Xmas Camp, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park, Porepunkah

Wednesday 26^th December to Tuesday 1st   January 2008

Over the past 10 years or so the Club has camped for about a week at the Mt Buffalo Caravan Park. Situated on the fork of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers it offers a fantastic range of activities including swimming, fishing and bush walking. Close by is the Smoko Trout Farm, the “Wandi Pub”, the Hedge Maze, various berry, deer and nut farms, and an alpaca ranch. The famous Milawa wineries and cheese factory are close by.

Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Mt Buffalo offers a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookouts. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap? On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain tracks offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bikes, the missus and kids, the 4WD, pushbikes, swim shoes and truck inner tubes or li-los to float down the river. Supermarket shopping is available at Bright, 6 km away.

The Club usually secures some unpowered sites under “The Willows”. Last year a few couples rented self contained cabins for the week, another good option. Ring 03-5756-2235 to secure a cabin or a powered site. Otherwise tell Ian Payne of your intention to camp with the group. Do it now.

Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne Australia Day Weekend

Friday 25^th to Monday 28^th January, 2008

The Committee has booked accommodation at the NSW Sport and Recreation Centre in Jindabyne. This is lodge style accommodation with 2 or 3 beds per room (8 rooms) with communal bathroom facilities, and a large kitchen/living area with a big screen TV. We stayed there on the Melbourne Cup Weekend Epic and were so impressed with the cost, quality and food, we thought we had better come back!

The Australia Day holiday falls on Monday 28^th of January. Given the distances involved (700 km first day and last days), a four day weekend allows us to take full advantage of the great location. The plan is to ride up on Friday, ride around the snowy Mountains Saturday and Sunday, and return to Melbourne on Monday. This means three nights accommodation. You'll need to take annual leave for the Friday. Typically temperatures are in the 40’s at this time of year, but at this altitude the temperatures will be at least 10 degrees cooler making for ideal riding conditions.

As usual, this special event is offered on a strictly first come, first served basis. Preference will be given to members. A $150 deposit is required. The deposit buys you most of three nights accommodation, breakfast and main evening meals. All you need is your toothbrush, a change of clothes and near new tyres. Street legal, race replica tyres will not last much more than two days so regular road tyres are a more sensible option, unless you are prepared to change them. Six people have already signed up.