The Megaphone Ulysses Club Darling Downs Branch

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1 The Megaphone Ulysses Club Darling Downs Branch July 2016 Mailing address:- P.O. Box 1714 Toowoomba Q 4350 Hello Everyone, Here I am with my Megaphone Editor's hat on welcoming you to another year of fun, friendship and great rides! June and July has hit us with some challenging motorcycling weather with Ray's coffee ride being cancelled and Brian's Go Kart ride postponed to the following sunny Sunday. Apparently the Wednesday Wobblers have wobbled on regardless! In this edition we have a report of John and Elaine's AGM adventures, Jim has sent a ride report for his and Ann's legendary overnighter and there are lots of Wobblers reports to catch up on. Colin's ride calendar goes forward until October with a variety of rides to suit everyone... so I hope you can join us on a ride or social event soon! Ride safe

2 THE COMMITTEE PRESIDENT LINDA CAREY TREASURER TONY RYDER Webmaster GRAHAM MOORE Vice President SECRETARY ELAINE PAULGER Ride Co-Coordinator COLIN PALMBLAD Megaphone Editor LINDA CAREY Committee member RUSSELL MURRAY GRAHAM (MAOTY) MOORE Darling Downs Harley-Davidson Taylor Street Toowoomba Qld

3 PRESIDENT'S REPORT The AGM in June had a great atmosphere and the election of office bearers was capably handled by Foggy, President of Lockyer Valley Branch. My thanks go to the outgoing members of the previous committee: President Neil Needham, Treasurer Ray Naumann and Webmaster Kat Campbell-Davies. Your efforts over the past 12 months are much appreciated. Neil Needham chose Ken Krimmer as the worthy recipient of the All Rounder Award - for supporting the committee and his undying dedication to the Wobblers. The award was presented by stand-in President, Russell Murray on the night. The new committee was elected unopposed and is working well together to manage the Branch. A quick show of hands at the social meeting showed unanimous support for a return to our previous meeting venue at Club Glenvale. All monthly meetings have now returned to Club Glenvale with our July meeting well attended last Wednesday. Members welcomed Robin and Merilyn Fraser who came along to the meeting to check us out having recently purchased a Gold Wing. We look forward to them joining the Ulysses fold and finding out what we're really like... (tehehe) There are still openings for ride leaders on the calender from October onward. If you would like to give it a go please contact Ride Co-ordinator Colin Palmblad contact details on previous page. WARWICK AGM PROPOSAL The suggestion has been put forward that SE QLD Branches combine to host an AGM event in A proposal is being prepared for consideration by NatCom. On 16 th July, Graham (MAOTY) Moore and I joined representatives of other SE QLD Branches to inspect the proposed venue ie Warwick Showgrounds. We looked at areas for camping, RV's, tent city, food vendors, traders, day parking etc etc. There is a large generator for power, lots of onsite toilets and showers and a couple of bars and permanent food outlets. There are plans for a rodeo and a smash up derby on site. It was hard not to feel enthusiasm for the idea and the momentum generated by Event Director Elaine Wenham. Elaine is looking for people who are keen to join the organising team if the bid is successful. If anyone is interested to find out more about how the event would be planned please me for further information. So much to say; so little space... there's never been a more exciting time to be a Ulyssean! 50 Water Street Toowoomba P:

4 RIDE REPORT Ulysses AGM, Launceston, Tasmania Been a long AGM Bags packed, bikes fuelled up and trailer hitched to John s bike, all we have to do is have a good night s sleep, then in the morning put bags on bikes and away we go. And we did, at approximately 7am on Thursday 18th February we left Toowoomba. First night we camped at Gilgandra Caravan Park, great little camp spot and only a short walk to a fascinating old town. Friday we then headed to Grenfell and then out to the Weddin Mountains National Park. We had nearly 3klms of dirt road to navigate so lots of concentration needed but not helped by all the big skippys jumping out of the bushes and just seeing them out of the corner of your eye. We set up our tent near a covered BBQ area, and we were the only campers there, so made use of the area to put our camp beds under the shade and had a little nanna and poppa nap. Later in the afternoon we walked up to Ben Hall s cave, it was a magnificent view out over the surrounding countryside. We had the camp site to ourselves that night, other than all the nocturnal wildlife, and it was also interesting watching the smaller skippys and their young not afraid of us being there. We arrived in Melbourne Saturday afternoon, and had four days with our son and his family before catching the ferry across to Tasmania. On arrival Thursday morning, it had been raining so we decided to head west to Burnie and have some breakfast along the way. The weather still was not looking very promising but decided to keep riding along the coast line through Wynyard and then to Table Cape Lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper had just arrived and showed us how to get back on main road without having to go back into Wynyard and also told us that if we go down to Arthur River we could do a big loop by going down to Couta Rocks then inland back through the national park to Smithton, called the Tarkine Drive. Anyway not long after getting back on main road to Stanley the rain started to come down and it was getting very uncomfortable, and to top it all off we missed the turn to Stanley and finished up at Smithton and got the last cabin at the only caravan park there. We spent the rest of the day drying our clothes and relaxing, and of course it stopped raining so went for a walk around the town. Saturday, packed up the trailer and bags at the cabin and headed off to do the loop to Arthur River, but we only got as far as Couta Rocks and the road was closed due to all the fires that they have had recently, SES workmen were still in the park clearing the burnt trees that may fall across roads etc, so we had to come back the same route, no problem as the roads were good to ride.

