February 2005 MSTCV Itinerary

Sunday 6^th Daylesford Ian Payne leading

10 am Whittlesea

First ride of the new itinerary will be conducted by the Club President. Expect only the best in road selection, weather, choice of dining, and rest break facilities. From Whittlesea we’ll head west towards Woodend or Lancefield via Wallan and Romsey, (or maybe via Strath Creek and Tallarook) for a leisurely morning tea. Options abound for the next leg but Daylesford for lunch is likely. Ideal cool mountain range riding for the hot weather predicted. Expect around 300 km for the day. Ride could suit a pillion given the more open nature of the terrain.

Sunday 13^th Walhalla Nigel Hellyer leading

10 am Berwick

With luck, Nigel will have his bike back on the road by the time this ride comes around. First stop Moe for morning tea, possibly via Labertouche and the recently surfaced Old Sale Road. A loop down south into Gippsland and then back through Tyers to Walhalla for a well earned lunch. Parking will be much easier now that the school holidays have passed. Back to Noojee via Hill End for the penultimate stop. After fuelling up, we’ll enjoy the last dash across to Launching place via Powelltown before breaking up. Lots of excellent, technical, twisty roads. Ride will not suit inexperienced riders or first time riders with the Club for a couple of reasons: it will be long – 400 km, and (ii), lots of secondary roads. Nevertheless, this ride is very pleasant in the hot and dry weather. Should be grouse!

Sunday 20^th Mt Donna Buang Paul Southwell leading

10 am Yarra Glen

Paul and Geoff Jones have swapped leads, you’ll notice if you read the new itinerary card carefully. Paul has a preference for early finishes, so I imagine the route will be something along these lines: Yarra Glen to Healesville, up and down Chum Creek and Myers Creek Roads, then across to Warburton for the first stop and morning tea. Then we’ll skoot up Mt Donna Buang where the fitter persons will clamber to the top of the fire observation tower. Back down and around to the Reefton Spur and Marysville for lunch. Then over the Black Spur to finish in Healesville, home before 4 pm. Expect around 250 km for the day.

Sunday 27^th Acheron Way (short ride) Martin Hastie leading

10 am Yarra Glen

A fair swag of the very active riders will be doing it hard in Tasmania. Marty has kindly volunteered to lead this ride. This is a nominated short ride and will probably finish at the Healesville Bakery (get a number as you walk in). The Acheron Way does go all the way through to Mt Donna Buang, but when the bitumen stops, so do we, and retrace our steps. Look out for animals. Last time a lyrebird took out my right hand mirror and kill switch! Expect an easy 150 km for the day.

Week Tasmania via Ferry

26^th –6^th

As previewed, nineteen people have signed up for the Tassy extravaganza. We have had one cancellation, so if you are keen, you’ll need $274 to cover the boat trip across if you have a vehicle, or $264 as a passenger only. The boat doesn’t leave until 9 am so drop down to the docks and wish us a safe trip.

March 2005

Thurs. 3^rd Social Sip, 7 pm Whitehorse Inn, 5 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, last time.

Catch up with the gossip, collect your magazine and new itinerary. You never know who you might meet. Throw in some reasonably priced main meals, bargain monster desserts with coffee, a series of theme jokes from the members and you are in for an entertaining evening. We are shuffled out at 10 am, but groups linger outside for much longer. Give it a try. Take the car as there is plenty of parking. Note: this will be our last time at this venue. Address details for the April Social Sip will be emailed asap.