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Performance anxiety
By Mark Jones/Pro Rider Ltd
Back in the day when my survival on a bike was more by luck than judgement, now and again I got really scared that something disastrous would happen like the front tyre blow out or the wheel simply come off due to a cracked axle or whatever. I know right, crazy as. I guess a tyre going pop was more likely than my doom-laden image of a disappearing wheel but I have to admit that on occasion these thoughts had me pulling up at the road side and taking a breather to calm myself down. I didn’t need to resort to therapy and got over it in the end.
But what was the cause of my irrational fear? Basically, I was riding at a speed and in a way that was beyond my limits. At the back of my mind I knew this and rather than go off and get some decent training I panicked myself to a literal stand still and kind of went on like that for a quite some time. Until I crashed – my fault, not the bike’s. Then I learnt not only how to handle my bike properly but also how to check it out for damage, keep the chain at the right tension, how to monitor tyre tread wear (I DID know how to check the pressures), and generally be sure my bike was in good nick and not about to fall apart under me anytime soon. Up until that crash and subsequent learning it was likely my anxiety, or fear actually, that kept me alive. But bike riding paranoia can make our trip miserable at best and potentially lethal.
A little over a hundred years ago a couple of psychologists by the names of Robert M Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson (yes, they were Americans) came up with a theory linking arousal with performance. Don’t get too excited – ‘arousal’ here simply means being switched on to take on a task and ‘performance’ the ability to do it well. The so-called ‘Yerkes – Dodson Law’ holds that the more positive anxiety (being switched on to a challenge) we have the better we actually do; whereas too much anxiety is not a good thing and tends to lead to us messing up. In my example I was teetering on the brink between the two states and it was only by scaring myself that I stayed within my limits until the day I flopped over the edge.
Imagine an upside-down U or a bell-shaped curve. The height of the bell represents the level of anxiety thinking about our ride (arousal) and its challenges, and the slope up and down the sides of the bell represents our performance. Setting off concerned about being on a new bike or having to ride in the rain or on a challenging road should have us taking it easy and performing within our limits until we get to the top of the bell where we are riding the best we can in the circumstances, drawing on whatever experience and insights we have – our performance is at its maximum. But if we start to exceed our ability – ride beyond our limits – anxiety increases and our performance decreases, sliding down the other side of the bell as quickly as the bike does down the road when we stuffed up the corner.
In real world bike riding, as opposed to lying on the psychologist’s couch, it is important to understand this relationship between anxiety and performance. Not knowing our limits (how bad a rider we are) perversely lessens our anxiety and we don’t climb up the performance curve, but freaking out about everything equally stuffs us as we fall down the other side of the curve into oblivion having psyched ourselves out thinking our commute is going to end in doom! A recent Auckland Transport campaign reminded us that 48% of urban motorcycle crashes are with turning vehicles and we really should ‘ride like they can’t see you’. That is a catchy slogan and worthwhile heeding but try not to ride as if every hazard you see is unavoidable as panic will set in and your journey is miserable or you do something stupid. The skill is to recognise the threats and be sufficiently anxious / in a state of arousal to draw on all your training and experience to take evasive action if needs be not scare yourself onto or under a bus.
So, as you get ready for your trip, put brain into gear along with the bike, be positively anxious as this will improve your performance and keep you safe. Take everything in and plan your ride, but don’t get wound up by doubt or exceeding your ability and causing your level of anxiety to mount and push you into danger territory. Of course, using the Yerkes-Dodson Law to good effect so as to have the best possible riding experience only works when you have the insight and common sense to know your limits. Ignorance is said to be bliss but when it eliminates any anxiety, peak performance falls off the cliff with likely you and the bike with it!
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Use Promo Code ULYR4E when booking your course.
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Talk to Barry Holland regarding rider training or visit the Prorider website for course and booking information.
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Become part of the Pro Rider Community
Visit your local motorcycle/scooter shop and ask about a Ride Forever voucher from Pro Rider, get one for a friend. Book via the Pro Rider website and have your say on our Facebook page!
The Pro Rider Riders Club is coming soon. Keep an eye on Facebook!
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Raffles
If it is your birthday this month, don't forget to take a bottle of wine for the raffles on club night.
If you have any unwanted gifts, donate them for the raffle prizes.
