RECENT RIDES

NOVEMBER SNOWY BASH 2024

Day 1: The Ride Down

Well with the threat of 34°C for the day in Sydney we met at Pheasants Nest on Sunday 3rd in the cooler morning temperature and headed down the Hwy and then the back roads from Sutton Forest to Marulan where we stopped for some fuel and refreshments. Then it was off through those great back roads of Bungonia, Gundary and Currawang with their winding and sweepers roads to Bungendore for lunch. We headed off with the wind starting to blow across the open roads through Carwoola to Queanbeyan East and Karabar where we picked up another rider. We headed down Old Cooma Rd and joined the Monaro Hwy at Royalla.

We had planned to stop in Cooma but with the wind and hot 30°C temp we stopped at Bredbo Rest Area and some headed off early to Cooma for fuel and met up with some other riders joining the group. From Bredbo to headed to Cooma and met the others before the final leg to Jindabyne and a well deserved drink.

Day 2: Charlottes and Thredbo

After breakfast we all lined our bikes up out the front of the Banjo Paterson for the group photo.

Then it was off to ride some of the best roads in Australia. It’s a beautiful wide open road from the base to top with fast consistent and smooth corners all the way up to Charlottes Pass. We did have a little bit of wind blowing across the open areas but not as bad as the day before. After having a look and some photos it was then up the Alpine Way with its scenic sights along the way. It might be short, but the ride features long sweepers and tight to hairpin turns with dramatic views all the way to Thredbo for lunch at either The Local Pub or the Bakery in the village.

Then of course there was the obligatory stop at Wildbrumby Schnapps distillery and Café on the way back down the Alpine Way for dessert before heading back to the Banjo Paterson for drinks and dinner over at the Bowling Club across the road.

Day 3: The Khancoban Loop

A nice early 0800hrs start after breakfast for this ride! So we thought while a few remembered they had to fill up before leaving. We headed off towards Thredbo on the Alpine Way that we did yesterday and regrouped at the turnoff where a couple of deer ran across just up from us. From here we headed off to Khancoban via Tom Groggin and Geehi. This road is consistently narrow and twisty but with an excellent surface all the way to Khancoban. We had refreshments at either the Khancoban Roadhouse or Pickled Parrot Providore. We met opposite the Garage to head off to Cabramurra but with a little detour to the Khancoban Pondage Spillway just down the road and look at the wonderful view and of course take some photos.

6km down the Alpine Way you turn right into Swampy Plains Creek Rd, Tooma Rd and Snow Ridge Rd. These roads wind up through mountain forest to the alpine plains and crosses two dams, used in Snowy Mountains' Hydro-Electric Scheme, to Cabramurra (Australia's highest town). After the group photo at the lookout we stopped for refreshments in the General Store and then headed down Goat Ridge Rd and Link Rd to the Snowy Mountains Hwy at Kiandra and along the way we saw a few groups of free-roaming Brumbies. Once on the highway which passes through some of the most stunning scenery in the Snowy Mountains, including the Kosciuszko National Park and the Monaro Plains. Along the way, there are spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, as well as the lakes, rivers and creeks that flow along the route. This road is winding and steep in places and is a motorcyclist dream. In Adaminaby we again had a break and some refreshments selling out the bakery of pies and sausage rolls. We then headed back to Jindabyne via Berridale for afternoon drinks and dinner.

Day 4: The Wyndham Bemboka Loop

Today’s ride took us to Bombala along the scenic Snowy River Way past Mini Donkey’s and a Wind Farm for a morning coffee stop. We then headed down Cathcart Rd and Mount Darragh Rd which are a scenic and twisty ride through some stunning Forrest to Wyndham and a few Skippy’s (Roos) on the side of the road as we went through. We regrouped here as the turn off to Myrtle Mountain Rd is just down the road and has been missed in the past! Maybe on Purpose! But that’s another story!. This road has to be one of my favourite rides as you ride through lush wet-fern forest and then it opens up to sweeping views of rolling hills surrounding the valleys. We did another regroup at Candelo before heading along Mogilla Rd with its stunning views to Bemboka Pie Shop for brunch/lunch on the Snowy Mountains Hwy. After this we head 8km up the Hwy to the bottom of Brown Mountain and for the next 10km you lots of switchbacks and several tight bends as the road guides you up the mountain then opening to great sweepers to the little town of Nimmitabel and its well known Bakery.

From here some went to Cooma and back to Jindabyne and others went on the dirt road link, Springfield Rd, to Dalgety and Jindabyne. Others that don’t like dirt or have been the Cooma way numerous times went back to the start of the Snowy River Way and retraced our ride back to Jindabyne and of course afternoon drinks and dinner.

Day 5: Eucumbene and Berridale

With the threat of some rain today there were a few brave riders who wanted to ride while others explored the town. We also had a few riders head back today for other appointments. We left Jindabyne and headed down Eucumbene Rd with a little bit of wind and a very tiny spit of rain drops to Lake Eucumbene Dam Wall for a look see.

We rode back along the road we just came down and at a junction we went on Rocky Plain Rd to Middlingbank Rd and into Berridale for a refreshment break. We then headed to Dalgety and back to Jindabyne for lunch and a look around town. We were advised that we missed the 5 min downpour of rain and very strong wind gust while we were on our ride.

Day 6: Heading Home

We headed off in the morning where some stopped for a break while those that wanted to continue to Bredbo Christmas Barn for a look and purchase spree. Upon completion as we headed out the gate there was the Cooma group just riding past and we all joined up again. Our next stop was Bungendore for lunch again and as we did on the way down we took the Old Cooma Rd turn and bypassed Queanbeyan again.

We rode through the scenic back roads again to Marulan for a break before venturing on to Pheasants Nest for our final stop and byes. While at the Nest we heard that the M7 was blocked from Horsley Drive North due to an accident. We made our way down the M5 and turned off different points to make our own way home with a slight delay in 33°C heat.

Noel Taylor

Ride Report – Schnitty Run 22nd Jan 2025

Today I was reminded quite strongly that we are first and foremost a social club. Albeit one on wheels.

18 disgraceful Ulysseans sat down for lunch at the Pitt Town Sports Club, which had boasted it served the biggest Chicken Schnitty in the Hawksbury. 10 rode from Annangrove and another 8 just showed up to check the claim out for themselves. A terrific group today.

It was lovely to see so many of us there for a gas bag. Clearly the prospect of a big Schnitty had turned a few heads. Also worth reminding folks that you don’t have to be on 2 wheels to have a good day out with your Ulysses mates. Quad bikes are always welcome.

Our ride was quite pleasant with little traffic. For me the best bit is always between Glenorie and Wisemans, with Wisemans Rd to Pitt Town a close second. Lots of curves and gentle hills to tease the senses. We managed to keep the group mostly together with thanks to our TEC Snoopy, whose spotties can be seen from space. Ta again mate.

Now onto the Schnitty: the claim was “The Biggest in the Hawkesbury”. For mine I think they buried the lead. It is also the nicest and the cheapest. We paid $16 for a Schnitty and Chips except for one individual who couldn’t face the challenge of biggest and opted for a $12 version. ( Probably a BMW rider:))

It's been awhile since I have been done in by a Chicken Schnitty and this nearly did it for me. With only a third to go I set down the fighting implements for a short breather. Leaning over to Des I asked him would you give this a 9/10? "At least", he said and I agreed. The chicken was moist, the crumb excellent and the seasoning perfect. I cannot think of a better way to spend $16 and a better bunch to share lunch with.

Keep the shiny side up and stay on the green side of the grass. Till next time peeps

Greg #49940