MSR Itinerary September 2008
Sunday 7th 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 Creek 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, stop at the Acheron lookout for a group photo, and check out a dead-end road off the Molesworth Road. Expect around 320 km for the day.
Sunday 14th Reefton Spur Dave Ward leading
10 am Yarra Glen
With Dave overseas and
information light, I’ll guess the route. From Yarra Glen we’ll pick up the
usual Myers and Chum Creek roads before making our way around to Warburton for
morning tea at the bakery. Then it’s up to Reefton, across the Spur to
Cumberland Junction and back to Marysville for lunch. It could be very cold
across the top, snow a distinct possibility if the weather is overcast. Expect
around 200 km for the day. The option exists to continue on to Buxton,
Alexandra and around to Yea and Kinglake West if the weather is enticing. Otherwise
back across the Black Spur to finish in Healesville.
Sunday 21st Linton Geoff Jones leading
10 am Westgate Shell Servo, outbound
From the outbound West Gate Shell servo we’ll ride over the spectacular West Gate Bridge down the highway departing at the last Werribee exit and continue west along very straight roads through the You Yangs to Anakie and the start of the twisties. We will continue on to Maude, and through the Brisbane ranges to Meredith for our first stop for fuel and morning tea. After the break we’ll continue west to Dereel and the start of the gold digging country around Cape Clear and Linton. We’ll continue north through Snake Valley, Smythesdale and on to lunch at Ballarat. Homeward bound we’ll ride through Creswick, Daylesford, Trentham, Blackwood, Greendale and Bacchus Marsh, stopping for fuel on the outskirts of town. Then the last hop to Toolern Vale to finish at Diggers Rest near the Calder Highway. Expect around 400 km for the day on some roads you have never seen before.
Sunday 28th Loch Ian Payne leading
10 am Berwick
According to Ian we’ll take the standard Drouin, Poowong route to Loch for morning tea after 110 km or so. Then we’ll continue south towards Anderson, Glen Forbes, Kilcunda, Archies Creek, around to Wonthaggi, and then along the spectacular coast line to Inverloch for lunch. Then we’ll make our way north towards Korumburra picking up the brilliant yet unforgiving Warragul road to regroup at Drouin. We’ll probably break up here and head home along the highway into the painfully low sun, or retrace the morning’s route to finish at Pakenham. Expect around 340 km for the day.
October 2008
Thurs. 2nd Social Sip, Mark’s Place, cnr Grattan and Swanston Sts
6.30 pm Melways Reference 2B E8
Collect your magazine, catch up with the gossip, see your mates.
Sunday 5th Strathbogie Ranges Ben Warden leading
10 am Yarra Glen
We’ll probably get as far north as Violet Town and Euroa. The first draft route is up through Murrindindi to Yea, on to Yarck, Gobur and Merton, first stop. Then around through Strathbogie to Violet Town and Euroa for lunch at the usual Cow Café. Then it gets tricky as I try and find the road towards Creighton Creek and Caveat, making our way due south to Highlands. On to Yea and Kinglake West stopping at the Bakery for tall glasses and tall stories. This ride will not suit inexperienced riders due to the distances and unfamiliar and technically challenging roads. Don’t bring a first timer. Expect around 380 km for the day.