Australia Day Weekend Jindabyne, Saturday 23^rd to Tuesday 26^th January 2010

The Committee has booked the Torino Lodge at the NSW Sport and Recreation Centre in Jindabyne. This accommodation has two beds per room (7 rooms) with communal bathroom facilities, and a large kitchen/living area with a big screen TV. We have stayed there a few times before and are so impressed with the cost, quality and food, we thought we had better come back! And back. And back!

The Australia Day holiday falls on Tuesday 26^th of January. Given the distances involved (700 km on the 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 Saturday, ride around the Snowy Mountains Sunday and Monday, and return to Melbourne on Tuesday. This means three nights accommodation. You'll need to take annual leave for the Monday.

Typically temperatures are mid 30’s this time of year, but at this altitude the temperatures will be around 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 There are 14 places. You cannot book for just one night. Pay $125 deposit into the Club coffers to reserve your bed for three nights. Meals are included for the first night. The pub $15 steak night (self cook) should do another night meal.

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.

Club Christmas Camp, 26^th December to 3^rd January 2010

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 and swim shoes, ready for a great holiday. Supermarket shopping is available at Bright, 6 km away.

The Club usually secures some unpowered sites “under the willows”. Another good option is to rent self contained cabins for the week. 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.

There are also budget motels and hotels nearby.