rotorua ramblings… · 9/15/2016 · contributed to the newsletter this month – flash, smokey,...
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Rotorua Ramblings… September 2016
To open Branch website, click: www.ulyssesrotorua.org.nz
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR’S CLAPTRAP
COORDINATOR’S CLAPTRAP Well, I hope you all had a good read of the latest Ulyssian. It is always enlightening to see what goes on in other branches around the country, and how they do the things they do. I see a few of our branch members are going to the Far North Rally next month. It is always a great event, without doubt, and you may even bring some ideas back to use here. And if you read my own article, you may have wondered what the photo of the presentation and what was obviously a helicopter had to do with it. Those photos belonged to the Taranaki Tales report in the column one over, and on the next page. I will however try to get some of our own photos to accompany my next effort. We have a Branch photographer, and I should be exposing his talents (some of them anyway!) to others. Also, you will remember we had a discussion at our meeting about using the picture of a skeleton-like creature on a motorcycle for our Okataina promo for this issue. And you will have noticed that this logo did not appear. I think we can thank the editor for putting our ¼ page advert for Okataina in a striking green colour, but he gets no thanks for getting the dates wrong. Hey, but who knows, maybe the wrong dates may even cause extra interest. The Gisborne ride was a spectacular one, although this was in ways that could have been different. The weather was atrocious, making the ride somewhat exciting, the sort of ride you were glad when it was over, but were thankful for the experience. Now that the weather is picking up I am hopeful more members will be out experiencing the countryside, fresh air, and different destinations. Remember that Daylight saving starts on the 25th September - the day of our next meeting. Try to adjust your clocks so that you are not an hour early (or would that be an hour late?). See you there, bring your ideas along.
Cheers,
Flash #1272
Very little has happened in my motorcycle adventures lately. Mainly because of the crappy weather we have had over the last 3 or 4 Thursdays. Weekend rides are out for me at the moment, but the Thursday rides work in with my new lifestyle. I hear Rossco Engine Reconditioners at 6 Allen Mills Rd are great for a motorbike Warrant of Fitness? Give them a try. For those wishing to book the same motel and enjoy fellow Rotorua members’ company at the 2017 AGM please let me know and I will see if we can get bookings at the same Masterton motel. A bit lonely if we all go to different motels? A big thank you to all those who contributed to the Newsletter this month – Flash, Smokey, Axle & Hartley – thanks guys. I will be in Australia from 22 – 30th September. See you all later
Tony B. #2436
ROTORUA BRANCH MEETING
Sunday 25 Sept. 7pm St John Rooms
Okataina Rally 15 – 23 June 2017
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2016-2017 Rotorua Ulysses Branch Committee Coordinator: Gordon (“Flash”) White 027 345 8634 [email protected]
Secretary: Bruce Quedley 021 616 736 [email protected]
Treasurer: Hartley Gray 027 229 6407 [email protected]
Newsletter: Tony Baker 022 345 7607 [email protected]
Sheriff: Bruce Roe 027 675 7469 [email protected]
Runs Coordinator: Hartley Gray 027 229 6407 [email protected]
Webmaster Tony Baker 022 345 7607 [email protected]
Committee: Graeme van Praagh, Bob McKenzie
Branch address: P.O. Box 103, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand
Branch website address: www.ulyssesrotorua.org.nz
Snippets from the Branch meeting dated Sunday 28 August, 2016 13 members attended, 11 apologies. One Hi-Vis jacket is still missing from the Swap Meet. Please return to “Flash” if you have it. Riding etiquette needs to be “sharpened up” a bit on some of the rides! Meeting closed at 7.25pm.
AGENDA FOR BRANCH MEETING Sunday 25 September 2016 at
7pm Present / Apologies Previous Minutes / Matters Arising Correspondence In / Out Finance Runs General Business:
I see the members with birthdays this period are not only Hartley and Mal but also Bernie Warner, and your ex-
Coordinator, Colin Taylor.
I hear Greg Warner is happy to be home, his ordeal was apparently successful, he is a new man!
I saw the Suzuki’s of Flash and Axle side by side the other day, they look like 2 entirely different models, one blue
and white, the other 2-tone grey!
Is your Okataina rally going to be 3 weeks long – the ad in the national magazine says from the 23rd to the 15th ! It
should be a beauty!
What’s the haps on a Xmas party this year, I haven’t heard any rumours yet? The Hartley/Mal party should be
good practice!
I hear 2 of your elder statesman regularly attend the Thursday lunch rides, spreading good Rotorua cheer, well
done !
I guess you will all tick the name of Stuart Burns for Council and DHB when the time comes. I haven’t seen any
hoardings with his face, but I have noticed his sign-written car. No speeding or red light running for him !
