Rotorua Ramblings…. ·  · 2018-01-17Bob McKenzie would have been awarded oldest bike & oldest rider, but he got lost on route so arrived late. Oldest rider was awarded to him

ULYSSES CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND

ROTORUA BRANCH

EDITORIAL

Hi Everyone

Its 2018 already and my Christmas wish

was for a great year. I guess no one was

listening as it’s been off to a rocky start for

some of our members. Cameron having

serious health issues, Darrell breaking his

leg, Pam’s had a hip replacement (planned),

and off course the tragic loss of Keith’s

wife Trish.

So come on 2018 let’s turn this around and

get on with a great year. As Gordie points

out there is some exciting rides coming up

as well as the Club Rally at Okataina. Join

in were you can even if like myself you

have to go by 4 wheels.

I don’t know about your “To Do” lists for

the year but mine has a lot on it already. I

should be able to drive again soon so watch

out for me on the roads. And I do mean

“Watch Out”, ha ha.

Well not sure what items I have in this

issue but have got a few bits saved from

last year so enjoy them.

Andrea

[email protected]

COORDINATOR’S CLAPTRAP

Welcome to you all to 2018! Our Xmas function at Axle

and Lynda’s castle was a beauty, and rounded off a year

that was quite enjoyable. The only major hiccup in our

calendar was the failure of Okataina.

We have already started receiving registrations for this

year’s Rally at Okataina, so our planning must proceed with

confidence. Starting with our first meeting of the year this

Sunday, we can get cracking on organisation for another

memorable event as in the past. Everybody, thinking caps

on, please.

Our allocation of bike raffle books is only 20, and half of

them have gone already. I will have them with me on

Sunday night, bring cash to be in to win.

You will all have received our latest runs list from Hartley,

quite busy, and attractive. Next weekend is our first outing

to Whangamomona for quite a while, two nights away, join

in to start the year off well. Two weeks later, another

overnighter, this one up the Coromandel Coast. Then there

is a couple of day rides (including Paeroa Battle of the

Streets) before riding off to Mosgiel and the AGM.

I can’t let this chance go by without a mention of the losses

our branch suffered in the past year. We said farewell to

Fran, Rodney, and recently Keith’s wife, Trish. Each

parting does leave a hole in our fabric, but we will remain

holding some great memories.

Remember our own branch AGM is in April, and as we are

now almost at the end of the first month, that time will be

on us soon. Start thinking about what you might be able to

do for the branch in some official capacity – all roles are

available!

There is only fun when you are our riding, see you all on

Sunday night, cheers,

FLASH

Rotorua Ramblings….

JANUARY 2018

RUNS UPDATE

COFFEE Every Saturday morning, the Rotorua Branch meet at the Lakeside Café at 10.00 am. Some enjoy a “Big Breakfast” while

other a tea or coffee. It is a great time for a catch up and chat and to throw around run ideas. Visiting Ulyssian’s and prospective members are very welcome to join us. (LAKESIDE CAFÉ at the Lakefront, Memorial Drive, Rotorua)

RUNS Most rides leave from the Rotorua Lakeside Cafe at 10:00 am. 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 the Rider in Charge (RIC) Anniversary Weekend 27-29 January (2 overnighter)

27 January: First night staying at Whangamomona Hotel. (Rooms are available either double or twin at $150

per night).

28 January: Travel to Hawera, visit the Tawhiti Museum, and then ride to New Plymouth via the coast. (Staying

Coronation Court Motel)

09 January: Bach Breakwater Cafe for breakfast before heading home via the coast & Bennydale.

Saturday 10 February 18 (overnighter)

10 February: Leaving the Lakefront at 11am. We head to the Native Tree Cafe for a late lunch then across to

the Miranda Holiday Park and Hot Springs, via Ngatea. Fish & Chip dinner at Kaiaua and back to the hot

springs for a dip.

11 February: Leave at 7.45am heading to Pokeno Bacon for breakfast. Then off to Podges Place Mercer to

participate in the Auckland Ulysses New Charity Motorcycle event (see pg. 54 of December Ulyssian) after the

event head home.

Sunday 18 February 18

'Battle of the Street' Paeroa leaving the Lakefront at 9am.

Sunday 25 February 18

Waikato Ulysses: Child Cancer Foundation charity ride. Leaving the Lakefront at 9am.

(See pg. 54 of December Ulyssian)

Sunday 11 March 18

Tauranga Ulysses: Charity Easter Egg & Toy Run leaving the Lakefront at 9.30am.

(See pg. 54 of December Ulyssian)

AGM Mosgiel weekend of the 23-25 March 18.

Good Friday 30 March 18

From 4.30pm 'Say goodbye to summer' BBQ at the Bain’s, 9 Everard Pl, Ngongotaha.

Bring something to go on the BBQ, salad & your drinks.

Be prepared for a bit of fun & games so wear a bright coloured shirt.

If anyone has an idea for a Wednesday rides please let me know. We have not mentioned midweek rides as

many our members are now participating in Thursday rides and 2 days in a row maybe too much.

As with any of our rides or overnighters tin tops are most welcome.

Thanks your rides committee

RIDE STORIES

Turangi for a Venison Lunch

Brilliant weather saw Bruce & Christine, Jack Butterworth, Mal & Lynda & possible new member Mark

Garland on his ZRX 1200 Kawasaki leave from Lakeside @ 10.00am.