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Subscriber Details
At the bottom of this newsletter is a link so you can update your subscriber details. There is also a button if you really want to cancel your subscription.
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Wine and Beer Bottle Caps plus Crushed Aluminium Cans
Save your bottle tops from your wine and beer bottles and all aluminium drink cans (all cans crushed please) and bring along to each monthly meeting. These go to the recycle station and the funds collected get passed onto a Lions Club who collect as a fundraiser for Child Dialysis. Get your local restaurant or bar on board and have them keep the bottle tops and cans for you.
If you can separate the caps from the crushed cans into different bags or box that would be great as we get more for the aluminium. However, we appreciate any caps and crushed cans that do arrive.
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Charlie Tee - 24 June
Nine riders today, and one more came to socialise. The weather was looking iffy, so we chose a short ride. John Heebink led us to Muriwai.
Feedback I heard about the ride:
- More turns than usually happen on "Twists & Turns"
- Longest possible way to get to Muriwai
In short, an excellent ride! We avoided the inclement weather, although looking towards Auckland from a stop at Pukematekeo Lookout it didn't look good!
Thanks to Wayne Painter for being TEC.
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Charlie Tee - 23 June
24 riders today. That might be a record for the Tuesday rides. Kevin Piper led us anti-clockwise around the Kaiaua loop, with lunch at Sierra Cafe in Beachlands.
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Charlie Tee - 16 June
19 riders today. Unfortunately one bike wouldn't start as we prepared to leave the meeting point. Three other riders stayed to assist. They couldn't get the bike going, but helped the owner trailer the bike home. Two of the three later joined us for lunch.
Ole Falkenhaug took us to Hopin Stopin cafe in Taupiri via the usual Waikato backroads, with a rest stop at Ruawaro. On Rotowaro Road, somewhere near Glen Afton, the ride made a U-turn for reasons I never quite understood and went back to Huntly, then south on the west bank of the Waikato River to Ngaruawahia and back north to Taupiri. It would have been slightly quicker to have continued via Waingaro Road.
Good ride, good company, and the weather behaved itself.
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Charlie Tee - 10 June
Nineteen riders on a beautiful winter's day. I took the ride to Mangawhai Heads, with Wayne Painter as TEC.. At our first stop at Kaukapakapa, I encouraged riders who wanted to do some gravel to break away. Four did so, with Grant Douglas as RIC and Michael Davies as TEC. They headed off up Wharehine Road towards Port Albert.
While we were having our lunch at Mangawhai Heads, I got a text from Grant to say that after they were back on the tarmac, one rider had a puncture and they were doing a roadside repair. Half an hour later, three of them joined us for lunch. The rider with the puncture had decided to go home.
After lunch, most people went their separate ways. I took a group of six back via Tomerata Valley Road and Matakana Valley Road. A most enjoyable day out.
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Charlie Tee - 3 June
Seventeen riders today, and one more who came to the meeting point to socialise. Michael Davies led us to Scotts Landing via Kaukapakapa and Woodcocks Rd. Six of us walked over the causeway and around Casnell island. When we got back to the bikes, the others had gone off to lunch at Snells Beach, and we joined them there soon afterwards. The weather stayed fine, a perfect hibernal day.
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Charlie Tee - 2 June
Sixteen people on fifteen bikes today. Tony Kay led us to Raglan. The route was supposed to include Mercer Ferry Road, but the bridge over the Waikato River was closed for maintenance, so we detoured through Meremere Village and along Springhill, Whangamarino and Rodda roads instead to cross the river at Rangiriri. Then along Glen Murray Road, and down Highway 22.
On Ohautira Road, just after some roadworks, one rider stopped and waited for me. He said his bike was handling badly and he thought he might have a puncture. A kick of the tyres showed they were not seriously deflated, but his back tyre was covered in mud, and I suggested that might be the cause of his problem. He took off, and later told me he'd had no further problems. One of the easiest situations I've had to deal with as Tail-end Charlie.
A little further along, a rider found he had no one else in sight and feared he might have missed a corner marker. He made a U-turn, and soon after several of us saw him as we passed in opposite directions. I waited for him and heard his explanation of why he'd been going the wrong way. Being TEC is an easy job, today anyway!
