TRAMPS: Morwell - Morwell National Park 05 May

A good number of riders fronted at Morwell for what turned out to be a fine but cool day.
The club's ride co-ord was in attendance but after learning of his new temporary residence status I fear he will not be able to benefit too often from all the hard work he put into planning the current routes. Hopefully he will be able to return to this state on a more permanent basis in the not too distant future.
The route on the day was reasonably flat for the first 20 odd kilometres before heading off into the foothills of the Strzelecki Range. As per my suspicion the lunch stop was at the National Park. After a reasonable climb we arrived at the picnic spot to find it almost deserted. As it turned out the other visitors were Jos and Rhonda joining us for lunch. I noted that the club table is put to work on every ride now. It does free up the existing tables for the riders I must admit. After a relaxing lunch aided by some rather delicious offerings from the Maurice (although I prefer the BMC version) Team we were ready for stage two.
The first kilometre after lunch was the steepest of the day and a few started the ride home with a walk. Once at the high point it was a quick downhill plunge to the flatlands near the pondage. A short climb to Churchill had us into the slightly bumpy ground prior to the final run home to the carpark. As a number of riders had made their way to the start under their own steam, they were given a small shortcut to the after ride coffee stop, read McDonald's. The rest returned to the car park to record an enjoyable ride in the mid fifties.
This was my first National Park loop and I regard it as a ride quite suitable to introduce new riders to the club. The hills were not too taxing and the roads reasonably quiet. A good day of riding.

Skirting the pondage

Almost at lunch

Rhonda and table

How good is this?

Ride leader instructions

Regroup at main road

SADSAC: Fernbank - Den of Nargun 28 April

The day turned out as one of the best, weather wise, for those who made the long trek to Fernbank for the ride to the Den. Some even managed to combine the ride with a bush walk with the local Ben Cruchan club.
The couple chose to stay the night in Fernbank in their new? mobile home. Madie and Trevor conducted tours of the bus prior to the ride. We also had Linden who had traveled up from the valley. All up the count was fourteen. I was a bit surprised at the number of ten speed racing bikes in attendance as the ride had 10 km of dirt, standard unknown.
The ride itself started off easily enough with the flat run to the Fingerboards. After this, however, the Dargo road was anything but flat. After a couple of long climbs we arrived at the turnoff and start of the dirt. At least this 5 km was mainly downhill and Ann and I were pleased, at least for this leg, to have our comfort bikes with their chubby tires. The thin rubber brigade still managed to reach lunch with their mounts and bodies intact. One regular couple chose, in error, to swap bikes for this leg. This was due to the bikes being similar looking and had nothing to do with their age. It was a pity they were not the same height.
The lunch in the shelter shed was a welcome rest for all concerned. I noted that none chose the option of the short (90 min) walk to the Den and back, perhaps next time. This was most likely due to the very nice carrot cake, slice and Anzac biscuits on offer.
The return leg involved the climb back up the dirt to the Dargo Road. Again the racers were pleased to see the asphalt again. Once the hills were concurred yet again the final flat run was a breeze. Overall a rather pleasant day of riding and despite only 50 km the hills meant that all felt that they had made an effort.

Just a quick update from the Tramps Cheynes Bridge ride. The rather pale faced member that ended up in the backup vehicle for most of the day is now the proud owner of two new stents. It appears that the wisecracks about using the high voltage device were not that far off the mark. He is now, however, quite well and any enhanced performance on future rides will be drug free.

