MSR Itinerary                      August  2008

Sunday 10^th Brisbane Ranges followed by lunch in Gisborne Geoff Jones leading

10 am West Gate Shell Servo

The Jones clan have very generously offered to once again open their home and provide lunch for the participants on the day’s ride. The Club is very grateful for such hospitality.

The route through the Brisbane Ranges will be similar to previous rides with first stop at Meredith after negotiating Werribee, Anakie and the west side of the Brisbane Ranges. After morning tea we’ll scoot down the east side to Anakie completing a loop before heading north to Bacchus Marsh. After these few straight roads we’ll continue parallel to the Western Highway through Myrniong before striking north to Greendale, Blackwood and Trentham. Then we’ll meander our way around tighter back roads to Springhill before emerging at Woodend (fuel) before the challenging ride over Mt Macedon and down into Gisborne.

The ride will finish with a spectacular (judging by previous efforts) lunch provided courtesy of Melissa McKenna (nee Jones) with mum Val's help. Members unable to make the ride are welcome but should ring Melissa on mobile 0407 888 597 or fixed line 542 88 767 to assist in catering. The address is 12 Kurung Crt Gisborne. The ride will continue after lunch breaking up in Bulla, some 15 minutes from the city via the Tullamarine Freeway.

Sunday 17^th Trafalgar Nic Jacka leading

10 am Yarra Glen

The route will be across to Healesville, up and down Myer and Chum Creek Roads back to Healesville, then across to Yarra Junction and through Powelltown to Noojee for morning tea after 95 km or so. Warmed and ready for action, we’ll tackle the more challenging roads through Icy Creek to Hill End, and Tyers for fuel. On to Walhalla for lunch then back to Moe continuing south over the freeway to Mirboo North. From Mirboo North we’ll start trekking back towards Melbourne picking up Leongatha, Korumburra, Lardner and Drouin for fuel. Then parallel to the highway to break up at Pakenham. Expect around 420 km for the day. This ride will not suit inexperienced riders.

Sat. 23^rd Lancefield Hotel Lunch – suitable for pillions, learners, Ps, etc. Trevor Harris leading

10 am Whittlesea

In (modified) Trevor's words: "Three short legs at a relaxed pace. From Whittlesea it's north to Kinglake West, Flowerdale, Strath Creek and into the main street of Broadford for our first break. Next it's onwards to Pyalong and down to Lancefield, after travelling about 120 km from Whittlesea, for lunch at the Lancefield Hotel, 2 High Street, Lancefield, opposite the Shell petrol station. They serve lunch between 12 and 2 pm so we’ll aim to be there about 12:30pm. After lunch we will head back to Whittlesea via Cobar, Romsey and Wallan. Expect around 200 km for the ride."

Pillions should be aware that it is very cold at this time of year, particularly in central Victoria, and dress accordingly. Water proof clothing (wind proof) is almost mandatory. Note: the rider can afford slightly less layers as he is "working" and thus stays a little warmer. The pillion cops an icy blast and must just sit there.

Sunday 24^th Maldon                            Paul Southwell leading

10 am Whittlesea

From Whittlesea we’ll head to Yea and Highlands stopping in Seymour for morning tea and fuel after 115 km. From here we’ll continue in a northerly direction parallel to the Hume Highway to Nagambie through the wine country before striking west to Heathcote, Redesdale, Castlemaine and Maldon, a heritage listed town. If there is time we’ll head up to the fire tower just out of town and take in the views. After wandering the town and consuming lunch while window shopping at the various specialty shops we’ll start to head home. The route will include Newstead, Daylesford, Spring Hill, Tylden, Woodend, Romsey and Wallan. Expect around 340 km for the day. The route could be influenced by rain and Paul may end up running the ride backwards with the first stop at Lancefield. Either way, interesting roads.

MSR Itinerary  cont.                    August  2008

Sunday 31^st Licola Ben Warden leading

10 am Berwick

Dave was down to lead a Reefton Spur ride on this date but as he will be high up in the sky in a plane, according to Bronwyn, we (Bron and I – Dave asleep) have agreed to swap dates. The web reflects the new arrangements. The is an arduous ride, not suitable for inexperienced riders, particularly when the days are short and the temperatures low. Don’t bring a friend. The route will pick up Moe (morning tea), back roads bypassing Heyfield and on to Licola and Wellington River to check out the flood and fire damaged National Park. Brilliant roads with almost no cars. And with a number of short cuts, almost no unpleasant highway sections. Back a similar way, depending on participants and climatic conditions. Expect around 420 km for the day. Good tyres essential.

September 2008

Thurs. 4^th General Meeting Tower Hotel

6.30 pm 686 Burwood Road Hawthorn, Melways Reference 45 G11

We have booked a "free" private meeting room, conditional on us eating there. (The usual Club Hall is being renovated.) Special meal price, main plus pot $15. (Specifically: Parma & pot/soft drink; pasta plus drink, roast plus drink, fish plus drink - all $15 ea). Otherwise pizza $10 through to steaks at $29.

So, save your Club money and come and have a meal followed by a quick formal meeting. Collect your magazine, catch up with the gossip, see your mates.

Sunday 7^th Jerusalem Creek (Eildon) Ben Warden leading

10 am Yarra Glen

This ride will explore the Eildon area – everywhere except the Jamieson Road. The basic route is Healesville, Black Spur, Marysville, Taggerty, Eildon, Alexandra, Yea, Kinglake West. Along the way we’ll stop at the Jerusalem Boat ramp, check out the lookout at Mt Pinninger, ride across the Dam Wall, find the drowned Homestead, visit Hobbs Creek and Fraser National Park, visit Acheron lookout for a group photo, and check out a dead-end road off the Molesworth Rd. Expect around 320 km for the day.

Toowong, Melbourne Cup Weekend Sat. 1^st to Tuesday 4^th , 2008

The Committee has booked the spectacular “Snowy Mountain Holidays” house and two cottages accommodation package, right on the Murray River at Towong, 11 km out of Corryong. Typically we make a 4-day weekend out of the public holiday to take advantage of the great location and the time and distance required to get there.

 The plan would be to ride up Saturday, ride around the hills Sunday and Monday and return to Melbourne on Tuesday. This means three nights accommodation. You’ll need to take annual leave for the Monday, so book your leave day now.

 Cost is around $45 person, per night. Remarkably cheap. All you need is your tooth brush and a change of clothes. Note: Towong payment is by cash only. As per usual, this is strictly first come, first served, with any overflow into the Corryong pubs. Preference will be given to members. A $135 guarantees you 3 nights' accommodation and forms your deposit. Send your deposit to the Club account.

There will be a two cut-off points when no more bookings can be accepted: (i) two weeks before where we must surrender unused capacity to avoid financial risk to the Club, and/or (ii) when the beds are filled. The latter depends on the make up of participants. As a rule of thumb, the house/cottages accommodation sleeps ten people comfortably (assuming two couples), and less if more singles. The point of this paragraph is to emphasise the importance of committing early, and why it is necessary to do so. It avoids the disappointment when last minute requests for accommodation are likely to be refused. Two people have already committed.