The East Gippsland Ride Group of Ulysses started in the mind of the late Don Cameron before he moved from Metung to Maffra. Following the Wagga Wagga AGM, Mal McKenzie got hold of a membership book and wrote a letter to the Ulyssians listed from Rosedale to the NSW border, inviting all to a BYO, BBQ and meeting at Eagle Point in October 1988, to gauge interest in forming a ride group in our area.

Col Lestrange from Maffra (a member of Melbourne Branch) willing "chaired" the get together and our ride group was born. Those present felt that the more informal and relaxed we could keep it the better and it was decided that we should :-

* set a permanent ride date of the third Sunday in each month & incorporate an informal meeting on each ride
* have a monthly newsletter
* all pay $10.00 to cover "production" costs (and still only $15 in 2006)
* NOT HAVE RULES.

The general consensus was that our bikes offered a means of temporary escape from the "normal" control that time, work and commitments had on our lives, and the unanimous opinion was that for our ride group to survive it had to be informal and unstructured as possible.

Twelve months later a discussion was held on where and how the group was going/heading. It was decided that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and to keep going with the flow. With all the rides it was felt that we needed to make sure that all bikes are running, we should just keep things going as they are with a ride leader and a tail end Charlie and occasionally let it all out as we have in the past. The KISS (keep it simple stupid) principal should continue to apply. The other eggstremely important thing to remember is that we are all responsible for our own actions, and our prowess with the throbbing monsters between our legs is something only the one with the throb can judge.

We still enjoy a membership of 70-80 bikers. The group has generally derived its direction and ride calendar from the input of those members who are able to attend each ride, as well as the occasional phone call to and from those fortunate enough to have landed the totally voluntary job of getting the Newsletter to us.

Unfortunately Don Cameron passed away on the Thursday just prior to the realisation of our group. Many others have participated and enjoyed a relaxed social environment within the East Gippsland Ride Group since we started and I am confident many more will as the years continue to pass.

Keep it up and keep it safe . . . Mal