Marlborough Branch Committee Members
Kelvin Watson
When did you first start riding motorcycles and what did you learn to ride on ?
Nearly 50 years ago. I rode a 55cc Yamaha Step Thru in those early years.
What do you ride now ?
Can Am Spyder RSS SE5
Will you keep this motorcycle for a long time or are you looking towards trading up regularly ?
Hopefully I can keep riding the Spyder into my 80"s.
What is your favourite motorcycle ride and why?
Through the Buller Gorge and down the West Coast of the South Island. Great roads, best scenery and seems like somewhere else in the world.
What made you decide to join the Ulysses and when did you join the Marlborough branch?
The love of motorcycle riding and the friendships I have made since being a member from 1996. 16+ years.
What is your favourite thing about living in Marlborough ?
The climate, sunshine and great weather we have here in Marlborough.
Why did you decide to join the committee ?
To help keep the club up and running, after a break for a number years.
Tim Wills
Tim what first sparked your interest in Motorbikes?
When I was very young one of my friends Dad had a Harley with straight pipes, I liked the sound and look of it. Also I rode my friends Benallie 50 when I was 9 years old and was hooked since then.
What was the first bike you owned? A Yamaha TY50 Trial bike
Other bikes you have owned since then?
Yamaha DT100 - Honda XL250 - Honda XR250 - Honda Rebel 250 - Honda CBX 400 supersport - Honda CB 750 - Honda XR 185 - Suzuki GN250 - Suzuki DRZ400 - 2 x Harley sportsters - Harley wide glide & Harley Fatboy.
What are you riding now?
A Harley Davidson Fatboy In an ideal world.
What would be your "dream machine"?
My Harley Davidson Fatboy Any memorable moments/trips you can share with the readers? A few years back John King and I were having a couple of beers watching Top Gear when we came up with a challenge for ourselves to find a bike and resurrect it for the Brass Monkey Rally. We found a Honda CX500 in the back of Johns shed and with minimal work the CX was on the road and with no time to test it, we were off. With a fuel stop in Kaikoura and many packs of oil later we made it as far as Waipara where the CX decided it had had enough and blew up. With a lot of help from friends and other helpful motorcyclists we made it to the Brass (minus the CX), where John sold the CX500 for a profit and the new owner even picked it up from Waipara! A long pillion ride home in one day. What an awesome weekend!
What brought you to join the Ulysses Club?
Me getting older and the great friends and the events that the Ulysses do.
Melissa Wills
When did you first start riding motorcycles?
My husband Tim taught me how to ride his Honda rebel 250 I thought it was really awesome it took me to 2006 to get my first motorcycle Suzuki GN250 and get my licence. Since then I have had a Harley Davidson 1200 which I sold I still have my GN250.
What made you decide to join the Ulysses club?
Once I hit 40 I joined up I really enjoy the rides the people and the rallies.
Why did you decide to join the Committee?
I got talked into it!
Wayne Brock
John Sinclair
When did you first start riding motorcycles and what did you learn to ride on?
1965 on a Victa 50 followed soon after by a Zundap.
What do you ride now?
2019 Suzuki Vstrom DL1000
Will you keep this motorcycle for a long time or are you looking towards trading up regularly?
Seem to always be looking, but probably stick to the Vstrom for a while yet.
What has been your favourite motorcycle ride and why?
Adventure riding throughout late 1990s and 2000s. All brilliant rides
What made you decide to join the Ulysses and when did you join the Marlborough Branch?
2015 because I was old enough!!
What is your favourite thing about living in Marlborough?
Climate and the people.
Why did you decide to join the committee?
It was easier than saying no. Everybody has got to be somewhere - and I am passionate about the Club and its success.
Jock Woodley
What are you riding just now?
Suzuki RGV250 and BMW 1150 RT. The RGV for fun and fast....and wheelies, the Beemer also fun and fast when on my own but respectfully more sedate when Cath and I go on amazing rides.
What has been a favourite ride?
Too many to list but enjoyed riding the RGV Blenheim to Christchurch via the Lewis Pass. Wet or Fine. Amazing fun with lovely scenery.
When and Why did you join Ulysses?
Joined Ulysses not sure how many years ago now, because I want to put something back into motorcycling, I see Ulysses as one way of doing that, along with involvement I still have with road racing clubs within N.Z.
What's so great about living in Marlborough?
Marlborough has it all for me, Family, fishing, diving, hunting, motorbikes, sun and surf.....everything I need. Awesome place.
Why did you join the Committee? What are you hoping to achieve?
Joined the committee to try and help where there was a lack of younger members lining up to join. What I hope to achieve is to try and help get more younger members in to compliment our current awesome membership and bring some more enthusiasm and excitement in the club and have the membership get more involved/engaged in club and events, and try to help re-vitalise the branch so we are more dynamic, exciting and recognised for all the different sorts of motorcycling experience we have within our membership. A problem we have in all ares in N.Z. Is fading membership and enthusiasm.
Andy Noble
#9978
My riding days started in the mid 60’s on a B31 BSA 350cc which then progressed to a G80 500cc Matchless with a few more bikes after that before changing to cars as a young motor Mechanic.
Then there was quite a gap from motor cycling with family and running a business taking priority.
Then in 2010 my son Craig suggested I buy his Bandit 1200 and get back into motor cycling again and that I should ride with him to our first Burt Munro event as he had upgraded to another bike.
Well that lit the fire and I was hooked.
Whilst talking with a local Ulyssian member he suggested I come on one of the Thursday Rides or (Retreads Rides) as it is called and see how I liked it. Met a great bunch of friendly guys and girls who have a lot of banter to give and receive, “I fit right in."
I was approached or should I say (ambushed) in the car park one morning by some committee members and am now with them on the committee.
We are very fortunate to have similar ideas and get on very well which I think is very important for a Committee to function properly .
Neil Dixon
I moved to Blenheim and was on the lookout for a Motorcycle Club to join. I researched online and found that the Ulysses Club suited my needs best. I attended a couple of Thursday rides and joined not long after. I enjoy the friendship and the way that everyone is keen to help one another out should the need arise. I now serve on the Branch Committee and edit the Monthly Newsletter. My current bike is a Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro.
Phil Bishell
When did you first start riding motorcycles and what did you learn on?
50 years ago I bought a 1973 Honda 50 super sport, then Honda CB 350, then Honda four, then Honda CB 350, then Suzuki TS 185, then SX 650 Yamaha, then Suzuki GSX 750, then Honda CB 750 and presently I ride Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 1200 and are still learning. I have done my share of rallies in the top half of the South Island and West Coast and a ventured a few into the North Island also spent three or four years riding a TS 185 Suzuki in the Boys College motorcycle club with John Sinclair who was the leader and is on our committee so covered lots of Marlborough and saw some great places with all the boys and Dads what a great experience. ( tail in Charlie )
What made you join the Ulysses motorcycle club?
I joined the Ulysses club many moons ago but work and family commitments put a hold on that, now I am semi retired back with new bike and new number, look forward to our Thursday rides ( Retreads ) and Saturday coffees, not only do I get to ride motorcycles but get to meet a great bunch of people.