New Year and New Blog.

I have started a new site this year for a number of reasons.
I will have the two club website links updated in the near future but until that occurs the new site is called sadsacnews2013.  You can just Google it or type it in with a " .blogspot.com.au" after it.
I hope to ride with you all in 2013.
The first ride is with the Tramps on 27 January, do not forget to book.

TRAMPS: Xmas ride/Dinner/Lights tour 16 December

I missed the afternoon ride so this report and photos courtesy of Vance.


Thirteen of us had a short afternoon ride to Koornalla.
We started in rain but the weather quickly cleared and was fine and cool for the rest of the cruise.
The support vehicle supplied sausage rolls for afternoon tea, which were quickly consumed.
Near the end of the route we came to some temporary traffic lights our bikes were unable to activate properly and changed while were between them.
So for the return journey, we used our radios to anticipate traffic and ignored the lights.

Ride group at a rest stop

sausage rolls in the new shelter shed 

I did manage to make it to the dinner and lights. The dinner was very well attended with some old faces making an appearance, well perhaps they were all old. The predicted speech did occur with Vance taking the floor. He had on display the newly procured defibrillator. He gave thanks to the other committee members for their efforts throughout the year and also received a heartfelt thank you from the group for the efforts of both he and Jan. Anyway the dinner went off well.

It was on to the lights tour. Around twenty bicycles (term used loosely, 2 trikes) assembled for the 8:30 or so start. A number of the riders had gone to some effort to turn their mounts into mobile Christmas trees.
The night was fine and dark, just the conditions for good viewing. As with previous years the road also contained some locals in cars attempting the same exercise. The combination of flashing bike lights and car headlights added to the overall sensory attack. As always a good fun ride. The ride leader at times almost disappeared into the darkness, no doubt still fit from the GVBR. Thanks for the tour Jan.
We had time to unwind and catch up after the ride at the supper. A fitting finale.

popular first stop

Tim under lights

A group of flashers

Another hard to miss residence

I intend to return next year with my blog. I will let everyone know when it is back up and running.
To all a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year, keep turning those pedals.

SADSAC: Christmas Party 09 December

The final event on the 2012 SADSAC calendar was the Christmas party.
Around 20 saccers enjoyed a relaxing BBQ with a view of the lake in pleasant weather conditions.
Thank you Liz for the lend of your house and yard. I had no idea what a nice place you have.
Santa's helper appeared to have been to rehabilitation during the year and had a new image.
This no doubt gave Santa a much more relaxing time.
The day capped off a successful year for the club with good rides and a few new members.
Hopefully we can build on this in 2013 and increase our numbers even more.
The first ride back next year will take place on 03 February from Maffra.
I hope to see you all there.

TRAMPS: Traralgon-Rosedale 02 December

The report for this ride is pending.
However.

Great Vic Bike Ride update.
As most of the regular Tramps plus a couple of Sadsacs were on the ride I have an update.
At my last report the ride was at Rosedale. The following day along the Grand Ridge Road was always going to be a challenge. The fact that the weather wanted in on the action just upped the ante. Most of the riders started the day in the rain and stayed in it all day. This made the 10 km dirt section of the Grand Ridge a bit slippery in places, the Balook lunch stop somewhat soggy (complete with leaches) and made for an exciting descent of the mountain in the fog. After all the dramas the rest day in Traralgon was just that.
Activities included the Vance Bicycle Tour of Interesting Places, movies in the park and finished with an impressive fireworks display.
The second half of the ride had us in the hills, in the fog through Willow Grove and ending in the heat at Yarragon. After a hot night Day seven was again foggy and hilly but just stayed humid all day. The dirt section of the Grand Ridge on this occasion was even more exciting than the last as it was mostly downhill plus a good deal rougher. Day eight was the highlight of the ride for me. The 108 km run down out of the hills and along the coast was conducted in mild weather conditions although there were some headwind legs.
The final day was a run around Phillip Island and while I found it a bit busy, with the odd shower, it proved to be a good ending for the ride. The chaos at the pick up point was also fun to watch. All the local starters finished the ride in good condition and appeared to have a good time.  A worthwhile exercise.

crossing the line

just before the rain

that was some ride

Jim loading his mount

Willung South rest stop gloom

the band was everywhere

SADSAC: Cathy's Mystery Ride - 25 November

I should be in Rosedale with 4000 others but scored a night at home through circumstances.
As I was enroute Bruthen to Briagalong on Sunday, Cathy has sent this report.

