend the funeral and the wake, but by request of family no bikes please. Shaz
The Blessing of the Bikes And Riders!
Big Steve’s Ride Sunday 27th Sept 09
We gathered at Macca’s that Sunday morning, all 40 of us, and at about ten past nine we rode off East down to the ocean at Shelley Beach with all the roundabouts and all the ups and downs of the speed humps, then up to the lookout at Crackneck for our first stop. A great look at the ocean with many ships anchored out there. A super look back at The Entrance and Lakes from here too!
We then rode to the Erina shopping centre for a church service which was good with morning tea and cake. The pastor, Ken, prayed for each and every rider and bike as we lined up outside on the road. Leaving church we rode to Terrigal, around the Haven and over to Avoca where we stopped for a short break. Some riders parted there, but most of us rode on up to Copa then right to Kincumber and left to Macmaster’s Lookout. What a great view down on the ocean and across to Sydney!
So then down to Bensville, OVER the Rip Bridge and then UNDER the Rip Bridge, through Woy Woy and lunch at Iguana’s. Here we had a beer (or two) and some great games of pool. Met up with the Lower Hunter Ulysses Branch. Good day Riding!
Ride On! Big Steve. (p.s. Awesome says he’s “Now officially on a Wing and a Prayer!”)
Ragged Fringe Rally
Ragged Fringe Rally 12th & 13th September 09
Heather had been hanging out for this rally for awhile now since she bought her Guzzi back at this years AGM.We where greeted by blue skies Sat morning, a good start to the weekend. As this was Heathers first rally and it was put on by the Moto Guzzi owners club, she was a tad excited. The rally is held at Bretti Reserve, 35k’s west of Gloucester, great spot no dirt road in, plenty of shade,a beautiful running river, the only downside was a pit toilet! The ride up was beautiful, up the F3, jump off at Freeman’s’ Water hole up though Kurri Kurri onto Maitland then to Dungog via Clarence Town. The roads up this way are in bad shape, more ruts and pot holes than a moto-x track! We made a stop at Dungog for a cuppa and some of Heathers home made muffins, and this is where we met up with Rock, we choffed off and would meet up with Rock later. The ride to Gloucester was most enjoyable. As we rode into the main street ,as you would expect the street was full of all sorts of bikes, this always brings a smile to ones dial. We grabbed some lunch and caught up with Rock & his son Brett ( who is riding Rock’s old Harley ) and two of Rock’s mates,we headed out to the rally, ( Let me tell you now, the Thunderbolts Way has gone to road god’s! what a pitiful road now! ) I got Heather to park her V7 in front of the Moto Guzzi marque ( she was a bit reluctant to do so ) but it paid dividends in the end, with lots of interest around her V7. Great discussions were held and helpful advice exchanged.While Rock was setting his camp up we went for a walk to check out the bikes and camp set ups that where brought in. You can find the strangest things when you are not looking, we got talking to this couple and he said to me “ I see you are a Ulysses’en, I guess most of you lot have heard of or seen old No.1, well I am No 2.” This guy was the real deal No. 2 Bill Vane, what a great chap. He told us that Stephen No1 was the founder of the Moto GuzziOwners Club before the Ulysses club. After enjoying some of Rock’s snags on the open fire, we stayed around for the raffles which took longer than expected. This meant that Heather and I had a nice night ride back to Gloucester on the great Thunderbolts Way. We stayed in town in order to get an early start to attend the memorial ride ( that is a story for another day as we did not get there due to lack of communication). A great weekend was had by all, Heather is keen to attend next years rally but has insisted we take the camper ( Nifty) and camp.We took the Patterson road home and this was a far better option than via Clarence Town. This rally would be a great club weekend away next year. Everyone commented on how welcoming and friendly the rally goers were. Catering was available on the Saturday night, steak and sausage sizzle. A great time was had by all. We hope to see some of our Club members attend next year.
Kim and Heather
Ragged Fringe Rally Goers 09