June 2005 MSTCV Itinerary

Sunday 5^th Highlands Ian Payne leading 10 am Whittlesea

The Pres hasn’t been riding much these days so this would be a good time to catch up with him, riding on familiar Club roads. Expect to visit places like Flowerdale and Strath Creek. Wear warm clothes as it will be freezing around Kinglake but should warm up on the other side of the Great Divide. Maybe Seymour or Broadford for morning tea, then across through Highlands and up to Gobur before heading back to Yea for lunch. Early sunset will see us back in Kinglake after an easy 300 km for the day.

Sunday 12^th Moe via Hill End Ron Johnston leading

10 am Yarra Glen

Try to convince Ronny to stop at Noojee after 80 km for a regulation morning tea. Next stop is Moe along bumpy and likely wet twisties through Hill End and Willow Grove with a loop around to Erica,then back down to Tyers and Moe after another 125 km. This ride is marked as not suitable for first time Club riders or inexperienced riders. Relentless technically difficult roads requiring a high degree of concentration for extended periods. Don’t bring a mate! Back west towards Melbourne by the now familiar Old Sale Road to Buln Buln and right up through Crossover to Neerim South where a decision will be made to either continue back to Powelltown via Neerim East or continue west to the Highway via Jindivick and Labertouche, both good options. Time and light may conspire. Expect around 370 km for the day.

Monday 13^th Trawool Paul Southwell leading

10 am Whittlesea

The plan is to go for a short ride and then head back for late lunch at La Porchetta around 1.30 pm. La Porchetta is located on the corner of Peel and Victoria Streets, just opposite the top end of Victoria Market. It specialises in pasta but sells everything and is licensed. The ride will pick up lots of the good roads including St Andrews and possibly the Toolangi loop, then up to Glenburn before working our way west to Flowerdale, Strath Creek, Broadford and back to Melbourne. Expect about 200 km for the day.

Sunday 19^th Reefton and Black Spurs Nigel Hellyer leading

10 am Yarra Glen

This will probably be Nigel’s first ride back after the bike has had a cosmetic rebuild after the Don Road minor crash which has proved costly and time consuming, the tank respray the final hold up. Expect a visit up Myers Creek Road and down Chum Creek Road, then down to Warburton for first stop for fuel and a bite to eat. On towards the Upper Yarra Dam and around the Reefton to Marysville for lunch proper. The ride may end here or back in Healesville after a quick dash across the Black Spur. Conditions are likely to be cold, if not wet. There could be snow. Not for the feint hearted. Expect around 300 km.

Sunday 26^th Kilcunda Ben Warden leading

10 am Berwick

A couple of weeks ago Paul Southwell, Lyn Duncan and I did a pre-run looking for new and interesting roads. If you normally get lost on my rides, you will certainly do so on this one! Expect everything, from tight and twisty bumpy roads to magnificent sweepers, with spectacular views of the ocean at the most unexpected times. The windy season is upon us and riding conditions will be difficult. And it will be cold. But if you are after varied and interesting roads and can manage 400 km, be there.

July 2005

Sunday 3^rd Toora Wind Farm Peter Feistl leading

10 am Berwick

First stop Korumburra via the magnificent Warragul Road, then deep into Gippsland visiting the 13 or so wind turbines at Toora which should be working hard at this time of the year. Very impressive engineering. Form your own view based on visiting the site if they should be disallowed along the coast for aesthetic and /or noise reasons. Tons of good roads, numerous return route possibilities. Ride will be tailored to the weather conditions and skill/endurance of attending riders. Expect 400 plus km.

Thurs. 3^rd Social Sip, 7 pm Marks Place, Corner of Grattan and Swanston Streets, City