The Ulysses Club of motorcycle lovers are more interested in fundraising than hellraising, writes PHILIP COGGAN.

There’s something about a motorbike. It’s the freedom, the James Dean feeling, the horizons unrolling forever. A lot of us did it when we were young, but then we grew up and put the helmet away, thinking that motorbikes are for kids. But there’s still something about a gleaming BMW that turns heads and hearts. So if you’re an old ex-bike-rider, with secret yearnings, the Ulysses Club is probably for you.

The club was founded by Stephen Dearnley, who is a remarkable man. After spending the war in minesweepers and submarines he came out to Australia and ran Collins publishing, commuting round Sydney on a Honda 250. Then a Moto Guzzi, (Italian, very chic), then a BMW. Then he retired.

Unwilling to give up his bikes and grow old gracefully, Stephen decided there must be others out there just like him. The inaugural meeting of the Ulysses Club, (motto: ‘Grow Old Disgracefully’), at a Sydney pub in December 1983, drew a crowd of just five people. A man who has had his minesweeper sunk from under him wasn't going to be put off by that. The First Annual General Meeting was held in February 1984, with 17 people attending. At the second, in Tumut in 1985, there were 72, and at the third (Tenterfield, 1986) 140. “Suddenly we knew we’d hit a lode nobody knew existed, of older people who felt it wasn't stupid to get on a bike again.”

Ulysses, of course, was the ancient Greek hero who offended the gods and was condemned to wander the Mediterranean, meeting interesting people. When he finally made it home, he found himself unwilling to spend the rest of his life mowing the lawn. “Tho’ much is taken, much abides,” said Ulysses, and went back to his boat.

Today there are more than 25,000 Ulysseans in 120 branches. They are definitely not (repeat, not) into black leather and beer guts and tattoos. They tend to spend money on their bikes, for a start. BMWs and Goldwings are not uncommon at the AGMs. (A Goldwing, in case you don’t know, is not so much a motorbike as a lounge chair on wheels – it even has a CD player built in).

Interesting people join Ulysses - people like Pro Hart, although he’s not so active now. I went to the monthly meeting of the ACT branch at the Canberra RSL. Canberra was where the most recent AGM was held, and 5,000 members turned up. The next will be in Ulverston in Tasmania in March 2006. Anyway, here at the monthly meeting there were about 40 members, having a drink and a plate of chicken. I sat with Derek, Margaret, Jan and Butch. Derek works in the public service (well, this is Canberra), Margaret is in child care, Jan is a business manager and Butch is a truck driver.

What do they do in Ulysses? They go on the rides. There are 400 members in the Canberra branch, with club rides twice a month and mid-week events, graded for skill. Next Sunday there is a barbecue lunch ride to Tidbinbilla Tracking Station, which is just outside town, where there will be a presentation on the Ulysses Satellite, which is just outside Jupiter. Not that all rides are a doddle. The biggest upcoming event is a 500km excursion to Talbingo. There are 50-plus rides a year, catering for all tastes and levels.

Derek and Margaret and Jan and Butch are fun to talk with, and I get the feeling they have a lot of fun on the rides.

In the meeting they all talk about charity. The Ulysses Club supports the Arthritis Research Taskforce. And tonight there’s a cheque for $4,000 for the ACT Helicopter Rescue Service. Then they discuss upcoming events, such as the Ulverstone AGM, a Christmas bush dance, and the anniversary dinner.

In 1999 Stephen Dearnley, ex-submariner, retired publisher, and founder of the Ulysses Club was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. At the age of 80 or thereabouts, he rode a motor scooter right round Australia, and he still rides his Burgman 250 scooter almost every day.

And tho'
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are.

Who can join?
Any lady or gentleman who is over the age of 40, and who holds a current motorcycle licence, or who is a regular partner of such a person, is eligible to join. Until you reach the grand old age of 50, you will be a junior member, but with full membership rights and privileges. Three-year membership is $60, plus a one-time joining fee of $20.

Key contact

Call Wendy Thompson on 1300 134123 or email Ulysses Club.

The Ulysses Club website has contact details for each of the 120 branches.

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