We started at the park at Heyfield, went the back way to Cowwarr via the Dawson -Cowwarr road stopping at a tree with a sign saying "Dawson's Den" which had a little door on the tree with a dog kennel,mailbox,little pebble path & garden. After a bit of research I found out that it was,not a memorial for a dead dog or anything, just a fun thing. We then went into Cowwarr to the Art Space Gallery at an old butter factory owned by Caroline Crossley & her partner Clive. Clive showed us his workshop where he does his magnificent marble or granite sculptures.

Then Caroline took us on a tour and very informative talk on the gallery and the artwork on display. After that we proceeded through Cowwarr main street where a lot of the buildings/businesses had their colourful cows made out of 44 gallon drums in front of their buildings.

Our final stop was at Tyson's Homestead now owned by Denise & Ron Reynolds. Katy Booth's great grandfather once managed the property for the Tysons. The Reynolds run cattle, sheep[coloured] , horses,chooks,ducks & even a peacock. Denise showed us old photos and gave a very informative history of the property.

It was quite a hot ride so I cut it short by 4 km making it a 31 km.

Great Vic update. As of Monday we are in Rosedale. The weather has been hot. The route is challenging with regards the terrain. We hit the hills in earnest on Tuesday with the Grand Ridge Road. The Sadsacs Jim, Dave and myself are all well, along with the Happy Trampers which Vance has sent a photo of, before the start.

Tramps 2012 GV team

pre ride activities

TRAMPS: Boolarra - Dumbalk 18 November

After a short delay caused by rain and hail 16 keen riders took to the Western Strzeleki Ranges for what promised to be a most enjoyable ride. The club boasted 3 new members for the ride, namely Eric,Darrel and Morris.
 The initial climb up the Limonite Road was steady but not onerous. After a brief stop at the Grand Ridge Road it was into the tuck for the high speed descent to Mirboo. The 40 kph roadworks speed limit towards the bottom would have drawn a significant fine had the radar gun been out.
Along the way to lunch there was some comment about the squeaky wheel getting the most oil. But in the case off the squeaky black beauty, as the commandant no doubt like it to be called, the support vehicle's dipstick barely provided a drop. The vehicle was given a much earned drink of oil over lunch.
Lunch was enjoyed in rather pleasant surroundings as the park and facilities at Dumbalk had just been renewed. Poppy-seed cake and chocolate muffins ensured the riders were most satisfied.
The refuel for the riders was put to good use as the climb out of Dumbalk was considerable. The lovely views of the valley seemed to go on and on. The run along the ridge on the way to Mirboo North also had some good views but the final climb into town turned out to be the most testing of the day. After a refresh at the park the run back to Boolarra included the enjoyable run down through the valley before the final drop to the finish.
Of note was the significant fitness improvement of some of the club members about to tackle the Great Vic. No doubt some serious training has been happening even since the last ride. Because half the club members are signed up for the 9 day event I expect numbers will be significantly reduced on the next club ride.
In the end however it was left to coffee and chips to round off the day.

climbing the Limonite

good food and friends

the two amigos

save the best for after lunch

a rest at the top

a local rider joined us for coffee

   

SADSAC: Stratford Bike Rally 11 November

Received a short verbal report from organiser Ray,

A total of ten (five teams of two) took part in the annual bike rally, this time from Stratford.
The group included a couple of visitors from Tramps - Madelon and Trev.
The winning team, despite covering some extra kilometers, was the Cathies, Booth and Wake.
Hopefully we should all be back on deck for next year. This is one of the rides that we should endeavor to bring along new riders. The other rides being the mystery ride and the new double loop.

Also on the same weekend.

The twentieth CGHS (GBH) Sale to Lake Tyers Bike Relay took place over two days.
A good attendance of around 100 riders left Sale at 8 am Saturday morning.
Conditions for the 180 km journey to Lake Tyers via the Howitt Trail were ideal with mild temperatures and a tailwind. While there were some riders who rode the entire distance most chose to tackle the ride as a member of a team. Distances between changeovers generally ranged from 10 to 20 km. By the time the final teams arrived at the finish there was not much time between the afternoon tea and dinner, just enough for a quick shower. The evening meal was up to it's usual high standard.
The following day the riders enjoyed a hearty breakfast (more beans please) before setting off for the 150 km  return to Sale. Again conditions were ideal and the wind had even swung around to give us a tailwind again. Due to the shorter distance afternoon tea occurred mid afternoon.
Many thanks to the organizing team - Shirley and Phillip Mowat and Ted and Marg Pickering.
They were ably assisted by a loyal band of volunteers who ran the kitchen.

Team Mirrambeek

 Shirl's Girls