Just had a fantastic few days away with fellow Ulysseans after Andrew (below)

had the very good idea of leaving Melbourne on the Friday before the weekend officially started and 11 of us enjoyed it.

Most left the Epping start point at 0900 and I met up with them at Glenrowan before heading off onto backroads.  Alf came across the mountains from Gippsland and met us at Corryong.  Paul had things to do in Melbourne and rode up late on his own and joined us at Corryong on the Saturday morning.

Once morning refreshment was done, we left the Hume and rode the Snow Road through Oxley

Carlo on the Snow Road

on to Myrtleford and then backroads through to Yackandandah, where we stopped for a lunch break.

Shamus

Gary

Mike

Then it was more back roads, through Kiewa and Tangambalanga before the Granya Gap and Murray River Road provided the highlight of the day’s riding. 

We took another refreshment break in Walwa

and then rode onto Corryong where we checked into the hotel for a couple of nights.

"luxury accommodation" 😉

Banter and drinks were enjoyed before a good pub meal and we all retired relatively early.

We were a very diverse ride group.  Some members have been associated with Melbourne branch for ages and we also had some relatively new members along.  Terry’s son Shamus also came along and he has done quite a few multi day rides with us over the years.  We also maintained a good spacing throughout (not riding too close together) and simply flowed along at a comfortable pace for all of us.  Bikes varied form my ancient Honda, Alf’s KTM, Steve’s new CF Moto 850, Paul’s immaculate Kawasaki and a variety of BMWs including GS models ranging from the Gary’s 1200 through to Jack’s very recently superseded 1250 plus Andrew and Terry’s RS models.  Shamus’ Ducati was quite a contrast.                         

After a café breakfast, Paul arrived. 

 We all fuelled up and assembled for the ride into the NSW high country.

Our first rest break

Heading north out of Tumbarumba

Steve on his new CF Moto

Alf

   The ride was simply great, and Andrew did a superb job with his route selection.

On the way out we stopped for some apple based produce at Batlow

Yes, both apple based products

A shady rest spot

cheers I’m pretty sure my strudel and cider combo would fail most cuisine assessments, but I felt the need to consume local produce.    

After Tumut

A lovely shady garden in Tumut

Terry

we stopped for lunch

at Talbingo

Jounama Pondage

and then climbed into the mountains.

Views from Black Perry Lookout

The elevation around Kiandra and Cabramurra is close to 1500 metres

Snowy Mountains Hwy

and the open plains are simply great to take in.

Jack - our TEC and Link Road

The descent down past Tumut Pond Reservoir

is spectacular and very enjoyable despite the extremely low speed limit.

Then it was back to Corryong

after crossing the Murray River

and more camaraderie in the bar and over a pub meal. 

I also took a walk an checked out the sights of the town.   

  We were all up early on Sunday

to set off home and avoid the furnace like temperatures forecast for Monday.   The Murray Valley Highway provided a great ride and views on our ride to a breakfast stop at Tallangatta.   The openness of the hills and scenery is just beautiful.   The efforts put on by the Tallangatta community and Rotary Club

Rather dry beside Lake Hume

made it a fantastic Australia Day breakfast stop – Thanks and kudos to all involved.

On the road again

We set off home via Beechworth and took a twisty diversion

regrouping on way to Stanley

via Stanley on the way to Myrtleford and a rest break in the shade at Milawa

as the predicted heat was starting to kick in.      The ride up the King Valley and over the mountain to Mansfield was none too shabby either. 

After a chat and snack, we all set off for Melbourne individually.    I stopped in at Bonnie Doon to catchup with family on the way home.   

Andrew – Thanks for organising, leading and route preparation.   Jack, thanks for all the TEC duty you did.   We did well over 1200 km in the three days.  Alf – thanks for coming up from South Gippsland to join us and for doing some TEC duty today.  Thanks to all who came along to add to the camaraderie.

Another great Ulyssean weekend

Cheers

John Cook