Author Topic: Any OzSTOC Members been to Alice? (Read 3737 times)

Diesel · « **on:** May 15, 2014, 09:46:34 PM »

I know Dave and Catherine (2uprider) are heading in the area of the Ulysses AGM in Alice.

Temala (Terry) was a fair chance too....

Anyone else we know went to the red centre?

Cheers, Diesel

Williamson · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2014, 09:55:45 PM »

Ulysses AGM in Alice is 12 to 18 May - I reckon if anyone's going they'll be there by now.

Sicman · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2014, 09:57:05 PM »

Yep - Forum dinner was on tonight

Diesel · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2014, 09:58:05 PM »

Jaysus! Sounds like it must have been a quiet one Mike!

Got any numbers?

1st post amended to sound betterer.

StinkyPete · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2014, 10:27:03 PM »

I passed through in 2009 and again in 2011. Glen Helen, 130km west of Alice Springs, is a great spot.

Lionel · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2014, 11:20:09 PM »

I spent some time there a month ago riding to and fro chasing IBA quals. I hope to do the same in June. The unlimited speed section between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek is a hoot.
A couple of years ago I stayed at the Glen Helen resort after the Black Dog ride. The beer was fine, the meals OK but the motel room was possibly the worst I've ever experienced and I've stayed in a few.

Dick B "Yewie" · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2014, 11:32:48 PM »

Ros and I are heading out tomorrow to do a circuit through the Red Centre over four weeks >>> https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zbwgo9AFRVFw.kBmq8jVN2A4I
We timed our stay in Uluru and Alice to miss the Ulysses AGM. We arrive in Alice 30 May 2014.
If you are interested you can follow us on our Blog www.bushellsbikebashes.com

Ros and Dick

alans1100 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2014, 11:37:46 PM »

We went in the mid 90's on our CX500 Turbo as a day trip from Erldunda Roadhouse where we stayed 3 nights. A day trip to Ayers Rock (to hot so closed) on one day and the Alice the next day.

STroppy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 16, 2014, 03:47:54 AM »

Alice was one of my work bases when I was working on the Anthony's Lagoon To Borroloola Beef Road Project back in 1969, so I was in and out of there fairly frequently. Went thru there again in 1971 on my way to Canberra and the last time I was there was in 2008 during my ride around Oz.

tj189 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2014, 05:14:04 AM »

been up and down the track through Alice on the odd ride or two...or three...or...

Williamson · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2014, 08:50:14 PM »

Anyone returned from the AGM? I've heard different reports - 2,500 & 3,500 attending? Any ideas?

STroppy · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2014, 08:51:27 PM »

2,300 reported as registering by my local Ulysses Club.

Williamson · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2014, 09:00:54 PM »

Quote from: STroppy on May 19, 2014, 08:51:27 PM

2,300 reported as registering by my local Ulysses Club.

That's even less, I suppose the organisers must be a tad disappointed.

STroppy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2014, 10:06:54 PM »

I normally go each year but Alice is a fair ride and I have been there many times before, so I elected not to go this year. I expect a lot of members chose not to go because of the isolation and the expense . . . . Just a guess . . . It will probably be the same when OZSTOC meet over in WA . . . Members may decide the cost and time needed to get there may outweigh the wonderful experience.

I will be missing out on OZSTOC's Toowoomba meeting next year because it clashes with the Ulysses AGM in Wodonga and I don't want to miss 2 Ulysses AGM's in a row . . .

I will go to the WA meet as I enjoy the ride to WA and I still have plenty to see over there.

Williamson · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2014, 10:40:13 PM »

Quote from: STroppy on May 19, 2014, 10:06:54 PM

I normally go each year ...... I will be missing out on OZSTOC's Toowoomba meeting next year because it clashes with the Ulysses AGM in Wodonga and I don't want to miss 2 Ulysses AGM's in a row . . .

I've been to only four AGM's, about every second year for me. I've got Toowoomba and Wodonga in next year's calendar, might have to leave Toowoomba early on 22 March and arrive Wodonga 24 March. Yep, two nights break for me. Gee, I'm planning this already?

alans1100 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2014, 10:55:57 PM »

Quote from: Williamson on May 19, 2014, 08:50:14 PM

Anyone returned from the AGM? I've heard different reports - 2,500 & 3,500 attending? Any ideas?

All I heard on the news last night was that they elected their first female club president.

jwm · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2014, 07:59:10 PM »

A bit after the event but I was touring up the centre in the caravan a couple of weeks before the Ulysses AGM.
Alice is a nice town, a bit of an Oasis in the middle of no where, we finished up staying for 7 days, the last 2 forced upon us trying to sort out a warranty issue with a generator.
We actually stayed at the Showground where the Ulysses AGM was to be staged and I promise you the ant situation was horrible. I don't know why but where the van was parked was great but if you wandered a couple of feet past the van, you were covered in ants in seconds. I hope they fixed that problem before the AGM started.

