MSR Itinerary                      May  2008

Sunday 4^th      Reefton Pub lunch Dave Ward leading

10 am Yarra Glen

This is a short ride finishing at the Reefton Pub for lunch.  The route is up and down Chum and Myers Creek Roads to Healesville, then across the famous Black Spur to Narbethong and Marysville for a coffee and a splash of fuel. After the break we may visit Lake Mountain if the weather, road conditions and time are on our side, otherwise directly over the Reefton Spur to lunch at the Reefton Pub around 1.30 pm.  Expect around 180 km of fine roads for the day. Running late? Have to work? Meet us at the pub.

Sun 11^th Snake Valley Geoff Jones leading

10 am Whittlesea

Didn’t know there were good roads out west? Check this lot out! Whittlesea, Flowerdale, Strath Creek, Broadford, Pyalong and Lancefield for morning tea after 110 km of excellent roads. On to Kyneton, Spring Hill, Daylesford, Creswick and Ballarat for lunch. Continue west to Smythesdale, Snake Valley, Linton, Cape Clear, Dereel, Meredith, Rokewood Junction (2 km of good dirt), Durdidwarrah, Anakie and Werribee to finish. Expect around 380 km for the day. Different roads, different places. Be there.

Sun 18^th Loch Martin Thompson leading

10 am Berwick

There are so many good roads south of Loch, the challenge is to connect them all up. The route heading towards Kilcunda with the sea appearing on the horizon, sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right, sometimes straight ahead, always proves popular and confusing! It is, paradoxically, the middle of nowhere, yet never far from home. Great variety of roads with the emphasis on tight up hill twisties and medium speed sweepers on the flat or undulating. A bit of Phillip Island race track, a bit of the Reefton, without the camouflaged policemen hiding in trees. Expect 350 km for the day, or more if the weather and participants demand. Conversely, easy to shorten if the weather is miserable. Be there.

Sunday 25^th    Pyalong                                                                                         Paul Southwell leading

10 am Whittlesea

Paul has figured out a way of connecting most of the good roads in the area. From Whittlesea we’ll head straight for Junction Hill and Yea, turn left and pick up the Highlands road and back to Seymour for morning tea at the bakery after 115 km. After what could be lunch for some we’ll head off to Glenaroua and Pyalong along the main drag which gradually becomes more undulating and twisty. On to Emu Flat and across to Burke and Wills Track and down to Lancefield for the second break – fuel and food at the corner shop. Final hop back to Broadford, Strath Creek and Kinglake West along only good roads. Look out for kangaroos. The roads are grippy wet or dry, so don’t be put off by the weather. Expect 280 km for the day, fairly dramatic tyre wear and plenty of light left to sweep up the leaves or watch the footy.

June 2008

Sunday 1^st Gembrook Ian Payne leading

10 am Berwick

Ian was crook the last time he attempted to lead this ride so we thought we would give him another shot. From Berwick we’ll head north of Berwick along the good link roads to Longwarry North, picking up the Jindivick Road to Neerim South for morning tea. After a leisurely stop we’ll proceed east through Crossover towards Moe on the Old Sale Road, then north to Willow Grove and back to Icy Creek and Noojee. Depending on time, we’ll push on to Powelltown and Hoddles Creek to regroup at Gembrook for a late lunch. Ian will pick the eyes out of the best roads in the area passing through places such as Emerald, Yellingbo, Macclesfield and Upper Pakenham. We’ll finish near Hallam after 270 km of interesting and varied roads, often travelled in the reverse direction. You won’t be bored.

Thurs. 5^th Social Sip – 7 pm Mark’s Place, corner of Grattan and Swanston Sts, Carlton. Collect your magazine, share a meal, catch up with the guys and all the gossip. Bring your photos.