SADSAC: Bob Graham Ride Heyfield 03 March

The Annual Bob Graham Ride was once again a solid success.
Twenty six riders assembled at the Wetlands Centre for the circuit in fine riding conditions.
The club members were joined by riders from Sale, Heyfield, Briagalong and Traralgon.
Once again Bob's son Jim was able to break out the old bike and have it beat us all, up the major climb.
As was mentioned in last week's description of the course, the distance could be shortened on numerous occasions, and there were some of the group that took advantage of this. The main group did manage the full distance of around 50 km. The route took us out into the burnt areas of Seaton and Glenmaggie. Local rider Ken pointed out some of the unusual fire behaviour, avoiding some properties entirely. The temperature was starting to rise by the final stages, aided no doubt by the following wind. One of our members was a bit too keen to get back and found a ditch in the grass next to the carpark. Luckily he took the fall well but later arrivals were disappointed to have missed the action.
The Heyfield Lions, Bob and the team, put on a well received lunch for the riders. Also on the ride and in attendance for the cheque handover was David from the Lions Ride for Sight organisation. Due to the good turnout we were able to donate $300 for the cause. The riders on the day included a number that regularly ride the Lion's Ride for Sight.

picking up the pieces

seasoned grass riders

official speeches

happy to hand it over

take the long way home

interested audience

TRAMPS: Traralgon - Callignee 24 February

The ride started with twenty or so keen riders, all ready for a solid day of riding in the hills.
Conditions were forecast to be trying as the day progressed, this ended up being the case.
We had a couple of new riders on the day, being mother and daughter combination, Leanne and Kate.
They picked one of the more challenging rides to start off.
The route was rather easy to start, with the run out to Loy Yang and on towards Traralgon South being on rather flat terrain. A couple of the riders, including myself, had a go on the bike path and can report that it is a good surface, even on narrow tyres. Once at the Callignee road the flat ground was left behind. It was not long before some of the riders found the conditions, rather muggy by this stage, a challenge. Luckily the route shown on Bikely was not the correct one, reducing the final climb considerably. Even so, considerable effort was required to reach the lunch spot.
The facilities at Callignee, built since our last visit, were impressive. Despite this abundance of furniture we still managed to try out our new portable table. Young Vance had gone to considerable lengths to produce a table worthy of the club. I can see it outlasting the trailer by some years. Also on display on the day were new metal containers for the beacon and the defibrillator. We may need that new trailer before too long if items keep appearing. Of note, at the lunch stop, was the rather difficult mini golf course, the locals must be experts.
After lunch the run back down the hill was enjoyable , as always ( for most). From Traralgon South a couple of riders took the bike path again (this time the full length) to confirm it's condition, a very good option.
The flat final run into Traralgon was appreciated as the temperature was getting up there, 38 on my gauge.
Everyone had the same idea as us for the coffee stop, the arches were flat out.
Overall another pleasant day out on the bike.

Before the climb

Call that a hill?

A couple of youngsters

A snoozy ride

New riders enjoying lunch

New table/missed career option

SADSAC: Maffra - Heyfield 17 February

Despite the absence of a number of the regular riders, we had a good roll up on Sunday.
This was no doubt helped by the valley's Colin, Tim and Linden.
Twelve riders departed Maffra in fine conditions. The first part of the ride involved the rail trail out of town. As I expected a number were not keen to ride the unmade surface, fortunately the road ran parallel for the first kilometre or so. I therefore allowed that option, which half the group took.
The remainder of the morning run to Heyfield was on reasonably flat roads with a following breeze.
The park at Heyfield is still a work in progress, but fortunately there were still some tables available for our use. Backup Jim provided a lovely cake and slice for all to enjoy.
The ride distance was somewhat in error on the day and we found ourselves leaving lunch just after midday.
This was actually a good mistake as the day was due to heat up to 30+ and we did not want to be spending too long in the afternoon sun. The heat was made more bearable though with the slight headwind on the return. The final climb up over Pine Hill just capped off the day. Plenty of time left for a coffee and reflection before making our way home.

