SADSAC: Heyfield - Toongabbie 30 September

The ride from Heyfield to Toongabbie had many things but mainly wind and light showers.
The cool temperature also kept the field well rugged up for the duration. Attendance was solid with 16 riders braving the conditions for an overall good day out. As expected the route to Toongabbie had the bulk of the inter wind legs. This meant that the pace was down somewhat but, being the shorter of the two legs, we arrived at lunch in good time. The village green at Toongabbie is a well presented spot to enjoy a pleasant lunch with friends. The showers even held off for the event.
The return journey was plain sailing for the most part with a welcome tailwind making one think life was meant to be easy. After a couple of crosswind legs through Nambrok we had crossed the river and all that was left was the 10 km of headwind back to the start. The Riverview road did have some shelter at times that made the task manageable. While there was a couple of members who had trouble with the conditions, most made it back in a reasonable state. Despite the trying weather the ride went off well.

mobile scarecrows

ready to go

some find it hard to relax

a red circle please

a tailwind with extra moisture

final regroup

TRAMPS: Toongabbie - Heyfield 23 September.

This ride was one of the better attended for the year. Twenty three riders presented at the Green for pleasant day out. We had three new riders on the day, namely Bill, Carmel and Daryl.  A couple of the ladies though we were at the Cup as they were adorned in low budget fascinaters. Colin's first ride back after his big trip would not be that different from the previous months, being the backup.
The prediction for the day, namely the route and the weather, turned out somewhat inaccurate. The forecast northwesterly had already turned to the west and the sunny breaks were soon to become less frequent. Despite my inability to describe the route, my knowledge of the area, courtesy of numerous Bob Graham rides, earned me the job of ride leader. The ride ended up covering half of that ride. The run up to Glenmaggie via Cowwarr and Seaton, while having all the hills, was not too hard due to the following wind. Even the run back into Heyfield for lunch was protected by the trees. By the time we arrived at the lunch stop the cloud had thickened and the temperature had dropped. Even so the lunch break was quite enjoyable. Plenty of drinks and cakes for the workers.
The strengthening westerly wind was waiting for us to test ourselves for the return. We did not have long to wait for that test. The first serious into-wind leg seemed to last a lot more that the map would indicate. After a few more slow sections we arrived at Cowwarr and our exposures were over. The final run to Toongabbie was much easier. Despite some struggles a most rewarding day. I was asked to complement the ride leader although in this case he failed to finish the ride with the group intact, therefore a fail I am afraid.

On the road to Seaton

A day at the races

Last stop before the hills

Enjoying a warm drink

Light shower now sunny

Is he on the asphalt?

SADSACS: Woodside - Port Albert 16 September

The day was fine and the wind was light, such were the conditions for the ride. Around 16 riders made the journey to Woodside for what seems like the annual run to Port Albert. It was good to see some of our occasional riders becoming more regular, namely Katie and to a lesser degree Cathy. The more the merrier, especially with these two. Likewise good to have Allister back in attendance after a spell off the bike.
Some of the riders chose fancy dress, decorating their hats with pipe cleaners and balloons, they claimed it was to ward off attacking birds.
As per the pre-ride description the route was as flat as they come. The wind can make conditions difficult but was well behaved on the day. Conditions at the Port were not quite ideal so we tended to hide beside the old Bond Store (available for any grand design fans) to escape the cool breeze. The fish and chips were of a high standard though to offset any discomfort. We were joined , to some extent, by the Bairnsdale Ulysses Club who were also out enjoying the freedom of two wheels. I do suspect however, being a biker at times, that if we felt cool while exercising at 20kph this group must have been very chilly sitting still in a 100kph gale. They had apparently though that South Gippsland would be a similar temperature to the Riviera. Wrong.
The ride back to Woodside, while on the busier roads, was a bit easier with the following breeze. A well spent day out but a ride we may have to move closer to summer if we want to laze about in the sun.

Ted,pipe cleaners and orange balloon

water views and Collin is back

Seating in short supply

maybe when we are old enough

Out of the breeze

Just like my milking shed

TRAMPS: Darnum - Longwarry 09September12

The ride to Longwarry was a good way to spend the day. Around 14 riders ( bring a friend day) gathered at the big stump for the 60 odd kilometer round trip. We initially headed south, taking the back roads to Warragul. From there it was onto the "Two Towns Trail" to Drouin. This was without doubt the highlight of our ride. The path effectively keeps walkers/runners/cyclists well clear off the metal clad beasts that we normally share our space with. The combination of this trail and a slight headwind did mean that we arrived at Drouin around lunchtime. It did appear some of the riders were looking for the lunch table before being ushered off onto the last leg.
The run to Longwarry was again on roads that at times provided a "Bona Vista".
The lunch spot at Longwarry was very comfortable with pleasant company. The two presidents attempted to dispatch the cake, but without success. Suitably refueled it was back on the bike.
The return journey seemed much shorter, helped no doubt by the following wind and the by passing of the meandering bike path through Drouin. The return from Warragul took us to the north of the highway effectively making the ride a sort of figure eight. One of the better rides on the calendar.

Looking at life

Not Yarragon

The path by a creek

Drouin at it's best

End/start Two Towns Trail

Tim's Trail