SADSAC: Stratford - Heyfield (via rail trail) 05 October

The day was fine but breezy for those assembled at Stratford for a day on the rail trail.
I think we ended up with ten riders that included, for the first time, Erik. He was staying at Lakes so took the opportunity to have a ride with us. I hope we did not spoil him too much. We also had John and Maureen who are in training for the Great Vic.
The main feature of the day was the steady westerly wind. As the route to lunch was mostly to the west, the morning was always going to be a struggle. The trail itself was in reasonable condition for the most part. The previously washed out section at Boggy Creek had been repaired since our last visit and the only section that was below par was in the last few kilometres into Heyfield. Here the new surface was a bit soft in places.
Lunch at the park was most pleasant. We even had a musical atmosphere with the Wine Festival at the Wetlands Centre just audible. Katie had provided her signature jelly slice which was the main reason for the Erik spoiling. While at the park Bill Redmond arrived with a group of friendly riders. They had trained to Traralgon and were doing the full length. A good day for it as the wind was on their backs the whole way.
The return leg to Stratford was via the road and obviously much easier. The run to Maffra was over quite quickly. From Maffra the call was made to do the last leg on the rail trail again. The final run with the wind and downhill was easy as. This certainly capped off a successful day in the saddle.

Arrival in Heyfield

Making it look easy

Erik in supplements scandal

Liz and map

Lunch in the park

Jim and Erik approaching Stratford

TRAMPS: Traralgon - Churchill 28 September

Vance has kindly supplied this report and photos:

A modest group of 13 riders presented for a most pleasurable ride. All the threatening bad weather failed to happen. Lyndon was supposed to be the support, but instead she made her partner Peter drive the car so she wouldn't miss out on the ride. Mattingley Hill was no problem being in the morning part of the ride. The was then a slight detour from the main road along Jeeralang North Road to Church Road.  We stopped for lunch at the pretty Mathison Park. Darryl had been a gymnastics instructor in a past life and tried to demonstrate the use of the horizontal bars. I don't think the exercise was supposed to involve crashing flat on the back. Erik tried the monkey bars. There was a loud thump and he was also flat on his back. After lunch we took the bike track along the side of Lake Hyland bringing us to Switchback Road.  Tony wanted his photo taken and possibly put in the paper as his wife is yet to be convinced that he actually goes on these rides. We didn't stop at the pondage, instead we went north along Nadanbouschs Road to Brodribb Road. After a brief rest at Kernot Hall we cruised under the highway then beside the river to Crinigan Road and onto the Old Melbourne Road, with a nice tail wind, arriving in Traralgon at the West end of Kay Street. Some rides can be perfect and this was one.

Some waiting for others

Enjoying a beautiful day

Proof I was here

The doughnuts didn't last long

Gotta get them kids off so I can have a swing

In Mathison Park

SADSAC: Stratford Double Loop 21 september

The ride on Sunday turned out to be one of the best of the year.
Despite only having eight riders, two of whom were visitors, the small group enjoyed a satisfying ride in ideal conditions. The change to the first loop that involved avoiding the Briagolong Road made for a much more relaxed morning leg. Our newest member, Bronwyn, on only he second ride, looks like heading to the local bike shop to upgrade her mount. Despite her uncle's abundance of top line cycles it appears that they are all prized possessions, so she will just have to find one for herself. There was no shortage of advice for her on the day. As the group was reasonably small we were able to stay together for most of the time.
The lunch stop in Stratford was relaxed as usual and the catering was well handled by Betty. She chose to spend the day with us, all be it from the copilot's seat in the backup vehicle. She commented that it was most enjoyable viewing the local countryside at the somewhat relaxed pace. She had heard of many of the places from her well traveled spouse.
After lunch the second loop had us out around Airly and Chinns Bridge. The breeze was present but did not produce any concerns. The run up the hill just after Chinns provided the only real challenge for the day. We tried to make the most of it. Along the way Liz was able to tell us of her adventures on the Queensland Bike ride. It sounded quite different to the Victorian version, not the least due to the lesser numbers involved. Three of the riders on this ride are signed up for the GVBR later in the year, they being John, Jim and myself.
 After the ride it was off to Wa De Lok for a well earned coffee.