Jim supervising catering

Time for a drink

Lunch in the park

The lead group

Tail end Charlies

Lizzy in the middle

TRAMPS: Yinnar - Mirboo North 10 February

As I was otherwise engaged I was not able to make this ride, fortunately most had more luck.
Vance was able to provide a full report with photos.


With awesomely lovely weather 28 riders left Yinnar and headed south to Boolarra where the rail trail to Mirboo North started. Along the way several gates half open had to be negotiated which was no problem as the surface of the trail is in good condition.  The two impressive bridges are a welcome sight as we no longer need to crawl down and up the gullies. Occasionally runners, walkers, and cyclists were met coming down the trail. At Darlimurla station we rested and some young children involved in a birthday party passed us.
Lunch at Mirboo North under the shelter with more birthday parties was very pleasant. It is only about 4 km from the town to the impressive, fun glide down the mountain to Boolarra and on to Yinnar for coffee in the local cafe.

Who let the Tramps out?

Relaxed riding

Nice Bridge!

Smaller than I remember

Peter in support again

Toilet stop?

SADSAC: Sale to Marley Point 03 February.

The first ride for the SADSAC calendar was most successful. Twenty or so riders enjoyed rather kind riding conditions for the run to Marley Point and return. As expected the weather was fine with a persistent, though tolerable, headwind on the return leg.
The group included most of the regulars with a couple of returned riders in Phillip and Norm Hide as well as Tim, Colin and Danielle from the valley. One of our regular riders had been promoted recently with Dennis being named Citizen of the Year (Stratford division) in the recent Australia Day Honors.
Back to the ride, almost all of the riders had been made aware of the route change with the exception of Dave Urie. Luckily he responded to the lack of attendance at Maffra and, through the wonders of modern science, established that the ride had relocated and was only 5 or so minutes behind the main bunch. His ability to catch the group was no doubt aided by his Christmas present of a new Rubais. Santa's generosity did not stop there as a number of new machines made an appearance. As expected the run out to the lake was rather easy with a following breeze. The lunch itself was very relaxing by the beach and the group did not seem to be in a hurry to head back. Shirley's carrot cake and biscuits added significantly to the mood.
The run back to Sale was not as easy due to the steady headwind although the odd change of route direction gave some relief. The final couple of hundred metres included a dash for the line instigated by the club's senior member. As is usual for such an occurrence the result was left unresolved.
A great start to the year.

Cruising the Heart Hall

Citizen of the Year

Pleasant day out

Rather be sailing?

Final re-group

Who says times are tough 

TRAMPS: Traralgon Meals on Wheels 27 January

The hope that the first Tramps ride for the year would break the long dry spell almost came off. The day did, however, turn out fine with mild temperatures. A strong turnout of twenty-nine riders made the most of the conditions and the ride format for a most pleasant ride.
The backup was somewhat more substantial than normal with Peter running the catering, ably assisted at lunch by Victoria (Helen's daughter). The standard support driver was none other than Richard of Thoms Bridge fame. It was good to see Richard back on his feet if not his bike. Hopefully the latter will occur in the not too distant future.
The ride itself was a rather easy distance to start off the year. The first leg was the longest with the run out to Koornalla only interrupted by a short break at Traralgon South. The morning tea stop at Koornalla was set in the new rest area with coffee and cakes for the team. The second leg also included a stop at Traralgon South, by this stage some explanation was required for the new folk that this format was not standard.
The short run on to the Loy Yang Rest Area brought us up to lunch. The catering officer had managed, by methods unknown to most, to time our arrival to the minute such that the cooked lunch was ready to eat.
After a hearty meal, complete with classy punch and more cake, it was back on the bike for the easy run back to the start. It was then on to coffee or ice-cream. It was indeed an extravagant start to the ride program. Not the meal from the hospital that the name would indicate.
I suspect that future rides will be more of the pedaling and less of the eating.

first TLS stop

explaining electrical theory

coffee and cake stop Koornalla

old and new faces on the day

cooks and customers

mastermind stumped again