Page 5 - NZ Ulyssian December

PAUL LANCE
ULYSSIAN EDITOR
EDITORIAL

stuff. t’s with sadness that I write this, my
Whether you take your motivation fi nal editorial or the lyssian. e
from a challenge or from the people unfortunately after 9 years of putting
around you, matters not a jot to me. As Ithe club’s quarterly magazine together, Last day for
long as you keep taking your motivation I decided to call time on what has been submissions for
and using it to drive on, in life, in the an enjoyable relationship. The decision
club or wherever else your passion lies. wasn’t an easy one to make, especially the next Ulyssian
Lockdowns won't win, governments as I’ve enjoyed my time reading the many
magazine is
won't win, Covid won't win, people will supplied articles, talking with members
win. and going on rides. But as is often the February 4,
From the people I stay in touch with case when reaching a milestone birthday
regularly around the country, I can see awo e one ornin to the bi fi e oh a 2022
that the spirit of the club is still alive and long hard look at my lifestyle dictated that
well even if the social side has a dose of the sensible option was to cut back on my
o id fi nd your oti ation sti with it workload and attempt to spend less time
and we'll have a beer when we get out sitting in front of three computer screens Branch who are incredibly active in
the other side. and more time sitting behind a set of organising rides to weird and wonderful
handlebars. It’s a common misconception destinations. The roads I’ve discovered
PS. I now class the pushy young that the editor of a motorcycle magazine since following Trevor on his Bonne
Coordinator as a dear friend. would simply spend every day riding bikes. have been mind-boggling, especially
The reality is stress, long hours, deadlines considering I thought I knew my way
Ride Bikes, have fun, look out for each and more stress, with the occasional bike around the local area having lived and
other. riding which isn’t all that relaxing when you ridden here for 20 years. Seems you’re
know there’s a computer waiting for you to never to old to learn new routes, new
Tiny’ Tim Stewart #8959 write 2000 words when you get home. tricks and excellent destinations. We’ve
National President, Ulysses Club NZ Breaking the news to Tiny was tough, done gravel, done a bit of walking and
inc but I’m happy to say he understood the sight-seeing, eaten plenty of pies and
decision. And with a committee dedicated drunk a lot of coffee. I also got to meet
to making the Ulysses Club bigger and some interesting and colourful bikers from
better, swapping up the creation of the all walks of life, which has to be at the
club’s magazine, will I’m sure, make the foundation of what makes the Ulysses club
publication better than ever before. so good.
Tiny asked me to comment a bit on our One trip does stand out from them all, and
involvement with the Ulysses over the that was to meet an eccentric character in
years, and I guess the underlying feeling Taupo who creates things out of stuff. Well,
I have looking back is of the articles okay, I’m under-selling it here slightly. This
Club members checking out a rather supplied by members about their trips guy was incredible, with a shed like I’ve
intersting motorcycle... and travels – even from around the world, never seen before. Greeted by a life-sized
remember when Dalek as I walked in the door, the fact he’d
we could do that! made two enormous, working motorcycles
Quite often I’d make from old diesel engines and bits he had
notes of the places laying about was bonkers. And that he’d
members had been, ridden them down Taupo’s main street was
seen and stayed with even better!
the conviction to get Finally, I’d like to say thank you to Tiny, the
there and do it myself. committee and you, the members for all
Obviously, I never got the support we’ve received over the years.
there as I was stuck I’ll still be on rides, hopefully more now and
in an o fi e but looking slightly less stressed.
planning on changing Ride safe.
that soon! Paul
In recent years I’ve had
the pleasure on riding For all contributions to the Ulyssian,
regularly with the local please now use the new email:
Waihi Thames Valley editor@ulysses.org.nz

Ulyssian DECEMBER 2021 | 5