TRAMPS: Yarram - Manns Beach 03 August

Vance's report from the beach; ( Birthday report also on)

Thirteen riders arrived to start at Yarram.
The weather for the whole day was ideal; cool with bright sunlight and no wind.
Well, actually in the afternoon a slight head wind may have been noticed.
The ride went straight to Port Albert but unfortunately the fish and chip shop was not yet open. It was very sad! However on the way Dave caught up with us a Langsborough.
He reckons that he was had been on night shift and used that as an excuse.
Later in the morning we cruised into Manns Beach for a relatively early lunch then Bruce arrived.
He has seriously misjudged the time to drive to Yarram and, using some local knowledge was able to 'track' us all the way to Manns Beach. He said, and I quote: "I had a note from my mother but the dog ate it."
Lunch by the sea-side was perfect. We had the place almost to ourselves.
Our ride then took us north through attractive country to the South Gippsland Highway.
We arrived back in Yarram for coffee at The Bakery in excellent time.
This was a most pleasant ride. If you missed it, that was terrible bad luck for you.

Maurice and Tony

Resting somewhere

Shot on the run

Tim and Bill

SADSAC: Maffra- Blue Pools 27 July

A reasonable turnout of eleven riders found their way to Maffra for the run to the pool.
The mild weather conditions even allowed our "fair weather riders" to join in.
Due to circumstances beyond our control Ann missed the ride but we had ridden the route on Wednesday so all was not lost. We did have one birthday rider with Maree showing us that being 70 does not mean that you are only fit for the old people's home. She is still rather spritely on the hills.
The ride itself was somewhat undersold as the the distance was closer to 75 than 65. On our mid week ride we did not do the extra run to the pool but still managed 60 km. There was one new? official member with Geoff from Bairnsdale taking the plunge, in the club not the pool.
The ride started and finished with a few bumps as predicted but for the most part was reasonably flat. The run out through Boisdale, Bushy Park and Valencia Creek was most pleasant. Once onto the narrow winding road up to the pool the group was looking forward to a lunch break. At the picnic area we had the place pretty much to ourselves. The back up team had provided more than enough cakes and biscuits and my prediction was half right in that the snowballs were on offer but not from the previously well dressed chef.
Bridie's driver was just in his normal street clothes.
Towards the end of the break I went with Geoff to check out the pool. It was bigger than I remembered it and the atmosphere beside the water was incredible, empty and silent.
The run home was expected to find some headwinds and they did appear but were not too demanding.
The run up Norden's Lane is always a good test of current physical condition. Competition for points on offer was fierce with the youngster taking the climb just ahead of the birthday girl.
One surprise was that the old chap from Stratford was by no means the last. It turns out he has been putting in some training and it looks as though it is paying off.
Back at home plate it was off to the Red Rose for some coffee and chips.

Still able to get the leg over

Any milk for you Jim?

A snowball for the one

The best that I have seen it

Not quite newspaper quality

George and team on Crooked Lane

TRAMPS: Morwell - Yinnar 20th July.

Vance would like to say:

Traralgon and Morwell Pedallers (TRAMPS) celebrated their 20^th anniversary on Sunday 20^th July 2014, with more than forty past and present riders replicating the group’s first ride by travelling from Morwell to Yinnar and return. Three had travelled all the way from Phillip Island.  The celebrations included a fully catered luncheon at the Yinnar Memorial Hall, a nostalgic slide show presentation and cutting of a commemorative cake by the group’s founding members. Later in the day those who rode to Yinnar celebrated with cappuccinos at  Qu Bar in Mid Valley

Birthday cake

Cake stabbing

Ron from the past

Yinnar Hall

SADSAC: Sale - Stratford 13 July.

We had thirteen riders at the port on Sunday to take on the Howitt Bicycle Trail. Despite its move into history for most, the Howitt Trail is still remembered by many and some of us still have the little book that details the route. On this occasion we only took the trail from Sale to Stratford. Only a small part of the recommended thirteen day journey.
The weather on the day was much improved from the recent past with some sunshine and only light to moderate winds. The terrain is rather flat for the most part with only the odd brush with headwind to up the effort. The leader had some difficulty at times keeping the speed down with some riders wanting to ride away. With a pit stop in Maffra the outbound leg was always going to be the longest. As the odometer ticked over 40 km some in the group were asking if we were there yet. Luckily the answer was almost. Lunch in the park at Stratford was, as usual, a relaxing affair with Shirley bringing out her specials for the day. It was not their first appearance with some of the group requesting sustenance at the Maffra break.
Due to the Cheynes cancellation a regular celebration was overdue. With a suitable birthday staple produced, adorned with its own lighting (short some 86 candlepower by my calculations) the senior member was the recipient of joyful voices. The excitement must have too much for Alister as he had to take a break in the backup on the way home.
The way home was considerably shorter being almost a direct run through Airley.  We did take the small diversion past the school to break up the never ending Airley/Hagans Road double. Once we had negotiated the lake path it was back to the port. On arrival the place was a buzz with what appeared to be the Chinese Carp Fishing competition. Good to see these keen environmentalist ridding us of this pest. Once we were all packed, it was off to the local McDonalds to finish off the day.

Tim leads the group

Jackie's turn in the lead

Gentlemen resting

Life at the top table

A happy day for some

Could easily pass for 86