SADSAC: Lindenow - Annie's Cottage 04 august.

We ended up with eleven riders at Lindenow for the run to Annie's Cottage.
The group included Jenny from Bairnsdale and Colin, Peter and Linden from the valley.
Just as well as the SADSAC turnout was a bit sad. Although George and Betty spent the day with us.
The weather on the day turned out better than expected. The rain held off and the wind, though fresh, was mainly a crosswind. The first leg to the highway through Lindenow South is slightly uphill all the way. Once over the highway it was more protected and rather flat. The short dirt section to the Cottage was almost as good a surface as the asphalt. We knew beforehand that the cottage was vacant and this enhanced the overall exercise as this had not been the case for the last two visits. Due to this many off the riders had not been able to have a tour of the facility. All were impressed, even those who had seen it before. We had a relaxing lunch, complete with pecan slice, in the outdoor area before it came to light that Judith and Peter had a short video clip of the Channel Nine show in which they had featured. It covered the weekend when the cottage was transformed to it's current state.
After recovering from the video it was back onto the bikes for the return. The run back over the highway and down through Lindenow South was an easy task. I gave the group the option of the shortcut to the cars but all were keen to continue. Just after the Wuk Wuk bridge the hills kicked in but for some reason the electric bike of Ann's gave up. So it was into the car for her to catch up on the latest gossip with Cathy and Marg.
The run along Calulu Road had not become any easier in recent times but the views were well worth the effort. Once back over the river it was just a relatively short into wind slog back to town.
All seemed to enjoy the day out.

Enroute to Annie's

Lunch with Peter and Judith

A cottage luncheon

Cheque presentation

Homeward bound

Group shot

TRAMPS: Morwell - Coalville. 28 July.

Well we had an ideal day for a run in the hills.
We had 21 riders at Morwell for a ride in calm but still rather cool conditions.
The first few kilometres contained some delays with a flat tyre and a broken spoke needing attention. Some quick calculations of average speed to that point meant we would have been finishing well after dark. Fortunately our progress from that point on was somewhat brisker. The route had us initially out along the open section of the Strzelecki Highway. This road is not very exciting but all was to change with the turn into the hills towards Thorpedale. While the climb to Thorpedale is not steep it still lets you know that you are on a bike. The usual shortcut towards the top, Lilleys Road, was not used this year as we took the gentler climb up the dirt Ten Mile Creek Road. From this point it was the heart pumping plunge into Narracan. This was to be our refresh point but as is our current luck the facilities were locked. This meant that it was on without delay to our lunch stop at Coalville.
Lunch beside the tennis court was rather pleasant and riders made the most of each others company. Danielle had kindly provided back up for the day and had many extra treats for the team to enjoy.
After a relaxing break it was back into the uneven ground for the run to our old lunch spot in Newborough. Here we did manage to find a functional toilet block. Suitably relieved we proceeded via the back streets of town to rejoin our route near the top of the Haunted Hills. The only significant obstacle left for the day was the struggle up and over the freeway at Hernes Oak. The final run down Marretts Road was a fitting end to the day. It was then just a quiet wind down at the recently refurbished Morwell MacDonalds.
Even though this was a serious effort for most of the group the route does take us through some of the best countryside in the district. Hopefully this will remain as one of the club's regular outings.