Mal was RIC, we headed down SH1 to Turangi, on to Tokaanu northern boat ramp SH4.

There were a lot of bike groups on the road, some riding like they owned it!

Deb Treweek & her crew dished up a great value venison lunch of which there was more than enough.

It’s hard to gauge numbers for catering @ an event like this when there is little promoting done & at a great

new venue. Be rest assured, this is a run not be missed next year.

Gordie fronted up after the meal, on route home from a previous ride, but left as he wanted to get back home.

We headed home, quick ride to Whakamaru, stopped for our traditional ice cream, then back to Rotorua.

Another good ride with good company.

Mal ‘Axle’ Bain

Whakatane’s Mountain to Sea Ride

Whakatane’s Annual Mountain to sea ride was attended from Rotorua by Bruce & Christine, Hartley, Mal &

Lynda & Bob McKenzie.

This was Lynda’s first time back on a bike, pillion, since her accident at Meremere 07/05/17.

We met at Kawerau, after a riders briefing made our way on main roads, through Whakatane, via Awakeri to

Thornton.

Bob McKenzie would have been awarded oldest bike & oldest rider, but he got lost on route so arrived late.

Oldest rider was awarded to him but he missed out on oldest bike. We cruised back via Matata, stopping of

course, for an ice cream.

Great weather, good day, a lot of mates for company.

Mal ‘Axle’ Bain

Darrell & Pauline’s Waiouru Adventure Ride

The ride we went on was a fund raiser ride for returned service personnel in the Waiouru Army Training

Area. The dam in question is the Moawhango Dayam, which is inside the Army training ground and not

accessible to the public. As we were leaving the Dayam(!) we diverted off the sealed road for some adventure

(!). I safely navigated several mud patches on this side track until the last one, which was about 20m before we

got back onto the sealed road. About 5m before I was clear of this last patch of mud my front wheel slipped out

from under me to the left, which caused the bike to counter back to the left, where my left boot toe caught in

some firm mud, pulling my toes under my peg (which my foot was still resting on) and twisting it outwards

(crunch!), before my bike wiggled back to the right and I was thrown clear of the bike and landed safely on some

grass. During the pulling and twisting part on my foot I felt a crunch and even before I was being thrown from

the bike I knew I'd broken something.

The irony being that 6 or 7 other people crashed in this same spot and no-one else was injured.

At the site I was assisted into a support vehicle and driven back to Waiouru, where I was transferred to an

ambulance and taken to Wanganui hospital for x-rays. Wanganui hospital, though friendly and well kept, didn't

do anything fast. The ambulance driver radioed ahead for an x-ray, yet I still didn't get taken aside for one until

3 hours after I got to the hospital. It was a 90 minute drive from Waiouru to Wanganui.

I got to Wanganui at about 6pm, and finally got to eat and go to bed (I was kept there overnight because I had

nowhere else to stay) just before midnight.

Saturday morning I had to wait another 3 hours for a second set of x-rays to confirm the first set, and then I was

finally discharged around midday, and collected by Pauline at 4:30pm,

Pauline the poor chook, followed me to Wanganui on her bike, and finally got back to Waiouru at around 12.50am

Sunday. Later that morning she rode back to Rotorua and picked up someone to ride my bike back to Vegas

(many thanks Stuart!) and drove back to Wanganui (via Waiouru) to pick me up and bring me back to Rotorua. So

Pauline spent 13 hours driving on Sunday.

The diagnosis for me is: closed spiral fracture of the distal fibula of the left ankle, with mild displacement and

talar shift. Which being interpreted is: broken ankle, no riding - no riding! :( - for 6 weeks - 6 whole weeks -

minimum!!! :( :( :(

Many thanks to the people who helped and supported me during this incident.

There were over 110 bikes that took part in Saturday's ride, and 29 in our group. I was the only one who crashed

and required medical intervention, which should confirm for all of you that I'm sthpethaal(!)

Daz :D

Phew What a Day!!!

PHOTO SHOTS

Something nice for our “Trikers” to think about

JOKERS CONTRIBUTIONS

Have we got a deal for you?

It has been a very sad time for Rotorua Ulyssian’s in recent months with the death of three people associated

with the club.

Fran wife of Dave Knapman #6880 died on 30th October 2017

Rodney Runciman #7899 died on 30th November 2017

Trish wife of Keith Butterworth #444 died on 5th January 2018

A number of Ulyssian’s were able to attend the funerals and offer the club support to the families.

Our condolences and thoughts are with the members and their families

May the cherished memories of their loved ones bring them moments of comfort.

NEXT BRANCH MEETING SUNDAY

21st JANUARY 2018 AT 7PM

2017-2018 Rotorua Branch

Co-ordinator: Gordon (Flash) White 027 345 8634 [email protected]

Secretary: Lynda Bain 021 580 770 [email protected]

Treasurer: Hartley Gray 021 916 645 [email protected]

Newsletter: Andrea Thompson 021 137 1808 [email protected]

Sheriff: Bruce Roe 027 675 7469 [email protected]

Runs Coordinator: Hartley Gray 021 916 645 [email protected]

Webmaster: Tony Baker 022 345 7607 [email protected]

Committee: Graeme van Praagh, Darrell Klante

Branch address: P.O. Box 103, Rotorua 3040, New Zealand

Branch website address: www.ulyssesrotorua.org.nz