23/03/2002

Ulysses AGM at Mount Gambier (2002)

Seems like these events are aimed at either retired people or people who have lots of recreational leave. As I'm saving my leave for another trip I wasn't able to arrive on the opening day. I had a gig to play at Friday night and didn't get to bed until 3:00 am. I had planned to leave at 6:00 am but that clearly wasn't going to happen. I draggged myself out of bed at 9:30 collected what I needed and took off foor Mount Gambier arriving at 5:30 pm. By the time I checked into the Motel and arrived at the Showgrounds the last of the exhibits/rides were being put down. Just arrived too late.

The funny part was the look on the gatekeepers/officials faces when I show up and ask to be registered. "Huh? It's almost over!!" seemed to sum up the reaction. It took me an hour (I jest you not) to finally get a green wrist band. The head of security Don took pity on me and ordred his troops to give me a pass. Very grateful for that. Thanks Don!

I searched around for the Central Gippsland Group (CGG) but that was like finding a needle in a haystack, so I just wandered around and hoped to be recognised. And so I was by a couple from Buchan and another guy from Bruthen. Neither of them knew where the CGG were so I just gave up.

The area set aside for the dinner was enormous and was filled to capacity. The Victorian Police Big Band had the place jumping and the dance floor was full. Really great to hear good, live music, just odd to hear introductions like "...and here's Police Constable X to sing a song" :)

I was tired so I went back to the motel and just crashed waking up with just enough time to have breakfast, pay for the room and get to the showgrounds to find out details of the big ride. The clock in the room was half an hour slow. The Honda guys were packing up the test bikes so I asked if it was too late to test ride a VT1100. "Yes, too late, go away we're busy packing up!" Obviously not Salespeople!

Found my way to the gathering point to the ride by following the bikes leaving the showgrounds and parked in one of the rows. I spotted a lady riding a BMW 1200C parked in the next row. I went over to chat t to her about her bike. I must have scared her as all I could work out was that she's had the bike for three weeks and thinks its wonderful. Gee! I've narrowed down my next bike to a Honda VT1100 or a BMW 1200C. I really didn't get much information from this trip :(

The ride for Mount Gambier to Portland was interesting in that it certainly wasn't rushed and I was able to keep up. Two people in front of me were right into the 'Waving Hand' thing and reminded me of Santa Claus and his wife. In fact they were also into riding close enough to touch hands with the people by the side of the road. Not quite a "High Five" but you get the idea. One guy got more than he bargained for and yelped when their hands made contact! The guy behind me thought the whole thing was too boring and wanted to get there quicker. He made his way forward maybe 6 bikes before being boxed in. I gather he wasn't pleased.

The amount of people who showed up along the route was amazing not to mention their enthusiasm. Everyone from young children to old folk were by the side of the road. I'm glad I made the effort to attend. The whole population of Portland must have come out I'm sure. I could hear helicopters in the sky, so I guess the media were taking pics. I only stayed long enough to oil my chain, fill up and head for home. Tomorrow's a work day.

I decided to avoid the section of road between Geelong and Melbourne (60 kph is just too slow) and rode through Ballarat. I stopped in at 'Sturt St Blues' (SSB) and found two young ladies performing. Way too loud and it sounded like 'Soul' to me. I stayed two songs and left. I'd heard that SSB had changed hands, good to see it's still active and supporting musos!

Near Misses

I had a near miss in Mount Gambier. I had just turned off the main road to go into the town centre and was coming up to the intersection that leads to the showgrounds, opposite a pub. I could see two lines of cars on the showgrounds road wanting to turn onto the road I was on. The line closest to me was stopped. Not so the far lane. I could see this car moving towards the front and was prepared to stop in case he kept going. Good for me, as he DID keep going. We both pulled up in time and avoided a collision. So much for right of way.

Filling up with petrol at Dunkeld. I had just pulled up at the petrol station to fill up for the long haul to Ballarat. A guy from Bendigo riding a Gold Wing pulled up behind me and was furious, not with me, but with what had happened a few minutes ago. I was in the dark as I didn't see anything. Not so with the Gold Wing Rider (GWR) . Apparently I had passed a stationary car that was towing a boat. After I'd passed, the driver decides that it's a good idea to do a 'U-Turn' without looking. Half way through his 'U-Turn' he stops so he's blocking both lanes of the road. The GWR was very fortunate to be able to slow down and pass off the road on the grass. He really thought his number was up and made sure everyone with a bike heard his story. It's amazing what a few seconds can make to your experience. I was completely oblivious to the situation but not so the GWR.