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.

Leaving Fish Creek

Enjoying lunch, Sandy Point

Thanks for the sweets, mister 

Crossing the river

On the way home

2013 Foster Team, 4 missing

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.

The sun shone early on 

Boys enjoying tailwind

Looking even worse on radar

Not Seaspray but dry

Attentive group

Old farmers tales

TRAMPS: Tyers - Walhalla 06 October.

A solid attendance of eighteen riders assembled at Tyers for the run to Walhalla.
The conditions on the day were suited to the testing terrain with overcast and cool being the go.
The ride also brought out two electric bikes with Ann on hers and Sadsac Alister making his first appearance at Tramps on his. A couple of riders arrived a bit on the late side but not due to the introduction of daylight saving. The ride started with the 5 km climb up into the hills. I had suggested in my previous post that the gradient was gentle. I may have bent the truth somewhat as the first half required some effort. Once clear of this however the road flattened out considerably and the subsequent climbs were much shorter. The run from the turnoff is top bike riding country with the run down to the river given an extra challenge as the roads were still wet. After the river I was a bit surprised to find the traffic lights had gone but the stiff climb beyond their former location no doubt caught a few out.
We chose to set up at the rest area on the edge of town as per last year. We were joined by a couple of riders from last year that were not up for this ride. We had seen them pass us along the way and a "cyclists" sign made an appearance at the start of the Walhalla road. I quizzed Bridie on their early arrival into the ride area and she admitted that she had put the clocks forward twice. The extra eats were of a high standard and had been produced by Norm under supervision from the incapacitated Beth. As we were about to leave Vance complimented one of our newer riders shaved legs saying they looked like "girls' legs". I am not sure he took the observation well.
The run home included the highlight of the day, namely the Thomson Station climb. This year it was even better than last, at least for me on my single speed. Hopefully others were just as pleased to be able to enjoy one of life's simple pleasures. Once clear of this obstacle the rest of the ride was relatively easy. Throughout the ride we were followed by ex-racer Bruce whose current heart condition does not allow him to ride any more. It was as if we had our own Tramps groupie. It did mean we had a few false 'car back' calls however. This was one of the more successful rides on the calendar. I am still impressed by the number of Tramps riders happy to tackle what to most would be a rather challenging day out. All that was left was the run to Macca's for coffee.

On the first climb

Vance and Norm

A bit chunky for a girl

About at the steep bit

Waiting for tucker

Vance's backwards view

SADSAC: Maffra - Blue Pools 29 September.

Conditions were reasonably mild for the dozen or so riders who turned out at Maffra for the run out to Blue Pools. The back up crew looked very similar to the last ride out of Maffra, in that case with the Tramps. Graham is still having leg problems and it is uncertain when he will be well enough to join us on the bikes again.
The ride itself started out with some undulating country out the back of Maffra before settling onto the flatter ground in the Boisdale region. The run out to the Freestone Creek road was easy going with the odd touch of tailwind lending a hand. The final run to lunch along the creek is the highlight of the ride, the road is just so good on a bike.
Despite our proximity to the swimming hole at the lunch stop, our vice president claimed that he was under orders from our former secretary not to enter the water. Therefore Jim remained dry for the break. Bridie provided an extensive array of cakes to refuel us for the return. Her driver donned an impressive garment to show that he had also made some effort in providing the snowballs.
The run home was easy going until we encountered the head winds after Briagalong. It was a bit slower going up to the turn onto Crooked Lane. This leg was OK, but the headwinds had some effect across Weirs Crossing and Nordens Lane. Of note was the work that had been done to raise the road at the crossing. According to Dennis the road is now 9 inches higher. This had only happened on Friday. It should mean that the road will be closed for a few days less next flood.
At the finish we had planned to go to L'Attitude but apparently the four o'clock closing only applies to pre-bookings. It turned out the Bakery just up the road a few doors had a real 4 pm closing so we ended up there.
For a small town Maffra is well served with coffee shops. It turned out a top day.

Rest stop near Boisdale

Ride radio calling Bridie Starwagon

Girls with bikes

Cruising Valencia Creek Road

Lunch at the Pools

Head Chef with young assistant

 

TRAMPS: Moe - Willowgrove 22 September.