5 After collecting the trailer and bags, we came back along all the coastal roads to Penguin then down to Sheffield hoping to camp there the night, but no campground there at all so continued onto Gowrie Park, and we stayed in a backpacker s accommodation. A great little spot to camp, with a massive mountain, Mt Roland, towering over the camp grounds. Saturday morning, we left rather early, after the photo session with the murals on the shed wall, and we were excited as this was the day we were checking into the AGM, well the campsite anyway. We rode up and up and over the mountain range, great view from the top too, then down and down the range, through Mole Creek to Deloraine, then onto Launceston. Met up with other members from Darling Downs and then made our way to the camping area, the cow paddock as it was called by most, and set up our camp site for the week. Yes it was a cow paddock, and yes it was rough riding over it, but we didn t really care too much as we had arrived, let the fun begin. We all had a great time over the week, with the Tuesday night dinner, and the Saturday night dinner, all the different rides to be had, and even rides that one just did cause they could. Few of our members won $1000 vouchers for insurance, and John won the early registration prize, trip to Malaysia and the GP, what a week. Over all too soon, but we weren t leaving Tasmania just yet, we headed over to Bicheno, Coles Bay and St Helens for couple of nights before catching the ferry back to Melbourne, and another visit with grandkids, before heading home to Toowoomba. Thursday morning, 10th March, once again it had been raining during the night, and day before I had a new back tyre put on so was very wary of the wet roads. We hadn t gone more than 10minutes from sons place when John had an accident. He was taken to Maroondah hospital as he was vague with some of his answers to the paramedics, and by the time I eventually got to hospital he was having a scan. It was found that he was bleeding on the brain, not good as he is on blood thinners, so very quickly was given a reversing agent, then transported to The Alfred when he had immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the brain. He was in ICU for 2 days, then moved to trauma ward where they could check the rest of his body for any further damage, before being moved to neurology ward. Speech was affected and his right arm and right leg slightly affected, but both had improved considerably in the next few days. John was then referred to the Victorian Rehabilitation Centre at Glen Waverley, where he was treated up to the 9 th April, and as he had improved so much they felt that he could leave and be treated as an outpatient, but after the last scan, we asked the neurologist about flying home and doing the rehab in Toowoomba, and they felt that it was ok for him to could fly. Once the rehab centre got the ok from the neurologist they then allowed him to go home to our sons place until we could fly home. Sunday 17th April, at 5.45pm, we boarded the AirNorth plane at Tullarmarine airport and flew direct to Toowoomba, arriving at 8.10pm and by 8.45pm we were in our own home. Was such a relief to finally be home, not as planned, not in the best of health, but at least we can say we BOTH are home. We have been home now 2 months but our bikes didn t arrive until middle of May from

6 Melbourne, John s was still being repaired and then they came by truck to Toowoomba. No damage done to the frame of John s bike just superficial things that have to be exchanged for new stuff, but I think they repainted it as it did get a few scratches, at this time we are still waiting for the side bags to arrive by mail. While John was in hospital and rehab I stayed with our son and his wife and 2 children, and we are so grateful for all the things that they did for us and his sisters, I know its family and all, but this was tough and the hospital, the rehab centre, and the airport, were not just down the road, Melbourne is very spread out. Good thing is I was able to spend a lot of time with grandkids as school holidays were during this time. Damian was also doing the organising for getting bike repaired and transported back to Toowoomba. The emergency staff at Maroondah hospital was just the greatest with him, the ambulance people were quick on the scene and decisive as to where he should go, and the doctors and nurses at The Alfred are a wonderful bunch of people and we can t thank them enough. We also had many visits from Peter Baulch and Henri Rokx, and I managed to get a ride in with the Yarra Valley Ranges Branch to Andy Strapz shop, and was lucky enough to win a sports bag, big enough to bring all our clothes etc, back home on the plane, as I was thinking I would have to go and buy one. So that was our Tasmanian AGM, 2016 Elaine Paulger DATES TO REMEMBER 13th August First Aid for Motorcyclists at Ipswich $78. Phone: th August working bee at the Memorial Gardens 28th August Road Safety Week with Emergency Services at Bunnings carpark 25th September Distinguished Gentleman's Ride fundraiser for prostate cancer research 7th-9th October Back to a Basic Rally Warwick Branch Ulysses

