sadsacnews2014: TRAMPS: Wonthaggi Weekend 29/30 March.

So far this year the weather has been very kind to the Sunday riders. Apart from a couple of Sundays of too much sun the days have all been rather usable. This weekend was the best so far.
The first of the rides on the Saturday out of Wonthaggi was enjoyed by some twenty one riders. The only new face on the ride was Joelle from Yinnar. The route published for the day was rather testing and that must have found it's way to the ride co-ord as the major climb had been omitted and the distance shortened by some fifteen kilometres. These changes did not detract from the ride as the route covered some lovely countryside and a big first day would have put some pressure on Day 2. Some minor changes to the ride format were introduced on this ride, mainly designed to try to keep the group together, in the form of a slightly slower average speed and a stricter 'no passing the leader' rule. From my position they did not seem to impact the ride, but then I was tail end charlie. Our new rider fell foul on an early climb and was given a 'time out'. All was progressing well until Tony had an equipment failure just short of Kongwak. Those crafty China men at the bike shop had slipped him a dodgy tyre. Luckily Peter had a repair sleeve and we had him back on the bike.
Lunch was in the new shelter shed at Inverloch. After lunch it was off on the scenic coastal run to Cape Paterson. Here afternoon tea (ice creams) was enjoyed by all. The final run to Wonthaggi was rather easy going.
Dinner at the Golf Club was a somewhat relaxed affair. That was until the big reveal of the Peter and Helen nuptials. Ride Director refused requests for a one off ride to Walhalla and requested all non essential personnel to spend that day at home. We all wished them well.
Day two at San Remo saw our numbers increase by five although we had lost our newbie. Ride leader for the day was occasional local Richard. The route was amended for this day as well with the direction changed to anti-clockwise. This gave Richard the opportunity to visit Newhaven and Rhyll (big stingray) on the way to lunch at Cowes. On the run out along the main road some of us chose the bike path. This concrete path (for the most part) made for more relaxed riding, separated from the traffic. Once we turned off to Rhyll we were back on the normal roads. There must have been some rather rough patches as Tim managed to snap his seat post and had to join Vance in the truck. Conditions at the lunch spot were ideal with a lovely view out over the bay. By the time we managed to drag ourselves away the route had lost the leg to the Nobbies. To make up for this Richard showed us the rest of the roads on the island. The final divert took us to a lookout on the western end of the island with a view down to the Nobbies. The end result was that by the time we arrived at the carpark we had covered the planned 61 km. On the return we all took the bike path and the footpath over the bridge. Coffee and fish n'chips finished the day. All gave a big thank you to Helen, Peter, Vance and Jan. A very successful weekend away.