EDITORIAL

What a month!!

Who would have expected that we would be in this situation at the end of March 2020?

Andrea and I started out the month with visits from my daughter Louise and her family who live in

Wellington and then youngest son Richard and his family who live in Perth following a great get

together with family and friends at Onewhero to celebrate my eldest son John’s 40th Birthday on 28

February.

Following Richards departure to Perth, Andrea and I headed to the south island firstly to catch up

with friends in Motueka and then to catch up with our Ulysses friends at the National Rally and

AGM in Blenheim.

It was great to see a good showing from Rotorua at the Rally. We all arrived by differing modes of

transport, Gordon and Hartley by motorcycle, Mal & Lynda by car, Graeme & Sandy by motorhome

and Andrea and I by plane (and rental car).

We knew that without our regular attendees of Jack, Tony and Bruce & Christine it was going to be

difficult for Rotorua to be totally disgraceful but we gave it a go as Mal’s photos show.

It was a great weekend with approximately 300 attendees and it showed timing is everything as a

late March rally would not have happened. We were privileged yet again to have the Ulysses

Australia Vice President Allan Pratt and his wife attend the rally. Allan gave an update on what is

happening with Ulysses in Australia to both the Natcom and coordinators meetings.

The highlight of the weekend from our branch perspective was to see Hartley awarded an Odyssey

medal in recognition of the meritorious service that he has given to our branch. An award well

deserved.

After a great start to the month and a recovering knee, I was looking forward to getting out on the

motorcycle again when in the space of just 10 days from our return from down south the country

was in lockdown. The culprit Coronavirus, Covid-19, China Virus (Donald J Trump) or “The Rona”

(our Aussie mates).

As we approach the end of week one of this lockdown I hope that everyone is staying safe.

Smokey #3703

stuart.burns@xtra.co.nz

ROTORUA

RAMBLINGS

March 2020

A couple of 2020 Triumph

Tiger models the GT (Road

Bias) in Red and Rally (Off

Road Bias) in green.

Daze’s Face Mask dribbles (formerly known as DAZZA’S DRIBBLES

Greetings All!

Well, what a month it's been, and what a week! All we've heard is virus, virus, VIRUS. And

rightly so, too, I might add. We started the month with one (or was that two) cases. And there it

sat for quite some time. Then suddenly it was five.

Which is where we started this past week.

But that didn't last long.

Soon it was eight, then eight more, and another eight, and before you know it, we're at 102 tonight

as I write (Mon, 23mar). That's a jump of some 88 cases this week. That would be an impressive

rate of change for a sporting match, but this is a brand new virus and that kind of thing just isn't

cricket!

At this current rate we'll be pushing 300 by our next monthly meeting next weekend. Which is

something I need to bring up in this little dribble session of mine.

I understand that the club's National Committee has cancelled all club and social meetings and

gatherings until further notice, which I think is prudent, as, with a couple of exceptions (myself

included), all our branch's members fall into the highest risk category. BUT, being as young and

vigorous as I am doesn't exclude me (and other young and vigorous members) from being at

risk. This virus cares not for age, gender, nor race - though it does seem to prefer males, smokers,

the chronologically mature, diabetics, and people with other similar limitations on their activity

levels. So, at the risk of sounding like I'm running around in circles with my arms waving in the

air, I think it prudent for us ALL to be careful about how frequently and extensively we place

ourselves at risk of contracting the virus.

It's worth noting at this point that the virus has an average incubation period of 14 days, and that

people are most contagious before they start showing symptoms (if they show them at all - 50-75%

of people don't show symptoms). These are well documented facts that can be found discussed in

simple, easy to absorb terms at the following You Tube channel that I highly recommend you take

a strong interest in:

https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisMartensondotcom/videos

.

Daze’s Face Mask dribbles (formerly known as DAZZA’S DRIBBLES

Continued

If you really want to depress yourselves I suggest frequent reference to the following website

to watch the numbers as they change throughout the day:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

This second link has useful news updates about cases, border closures, lockdowns, and pretty

graphs of how the virus is performing in many countries. It's definitely worth a look.

The virus currently has hosts in 188 countries. I don't think there's many more to go before it

has the full set 😕.

So, learn from Italy's example: stock up, stay home. Or else.

SO, it seems we will have to have our club meetings the new-fangled way: online. I'm not sure

how that's going to work specifically just yet, but I'm willing to give it a go.