7 WEDNESDAY WOBBLERS RIDE REPORTS Hivesville!! Where the hell is that? Today we were about it find out. Tony led the way for our first step to Maidenwell. Here Fairy joined the ride, making a total of eight in all. We then travelled through Kingaroy towards Murgon, turning west just the other side of Wondai. Hivesville Pub was our lunch break destination. If you want anything grilled, please phone ahead as it takes a while to heat up the grill. After lunch we headed to Murgon and across to the Goomeri-Nanango Road. We headed home via Maidenwell and Crow s Nest arriving home about 4.30pm and covering 460klms We headed for Boonah via Rosewood and Warrilview for lunch. We then headed home via Peak s Crossing, Rosewood, Marburg, Lowood, Gatton and back through Grantham. The Great Divide looked great with the cool crisp air making the mountains very blue with the sun shining on them. Today s ride was just over 320 klms. Once again, the company was great and the day most enjoyable On a cool showery day, six brave riders headed to Toogoolawah for a quick morning tea before trying to find some twisties that were dry. This was to no avail. We stopped at Yarraman for lunch after which we headed home via Cooyar and Crow s Nest arriving back by 3.15pm. We evaded the wet weather however, due to the showers, some of the roads were very slippery A bleak overcast morning greeted us as we left Macca s. We travelled through Laidley to Forrest Hill where we stopped for morning tea. We then crossed the Toowoomba-Brisbane Road at Glenall Grove Crossing (not well thought through but all making it safely). We headed to Coominya turning back towards the Gatton-Esk Road and arriving too early for lunch. We continued on around Wivenhoe Dam to Fernvale where we dined. We then headed home by- passing Gatton after we had found some dirt roads and doing a few U-turns. We eventually arrived at Grantham. We headed up the Range arriving home to a chilly Toowoomba afternoon 300klm later. By the time you read this, another Ulysses year will be behind us. The Wednesday Wobblers have had a great year due to dry fine weather and the many riders who keep turning up week after week. It has been great riding with such fantastic company the Ulysses Club offers. Thanks to Brian and Tony for their support by bringing new members along. Depending on the day, we have had up to fifteen riders who participated. I would like to thank Lorraine (my wife) for typing these report for the Megaphone and her support for the Club. Congratulations to the past and new Committee on their past and current positions. My hope is for the Club to continue successfully with a bounty of wonderful members who enjoy riding motor bikes. Ken Krimmer AUSTRALIA S NEWEST SUZUKI DEALERSHIP! P: Mort Street Toowoomba Places Toowoomba, Queensland Automotive

8 JIM AND ANN S OVERNIGHTER JULY 2016 About thirteen riders met at McDonalds Dalby for morning tea at am. Left Dalby at for Chinchilla via Jandowae. Had a counter lunch at The Club Hotel. Departed Chinchilla 1.30pm arriving at Jim and Ann s farm around Four riders went straight home. Upon arrival at the farm, 10 others arrived by car towing vans and campers. Afternoon tea was had by all amidst lots of laughter and good cheer. Jim lit the fires and everyone congregated around them having a few drinks and nibbles. Pumpkin soup, followed by steak sausages coleslaw and potato bake were well received. Dessert of sticky date pudding and apple pies with custard and cream. After tea and clean up, Jim lit the bonfire which lit up the night sky to oohs and aahs from all. Most of us were in bed prior to midnight, while some partied on till the early hours. Breakfast of bacon eggs hash browns and orange juice was done and dusted by Everyone started packing up and all were gone by Another successful night at the farm. Jimbo INDEPENDENT MOTORCYCLE WRECKERS OWNED AND OERATED BY WARREN (PLATZY) PLATZ OPENING HOURS: Monday CLOSED; Tuesday to Friday 8am to 5pm; Saturday 8am to 12pm P: Warner St Toowoomba Qld

