sadsacnews: Briagalong - Stratford 13May

By all accounts a good day for Mum to stay in bed. The weather men were very close with their predictions apart from the amount of rain. This was rather fortunate as a wet day may have caused a cancellation.
As it was 12 starters lined up at Briagalong wearing all the cycling gear they owned. One of our senior members was also sporting his newly modified " electrified bicycle". This certainly had a significant impact on his standing in the group, transforming him from tail end charlie to social butterfly.
Shortly after starting the ride we encountered a local secret admirer on the side of the road, quite a surprise for the first lady. Hopefully all the other Mums on the ride took on the message. While the ride certainly had its share of ups and downs the clouds held their moisture until mid Bengworden Road. Luckily the ride leader had found us some vegetation to shelter us from the rain and hail. That was the last significant rain for the day.
Due to the cold and windy conditions Dennis kindly allowed us to use his entertaining area for the lunch stop. The park would have been somewhat exposed to the elements.
The afternoon run back to Briagalong was modified slightly to avoid some of the more exposed sections of Crooked Lane. It also took a few K's of the already over budget distance.
This would be the last ride, for a while, for some of the regular riders as they prepare for their winter retreat to warmer climates.