TRAMPS: Traralgon - Toongabbie 01July

Report and photos courtesy of Vance.


Our ride was almost the same as published except that after lunch in the Toongabbie Cricket ground we returned the same way along River and Cambrook Roads to Glengarry, then home along the Traralgon - Maffra Road.

This report appears to be somewhat brief but from the photos it looks like a good day with a solid turnout.
Good to see Beth back with the group.

happy with food

selling off the rest

watching nothing

Tyers turnoff

tucking in to the tucker

Trev's new bike

SADSAC: Cheynes Bridge 24June

The SADSACs took to the hills on Sunday for the annual Cheynes Bridge ride.
Turnout was solid with a few of the less frequent riders making an appearance, namely the twins - Ross and Bill. Richard from the valley was also in attendance after choosing to hang with his marathon mates on the recent Tramps attempt. The weather was as good as winter could provide, even the forecast strong wind had abated.
The ride started out with the run out to Glenmaggie and the standard walk across the bridge. This should be our last walk as the bridge it is closing in August for nine months for repairs, so our next ride should include a ride across the bridge. Once into the hills the group spreed out somewhat, but regular stops allowed re groupings. It was not until the climb out of Greens Gully that electro-boy showed his true colours. He was able to speed past the lead group with ease. At least he changed out of top gear for this hill. The head wind leg to the top of Blanket Hill was difficult, but as mentioned previously not as bad as had been expected. The run down the hill was its usual hoot and the final leg to lunch was pleasant. The lunch spot was slightly more crowded with only one table at hand but this made the birthday party a closer affair. The old man turned 85 even though he could easily pass for 84. Luckily we could not light the candle allowing him to retain his breath for the hills to come, in case his battery ran flat.
The return leg could not be officially recorded as it was wind assisted. I did not hear any complaints over this however. The climb up Blanket Hill even drew a few comments about feeling warm, the first for the day. The climb up from Greens Gully was again dominated by the senior member but on arrival at the top he was absent, apparently overshooting the summit by about a kilometer. Once he was retrieved and the group had reformed the leader was found to be leaking from the front tire. Considering we were about to tackle a 70kph+ descent(78 recorded) a repair was called for. The final stages through Glenmaggie and back to the start were still assisted by the weakening breeze. Another successful ride for the team.

final bridge walk

approaching Blanket Hill outbound

lunch at Cheynes

birthday boy with party hat

easier in the truck

leader springs a leak

TRAMPS : Morwell-Martin Walker Reserve 17June

It would appear that Martin Walker was in some way connected to the weather, and I am afraid it was all bad. My connection only extends over the last 3 years but the conditions have been consistent. Despite this relationship there was a solid role up for the ride.
Our CEO was unfortunately unable to be on his bike for the ride but ensured that all who would listen knew the details. Apparently one of the symptoms of his conditions seemed consistent with the attributes needed to descend from Mt Baw Baw on a bicycle that has no brakes. I do hope he does not attempt this feat before he returns to normal.
Back to the ride. As previously mentioned a good turn up, 19 riders, relished in the somewhat less than ideal conditions on what should have been a rather easy ride. Just to keep the blogger on his toes the route chosen was the 2010 version and not the 2011 one that I detailed. I may have to make my descriptions more vague in future. The ride was shortened slightly, although I suspect it might have actually been lengthened, due to the conditions. The lunch spot had a well appreciated shelter shed although finding a dry path across the grass was a challenge. The only vehicle that stood out, in more ways than one, was the Schwinn two seater.
After suffering a puncture on the way to Yinnar it then decided to loosen all the spokes in it's back wheel. A quick repair job at Yinnar only lasted to the lunch stop. A more serious fix at lunch kept it together for the rest of the ride. A bit of a surprise having just returned from a complete re spoke. Some ammunition against the shop owner next time we cross paths. Finally I do hope the boss gets better soon.  

half Km rest stop

two seater repairs

magic circle club

where is it?

homeward bound

resting by the pondage

SADSAC: Sale - Nambrok 10June

For the believers it must have been divine intervention as the waters parted (as well as the clouds) for the SADSAC ride on Sunday. The group even stopped along the way at a local church to give thanks, or at least that is the story I will go with.
The ride did have a non standard starting point which, despite the distance to the facilities, worked out rather well. It also gave us access to our brand new cycling bridge over the Thomson River without having to do battle with the highway traffic. While the bridge approaches could still use some work, ( I will raise with Peter), the bridge itself is most impressive. Once over the highway it was easy riding along Settlement Road through to Kilmany. With the highway again crossed, quiet roads again to the lunch stop at Nambrok Reserve. It was a pleasant change to sit in the sun to enjoy lunch. Ray provided his famous lattice slice. We were joined on the day by a couple of new riders, Roberta and Regina. We also had the Bodey's attend on their rather stylish tandem.
After lunch we decided to try to complete the ride as published and on arrival at Mytlebank Road the event described earlier had occurred and we were able to inspect the flood damage as we made our way to the Maffra Road. After some quick PR at the turnoff we continued around the back of Sale to finish off a rather successful ride. Off to BIZ for coffees. Again almost too many riders to count, 19 I think. We are off to the Licola valley next ride, one of the mountain stages.

money well spent

riders settling in

let the sun shine

guarding the cakes

breakaway group captured

Shirley takes a back seat