One happy tea lady

We need a larger tablecloth

No shortage of great views

George mingling with the riders

Arriving back in town

Cruising the Airly plains

SPECIAL: ( Alfred) Norm Avage 13/5/35 - 04/9/14

While Norm has only been an occasional club rider over the last few years he has had a significant relationship with Sadsacs over the last nine or so years.
Today (Thursday 11th) a memorial service was held at the Briagalong Mechanics Hall. There was expected to be around 150-200 people in attendance, although I suspect that number was exceeded.
The service was mainly conducted by the funeral director that Norm's daughter-in-law works with and he did a great job of conveying the thoughts of Isabel and family. The hall was decked out with Norm's bike taking pride of place on the stage. It appeared to be none the worse from the accident. There was also a photo of Norm with the group on a recent (about 3 years ago) Ride for Sight.
As well as the words from the Director Sportif, Norm's sons, Garry and Ian, gave a first hand account of their life with Norm. Then Norm's oldest grand daughter and grand son read out a poem they had written about "Normie". It was then the turn of good friends Keith and Bill(burger) to give their impressions of the last nine years. The group was then presented with a slide show that covered somewhat more of Norm's life. There was even shots of a tubby Norm, hard to believe. Despite all the speakers concentrating on the positive side of Norm's life, and that was substantial, you still were very much aware that he had, on his last day, just ridden 80 km at a solid pace. He did not seem quite ready to be laid out by most measures. At the conclusion the guests were treated to a spread that Norm would have been sorry to miss out on.
As I have mainly taken photos of Sadsac rides during the last few years these images were the best I could do. The last photo is of the Norm Remembrance Ride yesterday that included son Ian and nephews Randal and Les with wife Heather.

Bob Graham Ride Mar 12

After the ride Mar 12

Willung Rd Sep 13

Willung Sth Rd Jul 12

Part of the group 10/09/14

Willung Sth Rd Sep 13

TRAMPS: Gormandale - Rosedale. 14 September.

No report at this stage.

SADSAC: Lindenow - Annie's Cottage. 07 September.

The weather certainly smiled on the eight or so riders that made the journey to Lindenow for the annual Annie's Cottage ride.The "or so" was due to Shirley and Cathie sharing the driving in the backup. We had one new rider with Alister's niece Bronwyn joining us for the day. As her previous riding experience consisted of a six kilometre outing with the dog, she was in for a treat.
The ride itself starts out with the long slow climb from Lindenow, through Lindenow South finally peaking out at the highway. From this point the terrain is far more gentle to the turnoff to the cottage. The last kilometre, on the dirt, was in good condition, almost like fifty year old asphalt.
The cottage and surrounds looked a picture and fortunately for us the next guests were not due until later in the day. We were met by daughter Sophie and her daughter Saffron. They joined us for a coffee and cake. Alister had been tasked with the catering but had also enlisted Bronwyn to provided the home cooked touch. Her chocolate balls were indeed better.
Once those who either had not been before, or just wanted to catch up on the latest changes had finished the tour we were almost ready to go. After the handing over of the cheque we launched off in the general direction of Lindenow. Once over the highway it was very much downhill to the flats. Despite being given the choice the group stayed together for the Calulu leg. Apart from Bron the others knew what was in store. The scenery was even better than I remembered. The climbs could not have presented themselves any more favourably than if they were the finish of a stage of the Veulta.
Once we had had our fill of the hills it was back onto the flat for the run to the start. Fortunately there was the last climb into town to stretch the legs. It just capped off a great Fathers Day out. A special mention must go to Bronwyn who held on, on a far from sporty mount, to finish with the group.

Arrival at the cottage

Ann,Cathie and Bronwyn

Denis skirts the trailer

Jim,Cathie and Sophie

Bron and Ann arrive at finish

Bron rode her small tractor