Ulysses - Pros and cons?

[Maha]

Well, I do enjoy organised rides, as much as I enjoy going solo or with just a mate or two. Balance ....... And that was the point of this post, to find out more about them, hopefully from people who are involved in the club, then work out what I want from it and then make my informed choice on whether to join up or just stay out side but join them on the social rides only. At the moment I am leaning to join up, but have to wait till my bike is back on the road anyway.

I was on a ride a few years ago and the Ulysilly's chap the 'took over' the lead, suggest that '' once we get of this road, those that want to have a race feel free to do, its probably the better place to have a fang''.
Some of us were like....WTF?

NB: Saying 'Have a Fang' is a real give away of the age.....

[nzspokes]

I was on a ride a few years ago and the Ulysilly's chap the 'took over' the lead, suggest that '' once we get of this road, those that want to have a race feel free to do, its probably the better place to have a fang''.
Some of us were like....WTF?

NB: Saying 'Have a Fang' is a real give away of the age.....

I guess as with any ride with more than one person you can get people that want to go at different speeds.

Ive had a lot more trouble with people that will only ride slowly than to fast. People that go to fast I feel no obligation to keep up. Ive been hit by a van trying to protect someone going way to slow.

[Maha]

I guess as with any ride with more than one person you can get people that want to go at different speeds.

Ive had a lot more trouble with people that will only ride slowly than to fast. People that go to fast I feel no obligation to keep up. Ive been hit by a van trying to protect someone going way to slow.

It was more words used than the speed...''have a race'' was a bit out there, but it was only the one time.
There is more than one reason why I dont attend any group other ride than my own.

[nzspokes]

It was more words used than the speed...''have a race'' was a bit out there, but it was only the one time.
There is more than one reason why I dont attend any group other ride than my own.

I think the "have a race" would have been followed by a a "fuck off then" from me. Cant be bothered with that.

My favorite rides have been with a mate or by myself.

[kevie]

Been dragged along by a really good mate on a few events, camps and rides with Ulysses over the years ..... overall experience was very good, altho the only real reason I didnt join was I'm a cruiser guy, like to go at speed limit type ride and enjoy it, most of the Ulysses riders left me for dead ... one ride the "Tail End Charley" passed me and left me for dead so i ambled off home instead (and I was sitting on 110km/h that day) (had same thing one day with a 2up TEC passing me with the club I was in in Manawatu as well) (my thought was the TEC shouldn't be passing anyone and no one should pass the leader of the ride.

Was at the Capitol knees up several years ago and a bunch was sitting yakking about the problem of a seriously declining membership and what could they do? I threw in (as a non Ulysses) the idea of making the club open to younger age group and they can be a member, come on rides and events but NOT able to hold office, therefore the younger group couldn't take over the club. I got shot down in flames and told I will NEVER be welcome in Ulysses LMAO (and they were the National Hierarchy too) .....hence .... never had an inclination to even consider joining up with them.

I have several mates that are long term Ulysses and love it and only say good things about it, so .... I guess while a couple of us have had negative contact with them its an individual thing whether you feel comfortable with them and want to join up.... and overall Id say they were a good group to belong to.

[MadDuck]

I was on a ride a few years ago and the Ulysilly's chap the 'took over' the lead, suggest that '' once we get of this road, those that want to have a race feel free to do, its probably the better place to have a fang''.
Some of us were like....WTF?

NB: Saying 'Have a Fang' is a real give away of the age.....

Yep I was there and remember I was totally shocked by that. A real shame that often 1 person can sour the impression of a group but it is human nature I suppose to always recall the bad so a group leader just needs to "think before speak".

We have a lot of banter in our branch like that but I have to say I have never seen it get silly. I get shit for having a dirty bike. {I am a lazy coont when it comes to washing the ol' Strom} And the same old Honda thing comes up. And BMW. And dodgy ol' dutchies. Etc. We have dickheads too but I am finding them increasingly easy to ignore. We ride every week and stick together in as much as we will regroup on our way to destination. But people drift off home in small bunches and that is fine too.

I have to say the Ulysses ride I tagged along on up North was bloody awesome. Well organised, well run and a friendly bunch. I will return to parts Norf if I am allowed past the local Taniwha

[pritch]

I have been on the committee of the local branch for some years. When I joined there were some "born again" riders who perambulated about too slow for me; too much weight on the wrists... I've enjoyed the rides I have been on though.

