sadsacnews2013: TRAMPS: Foster Weekend. 19/20 October.

By my count 18 riders headed off from Foster on a sunny Saturday morning. Some of the group had stayed the previous night to be well rested for the first day of riding. The run to Sandy Point started with a climb to Fish Creek. Some chose the easier path up the rail trail but the bulk of the group went the more demanding road option. After regrouping just over the ridge the total number took to the road for the quick run into Fish Creek. After a short rest stop it was on to the scenic undulations prior to the drop on to the flat ground and Sandy Point. The day was heating up by this stage and shade was the place to eat lunch. Some had a quick walk to the beach only to find it missing under the waves. It is usually around 150 m wide. The run home had a headwind to start with, just to increase the effort. Once we turned off the wind the rest of the run back to camp was more relaxed. A rather successful first day.
Fully rested the group headed off to the local hotel for a slap up dinner.
Day two required the group to relocate to the Prom gates for the start. We had expected some extras to join us but they were a no show. This day was always going to be the more challenging and it lived up to that in spades. Initially we enjoyed a tailwind as we traversed the scrubby countryside. The profile showed some hills prior to the Darby River and despite some false flats we did eventually find them. Tim even had a closer look at the first one after a gearing mishap. Just after the river the main climb commenced. In spite of the wind there were some protected spots on the climb where the temperature spiked. Once we finally made the saddle a large group of fundraising walkers greeted us. We even scored some fresh mandarins. The run to Tidal River was not all downhill, as I had alluded to in my previous post. In fact the first kick up was quite severe. On this leg Peter managed to puncture but we did not have to wait too long for his return. From here the final run was easy. After a pleasant lunch by the shop we headed off via the beach. The first climb up past Lilly Pilly into the wind prepared us for what was to come. The main climb from Whisky Beach to the saddle was quite hard. Even so, all those that made it looked rather good. After a rest stop by the river the group headed off into a light headwind. The leader was setting a healthy pace and a few of us, starting to feel it by this stage, appreciated the tow. At the final regroup at 7 km some of those in the backup rejoined for the final leg. It was then a short drive to Yanakie and coffee.
Many thanks to Vance for the backup. He services were in demand on the Sunday.
No shortage of images from the weekend. I had to choose 6 from 50.