A nice lunch at Raglan, with riders scattering between cafes and the bakery. Some made their own ways home. Tony led most of us back via Glen Afton and the west bank of the Waikato with a final farewell at Hampton Downs.
A great ride, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Rider in Charge (RIC) would appreciate all participants of rides to be at the departure point 10 minutes early with a full tank of gas. If the weather looks suspect then please phone the RIC or check out North Harbour Ulysses facebook page to see if the ride is postponed or cancelled.
The Rider in Charge will be organizing the day. Contact them for details. All riders participating in a Ulysses Ride are expected to hold a current motorcycle license, wear suitable clothing and to have a registered and warranted road-worthy bike.
The organizers and/or the Ulysses Club are not responsible for participants safety and all participants participate at their own risk.
All participants are aware that they are traveling on open public roads and are responsible for their own safety and compliance with all Rules and Laws.
Please check your runs list as some rides or destinations may have changed from initial calendar entry.
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2023 National AGM & Rally
Last Year the North Harbour Branch committed to organising & running the 2023 National AGM & Rally. The Branch Committee asked me to be the AGM Coordinator & nominated Steve Crow as Committee Liaison person, now we need to start putting together a sub-committee of branch members to organise individual parts of this important event.
From past experience we can expect between 350-400+ people attending many of them from other branches and requiring accommodation, I would like to be able to billet visitors with branch members so would need some-one to take on this responsibility as well as teeing up motels.
Also needed are; Assistant AGM Coordinator, Venue Liaison, Scribe, Treasurer, Sponsorship/Event Display Liaison, Transport Liaison person, Catering Liaison person, Gear Sales Person, Registration person, (would also need someone to help prepare the registration form to go on National Website) and finally some-one to look after entertainment. There may be other jobs created as time goes on.
I envisage these people being team leaders so they don’t carry the whole burden of their job by themselves and would also have a team member to continue in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Personally, I will be 80 by the AGM time and although I have no intention of taking my last ride before then, who knows??
If you think you have the skills and energy to be part of this exciting event please email me on 2023.ulysses.agm@gmail.com or phone me.
Wayne Painter #1756NZ L/M
National Vice President
(National Raffle Organiser)
2023 National AGM & Rally Coordinator.
2023.ulysses.agm@gmail.com
027 289 1018
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Trump's Chauffeur
Trump was touring the countryside in his chauffeur-driven limo, suddenly, a donkey jumps out onto the road, and they hit it full on and the car comes to a stop.
Trump said to the chauffeur: '’You get out and check, you were driving’’, the chauffeur gets out,checks and reports that the animal is dead.
'You were driving, go and tell the farmer', said Trump.
Hours later, the chauffeur returns totally plastered, hair ruffled with a big grin on his face.
'My god, what happened to you?' asks Trump .
The chauffeur replies: 'When I got there, the farmer opened his best bottle of whiskey, the wife gave me a slap-up meal and the daughter took me upstairs and made love to me.'
'What on earth did you say to them?' asks Trump.
I knocked on the door, and when it was answered, I said to them, I'm Trump's chauffeur and I've just killed the jackass.
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Trump Out for the Count
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told the President: "This morning, 3 Brazilians were killed by Covid-19."
Trump's face went egg-shell white with shock. The blood drained from his face and to everyone’s amazement he collapsed on the floor.
Minutes passed and to everyone’s relief President Trump got up shakily and then sat back on his chair.
His staff was nothing less than stunned at this display of emotion from their President, nervously watching as he sits, head in hands, waiting for him to faint again.
Finally, the President looks up and with a shaky quivering voice asks Dr Fauci, "How many people is a brazillion?"
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Linda Bleasedale is our Welfare Officer so if you know of a Branch Member who is sick, injured or in need of help from the Branch please contact Linda on
Mobile 021 503 101
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Our Club Insurances have been renewed again for the coming year with AON.
Please note, our insurer has made particular mention that we communicate to all members that in the event of a incident that may require activating our insurance policy that the insured party (that's all of us as members of the Club) does NOT admit liability for, or settle any claim or incur any defence costs without the prior written consent of the insurer (that's AON). In other words admit nothing and immediately advise Natcom of the situation.
This information is posted on the links page of the Club website.