Your personal belongings are generally safe at a Ulysses rally which is not always the case. Once you've been to a few It's like having a reunion each time you go.

Like any club, what you get out of it depends to an extent what you put in.

[ellipsis]

...the Ulysses St Johns run down here on ANZAC day is great..I wouldn't miss it for the world...every year it reminds me why I only ride alone or with my wife... and they all remind me of how old I am too...

[Laava]

I dont like their club meetings, too formal for me. Sitting through the minutes of the last meeting, matters arising, treasurers report etc isn't what getting together as motorcyclists means to me. I'd far sooner listen to the bullshit from riders far inferior to myself over a few beers, then have the satisfaction of correcting them.

The rides are good tho, ( held almost every Sunday) and in any large group, there will always be small groups who like to ride their own style of bikes at their own pace. The rides, I've been on, they like to have a big (expensive) sit down meal when at the destination, I like to grap a pie, quick drink then get going again.

They have a great discount when using the Interislander ferrys.

If I still had my bike, I'd join up.

Holy Fuck! Why did you go to the meetings? I am on the committee and I try to avoid them too! We never have the members come along, not cos they're not welcome but TBH it can only make a painful thing worse.

I was on a ride a few years ago and the Ulysilly's chap the 'took over' the lead, suggest that '' once we get of this road, those that want to have a race feel free to do, its probably the better place to have a fang''.
Some of us were like....WTF?

NB: Saying 'Have a Fang' is a real give away of the age.....

Reading between the lines a little, it seems like the guy didn't choose his words well. Our illustrious co-ordinator has a good way of explaining to people to ride their own ride and respect everyone else. We have had the odd moan about how fast some of our guys will go, but it is only some, we have organised regroups and our TEC never goes past anyone. It is a real goshdarned hoot![See what I did there!]

Yep I was there and remember I was totally shocked by that. A real shame that often 1 person can sour the impression of a group but it is human nature I suppose to always recall the bad so a group leader just needs to "think before speak".



I have to say the Ulysses ride I tagged along on up North was bloody awesome. Well organised, well run and a friendly bunch. I will return to parts Norf if I am allowed past the local Taniwha

Hon you are always welcome!

[Laava]

I dont think I could drink the Yardglass of Metamucil involved in the initiation.

Bro, you won't have to do the yard. You already give us all the shits!

[Waipukbiker]

I have been a member of the Hawkes Bay branch now for a few months and have enjoyed all the rides Ive been on. There are a wide variety of bikes as in makes and sizes and also diff riding styles, as with any group there are the ones that like to give the right wrist a bit of exersise and those that are happy to tootle along at 100 kmh or so but you soon get to know who likes what and ride accordingly.

Went for a ride with them today which was to a local country private hunting museum which included a working Medieval Trebuchet (Bloody amazing) , hunting trophies and weapons from all over the world and saw a couple of old black powder cannons getting fired.

The trips vary in length but its the people who make it worthwhile, awesome bunch.

Adventure before Dementure

[Laava]

a working Medieval Trebuchet (Bloody amazing) ,

Did you use it to get rid of all the italian bikes?

[shafty]

Been a member for 12 years - agree with most Ulyssians comments so far
- have lived in 3 areas in that time, so 3 diff branches - all a bit
Different - did some time on a local committee and enjoyed
it - I reckon all motoring type Clubs attract the odd dickhead
but just ignore them.

The mag is good value, heaps of events and rallies to choose
from , good discounts and bugger all cost to join.

You can be as involved as you want, people have busy lives
now so I do as much as I want with them.

The Aussie scene is good too - they have a amazing AGM worth
a visit

What I really would recommend is commit to 1 or 2 overnighters
where you will really get to know people over a few drinks....

Good luck

[insomnia01]

tagged along with the Hamilton crew on a few rides over the years, formed a good respect for some based on their riding ability others shouldn't be allowed on the road the tron crew seem to have perfected large group riding having people waiting on corners/junctions etc so you dont get the ride breaking up, they seem to cater for one & all so really just need to pick who's ride to attend as their ride comm is made up of 5 members who all have a differant ride sense......

[Paul in NZ]

Sadly my only experiences with them as a group have been very negative to the point of shuddering everytime I hear them mentioned. In fact I try to avoid them if at all possible which is probably the wrong thing to do as it means I've not met the good uns yet.

Not my cuppa tea really.... but I'm most likely being unfair...