Chivalry is alive and well

But you said you would

New girl up front

A spooky spot to stop

Lunchtime lounging

Dreaming of ochre on a single speed

SADSAC: Sale - Nambrok 21 July

The day that was meant to be frost then sunny ended up cool and windy, but with some sun.
The numbers for our annual run to Nambrok were down a bit this year. Around a dozen riders turned out at the Port for the day on the flatlands. As expected the first part of the ride needed the most planning. In the end the call was made to ride to Wurruk on the highway. This ended up as the least stressful.
Once on Settlement Road the traffic left us only to be replaced by a steady headwind. This situation was to stay with us all the way to Kilmany. The usual 'rest' stop at the church happened to coincide with the monthly service. The 'Flock' seemed most interested in our activity. Also of note was our usual overheating rider was feeling the cold as her electric motor was doing most of the work to cover for her recovering knee.
Once over the highway the wind turned to cross and going was much easier. Along Swamp Road the  inattentive leader became involved in a discussion and we almost missed our turn, luckily Dave was on the lookout. The final run to lunch was again into wind but at least there was some cover.
The lunch spot was available for our exclusive use and we were able to find a spot out of the wind and in the sun. Pat had some serious cakes and slices and we made the most of those to fuel up for the return.
The run home was with a tailwind for the most part and the pace was considerably faster, but with less effort. The increased traffic on Myrtlebank Road could see this route need revising in the not too distant future. On this day it was not too bad. We shortened the start and the finish of the afternoon ride to reduce the effect of the strengthening wind. By the time we reached the port there were some riders who knew they had been out on a testing ride. All in all though a good day out. Off to Macca's for coffee.

Prior to the start

Along Settlement Road

Nothing to say to you today

Couple trying to evade photo

Jim leads main bunch

Time for coffee and cake

TRAMPS: Maffra Briagalong 14 July

Those planning for a day out in the rain may have been disappointed.
It appears that while there were showers in the area, it was not our area.
The group for the day consisted of thirteen riders plus a couple of octogenarians in an off road starwagon. The back up couple provided much needed historical information for the day. Luckily their services as a rescue vehicle were not required. On to the ride. While the showers did manage to avoid us, the day was still overcast and rather chilly. The route was not challenging but still provided the odd climb to test out the cruisers. The group tended to stay together for the most part while still managing a rather high (Tramps standard) average speed. Members of the group insisted on me mentioning that the leader did a good job, although the ride director would not have conceded this point. The lunch location was reasonably quiet with the local BMX bandits taking a break for the duration of our stay. The run home was very relaxing except for the climb up Brewers Hill. After this short but intense effort the final run was back in relax mode. Also on the return our clean living Richard found a lolly shop, read fruit and veg. stall, to stock up his larder. Here the backup proved most useful as a transport van.
While this ride is somewhat out of the normal Tramps territory, I was pleased to see the solid turnout. We even had Eric make the two and a half hour journey to be with us; good effort.

Happy riders on first stop

Tall tales and true

Stop near Valencia Creek

That wasn't Mont Ventoux, Tim

Enjoying the cool conditions

The run home

SADSAC: Briagalong - Maffra 07 July

A small but keen group gathered at Briagalong for the ride to Maffra and back.
Briagalong must be the place to debut new bicycles as former Electro-Boy, Alistair, has taken on a new image as Titanium Man. The new bike looked rather impressive.
The weather conditions were again kind to us with no sign of the "occasional hail" mentioned in the forecast. The predicted northwesterly did appear on the return return leg just to remind us that life wasn't meant to be easy, all the time.
The route for the ride was generally flat for the most part with just the odd short climb included to raise the heart rate and breathing. Pat was spending the day on her old bike having returned the flashy loan bikes evident on recent rides. She also was to have a new speedy bike for the day but it had not arrived in time. The old bike must have been aware of the situation as half way to lunch it must have cut the rear gear cable. As it turned out the repairmen in the group foiled it's plans and had the bike ride able again, all be it as a 3 speeder. The remainder of the trip to lunch was generally uneventful.
We managed to bulk out the shelter shed at the port at lunch so maybe we had the right numbers. Just to assist with the return Ray had produced his lattice slice and a new chocolatey thing, very nice. We had visitors during lunch with George and Betty dropping in to say hello. Despite his appearance George advised it may be some time before he can join us on the bikes. Just when we were packing up a call from home from the recovering Ann meant that I ended up doing a solo run back to Briagalong to hasten my return. I know that my fitness is down somewhat but my lack of speed on the run to Boisdale suggested that the headwind had kicked in. Even so a wonderful day out.

Bound for Valencia creek

Valencia Creek stop

This couple posed for me

When are we leaving?

Pat's mischievous bicycle

Almost at lunch