I don't have a lot of joy to spread this month in the way of rides or stories or general

happiness. I've worked most weekends this month, and thus haven't been out riding or

socialising. I'm certainly considering some riding again when the roads clear up (for the wrong

reasons 😕), and socialising is pretty much off the menu for me now - at least in person anyway

(sorry everyone).

I hope, though, that everyone else in the branch has had a more ridey, social time than I have

this month. I look forward to reading your contributions.

Cheers Stay home, and stay safe. In that order.

Dazza

RUNS UPDATE

COFFEE When the lock down is over please join us for a coffee and chat

Saturday10.00am at the Aroma Café, 1126 Fenton Street

RUNS When Runs Resume they will continue to leave from the Z Petrol Station on Fenton Street.

Please read each ride with care as the times and leaving place may be different. If you are not

sure if the run may be cancelled because of inclement weather, phone Hartley on 021 916645.

Rides and upcoming events

All runs and events are cancelled until further notice. So it’s motorcycle cleaning time!!

However, if you have any ideas for an interesting future run, please contact:

Rotorua Runs Coordinator Hartley Gray #6974 phone 021 916645 (M)

Hartley joined Ulysses on 16th April 2007. Since that time he has served on the Rotorua Branch committee as a member and Treasurer, a position he still holds. Hartley has also, over many years acted as the Branch Runs Coordinator, a position he has currently held for at least the last 5 consecutive years. This is an important position in any branch as success in this area is critical to the wellbeing of a Branch. Hartley has been very successful in this role and has been able to capture the enthusiasm of members and ensure that a successful rides programme has operated over a number of years. Hartley is a regular attendee of the club A.G.M/Rally and also an attendee of rallies in other branches, in particular the Far North Rally. He is a constant attendee and volunteer, and often the instigator of functions and events. Our own Okataina Rally, which was until recently held in June each year, owes much of its success to Hartley’s involvement and input. While a quiet achiever in the branch, he has been known to be a perpetrator or at least have some involvement in “disgraceful” (i.e. Ulysses!) acts. While Hartley is known for his total involvement in all projects the Branch undertakes, he is by no means a follower, and will not allow any action to proceed that conflicts with his opinion of Ulysses goals and objectives, until a full discussion, and canvass of all other opinions, is done. This attitude is what has promoted the small Rotorua Branch of Ulysses to remain very successful and to maintain an atmosphere of camaraderie and professionalism In short, Hartley is the embodiment of what Rotorua, and New Zealand, Ulysses aspires to be. (The above is an extract from the nomination form submitted for the award)

2020 ODYSSEY MEDAL AWARDEE

HARTLEY GRAY

ROTORUA BRANCH #6974

2020 A.G.M. SOUTH ISLAND TOUR

On behalf of Rotorua Branch, I attended the National Coordinator’s meeting on Friday 13th March.

There were no contentious issues, and matters attended to included:-

- Hamilton A.G.M. in 2021 will be at Karapiro over the weekend of 9-11 April, this is the

weekend after Easter. There are dormitory rooms and camp sites at the venue, and a shuttle

service will run to and from Cambridge. The first 100 registrations will go in a draw for a prize,

the theme is “Biker Black Tie Formal”, so get out your fancy duds and join in!

- The I.R.D. are not happy with our Club wording in regard to beneficiaries in the event of the

Club winding up, and our rules need to be strengthened in that regard. Our own Smokey is

attending to this.

- All branches now have a folder detailing our gear range.

- Rider training grants will be extended to cover T.E.C. duties, 1st Aid procedures, etc.

- The Branch Coordinators are to be the first point of contact for new/prospective members, to

maintain consistency, and joining forms are to be simplified.

- Business cards are being developed for introduction of members.

- Discounts – investigation is being carried out into fuel discounts, and extending the

Interislander to trikes and trailers.

- A.G.M. badges were held up because of the epidemic in China, and will be distributed to

Branches as soon as they are available.

- Promotion – there has been no great success with current practices. Younger members need to

step up with new ideas for the future, while maintaining current tradition. The production of a

promotional video is being explored. This will likely be done in and around Tauranga, and a

mixture of bikes, ages, sexes, will be needed for a commitment to a full day of filming. There

will be a lot of standing around, and all central North Island branches will be involved.

The Friday night function was great, as was the Saturday night dress-up. The bike raffle was won by

a non-attendee who did not answer his phone. Calls for a redraw were not heeded. The Sunday

breakfast was the last one to be subsidised by National. The A.G.M meeting included the presentation

of an Odyssey Medal to a surprised Hartley – well deserved, mate!

