The following Ride Reports are categorised into their own headings for ease of access. Where appropriate, you may see photo's taken during these rides when there are links provided to do so.
Long Way Round (to Steiglitz)
Sun 24 May 2009- Long Way Round (to Steiglitz)
Sun 24 May 2009
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If you would like to organise a ride (or other event), contact the Ride Coordinator, Martin De Haas on 0402440273 or click Here to email him. He can assist with maps, ride notes, distances, fuel stops, etc
DAYLESFORD
28 JUN 2009
Ride Report:
There is nothing like riding in beautiful warm weather – in our case warm weather had not been ordered for the day – Sunday morning 4 degrees!
This group of intrepid riders who were prepared to face the cold weather met for a warming cuppa at Caltex before setting off towards the Brisbane Ranges. It must have been colder than we were thought, as a couple of members felt the need to see this group off – just in case we froze between Werribee and Daylesford.
We set out down Bulban Road led by our merry Ride Coordinator. The group was made up with dozen bikes with varying bikes and capabilities.
We cut across the plains to Anakie and then winding through the Brisbane Ranges coming in the south side of Ballan. After a quick stop to enable the Learner to catch up with the pack and for Maria (in the cage) to recover after a photo shoot went wrong - losing her way to the pack - it was across the Western Freeway into Daylesford. Road was a bit mossy, but it was a great run into Daylesford but a noticeable change in temperature again.
Our ride pack dodge the Sunday café set in main street Daylesford and head into the Sunday Markets at the Daylesford Railway Station. The markets are a great mix of trash & treasure, farmers and arts & craft. I think the visit to the markets was a devious plan by the males of the group to limit us females from spending too much money – lead us to markets whilst on motorcycle – no room for too much shopping.
After wandering around the market for hour or so, our Eastern fringe members (Danny and Lee, this time in their car – it was too foggy and cold), caught up with the riding group. Group dodges many a pool of mud in the market car park, and return to main street Daylesford for parking and lunch.
Accessing the parking area was a learning experience for our Learner – not very successful this time, but something I definitely need to work on. Eventually we parked all the bikes in the public school yard and head off to do some window shopping and lunch.
After lunch, we started heading out of Daylesford back down to the freeway. Unfortunately for Steve, it was a long wait to get home, a puncture meant waiting around the tow truck pickup. Rest of ride pack rode on down the freeway towards Bacchus Marsh.
The Learner managed to keep up with the pack on the freeway – even surprising Tail End Charlie (her husband). Goodbyes said in Bacchus Marsh. Enjoyable day had by all – weather managed to keep dry for the riders – Bacchus Marsh sun is out!
I would like to thank all ride pack riders for their support and patience on my first club ride as a Learner. It was a great learning experience and confidence booster.
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Long Way Round (To Steiglitz)
Sun24 May 2009
Ride Report:
Ride Pics!Here we were, all 5 machines and 6 people, waiting to get on our merry way to a much anticipated cup of tea and scones. Having forgone breakfast and it being nearly 9.30, stomach rumbling, we took off from the highway Lounge.
There was Yogi, his fleece as black as tar, Ian whose membership is in the mail, Allan on his old but trusty Beemer, Glenn & Fran on their showpony and me on the wonderbeast.
Much had been said about the heavily endorsed scrumptious scones by our new president and apprehensive first time ride leader - (show me that pickenick basket and pass me the Melways) Yogi. Their size was reportedly out of this galaxy and the flavor unsurpassed in this universe, with cream only a mother cow could produce.
Now all that remained was to make our way to the tea-house – a relatively simple meander through the backblocks of our home turf, a distance of not more than 80 Km’s if by way of Ballan.
Deciding to proceed past the Werribee racecourse to Edgar Road, turn left (or was that right???) only to be balked by some pedal powered contraptions and their escort. A short 5 minute halt was called for to allow them to gain some distance (and our frustrations to settle). Bloody useless contraptions – get a real bike (anything but a tractor naturally)!!
Moving along, all was proceeding to plan, Fiskville CFA training grounds on the left, follow signs to Ballan.
Nearly in Ballan and being at the tail end of the group, I was a little taken aback by our leader’s decision to proceed to the left and head for Mt Edgerton. Thinking Yogi was just extending the ride a little as it seemed a bit early for morning tea, I trundled along with the rest. Could kill for smoke though!!
I had been here before on a similar misdirected adventure and was confident we knew where we were – just where the blooming heck was Steiglitz though!!
Still unconcerned at this stage, I started to wonder a bit when Glenn pulled up next to Yogi and started frantically pointed to the stomach of his trusty stead – it was thirsty and the reserve camel pack had been engaged.
Prompted by the frantic gestures, I could not help but wonder; how far had we come? A quick glance at the trip meter and I had my answer. I could not believe we had already covered some 170 Km’s!! Seemed a lot shorter to me but the GTR had not yet lied to me so I have to trust it was right.
Coming to a T intersection, we thankfully spotted the service station (one for fuel, 2 of us for a longed for smoke!!). Yogi seemed to visibly relax as well; now we were in Elaine on the Ballarat highway he could get some directions.
Assured that Steiglitz was only 16 K away, we saddled up and following the directions given, we finally pulled in for those HUGE scones – we could hear Yogi rumbling from the car park (or was that the Hardley?).
Ordering our Tea/Coffee/Anzacs/Scones/Muffins, we settled down to wait for the delivery truck, after all those scones were HUGE!!
A friendly little wag-tail of a dog (that’s “wee brun dug” for the scots among us) jumps all over my lap and settles for a little TLC and leaving his calling cards all over my T-Shirt and Jacket. No, nothing wet or brown – malting season for Jack Russel’s had arrived and I went home with a new fur coat!! Weren’t the other jealous!!
Tea/Coffee and Anzacs arrive (the latter the size of a small dinner plate) we anxiously awaited the delivery truck (were they still grinding the flour and pounding the dough?).
With a flourish the scones arrive – 2 each, duly carved in half by the chainsaw and slathered with Strawberry Jam and Cream. Where was that bloody truck, these MUST be appetizers. No, the global economic downturn had hit here as well – economy size scones, albeit with a monstrous budget of flavor and calories; power packed bloody marvelous they were and well worth waiting for.
Having satisfied our scone-lust, and after a good hour or so to rest our numb bums, we once again engaged the gears and let out the clutches. Assured that Yogi knew a million ways back from here, we followed him right up a wrong turn to be confronted by that wrathful and disliked nemesis of road bikes – gravel!! Oops, me thinks a Ewe Turn is in order.
A quick reorientation and vroom-vroom homeward bound – wrong!!
Spotting a “Little River” sign, only Glenn made the right call and turned right, the rest of us overshooting a good way in pursuit of the Pres.
Sitting at the back I had a great view of Ian resurfacing the road with his expensive rear rubber when he was momentarily distracted by the scenery and arrived at the back of Allan’s BMW in front. Best braking maneuver I have seen since the HART Open Day 3 years ago. A neat, steaming line of hot rubber left for archeologists to ponder about in the next century – truly a work of art Michael Angelo would have been proud of.
By now we had enough adventure and one after the other peeled off as we came closer to home.
Next time we’ll go by way of Moscow, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Phuket. A shorter ride but at least we will get home earlier to enjoy the rest of the day!!
Marty (Ride Coordinator))
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