I managed to casually/accidently catch up with a couple of former FarRiders (Membership cancelled) and current members of DRA while I was out that way. A big hello to Grey Gentry and Marls, it was good to meet and chat.

Biggles · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2014, 08:24:41 PM »

Quote from: alans1100 on May 19, 2014, 10:55:57 PM

Quote from: Williamson on May 19, 2014, 08:50:14 PM
Anyone returned from the AGM? I've heard different reports - 2,500 & 3,500 attending? Any ideas?

All I heard on the news last night was that they elected their first female club president.

Might be trying to solve the issues raised in the "Australian Motorcyclist" issue 16 editorial by Peter Thoeming.

Williamson · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2014, 08:33:03 PM »

Quote from: jwm on May 22, 2014, 07:59:10 PM

.....We actually stayed at the Showground where the Ulysses AGM was to be staged and I promise you the ant situation was horrible.....

Last night I talked to a mate who just got back from the AGM. He didn't mention the ants, but did mention that the camp site was, or at least seemed to be, downwind from the sewage treatment plant - he and more than a few others were not too pleased.

There was also disappointment with the number and quality of traders attending - only one motorcycle manufacturer, Harley Davidson.

He reckons the UC has a lot of bridges to build.

tj189 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2014, 08:35:06 PM »

Quote from: jwm on May 22, 2014, 07:59:10 PM

A bit after the event but I was touring up the centre in the caravan a couple of weeks before the Ulysses AGM.
Alice is a nice town, a bit of an Oasis in the middle of no where, we finished up staying for 7 days, the last 2 forced upon us trying to sort out a warranty issue with a generator.
We actually stayed at the Showground where the Ulysses AGM was to be staged and I promise you the ant situation was horrible. I don't know why but where the van was parked was great but if you wandered a couple of feet past the van, you were covered in ants in seconds. I hope they fixed that problem before the AGM started.

I managed to casually/accidently catch up with a couple of former FarRiders (Membership cancelled) and current members of DRA while I was out that way. A big hello to Grey Gentry and Marls, it was good to meet and chat.

JWM, not sure that their membership has been canceled, they don't have access to the FarRider forum

tj189 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2014, 08:53:22 PM »

Part of the view from ANZAC Hill Alice Springs

Northern side of town

jwm · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2014, 08:57:56 PM »

Mmm, forgot the stench from the treatment plan at the back of the showground. Was usually at it's worst early morning.

West Aussie Glen · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2014, 09:08:23 PM »

Quote from: STroppy on May 19, 2014, 10:06:54 PM

I normally go each year but Alice is a fair ride and I have been there many times before, so I elected not to go this year. I expect a lot of members chose not to go because of the isolation and the expense . . . . Just a guess . . . It will probably be the same when OZSTOC meet over in WA . . . Members may decide the cost and time needed to get there may outweigh the wonderful experience.

I will be missing out on OZSTOC's Toowoomba meeting next year because it clashes with the Ulysses AGM in Wodonga and I don't want to miss 2 Ulysses AGM's in a row . . .

I will go to the WA meet as I enjoy the ride to WA and I still have plenty to see over there.

My plan was to go to Toowomba and then ride down to Wondonga. This would mean missing the first day and a half/two days of Wodonga. Having never been to an Ulysses AGM would I be missing a lot?

STroppy · « **Reply #23 on:** May 22, 2014, 09:44:14 PM »

Glen, you probably won't miss much. Next year at Wodonga the Traders will be back . . . Alice a long way for them to cart their wares and the attendance at Alice was never going to be high compared to AGM's in more popular centres. I like to get there on the opening Monday to get more choice in campsite locations and settle in. Traders are there from the Monday but quite often some don't arrive until the Wednesday morning. I like touring around the traders and also doing some test rides . . . . Alice only had Harley representation . . . Normally we see Honda, BMW, Yamaha, Suzuki, Can Am, Yada yada yada. Wodonga will be well attended . . . Numbers around 4,500 to 5,500 possibly more after the Alice no shows . .

And of course there is great riding roads close by, all day rides . . .

Chatty · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2014, 10:40:09 AM »

Trish and I have both let our Ulysses membership lapse due to the disgraceful way the club was being run. Now Helena has been elected we might renew - still thinking it through.

I have heard that there was around 3,000 attending - which seems to fit with the numbers quoted on here. If so, that reflects just how far this once great club has fallen. And before I start hearing the "it was too far away" quotes - the Bunbury AGM had around that number attending when the overall membership of the club was significantly smaller and you won't convince me that Bunbury is a shorter trip if you're coming from the east coast.

I'm still waiting to see what happens with me regarding work before I can make a decision about OzSTOC and Ulysses meets next year.

Chatty

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Author Topic: Any OzSTOC Members been to Alice? (Read 3737 times)