Motorbike club conference provides local tourism boost
Wednesday March 3, 2010
Ulysses Club members Steve and Barbie Bishop were two of the hundreds of riders that stopped in Cobar over the past week on their way to the Ulysses annual general meeting in Albany, WA. Steve and Barbie made the 1,500km trip from their home at Armstrong Beach, near Mackay in Queensland to Cobar in approximately four days. A former coal miner, Steve jumped at the opportunity to take a tour of CSA Mine, which he described as “very different” to what he was used to. The pair have spent a few days in Cobar
catching up with friends, and took a number of locals for a joyride around town on their unique ‘Ozzie’ trike. They said the long trip has been made a little more comfortable with their special motorbike camper trailer which is the size of a queen size bed.
Cobar has welcomed a steady stream of motorcyclists through town in the past week as members of the national Ulysses Club make their way to Western Australia.
The national motorcycle enthusiasts club is holding its annual general meeting in Albany, WA, and many members have taken some extra time to make the big trip by motorcycle.
Cobar’s location along the route to Albany has made it a popular stopover for many Ulysses members this week.
Up to 5,000 members are expected to travel to Albany, meaning a major tourism boost for towns along the route, such as Cobar.
Many have stayed for at least one night in Cobar, as well as spending money on fuel, food and souvenirs.
This year’s Ulysses AGM is hosted by the Rainbow Coast Riders and begins next week.
The AGM started out as an overnight camping trip and has now grown to be a week long major event, which attracts trade displays from major motorcycle manufacturers and more, as well as a grand parade through the host town.
The Ulysses Club was started in the early 1980s for motorcyclists aged over 50, and has grown to include 120 branches nationwide (plus some overseas affiliated branches).
The group also takes part in a number of charitable activities.
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