The weather was most likely a factor in the slightly low turnout at Moe.
Around thirteen ( plus 2 non starters) assembled at Moe in rather wet circumstances. All was not lost however, as Vance had arranged for an entertaining presentation on the features of the Myki ticketing system. The highly skilled representative from VLine managed to fill the hour or so that it took for the rain to finally stop. All that attended are now more knowledgeable in this area of public transport. We had a couple of new people turn up for the ride in Dale and Rob from Boolarra. I wonder if they think that all our rides are preceded by a lengthy presentation.
When the ride did finally head off there was a suggestion that the route be shortened. I pointed out that we still had plenty of time to cover the original distance. Once out of town and on to the Willowgrove road I realised why the route was not easily remembered from the GVBR. On the day last year the area was still in fog and the impressive views from the ridge were not available. The run to lunch was only around 17 km and we soon arrived at the Willowgrove reserve. The plan was to continue on to the lakeside reserve but questions about the status of the facilities and concerns regarding the short but steep climb out meant the call was made to have lunch by the tennis courts. Conditions by this time were close to ideal and the high standard of the cake/brownies/biscuits provided by the Erik camp meant that we did not go hungry.
As I had not been to the lakeside reserve before I took a small group on the 3 km round trip to check it out. As it turned out the toilets were open but the climb could have been a concern straight after lunch.
Once the riders had regrouped we were treated to a scenic decent from the town and onto the rolling hills before finally meeting up with the flatter lands at the North Canal Road. It was then just a relaxing run back into town. Wind down coffee at Macca's. While the ride was uplifting it was not intoxicating as we were all tested by the local constabulary on our way to coffee.

Myki is Spanish for fun

New girl, Dale, at 10 k stop

Ann up with the lead group

Life at court

Boys concerned, too much cake

North Canal stop

SADSAC: Rosedale - Gormandale 15 September

What an impressive turnout for the annual run to Gormandale.
We ended up with 22 riders on the day. The route is one of our more challenging rides and this could have encouraged the riders from the Wednesday Stratford group to join us. I think they would have found the ride most worthwhile. Some of them, such as Bob and Norm, were regular riders before they found their current form. The usual extras from Tramps also added to the group. We also had a new rider in Harry, a local.
The conditions on the day were ideal with mild temperatures and light winds. The initial 20 km out through the Willung area was covered without any dramas and we propped at the start of the Willung South Road for a break. Some of the riders had already expressed a desire to cut the climb out and proceed to the lunch spot direct, in the end three chose this path. Very few of our rides allow for this.
The other nineteen chose the climb, although I suspect that not all were aware of the difficulty. The last time I went up this road the conditions were not good. The 3,500 riders on the Great Vic battled very cold and wet weather. On this day some of our riders were more likely to overheat. The group did spread out somewhat on the climb and a couple of the group had to walk towards the top. This is possibly our most difficult climb of the year. Once over the top the reward is the fast descent of Powers Hill. It was then just a short run to lunch.
Lunch at the reserve was quite pleasant with coffee and cake and good company. The run home started with a short climb from the creek followed by a easy descent to the Rosedale Road. After that it was the flat lands back to the start. There was a run out organised for the final kilometre or so into town. While the start point was easily established the end was only known to the organiser. The end result was confusion, a common outcome of such events. The group then proceeded to bulk out the local coffee shop.
One of our most successful rides.

10 km stop

The lead bunch

George displays special feet 

Bob about to pass Dave

Lunch at Gormandale

Riders on the rocks

TRAMPS: Koonwarra - Inverloch 08 September.

Fourteen members made the long journey to Koonwarra for a day's riding in the South Gippsland countryside. I thought that this number was a rather good showing.
The ride started with a reasonably stiff climb out of Koonwarra. As I approached the back markers I noticed Maree struggling with a rather tall ratio which eventually brought her undone. On inspection of her new off road machine it appeared that the strange looking gear changers operated the reverse of what is considered normal. Once underway again things seemed to settle. The puzzle was later solved by the tech savvy Len who discovered that someone? had installed the bars upside down. Once the bars were re-installed the bike looked rather normal. The mysterious section of gravel that did not appear on the Bikely map and was just a short connecting road that minimised the exposure to the highway.
This area of South Gippsland was quite new to me and to others in the group. At one point we noticed a new display at the Outtrim cemetery. It turns out the area was a significant supplier of coal around the end of the nineteenth century and into the twentieth, even had it's own railway. Tim intends to follow up.
On arrival at Inverloch the lead group chose to set up in a stone shelter shed already occupied by some locals?  Despite my urging, this decision was kept.  Considering the many options available I was somewhat puzzled. Despite this we managed to celebrate Maria's birthday in good style.
After lunch, on our way out of town, we passed the site of the GVBR lunch stop. The area was deserted, a marked difference from the last time I saw it when hundreds of hungry bike riders packed the space.
The run home was shorter that the outbound but did contain the climb. As it turned out the ascent was a stepped arrangement giving riders breaks to recover. The view from the top was as I remembered, impressive.
The arrival back at the carpark was reasonably early and allowed us to make use of the local Cafe for our post ride wind down and coffee. Yet another successful day out for the club.

The short section of gravel

Outtrim Reserve stop

Back on the asphalt

Not far to lunch

 

Birthday Girl

Len indicates where to swim