Mystery Ride

Chris/Kathy Parker Mystery Ride Sunday 9th March, 2008

After a heated AGM last night it was great to see 42 Ulyssians on 36 bikes roll up for a nice relaxing ride today, starting at Hexham McDonalds at 8.30am. 

Everyone was in excellent spirits and ready for our mystery ride. Chris Parker was the Ride Leader for our mystery ride today and Kathy Parker was our Tail End Charlie. 

Today we had a few new members and visitors riding with us.. so welcome to Mark on his VStrom, Mark Laird on his XJR, Sal and Sharpie on their newish Harley (Ruby has been put out to pasture for a rest) Glenda and Philip on their Trike and welcome back Michael Curry on his Vulcan. We also had a birthday girl riding with us today..so happy birthday to Scootergirl (Jill) and doesn’t Jill get that little scooter hooting along. I’ve been told that Jill got the scooter to fly past Mick on Val…although that’s not too hard to believe. 

We left Hexham McDonalds around 8.35am and headed to Kurri where we were hoping to pick up JC’s son in law and then out to Maitland on to MaitlandVale then came in the back way to Singleton stopping at McDonalds for morning tea and a chat. The ride was going perfectly. Beautiful scenery and corner marshals were working perfectly. After a half hour break we continued on to Bulga – Putty Road –Milberdale and then Cessnock where Pete Ward decided to would go home for a nanny nap and dream of the beautiful Black Betty who was working a 16 hour day in Sydney. Poor old Phils bike broke down at Broke. It was funny to watch Peter Ward and Peter Cheers pushing Phil on his bike trying to jump start it, while John Banks ran with all his bike gear on including helmet a couple of metres behind them. Beats me why John wasted his energy running with them, but it did look very funny. They got Phils bike going and he went straight home. Hope you’ve got the problem sorted Phil. Its always good to see Ulyssians helping others when in need. That’s something I really love about this club. 

We had our first mix up at Freemans Waterhole/The Gap. Instuctions were that we would stop at Freemans Waterhole for fuel and a break. Only problem was that a few riders didn’t class The Gap as Freemans Waterhole and rode straight past riders who had stopped at The Gap. Only a slight mix up which was quickly sorted. 

After regrouping we moved on to the Freeway and then on to the Link Road through to Wallsend and on to Newcastle Motorbike Wholesalers where they were hosting a sausage sizzle for Ulysses branches. A big THANKYOU to Newcastle Motorbike Wholesalers. We enjoyed your hospitality. Mick tried to lead our branch into the Wholesalers, but some smarty pants on a marvellous looking black Suzuki just happened to get there first. Damn that Suzuki for beating Val. How embarrassing for Mick to be beaten by a scooter and a Suzuki. 

Al was a little quiet today. I’ve been told he was missing his mate “Tripod”. 

The Wholesalers did a valuation for Micks bike Val and put a ‘for sale’ sign on it which read “Late Christmas Special $100 o.n.o.” Needless to say… there were no offers. We have a photo in the newsletter if anyone may be interested. Good luck Mick. 

After an hour or so people starting leaving and a few who were remaining decided they might go to Minmi Pub for a quick drink and yak. By the time people made quick phone calls here and there, we ended up with 25 people at the pub. We spent around an hour and a half of telling stupid stories and giggling and then went home. 

What a great day we had today. Fantastic ride…great company… beautiful weather. 

I hope we have many more days like we had today. Well done Chris and Kathy Parker.

Photos by Sylvia & Phil Ross and report by Miss Wendy.