TRAMPS: Yarram Overnighter 3/4 November

The weather was more than kind to the keen members of the club for what would be for most a trying weekend physically. A solid turnout of around 15 riders set out from Traralgon with a great deal of enthusiasm.
 The run out through Loy Yang and Gormandale proved to be a good warm up for the challenges ahead. Apart from the odd mechanical stumble this leg was uneventful. This meant that the riders were ready to tackle the main climb on arrival at Willung South Road. Having only done the climb four weeks previously it should not have been much of a surprise for most. Prior knowledge did not seem to make the hill any easier though and there were many who were happy to see the top. At this point the route turned south for the relatively flat run to Yarram. The flatness may have appeared more hilly for some riders especially as the short diversion to the lunch stop also involved a climb. It was worth the effort however as the lunch break was much appreciated and the setting rather comfortable. The final K's to Yarram were on quieter roads that enabled a more social style and this continued at the bakery that had kindly stayed back to look after us.
Once refreshed an enjoyable dinner was consumed at the Commercial.
   Day two had an extra rider with Len making an appearance. The run up through Tarra Valley was made even more pleasant with an earlier than usual stop by the river for morning tea. The event turned out to be a surprise birthday party? for Helen. I am not sure if the large quantity of creamy sponge cake was meant to fuel the riders for the approaching climb but it was enjoyed non the less. Apparently cream does not sit well with the support driver so Jan organised for items to be left at the motel in order that he spend some time in retrieval thus avoiding said cream. The arrival at Balook had us all in the shade enjoying a relaxing lunch. The final run down the hill is always enjoyable even though the road was a bit worse for wear.
Many thanks to all the cooks for their efforts, the cheerful support driver Vance (quick with a joke or a light up your smoke) and Richard the second for a good lead.

false summit stop

should have organised a dance

Yarram 2012

morning tea stop?

No...its a birthday party

lunch amid the flowers

SADSAC: Buchan Weekend 27/28 October

The conditions were kind to the 30 odd riders for the run to Buchan and back on the weekend.
The forecast tailwind on Saturday arrived on cue and gave the riders an easy run through the hills.
The Sunday conditions were milder than expected and helped those who suffer from overheating.
We had a good spread of riders with a large number of starters from the Bairnsdale area as well as a good roll up from the valley. This in turn helped fill the gaps from our own ranks.
The weekend was also yet another organisational success thanks to the efforts of Shirley and Phillip.
These two have ensured that the whole show goes off smoothly and the riders feel they must be the team's "favoured rider" as in the tour. The Buchan Hotel again provided another high standard meal for the participants.
While there we no significant incidents on the ride, the sight that I encountered on arrival at the backpackers had me somewhat puzzled. The appearance of an upturned bicycle, minus a wheel, is certainly not rare. A group of fellow cyclists looking over the scene is also rather common. The young rider tackling what looked like a puncture repair seemed to me to be encountering, going by her actions, a completely new experience.
The onlookers, from my past experience, tend to offer no end of advice, but this group was somewhat silent. I concluded that either they were being mean to her or they did not know either. I concluded that it was most likely the latter and assisted said rider with the fitting of the tube/ tyre combination. She claimed that in her five years of riding, this was her first puncture, a serious case of lady luck.
Having done my usual of choosing what most would claim to be an inappropriate mount for the ride, I was not surprised to see the Schwinn tandem on the support vehicle after the first leg to Bruthen. Despite my attempts to encourage the stronger riders to ride their "clankers", they still seem to roll up on their TDF replicas.
 Once again a rather outstanding weekend.

Bruthen morning tea

Enjoying the climb

I asked for smiling not crying

Arrival at Buchan

Buchan 2012

Red Knob break

TRAMPS: Traralgon - Moe 21 October.

This report and photos courtesy of Liz.


17 riders left Traralgon in cool spring weather for a 66 km ride. Numbers were depleted as many doing the Around the Bay ride + Vance was at home suffering with toothache. We took the scenic road, north of the highway, to the lunch spot at Moe. After cycling into a gusty wind all morning, lunch, rest + yummy cakes were very welcome.
The afternoon ride was assisted by a tail wind + some rain squalls. This rider used all gears + registered a top speed of 55 km/hr.
(Sounds a bit like a theme park " Wet and Wild".)

chairs and tables in Moe

On my own again

Say goodbye to Moe

Good looking livestock

Who's off colour

cresting Hernes Oak

SADSAC: Lindenow - Annie's Cottage 14 October

Report as seen in Gippsland Times.

A small group of SADSAC riders enjoyed a pleasant day with warm sunshine and excellent ride conditions for the annual Sale and District Sunday Afternoon Cyclists ride from Lindenow to Annie's Cottage for lunch.

Judy Robbins welcomed the group and gave a talk about the cottage and the many families who have benefited from a much needed family holiday.

SADSAC member Colin Langshaw's birthday was also celebrated on the day.

After lunch riders crossed back over the highway, over the Wuk Wuk bridge, travelling via Calulu and then tackled some very steep hills to enjoy the view over the Lindenow Flats before the short ride back to Lindenow and a much welcomed afternoon tea.

Pedals will add some pictures if I can get hold of them.

TRAMPS: Rosedale - Gormandale 07 October

It would appear that few members studied the ride profile as 21 riders made their way to Rosedale for a solid day of cycling. A new boy, Eric the Viking, added to our ranks complete with evidence of his ancestry.
The ride started out harmlessly enough with a flat section before entering some rising ground with added showers. Luckily this was the end of the wet weather for the day, it did remain cool however.
The road remained relaxed until the arrival of the Willung South Road. We now had ahead of us the main challenge of the day. The first few kilometers were a gentle rise with the odd climb thrown in. The road then pitched up for the remaining 7 or 8 k's. The group was told to go at their own pace and very quickly the gaps formed. The lead riders were caught before long, however, as they stopped on a false summit. The chasers continued on, only to be caught by the pipe lady, Maree, at the real summit.
Once reformed it was the fast decent of Powers Hill to the awaiting lunch break. The lunch venue was most relaxed with ample quantities of delicious cakes and the required tea and coffee.
The run back to base, after the initial climb out of Meriman's Creek, was just a breeze, literally.
Stories were then exchanged at the Cafe. A hard but rewarding ride.

Eric in casual head wear

Who will fix these potholes now?

lunch at the oval

not my fault

looks good on paper

time for a quick dance