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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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Riding After Lockdown
Riding a motorcycle is a learned skill.
No one is born being able to ride a motorcycle although there are those talented individuals (Messrs. Rossi and Marquez, for example) who excel beyond what others believe is possible but they are the exception, not the norm!
As with all skills, they have to be learned then constantly practiced and honed until each individual reaches the top of their individual talent. Perhaps that is why sportsmen and women study, train, practice and then practice again? To remain at an achieved level, the skill has to be constantly practiced. So as motorcyclists we choose to ride and we do so according to the level of our skill and ability. Some of us seek expert , professional or mentored guidance and training. Some of us rely on learning from our mistakes but that can be short lived! Others maybe listen to 'canteen chat' and form opinions on what they hear and decide whether they implement what they have heard. (Not a great way to do it, either!).
Whichever way you, as an individual learned (and for some, keep learning) your skill which got you to the level of ability you were at pre lockdown; there can be no doubt that the Covid 19 virus will have taken its toll on your level of skill when you ride your motorbike for the first time afterwards! (For those who have commuted on a motorbike throughout lookdown perhaps less so?) You are likely to feel rusty! You will need to resume your personal relationship with your machine again, you'll need to relearn the machines idiosyncrasies, the way it handles and how your suspension and other settings make the bike behave. As a regular rider you will have mentally identified these things, processed them and dealt with them so they are incorporated in your riding style and the way you handle and 'feel' your bike when riding. An absence of 5, 6 or 7 weeks will have numbed those feelings and memories and you will need to be aware that you have to reacquaint yourself with both your bike and your riding skill.
I have been able to ride once during lockdown recently, when I used my Honda Hornet to deliver hand sanitizer to the elderly and vulnerable, for a charity for which I work, which was deemed an essential journey. It was about 180km in total visiting several premises, all contactless. Even though I was mentally prepared for the need to get back 'in the groove', I was startled by how much work I had to do to get rid of the rust in my riding which had accumulated over the previous 5 weeks! It was probably not until the third and final hour of the journey that I began to feel even vaguely in tune with my bike and my lines were nothing to write home about!
Now the purpose of this article is not to talk about training (although I do advocate that none of us are good enough riders that we couldn't improve with a little bit of professional coaching! ) It is to alert or remind you of the potential extra risk we are all subject to when we get back on to our bikes after an extended (whether force able of otherwise)period of not riding. In addition to checking your bike over before riding after a long layoff, you need to consciously consider your mental approach too. Even regular commuters will need to deal with extra traffic once lockdown is over, which has been very light day to day for the many weeks of lockdown. It is recommended by professionals that your first ride should be on your own, regardless of the fact that we are eager to ride with our mates again. It should be of 20-30 minutes and relatively local. Giving you a chance, following a static check, to assess your bike to ensure everything is operating as it should. Staying local makes sense really, just in case. And if you choose a favourite road or one you are familiar with, don't try or expect to ride it as you used to, or know you can! Your skill levels will undoubtedly have dropped and you won't know if anything has happened to the road, its surface or possibly its layout whilst you have been 'off the road'.
Please, when you get back on your bike for the first time after this prolonged absence, have a conscious think about your bikes condition, your condition and your approach to the ride! We all want to get back to where we were with our riding but it won't happen immediately and it will take a bit of work! I, for one, as soon as I can will be carrying out another RideForEver Gold course, not just because I want to save $100 on my rego (which I most certainly do!) but to get professional eyes on my riding and for help to get my skills back to pre lockdown levels. Stay safe (both riding and from Covid 19) and stay well.
Don't forget I can help you with finding appropriate coaching for your level of riding which I'm positive you would find enjoyable and rewarding! Just ask!
Barry Holland. Committee Member for Rider Training.
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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 Bottle Caps
Save your bottle tops from your wine bottles and bring along to each monthly meeting. These get passed onto Lions Club who collect as a fundraiser for Child Dialysis. Get your local restaurant on board and have them keep the bottle tops for you.
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19 May Charlie Tee
We had more than 20 riders turn up for today's ride, so we split into three groups. Two of the groups, led by Sig Falkenhaug and Lou Waller, went via different routes to Nikau Caves. I led the third group, taking six riders to Whangamata. A beautiful autumnal day, sunny and calm, and warm enough that having a picnic lunch at the beach was most pleasant. We all thoroughly enjoyed the twisty roads over Kopu hill and back through Waihi. Thanks to Mike Potter for being my TEC.
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20 May Charlie Tee
Another lovely autumnal day. We had fourteen riders, and a couple more came to socialise. I arranged two groups right from the start, one to go to Langs Beach, and another organised by Robert Bissett, who decided to go to Marsden Point. Eight of us were in the former group, and Ben Becker led us. We made a comfort stop at Kaukapakapa, during which the other group passed us, and later we passed them when they stopped at Wellsford!
Langs Beach was where Ian Shiels had a bach, so as we ate our picnic lunch on the beach he must have known well, we shared our memories of him. One of the riders from the other group joined us a little later. As he had attended Ian's service last Friday, he was able to add more details about his life we were not familiar with.
After lunch, we made our own ways home. Three of us did some easy gravel along Tara Road between Mangawhai Heads and Kaiwaka along the way.
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20 May Rob Bissett
We started out as seven, but 1 rider took off in a different direction so 6 of us headed up SH16 Harry Handley took us to Walkworth as RIC Harry decided to leave us at this point with two others saying they were heading home so we had lunch in a Cafe and then headed back down SH1 all in all it was a nice day out I'm sure we will get to Marsden Point on a later ride., as usual I was TEC, it was great to be out riding again.
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26 May Charlie Tee
Seven riders today, so no need to split into two groups! Tony Kay took us to Waitakaruru. There we discussed where to go to for lunch, and agreed on Turua because the bakery there does good pies. A good day out, with a bit of fog but no rain.
Since the planned ride didn't happen last Sunday, next Tuesday we'll use that ride plan and go to Raglan. Long-range forecast looks good.
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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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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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