On the flat

Bridie on her own bike

After lunch wash up

Rest stop on Dargo Road

Shirl at the Den

Reading report from unlucky ones

TRAMPS: Heyfield - Cheynes Bridge 21 April

The weather was ideal for a run in the hills.
More than I was expecting turned out at Heyfield for what turned out to be, as predicted, a solid day of riding. A couple of second timers, Leanne and Kate, must prefer the climbs as their previous appearance was at Callignee. The president had an image change in his new outfit. Perhaps the plan was to blend in with the common folk on the ride.
As covered in the preview the repaired bridge at Glenmaggie was open for business. The finished product was well worth the wait. It was almost too good to use. Once over the marvel it was into the hills. Unfortunately for Ann, her electric assistance package turned into an 8 kg handicap due to a failure somewhere in the system. As it turned out it was not needed anyway. On the run up to Blanket Hill one of our former regulars gave us some concerns after consumption of a performance degrading substance. Some of us were keen to give the new magic box a run but the patient declined.
Once the group cleared Blanket Hill it was the fun downhill run followed by a leisurely flat section to lunch. The picnic area under the bridge was back to it's former glory and the even more enhanced club table had us looking in all directions. The return journey seemed to have more hills, but I suspect that the legs just noticed them more.
On reaching the Seaton Road the group did not seem to believe that the route had us back via more hills. The adjudicator took note of the reducing light and made the decision to take the shorter run home, a popular call. The temperature was dropping quickly as we approached the finish which made the coffee shop very comfortable. One of the better runs to Cheynes. I liked it anyway.

Oh What a bridge.

Pixie leader

Club foreman facing south

Chums enjoying the lunch break

Beginning the main climb

A near Blanket finish

SADSAC: Rosedale - Traralgon 14 April.

Well the Traralgon loop enjoyed fine weather for the most part.
Fifteen riders presented at Rosedale for run to Traralgon and back. As well as the regulars we had the still recovering Richard to test his current state and newly crowned Tramps champ Trevor as well.
Also feeling more confident was Alistair and his repaired electro bike.
The run to Glengarry was rather easy after tackling the initial climbs out of Rosedale. On arrival at Glengarry we encountered Richard the third? ( I can get the numbers mixed up at times) who had tried to ride to the start but had suffered two punctures. He joined us for the short run to Traralgon. The lunch spot in the park beside the river was most pleasant and we were just settling in for the day when concerned weather watchers stirred the group into action for the return to Rosedale. The shortened break did not save us though as the showers caught up to us just past the power station. The precipitation was short lived and few felt the need to don the raincoat. The expected tailwind on the final leg was replaced by an easterly so a crosswind was the go.
Despite the 70 km distance we were back by a reasonable hour.
A good day out for the flatlanders.

The true Gippsland Plains

Senior gents enjoying lunch

Ladies, busy as usual

Richard departing Traralgon

Regroup at Rosedale

The other half

TRAMPS: Giro d' Glengarry 07 April

The real Giro riders could only dream of our flat course.
A solid turnout of riders enjoyed fine conditions for the first Giro d' Glengarry.
The day attracted a couple of new riders in Ray and Trevor.
It was also the first ride back for the recovering Richard, and he put in a good effort.
The morning ride was a bit shorter than advertised but allowed for a relaxed lunch break.
The serious part of the day did however come to pass and riders were all prepared for the challenge ahead. The riders on the time trial were sent off in the order they signed on at the start of the day. The actual start was slightly unconventional with a short grass section and fence avoidance before reaching the tarmac. The 9.9 km course was flat as and had been mostly covered on the morning run and therefore should not have presented any navigational problems. The early starters did manage to find a mob of sheep on the back straight and this did delay some of them significantly. I think that this occurrence was listed under "environmental factors" and affected riders were advised to harden up.
The final result was a win for the local lad, though he now lives in Traralgon, Trevor. I had my money on Eric. I should have backed him for a place.
First lady home was Linden followed by Helen, I think Janet was still counting sheep.
Mystery time winner Richard thought he was a bit slow but we hastened to disagree.
The compilation of results was a rather involved process with type of mount and longevity somehow factored in. The judges sent the riders off for the end of day coffee to allow for this activity.
Numerous prizes were handed out thanks to the hard work of Vance. Thanks also to Beth and Norm for running the event. As there was no novelty event this year the trick cyclists missed out.

The morning snooze, sorry cruise

Former BMC member leads bunch

Numerous rest stops

Fueling up for the race

Pre event stretching

Richard awaiting mystery prize