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Rotorua Ramblings… April, 2017

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR’S CLAPTRAP

BOSS’S BALLOON Well, what a great weekend in Masterton! Pam & I had the most delightful accommodation, the owners giving us a parting gift of a bottle of wine and a bottle of olive oil from their own orchard. We had woken each morning to a view of their garden and olive grove. Pity we didn’t do better in the Toilet Races! Our effort was commendable, but I think we were just too sober for such a contest. And did you notice our gnome outfits were the only group that all matched their gnome exactly, and our gnome was the right one, given to us to decorate. Last year our whitebait outfits were bloody good too. I think we must try a little less-harder to have some success. Remember, though, the Mosgiel AGM theme is Gold Rush. Maybe get out those gold lame tops and bottoms, or maybe just paint one finger gold! I hear Axle made an easy few dollars on stage, but he can tell you about that! Next on our branch agenda is our AGM on Sunday. The lifeblood of any organisation is looking to the future, and having a fusion of different ideas and views. I would sincerely like to think that, unknown to me, there has been a ground swell of interest in persons wishing to take central roles in the management of our band of willing happy bikers. I hope so! Remember also that our magazine stalwart, Tony Baker, must relinquish his post as magazine editor. Another lifeblood link of any organisation is communication. Our magazine has been a quality production for some time now, with many items and much input from a number of members. Surely someone with some basic computer knowledge and an interest in gossip can carry on in this role. If the magazine does not continue, at least in some form, there will be a huge gap in the functioning of the branch. Think about it. I am sure Tony will give a helping hand to his successor. Next on our agenda is our Okataina Rally. At the time of penning this report, the registrations are quite pitiful. A decision will have to be made about incurring more costs, and suffering a financial loss, or pulling the proverbial plug, and planning for bigger and better next year. Think about it. After that, we have the duty at the Vintage & Veteran Car Swap Meet. I know we are all getting a little bit more fragile, and more averse to the weather conditions we face on that day, but we need at least 6 members for 6-9am, and 6 more for 9am to noon. Think about it. It is a good fund raiser, but if the number of volunteers is not met, we have to be honest with the organisers, and let them know. I now have my Suzuki back from the repair shop, looking forward to testing the swing arm in every way possible. See you on Sunday night, and then out on the tarmac somewhere. Keep the rubber side down, Flash

I didn’t have to give much thought as to it being time I gave up one of my many commitments – that being handing over the editorial of the Rotorua Ulysses Newsletter. My commitment now is looking after Marlene now that she is so dependent on “others” with her sad disease of dementia. Yes, the Editor’s job is a time-consuming responsibility, but it is a very important part of any club. I know there are others in our Club who will do a much better job than I have been able to over the last few months. Please put your hand up. We have a great Club with great friends – we must keep it that way. Tony B. (#2436)

ROTORUA BRANCH MEETING

Sunday 30 April, 7pm at St John Rooms

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2016-2017 Rotorua Ulysses Branch Committee Coordinator: Gordon (“Flash”) White 027 345 8634 poppagordie@gmail.com

Secretary: Bruce Quedley 021 616 736 bruce@quedley.com

Treasurer: Hartley Gray 021 916645 hartleyandteri@gmail.com

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

Sheriff: Bruce Roe 027 675 7469 roeswood@xtra.co.nz

Runs Coordinator: Hartley Gray 021 916645 hartleyandteri@gmail.com

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

Committee: Graeme van Praagh, Bob McKenzie

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

Branch website address: www.ulyssesrotorua.org.nz

Sunday 30 April - Ride to Pirongia via Arapuni, Kihikihi. Back via Cambridge and Okoroire. Depart Lakefront Café 9.30am. RIC Hartley 30 April, 2017 – Rotorua Branch AGM. 7pm St John Rooms, Rotorua 23 – 25th June, 2017 – Rotorua Ulysses Branch Rally “Let’s Party – 21 again”!!! Okataina Outdoor Camp, Lake Okataina Rd $75.00 all up!! See Registration Form on Branch website page.

Up “n” Coming Rides

BRANCH MEETING AGENDA Sunday 30 April, 2017

Following AGM at St John Rooms, Pererika St, Rotorua

Present Apologies Previous Minutes/Matters Arising Correspondence Runs General Business – Okataina Swap Meet Anything Else

BRANCH AGM AGENDA Sunday 30 April, 2017

At 7pm, St John Rooms, Pererika St, Rotorua

Present Apologies Previous Minutes/Matters Arising Correspondence Coordinator’s Report Financial Report General Business Election of Officers

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Masterton AGM - 2017

The story of my ride to the AGM in Masterton started on Monday the 10th. I travelled to New Plymouth to spend a night with relatives. Had a good dry ride with only a couple of hold ups due to roadworks for slip clearing on the road near Mokau. The next day I travelled to Mangatainoka for a visit with another relative. This too was a good day. During part of the trip I went over the Saddle Road between Ashhurst and Woodville. You get a good idea just how big the wind turbines are when you get up close to them. Wednesday the weather turned with persistent rain. I had planned to make it to Lake Ferry for the night but booked in early to my motel in

