sadsacnews2013: SADSAC: Longford - Seaspray 13 October.

There was a good roll up at Longford for the replacement ride to Seaspray on Sunday.
Around thirteen riders braved the threatening weather to have a go. The conditions at the start were quite pleasant and the group headed up past the School Fair without incident. The climb up the South Gippsland Highway is steady but manageable. After the regroup at the top we had only ridden a few hundred metres before Dave managed to puncture. The rest of the group continued on into a light headwind to maintain a steady overall pace. The group then reformed at Stradbroke. From this point the riding became much easier as we picked up a tailwind on the run across to the Seaspray Road. On arrival the weather was closing in and due to modern technology we could see the level of rainfall approaching our position. After limited discussion the call was made to abandon the luncheon by the sea and make a retreat to Longford.
Once again the wind was on our tail along the Seaspray Road and good time was made. In the end all but the back markers managed to make it back to the hall before the heavens opened. Only a few hundred metres from home the tail end encountered a familiar figure who we thought was very kindly warning us of glass on the road. In part he was, but Dave had also fallen victim to said glass and had to spend the last few minutes of the ride in the backup.
I had hoped that the riders would not be too damp and that they would stay for lunch at the hall. This was the case and we were able to utilise the solid shelter shed beside the tennis courts. Despite the shortened ride we ended up with 50 km while keeping most of the group dry. A good day out under those conditions.