Monday 27 January 2014

Supplemental ride due cancellation 02 February.

As is becoming the rule rather than the exception a ride to Seaspray was contemplated to replace a cancelled ride. Unlike the one that replaced the Buchan Weekend last year, this one was a more modest affair. As was the prediction on the weather, conditions near the coast were considerably milder than those encountered further inland. It may have something to do with the current sea surface temperature being around 20 degrees. Even so the day did still warm up and the temperature was nudging 30 degrees by the time we arrived back at the start at 1 pm. We were not that early to start it would seem as the Sale group was encountered on Middle Road shortly after starting our ride, they almost completing theirs. Despite what could be considered beach weather the numbers by the sea were not what you might call excessive. We ended up with the shelter shed to ourselves for morning tea and the lagoon only contained one family group. There appeared to be more activity earlier as the Gippsland Dragon Boat crew were just packing up after what seemed to be a training session. The conditions we encountered would have been nothing to those on the climb to Callignee. It was fortunate that Tramps had started 2 weeks earlier than the normal start date or it would have been Meals on Wheels that would have faced the chop. It seems that summer is still with us as next weekend is also looking a bit hot.
We still managed a few pictures.
Ann presents the beach
Just to show we did ride

Monday 20 January 2014

SADSAC: Stratford - Maffra 26 January.

Sadsacs started off the year with a lap around the district to commemorate Australia Day.
Twenty riders assembled at Stratford for a rather pleasant day of riding with mild conditions and light winds. We had our now usual group of Tramps that are making the journey on a regular basis. We also had Harry from Rosedale who we thought we may not see again after his initial ride with us up the Willung South Road.
With our backup trailer suitably adorned with an Australia themed flag we headed off across the Avon and onto the quieter roads in the area. While the pace was kept to a comfortable level we were soon in Maffra for lunch. The shelter shed at the Port was in good order having been recently refurbished and the company and home cooked treats were well appreciated.
After lunch we headed off towards Newry before cutting up past the cemetery. It was here that we fare-welled Bob who had ridden over to the start to spend the day with us. Another couple of recently absent riders in Bridie and Graham also left us at this point to shorten their return. It was good to see them back out on the bike again although Graham is still not back to his former self. The rest of the group continued around the undulations and regrouped just short of the tip. It ended up being a lengthy stop as Harry had managed to puncture on this leg. We were also treated to a horse and buggy while we waited. Once the others returned it was down tip hill and onto the flat lands of Beet Road. Here we did encounter a light headwind but it was more of a cooling breeze. Safely back at the station it was off to Wa De Lok for coffee. Overall a successful start to the Sadsac year.

Getting ready for the start
Cruising Airly Road
Gents comparing Wilies
Australia Day pose for paper
Taste of life in the country
Relaxing at the end of a big day