SADSAC: Sale to Marley Point 03 February.

The first ride for the SADSAC calendar was most successful. Twenty or so riders enjoyed rather kind riding conditions for the run to Marley Point and return. As expected the weather was fine with a persistent, though tolerable, headwind on the return leg.
The group included most of the regulars with a couple of returned riders in Phillip and Norm Hide as well as Tim, Colin and Danielle from the valley. One of our regular riders had been promoted recently with Dennis being named Citizen of the Year (Stratford division) in the recent Australia Day Honors.
Back to the ride, almost all of the riders had been made aware of the route change with the exception of Dave Urie. Luckily he responded to the lack of attendance at Maffra and, through the wonders of modern science, established that the ride had relocated and was only 5 or so minutes behind the main bunch. His ability to catch the group was no doubt aided by his Christmas present of a new Rubais. Santa's generosity did not stop there as a number of new machines made an appearance. As expected the run out to the lake was rather easy with a following breeze. The lunch itself was very relaxing by the beach and the group did not seem to be in a hurry to head back. Shirley's carrot cake and biscuits added significantly to the mood.
The run back to Sale was not as easy due to the steady headwind although the odd change of route direction gave some relief. The final couple of hundred metres included a dash for the line instigated by the club's senior member. As is usual for such an occurrence the result was left unresolved.
A great start to the year.

Cruising the Heart Hall

Citizen of the Year

Pleasant day out

Rather be sailing?

Final re-group

Who says times are tough 

TRAMPS: Traralgon Meals on Wheels 27 January

The hope that the first Tramps ride for the year would break the long dry spell almost came off. The day did, however, turn out fine with mild temperatures. A strong turnout of twenty-nine riders made the most of the conditions and the ride format for a most pleasant ride.
The backup was somewhat more substantial than normal with Peter running the catering, ably assisted at lunch by Victoria (Helen's daughter). The standard support driver was none other than Richard of Thoms Bridge fame. It was good to see Richard back on his feet if not his bike. Hopefully the latter will occur in the not too distant future.
The ride itself was a rather easy distance to start off the year. The first leg was the longest with the run out to Koornalla only interrupted by a short break at Traralgon South. The morning tea stop at Koornalla was set in the new rest area with coffee and cakes for the team. The second leg also included a stop at Traralgon South, by this stage some explanation was required for the new folk that this format was not standard.
The short run on to the Loy Yang Rest Area brought us up to lunch. The catering officer had managed, by methods unknown to most, to time our arrival to the minute such that the cooked lunch was ready to eat.
After a hearty meal, complete with classy punch and more cake, it was back on the bike for the easy run back to the start. It was then on to coffee or ice-cream. It was indeed an extravagant start to the ride program. Not the meal from the hospital that the name would indicate.
I suspect that future rides will be more of the pedaling and less of the eating.

first TLS stop

explaining electrical theory

coffee and cake stop Koornalla

old and new faces on the day

cooks and customers

mastermind stumped again