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Upcoming Rides Sunday 25 September Kawerau Woodfest. See: www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/woodfest Depart Rotorua Lakefront 10am. RIC: Hartley 021 916 645 Saturday 1st October Mals 65th and Hartleys 60th party at Mal and Lynda's home. Sunday 2nd October Meet and Greet at Dam Cafe Whakamaru. Tauranga and Whakatane Branches. Depart Lakefront 10am RIC: Hartley 021916645. Friday to Sunday 7th to 9th October Northland Rally Ruakaka. Wednesday 19th October Evening picnic ride to Lake Rerewhakaaitu Depart lakefront at 5.30pm. RIC Hartley 021916645 Labour weekend 22nd to 24th October. No ride planned but will see if anyone is interested on the Saturday. Wednesday 2nd November. Evening ride to Cambridge for tea. Leave lakefront 5.30pm RIC Hartley 021916645
Sunday 6th November. Whakatane Branch Mountain to the Sea run. See details in the latest Ulyssian Page 56. Sunday 20th November. The rescheduled ride to Kaiaua for Fish ‘N Chips. Leave Lakefront 10:00am. RIC: Hartley 021 916 645
“Wild and Wonderful” Two bikes (me and Hartley) and a trike (Jack) left the lakefront, after our essential coffee, at 10am on the morning of Friday 9th September, heading for Gisborne, the long way around. The weather was fine, if a little windy. Not far on the ride, the wind was hitting us with a vengeance. Crossing the Taneatua rail bridge was even quite tricky. The three of us managed OK until we got to about 10 k’s from Hick’s Bay, when the wind really kicked up. We were reduced to 60-80 kph, but still got blown all over. Trying to read the blowing trees and roadside bushes wasn’t much use as the wind was swirling and not coming from any one direction. We got to Hick’s Bay Motel about 3pm after lunching in Opotiki, first beer about 3.30. Smokey joined us soon after, he had been delayed that morning, nd couldn’t get away until after lunch. All of us had a great meal and a reasonably early night Next morning, after a beaut cooked breakfast, the 4 of us headed out into the same wind again, only this time it was full of moisture, yes, rain as well. Again, our speed had to be kept way down for safety. We inspected both wharves at Tokomaru and Tolaga Bay, where we managed to get petrol and lunch. The country communities around this area are obviously suffering and fading away, and the roads are falling into disrepair. We continued on in the howling, freezing conditions, brave group that we were, arriving at Gisborne early afternoon. Hartley, Smokey, and I inspected the town while Jack caught up on the latest news. Lynda and Mal arrived about 5pm. They had to work Saturday morning, so couldn’t ride with us on Friday. They had come through the same conditions that we had. After a fresh up we all walked the short distance to the Gizzy Cozzie Club for dinner and to watch the annihilation of the Pumas by the AB’s -we were worried for a while though! Another beaut cooked breakfast on Sunday, but the sun was out, the wind had blown away, and we had perfect conditions for our ride home through the Waioeka Gorge and Ohope. It was the sort of run that was done in extremely trying conditions, the sort of run that uses all of your abilities, the sort of run that is tiring, the sort of run that is extremely satisfying, the sort of run that was enjoyable because of the team that completed it. Thanks to Hartley, Jack, Smokey, Lynda and Mal for their warm company. We will be out again on the road soon! Cheers,
“Flash” #1272
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RATES QUOTED FOR:
Ulysses Club of New Zealand Inc.
A discount of 10% off the best available fare applies for travel dates 18 January through to 19 December 2016 Booking conditions and instructions for members are: Each reservation must be made direct with Interislander online at www.interislander.co.nz Also check out our Premium Plus on-board lounge upgrades for total comfort at www.interislander.co.nz/Premium-Plus.aspx for 18yrs plus Simply insert the Promo code “XULY1” on the “Payment details” page then click on “enter” and this will apply the discount. Membership card is required at the terminal on check in. No membership card and retail fares will be charged. Space is subject to availability at the time of the booking request. The normal conditions of the above fare type apply - e.g. Easy Change is 100% refundable if cancelled. Bookings made through our call centre are at regular rates.
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WIND “The wind blows for a day and a night and then a day”.
Two wheels on a lean Man, it was mean Hold on tight to your trike Or the dust you will bite Cold as charity But the day had clarity Saw the rugby game of All Blacks fame More of the same, they won again.
And we loved the ride on the Eastern side
By our own Poet Laurette, Hartley Gray You missed your way my friend!!
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From a Notice that Secretary Bruce sent to all members on 27 August, 2016
The 2017 National Rally is being held in Masterton, Wairarapa over the Easter weekend. Local motel accommodation is at a premium at this time so members wishing to attend the rally should book now! * Most on line booking sites will indicate the Motels are full over this period. * Members should Ring the Motels direct and indicate you are from the Ulysses Club as most (not all) motels are holding rooms for us. There are a number of conflicting events now being held in Masterton over the Easter Weekend so accommodation is filling fast in Masterton and the the surrounding areas. Remember - You can always cancel a booking but you can't always make one! -----------
Don't miss out! :-)
Naughty girl Jan!!
Naughty Girl Jan!!
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