Lismore is this week hosting motorcycle enthusiasts from all around Australia, as The Ulysses Club holds its National Rally. The Ulysses Club is an Australian motorcycle club for riders over the age of 40.

There have been over 720 registrations for the event, which is creating a big boost for businesses in Lismore, and in the villages.

The event is based out of the Lismore Showgrounds, with most people camping on-site. There are meetings, workshops and dinners hosted there each day, with a range of coordinated rides and activities also being held throughout the town.

The view from above the showground (Photo by Westpac Rescue Helicopter)

The Lismore App caught up with Rally Secretary, Colleen Gaudron, about how the event has been going this week.

“It's been going brilliantly, very minimal issues that have come up, and everyone's having a great time,” she said.

“This week we've had five different rides going out in various different directions - there's been one out through the Nimbin region, there's one been on a scenic route, we had an adventure ride through some of the more complex riding areas - so they've all been enjoying that.”

“We've had a Red Faces competition each night, we've had entertainers in each night as well, so that gives our members something to do while they're here and on-site as well.”

After a difficult year for the community, the Showground site is currently full, and in great condition.

This Saturday the action moves to the Lismore CBD, with a Grand Parade, Civic Ceremony and a Show and Shine event.

“This is going to be our biggest day, we'll kick the day morning off with the Grand Parade, leaving Krauss Avenue at nine o'clock… and will finish at about 9.30am at Oaks Oval.”

“We will have a Civic Ceremony on Oaks Oval there, we will be announcing the winner of our Motorcycle Apprentice of the Year, and then we will have some announcements around our Research Foundation for Arthritis as well.”

“It will be a bit of a thank you to the community, we leave that and go to our AGM in the afternoon, and then once that's finished, we're back here for our gala dinner to finish the event off at the Showground.

The Grand Parade will begin at 9am from the Lismore Showground, making its way through South Lismore, North Lismore, over the bridges into Woodlark Street and into Oakes Oval.

“Magellan Street, from Dawson Street down is going to be closed off, just for the morning for us to line our bikes up.”

“Our local community can come in and have a bit of a look run through there as well, and they are all welcome to come and be part of the civic ceremony too.”

The event has provided a significant boost to the local economy, with attendees spending money on accommodation, food, and other services.

The Lismore App spoke with a number of businesses who said they have had riders shopping and eating in the stores and cafes all week.

Secretary of the North Coast National A & I Society, Mark Sollom said it has been a fantastic week for the community, and the Showground.

“We're so happy to have the Ulysses Motorcycle Club here,” he said.

“They all look to be enjoying themselves while getting around town, in different shops in the villages - there's this hum of motorcycles all around the place, which is really good.”

“They're lovely people, they're having a good time, and they're allowing what we do at the Showgrounds to happen.”

“We're making good memories together and I think they'll all have happy memories of Lismore once they leave.”

For more information on the event, you can visit their website for all the details: https://www.ulysses.org.au/UC/Public/News/National_Rally/2022/2022_-_National_Rally_-_Warwick.aspx.