I had crossed Cook Strait on the previous Thursday, and had enrolled to do the Southern Odyssey

Ride. For me, this meant riding around Queen Charlotte Drive to answer the first of my 30 questions.

What a beautiful ride, then on through Havelock and down to Blenheim, where I stayed in the same

motel we had occupied at the previous Blenheim A.G.M. 14 years ago when Garry Dixon passed

away.

I left Blenheim on the Sunday morning, back up through Havelock, and on to Motueka by way of

Pelorus, Nelson, Richmond, and Ruby Bay, with a side trip to Pupu Springs over the Takaka Hill,

finding answers on the way. From Motueka I rode over the Hope Saddle, Gowan Bridge, through

Mariua Falls and Inungahua, to Westport for Monday night. On Tuesday I rode south through Cape

Foulwind, Punakaiki, Blackball and Ikamatua, for the night at Reefton.

On Wednesday I crossed the island through Springs Junction, calling at Hanmer Springs. Here I left

the Odyssey route I had planned and stayed at Rangiora. I was now on my way to stay with my son

and his family in Wanaka, arriving there Thursday afternoon.

I had a great time with them (including my two youngest grandchildren), leaving on Monday morning

to ride through the Haast Pass and up to Hokitika for the night. Here I got my first rain, and it poured.

Not entirely unexpected though, and it fined up before the Glaciers. On Tuesday I crossed the island

again by way of Arthur’s Pass – bloody cold, snow on the peaks, and Christchurch had a frost that

night. I was back into Odyssey mode now, stopping at Kaikoura for Tuesday night.

By now the lockdown was becoming serious business, but I had my ferry crossing booked for

Wednesday afternoon. In fact, I had booked all of my accommodation before I left home – all at

backpackers or hotels. I have never had a disappointment at any of these places, and no bad

experiences this trip either. I did my last Odyssey answers on the way to Picton on Wednesday, and

found the boarding procedure for the ferry had changed dramatically. Not only did they have to see

your ticket 2 ore 3 times (usually stating your name was enough), but you had to produce photo I.D.

Fair enough under the circumstances.

I stayed in Wellington again that night, and rode home on Thursday – empty roads, but no Gas Station

toilets! All up, about 4000 k’s, I answered all 30 Southern Odyssey questions, and really enjoyed the

riding time, scenery, and people.

Come on Christchurch in 2022!

FLASH #1272

Mal’s 2020 AGM/RALLY PHOTOS

Hartley & Lynda on the road to the AGM

We knew we had arrived in Ulysses territory

Graeme with his lovely handmade raffle prize

Hartley was also successful with the raffle

Gordon without a drink in conversation

President Tim “Tiny” Stewart with Australian

Vice President Allan Pratt and his wife

The AGM begin

The National Treasurer with something to say

Followed by the Rotorua Branch Secretary,

hoping to have the last word

Hartley about to receive his Odyssey Medal

The club’s newest Life Member Past President

Mike Dew being congratulated by “Tiny”

Four of our Life members. Wayne Painter,

Mike Dew, Jim Furneaux and Peggy O’Neal

Odyssey medal holder Gordon passing on some

tips to newest recipient Hartley??

What a team

Let the party begin.

Photos of the Saturday evening Antics

The motorcycle raffle draw under police

supervision. Sorry no Rotorua Winner

This Month’s Funnies

NEXT BRANCH MEETING

T.B.A. 2020 AT 7PM

(St John's Ambulance Hall, 31 Pererika St, Rotorua)

2019-2020 Rotorua Branch

Co-ordinator: Darrell Klante 021 025 35987 kaydars@hotmail.com

Secretary: Andrea Thompson 021 137 1808 ad.thompson@xtra.co.nz

Treasurer: Hartley Gray 021 916 645 hartleyandteri@gmail.com

Newsletter: Stuart (Smokey) Burns 021 972535 stuart.burns@xtra.co.nz

Sheriff: Take your pick at the meeting!!

Runs Coordinator: Hartley Gray 021 916 645 hartleyandteri@gmail.com

Webmaster: Tony Baker 022 345 7607 tbaker@nowmail.co.nz

Committee: Graeme van Praagh, Gordon (Flash) White

Branch address: P.O. Box 10168, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand

Branch website address: www.ulyssesrotorua.org.nz