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ULYSSES 2016
INSURANCE SCHEME
FROM 1 MARCH 2016
AON has a New Policy Wording with a New Underwriter:
In collaboration with NZI, Aon has a new improved policy wording for Motorcycles. This Prestige Motorcycle Policy gives you the best of the best in cover for all types of On-Road Motorcycles including 3 wheelers, Off-Road Motorcycles including Quad Bikes, Competition Motorcycles (not covered whilst racing), Motorcycle Collections and Classic/Vintage Motorcycles. A new policy wording will be sent out shortly.
Some of the BENEFITS:
New replacement Motorcycle if a total loss occurs within 12 months of the insured motorcycle being first registered as a new Motorcycle up to 20,000km – this increases to 24 months and 30,000km for Ulysses Members.
Windscreen/shield, headlights or tail lights covered – Nil excess
Roadside Assistance is now provided on comprehensively covered motorcycles by
FIRST ASSISTANCE – 0800 120 102
AUTOMATIC RIDING APPAREL cover - $5,000 (indemnity value) any one claim per year.
Option to have REPLACEMENT RIDING APPAREL cover - $5,000 (REPLACEMENT value) any one claim per year. Premium for Ulysses Members $50 plus GST. (Normally $75+GST)
DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS – Age Discounts, Multiple Bike Discount (conditions apply), Loyalty Discounts, Trike Discounts, Named Rider Discounts and the Restricted Usage Discount – this is now based on riding less than 7,500km per year, per bike! (was 5,000km)
LOWER EXCESSES – The standard policy excess is now $250 (plus underage excesses applying), $500 theft excess and on approved track days a $750 excess only will apply.
RIDE FOREVER If you complete a Ride Forever training course, provide us with your certificate and we will apply a NIL excess for one claim within 12 months of completing this course.
Call us on 0800 65 62 64 and ask for Leonie, Annaliese or Brandon if you have any queries.
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ASURE Accommodation Group www.asurestay.com
Welcome to ASURE Accommodation Group – a nationwide group of motels, motor inns, motor lodges and apartments strategically placed throughout New Zealand, offering you quality, affordable accommodation.
A 10% discount is available to all Ulysses Club Members for bookings made online on www.asurestay.com using the promo code Ulysses
In addition, all members are eligible to receive our ASURE Loyalty Programme – stay at three or more ASURE properties and receive $100 off your tenth night stay.
Completed loyalty cards must be redeemed direct with the ASURE property and cannot be redeemed online.
Terms & Conditions: Discount available on room only, excludes public holidays and special events and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion.
You will need to enter your Ulysses Club membership card number to complete your booking – see screenshots below, and you will need your card when you arrive at the accommodation.
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StraitNZ has provided us with the following discount for members using the Bluebridge – this promotion runs through until 30 September 2019, although there are some peak dates (highlighted below) when it cannot be used.
The Club’s promo code is ULYSSES10
Full details / terms and conditions are:
• The 10% discount only applies to Ulysses club members.
• Upon check-in all passengers must provide proof they are part of the Ulysses club. Failure to do so will result in a fare difference being required to be paid prior to boarding.
• Travel exclusions: 15 December to 15 January and Easter weekend including Thursday before Good Friday and Tuesday after Easter Monday.
• The discount applies to all available fare types and cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offer.
• The deal can only be redeemed via the Bluebridge passenger service and does not apply to any Travel company or freight bookings.
• Standard fare terms and conditions apply.
• To take advantage of the special fares above simply contact us to make a reservation and quote ' ULYSSES10’. Alternatively you can book online by entering the following promo code: ULYSSES10. Please remember that you must present your official forms confirming you are related to the club.
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Members Free Ads
Space here for Members advert. Please include Your name and membership number.
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Proud Sponsors of the Ronnie Run
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Paul Gallagher # 3266
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Steve Brackenridge
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Ben Becker
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Any views or opinions presented in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the North Harbour Ulysses Branch Committee.
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Copyright © 2019 Ulysses Club North Harbour Branch, All rights reserved.
You are on this list by being a member of Ulysses NZ with an interest in the North Harbour Branch
Our mailing address is:
Ulysses Club North Harbour Branch
PO Box 100054
North Shore Mail
Auckland, 0745
New Zealand
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