9 FOR SALE If you would like your ad to appear in the Megaphone please lindacarey12@ .com Members' ads appear free of charge and run for three months. MORE WEDNESDAY WOBBLERS RIDE REPORTS! Today we braved the cool morning by travelling down Flagstone. Turning off on the Blanchview Road, we travelled via the Spa Water Road to Helidon and back onto the Flagstone Road. We then went to Tent Hill and into Gatton for morning tea. Afterwards, we headed past Lake Clarendon, Atkinson Dam, Lowood, Fernvale, around Wivenhoe Dam to Esk where we stopped for lunch. We came home via the twisties arriving back at 3.00pm and 290klms I didn t know there were people as silly as I am, however eight brave souls braved the bitterest day we have had this year. Murray, from Brisbane, joined us for the ride. We went down Murphy Creek, Helidon, Gatton, Esk and Toogoolawah where we stopped for morning tea. We headed back through Esk, Coominya, Lowood, Marburg, to Rosewood for lunch. We said goodbye to Murray and headed home via Laidley, Tent Hill, and up Flagstone Creek as we tried to stay out of the wind. We arrived back fairly early and headed home to the heaters to try to thaw out. The company was great if not the day Today we headed down the Range to a warmer place. A balmy 20degrees at Willowbank Raceway where John and Kerry we putting their Alpha through its paces. There was a large array of cars ranging from Mini cars, Holdens, Sunbeams, Jags, Lolas, a replica Ferrari and one Bugatti worth about $1,000,000. Wouldn t want to scratch it. After lunch we headed home via Cunningham Gap, Gladfield, Clifton, and Wyreema where we parted company. Total distance 290lkms. Something different and enjoyable thanks to John and Kerry Today we were greeted by Charlie from Clifton who just wanted to say hello. He has been crook for a few years and hopes to get back to riding when his strength returns. He is looking great so hope to see him back on his bike in the not too distant future. Eight of us left today (the weather was perfect for riding). We headed out through Wyreema, Leyburn, and Karara to Gore where we had morning tea. We then went past the Cement Mill and via the back way to Stanthorpe for fuel. There was plenty of road kill along this section of road. We a arrived at Thulimbah for lunch. We then headed home through Warwick, Allora, Clifton, Cambooya and Wyreema where we parted company. Once again, this was a great ride with great company. P: Prescott Street Toowoomba Qld

10 Ride Calendar, Darling Downs Branch. Ulysses Club Inc. August to October 2016 Date Event Depart Destination Contact 30 July Coffee Morning 10:00 am Engine Room Engine Room. Bring your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/sugar daddy/mistress 7 August Day Ride To Esk via Hampton for a coffee break. On to Fernvale for lunch and then home. 238kms Tony Ryder August Saturday Coffee Ride Afternoons and Pittsworth for great coffee and yummy treats Ray Naumann August Ulysses Cartwheel Inter Branch Poker Run to Harrisville Pub. Try your luck and meet new likeminded friends Lyndon Pelly /21 August Weekend ride Cotton Tree weekend escape Carey 24 August Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm Hockey Club Arrive at Club Glenvale (the Hockey Club) from 6 pm for drinks with the meeting starting at 6.30pm. President 27 August Coffee Morning 10:00 am Engine Room Engine Room. Bring your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/sugar daddy/mistress 10 September Saturday Coffee Ride Coffee and snacks at Hampton Pat Giles September Memorial Ride The Spit Somerset Dam. Lunch at Fernvale or Esk afterwards President 17/18 September Weekend ride or Sunday ride To Hampton and the Esk for Coffee. Lunch at Blackbutt and then home via Nanango. 344kms Fay Gregory September Coffee Morning 10:00 am Engine Room Engine Room. Bring your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/sugar daddy/mistress 28 September Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm Hockey Club Arrive at Club Glenvale (the Hockey Club) from 6 pm for drinks with the meeting starting at 6.30pm. President 2 October Day Ride Depart macca s and head to Rosewood for coffee and then the Maryvale Pub for lunch. Only a short run home so wear your favorite team s colours for the Grand Final. Home by 3:00 Ride Leader needed 8 October Saturday Coffee Ride Esk Coffee morning, burn off that excess caffeine with a brisk blatt back up the hill via Hampton. Ride Leader needed 15/16 October Weekend ride Overnight at Meandarra. Travel out via Condamine and then home via Moonie. 623kms Ride Leader needed 26 October Monthly Meeting 6:00 pm Hockey Club Members are invited to arrive at Club Glenvale (the Hockey Club) from 6 pm for drinks with the meeting starting at 6.30pm. President 29 October Coffee Morning 10:00 am Engine Room Engine Room. Bring your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/sugar daddy/mistress Regular Mid-week impromptu rides leave Macca s (TWBA) at 9.00am every Wednesday. PLEASE NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, DAY RIDES and OVERNIGHT/WEEKEND RIDES leave :Toowoomba:- from McDonald s car park, Margaret St. Toowoomba at 9.00am. Dalby:- from Information Centre, Drayton St. (opposite Betros Bros) at 8.00am. Please have a full tank of fuel and an empty bladder before you arrive at your assembly point. There are no ride rules. How you ride is up to you, however all due consideration should be paid in regard to the safety and enjoyment of other riders around you, including legal requirements. Know who is leading the ride (Ride Captain), and who is Tail End Charlie. If you intend leaving the group mid ride, please inform one of these people.