sadsacnews2014: SADSAC: Briagolong

Back on deck at last.

Despite the threatening weather conditions around fourteen riders made their way to Briagolong.
The route itself was actually the same as the Saturday Morning Briag group's standard ride. While the speedsters from the Saturday group do it as a nice morning exercise, we chose to use the whole day.
The ride is generally flat with the odd hill thrown in. We had one new? rider with Max, a seasoned local, choosing to share his day with us.
Due to the cool conditions it suited most of the group to wear their weatherproof gear for the duration. Fortunately these garments were only needed for temperature control and not precipitation. We had not gone that far on the ride before we noticed a couple in the distance that looked somewhat familiar. Bridie and Graham had ridden out to meet us and stayed with us till lunch at Maffra. The rest of the run to lunch was generally uneventful apart from Ted losing his tail light near the hill climb circuit. Approaching Maffra I tend to use the rail trail access track for the challenge. On this occasion I had some company,this never happens with the Wednesday group. We also had three of our number take a short cut via the trail from Tinamba. I had much difficulty restraining Denis who felt obliged to beat them. We had a tip off that something was on at our usual lunch venue so planned an alternate just in case. While the shed was set up, it was empty, but we decided to use the facilities at the nearby playground instead. Despite some money being spent on the shed in recent times some felt the venue chosen was better. Our backup, Lorraine, had provided us with some home cooked treats to raise the occasion even more.
As we were about to leave the ride leader, myself, noticed the rear tyre was flat. The onlookers made every attempt to destroy my confidence, but I was having none of it. Once on the way we took the back streets and the cemetery to make our way to the Boisdale Road. Along the Back Boisdale Road we met up the informative Phil who rode with us a bit. Spirits must have been high as some chose to conduct a run out towards the end. The leader was even overtaken by Alister approaching the outskirts of town. As we packed up the rain started, luckily the local coffee house was watertight. All agreed the day was most enjoyable.