Riding is all about the Journey
Our Background
Why the name Ulysses?
"Ulysses" describes the spark for adventure which you seek through riding motorcycles.
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The name comes from a poem of the same title by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It tells the tale of the great Greek hero Ulysses, now middle-aged and securely in charge of his kingdom of Ithaca, who is becoming bored in retirement and longs to go adventuring again with his shipmates of old.
Sound familiar? It describes very well the sort of person who still has enough spark to go on riding into middle and later years.
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The aims of the club
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To provide ways in which older motorcyclists can get together for companionship and mutual support.
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To show by example that motorcycling can be an enjoyable and practical activity for riders of all ages.
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To draw the attention of public and private institutions to the needs and views of riders over the age of 40.
How did Ulysses Club begin?
Ulysses Club Inc. is a social club for motorcyclists over the age of 40. The original suggestion for the club was put forward in a letter by Stephen Dearnley, published in the August 1983 issue of Bike Australia.
Stephen had initially responded to some comments by 'Wrench McTaggart', aka Grant Roff, who had suggested to an over 50's rider; "Hasn't anyone ever told you about growing old gracefully ..."
This drew two significant responses: one from Rob Hall, a reader at Albion Park NSW, who suggested the present name and motto for the club: the other from Peter Thoeming, then the editor of Bike Australia. It was Peter who sketched the logo and offered support from his magazine if Stephen could get the club off the ground. This was done at an inaugural meeting in Sydney on 6th December, 1983, when the five founding members approved a basic constitution and the Ulysses Club was duly formed.
The concept of over 50's only lasted three short months and from that point on Ulysses Club became a social club for motorcyclists over the age of 40. From that tenuous beginning it has never looked back, and the club now boasts a large and extensive network of members throughout Australia and Internationally.