June 2002 MSTCV Itinerary

 

Sunday 9th       Mt Buninyong Fire Tower (Ballarat area)                              Geoff Jones leading

                        10.15 am Whittlesea

 

Join Geoff on his Yamaha R1 for a tour of the west. Starting at Whittlesea we’ll head out to Strath Creek, Broadford and Pyalong for morning tea. I suspect we’ll then head south to Blackwood and Ballan and the scenic 745m Mt Buninyong. It has a very sturdy fire spotting tower offering views of the surrounding plains. Koalas abound and it is worth walking along the road and seeing how many you can spot. There aren’t many places where you can almost guarantee to see one. To top it off, Geoff has volunteered the services of his wife Val to provide afternoon tea – excellent cakes and coffee. I hate for anything to go to waste so I expect a good turnout! Expect around 400 km for the day.

 

Sunday 16th     Noojee Tool Shed Counter Lunch     (short ride)                                 Tim Walker leading

                        10.15 am Yarra Glen

 

The ride route is a little dependent on the weather. If the weather is fine then Mt Baw Baw calls and we would head via Healesville and Powelltown to the summit and return to Noojee for lunch and the end of the ride. If it is snowing at the summit, as is quite probable, then we’ll head via the Black and Reefton Spurs to the Tool Shed for a late lunch. Those travelling by cars should not count on seeing us before 1 pm. Whatever happens, there will be plenty of twisty roads. Expect around 250 km for the day.

 

Sunday 23rd    Venus Bay                                                                                            Ben Warden leading

                        10.15 am Hallam

 

Venus Bay is twenty six km past Inverloch. First stop will be Loch, via Drouin. Then around to Venus Bay for a look and up to Meeniyan for lunch to avoid the crowds and lack of parking at Inverloch. Depending on the group and weather conditions we may find ourselves heading north through Mirboo North and Trafalgar. Wet or dry these roads are well worth a visit. The scenery is rolling hills with occasional views of the ocean. Grip shouldn’t be a problem on these little used roads. 400 km for the day.

 

Sunday 30th     Highlands                                                                                              Ray Walker leading

                        10.15 am Whittlesea

 

Flowerdale, Strath Creek, Pyalong for morning tea. Then on to Seymour and the Highlands road to Yea. Rumour has it that they have made another section of the dirt. There was only a couple of kilometres left of good, uphill hard packed dirt the last time we visited. Final loop may be across the Molesworth Road and back across the Black Spur to Healesville to break-up. Expect around 420 km for the day.

 

July

Thurs. 4th        Social Sip, 7 pm Whitehorse Inn, 5 Burwood Rd Hawthorn    

                        (Collect Club Magazine and new Itineraries)

 

Good food, good company – usually about sixteen or more people. Throw in a Club Magazine with all the latest write-ups and Who’s News. A cheap, entertaining night. Brave the cold, be there!

 

Sunday 7th       Strathbogie Ranges                                                                           Ron Johnston leading

                        9.15 am Yarra Glen

 

Note early start time. This ride is marked as not suitable for inexperienced riders. It offers all manner of road conditions from brilliant sweeping corners to well worn, badly maintained (pot holed, bumpy) narrow country secondary roads. The Strathbogie Ranges are accessed via Merton. We’ll be working the areas between Longwood and Euroa including Ruffy, Strathbogie, Boho South and possibly Violet Town. Very interesting country. Expect around 500 hard kilometres for the day, finishing at Healesville.