Masterton instead. I then took the soft option and hired a car for 2 days and visited Castle Point and Lake Ferry and Ngawihi out at Cape Palliser. On Thursday Jack, Bruce, Christine and Johan travelled down on their bikes. The weather was not very favourable for them and they were thoroughly soaked but they made it. Stewart and Andrea also came down on Thursday by car. Tony, Mal, Lynda, Sandy and Graeme arrived on Friday. They all travelled by car. The Friday function was a good get- together with toilet racing and an entertaining big screen collage of Youtube motorcycle related items. There was a wee accident on the toilets with 1 Ulyssean taken to the hospital with a torn calf muscle. The AGM on Saturday was enjoyable and informative. We heard from an Australian Ulyssean who said that similar issues were facing them with waning membership. Their last AGM incurred a financial loss of about $60000. Their functions usually last for a week. After the meeting we went on the organised trip to the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka. I went by car with Tony, Mal and Lynda. The tour around the site was interesting. They do still brew on-site and the famous Tui building is undergoing restoration as it is a listed building. After returning from Mangatainoka we got into our gnome costumes and attended the Saturday night function. We did not win the best dressed branch which was a disappointment. After Sunday morning breakfast it was on the bike for the ride home. Good weather until Taihape when it started to rain. The rain got heavier as I neared home and fair pelted down from Taupo on. All in all, a good few days.

Hartley ******************************

After passing the Palmerston North hospital on my right, I thought, “Yes my Tom Tom has me on the correct route to my motel in Masterton – until I passed through Ekatahuna and I thought, “No, this is not right!!”. Then a recalculation I found there to be two High Streets – one in Masterton District and the other in Masterton, Solway – and it was the Mastertion Solway that my High Street motel was in!!!. Another recalculation and here I was at 174 High Street, Solway, Masterton – hurrah. The Friday night “Get-to-gether” was a crashing success with toilet

trollies crashing and bashing their way around cones with much hilarity from the spectators. Who won, god only knows, as towards the end of the finals all and sundry had broken all the rules of racing including one torn calf muscle I’m told. The Saturday morning AGM had no surprises. The magazine loss was as expected, as is the declining members ship which was well known. Other than the above, it was a good AGM.

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. The Tui Brewery Tour was not what I expected - the machinery we were shown was old equipment which hadn’t been used for years. The brewing and bottling part must have been in an “off limits” part of the complex as we were not shown any of the brewing or bottling part of the operation? Saturday night was a lot of fun except Rotorua were a bit disappointed we didn’t win the “Best Gnome Costume” as in our opinion we should have done better?

Tony B.

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Two days before we are to leave for Masterton, “Do we go by car or do we go on the trike?”. After talking to Jack and Johan we decided to ride the trikes. “Cyclone Cook won’t make land until late afternoon, we might get some rain but we can live with that”. Leaving Rotorua at 8.00am we pick up Johan at 8.45. First stop Rangitaiki Cafe for morning tea - no rain yet. The plan was to have lunch in Napier, but Johan said he knew of a nice cafe after Hastings, so we fueled up at Bay View BP. I asked Johan to take the lead but he didn’t want to, so we set off as the rain had just started.

On and on and on and still no café!! By now I could feel dampness in my crutch!!. By the time we reached the first town it was raining that heavy that i was soaked from the waist down. We had just ridden through a flood and the water had ended in my lap. Stopping briefly, Jack shared his biscuits with us to keep us going. Arriving at our motel about 3.00pm, Jo the manager, took our gear and put it the dryer - no charge. On Friday Stuart gave us his car keys to go for a drive taking Andrea and Hartley. Jack spent the afternoon in bed. We went to Martinborough for lunch. Hartley drove us back taking the scenic route. We then went to Registration and catch-up with everyone. Outside the venue they had two German manufactured Rewaco trikes powered by a Mitsi 1600cc turbo GT auto on show which you could take for a test ride. Christine and I took one for a spin - an amazing trike. Saturday was the usual AGM which all went well. Saturday night was a good meal and good music. Sunday morning saw Jack and Johan off. Christine and I stayed on for another night. We went for a ride to Ngawi to see where they launch their boats with bulldozers and had lunch at the Lake Ferry Cafe. Come Monday morning we headed for home with very little rain.

Bruce & Christine **************************

Get Lost Ride Report Sunday 2nd April

Finally the weather played ball and 6 bikes left the Lakefront for the annual ride on local roads through Ngakuru, Waikite Valley and Reporoa and on to Taupo for lunch. Goudies Road at Reporoa brought out the hoon in a couple of us. Roads were good and I was surprised to see a location on Waikite Valley Road where I had asked the council to have swept due to gravel from a farmer’s driveway washing across the road right on a corner had been done! We rode back up SH1 with a delay due to roadworks and then we turned off on to Ohakuri Rd and over the dam and back through some local roads and home. All in all an excellent day’s ride.

Hartley PS Thank you Mal and Lynda for seeing us off.

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The Best Dressed Branch was won by the Canterbury Branch. The Best Dressed Individual Gnome was won by Jens Jorgenson from the Manawatu Branch The judges agreed that Otago Branch looked the most like their gnome. I would have to agree!!! The Friday night Toilet Racing was won by the Taranaki Branch The Motorcycle Raffle was won by Kerry Chapman from Hokitika, West Coast of South Island.

A BIG “Thank You” to Pam and Andrea for making the gnome outfits which we had hoped

to win the “Best Dressed Branch” in.