March 18th. The Dorward Reserve Ride.

This ride was planned with our “Tuesday” riders in mind, a short distance and any type of bike, to have the option of on or off road. There were 15 riders and considering the wind’s force, this was a great turnout and with five non-riders meeting us at Dorward Reserve, this was a great response. Most left from the hall, but re-grouped at Stenross’s and picked up more riders. Some went onto the Parnkalla Trail here, others at Lions or Haigh Drive an a couple stayed on the road. We all enjoyed the challenge the wind presented, (or not), but as it was straight off the water, there wasn’t much protection for anyone. Some of our members had not experienced our “back-up” support, so Kingsley took our trailer out and provided a typically fantastic pit-stop for us, ably assisted by Carol. They set up in a perfectly sheltered spot and by the time riders started arriving, the kettles had boiled, chairs were in position and food was on the tables, (with tablecloths of course). There was much socialising and plenty of jaw exercises being done, but all good things must come to an end. It would have been easy to stay, so a group photo was taken, we packed up and prepared to head home....until....a flat tyre. Yep, if we’re doing 5kms or 55kms, we can get a puncture and this was the second one for the day. This isn’t a problem if our spare tubes or puncture kits are in order, but if not, it can be a nightmare. Once on the way, we all rode our chosen route back and re-grouped at Stenross’s for a head-count before going our separate ways.

The Blackberry Ride

A distance of 36 kms, this ride was almost entirely on tracks and dirt roads. Nine of us headed out of town via Tenant St. and Grantala Rd. to the Old West Road access track. We crossed the main road a couple of times to keep to the tracks and through what used to be ‘The Pines’ to Pines Road. Left along Hyde Road for a short distance took us to private property and onto a fire access track. The track meandered over gentle hills, through clumps of gums, past cropping paddocks and through a few gates. We crossed into an adjoining property and followed the pipeline, taking in the uninterrupted views. Soon Dene warned us that there was a creek ahead which was steep and required caution in and out of it. ‘Yeeehaa’! See the photo attached. It was a ripper! Some had to ‘hoof it’ a bit for not selecting a low enough gear in time, but all survived and it became the talking point of the ride until we stopped for a snack break. The last gate took us onto the main road near Greenpatch Farm where we turned on onto Clark’s Lane. Along the roadside there were huge clumps of blackberry briars, much to the delight of some of us. Yes, dust and all, we got stuck into them, vowing to return later in the car. A few more kms of great views, chatter and perfect riding conditions, then we began the sometimes “hairy” downhill into Nth Shields. Was that burning brakes I could smell? Dorwards Rd. never looked so good. We called into the roadhouse at Shields for a cuppa and half of the cake counter, then onto the track back into Lincoln.

Fun cycling the week of the Tour Down Under

26th January Mayors breakfast Ride

11 riders on the breakfast ride. Headed out toward happy valley road to Lincoln highway and down the hill via some back roads to Mortlock terrace then back to the foreshore. Great ride back to the Mayor’s breakfast. Dene was bike security while everyone was at the breakfast. Thanks Dene.

20th November Coffin bay to Avoid bay

Raelene’s Point Avoid Ride

On Sunday morning we all met at 9am at Coffin Bay town jetty for a ride to the National Park and eventual end destination of Point Avoid. It was great to have Dene, Max, Jo and Mary ride to Templetonia Lookout. A first for Max and a wonderful achievement for Dene, Well done!
Jo was on her Bike Friday and as it was Sunday - it became a Sunday Funday. Mary was happy to ride as monitor for safety for the day on her new Trek Maddone 5.2, it’s a beautiful looking machine, and goes like crazy!
The group rested at Templetonia until we all arrived and then the rest of us took off to the bottom of the
hill and left UP the hill toward Point Avoid.
Congratulations to Caroline who achieved the climb with the verbal encouragement
from Peggy, Terry and Raelene - a great effort as this was the first time since her first ever ride and it was a different story!
Dave found that he could wait for the slow one, - he doesn't think he could ride as slow as me uphills. It was great to see Ann Lord out on her mountain bike, Mig on a road bike going for the distance training for the Tour Down Under, along with Brian Ashton, and the rest of the team. Pat and Marie obviously benefitted from their recent walking tour O/S as they had no problems rolling over the hills. Richard was hard to keep under speed, but we are used to that! I am sure that I saw him coming back from Golden Island lookout before he actually got to the morning tea stop at Point Avoid. It was great to have Kingsley with a sumptuous morning tea laid out courtesy of Murray Business Solutions, with the clubs new chairs to sit and enjoy the view across the water. The morning tea was a thank you for members who attended a recent event at the Lincoln Hotel.

Tuesday ride

Tuseday rides are proving very popular with some tuesdays having up to 24 riders. Last tuesday the 31st Jan we had a good crowd and all enjoyed a coffee at Cruisers down at the Marina.

‎October 2011 Goldfields tour

35k ride from Horsham to Murtoa.
We camped in little Caravan Park next to a lake.We had a tailwind today. A very easy ride. Great to catch up with all of our friends from the Adelaide touring cycling club. 16 of us on the ride with Liz and Roy to possibly join us in a couple of days.







‎79k ride from Murtoa to St Arnaud. Great ride into light head wind. Nice scenery and a little hill to finish with. Nice tea couple of beers and a wine. Sure beats working. Now to win xlotto so I can do it more often!




St Arnaud to Inglewood 60 ks ups and downs on the backroads. Bit warmer than yesterday.








Inglewood to Dunolly 40ks. nice ride along quiet back roads bit warmer again today.
3 flatties between Raelene and I!








‎40ks from Dunolly to Maldon. Great ride along the flat till lunch then climbing up till the town of Maldon. Beautiful very old gold mining town. Very hilly though. Rode up to the summit of mt Tarrengowan. Luckily on a bare bike after setting up camp. Superb 360 view of the surrounding countryside. Seen lots of evidence of the recent flood damage to the riverine infrastructure. Had lunch on the Loddon river where whole sheets of the bitumen road were lift and washed into the paddocks by the roadside.

















During the night laying in the tent listening to the rain come down !



‎38ks from Maldon to Maryborough. Was fun in the rain especially after having to catch up to the others after having to fix another flatty for Raelene. Was a nice downhill after the climb into the town yesterday.





Rest day in Maryborough. We seen to our washing as well as looking around Maryborough. Great old train station where we all went for lunch. Off to Avoca tommorow. Rained all night and on and off all day.
Big thunderstorm had us racing back from town to everything put away before it hit. Lots of lightening and thunder. Some rain then a steamy afternoon. Have done the rounds of the shops again. Raelene has bought more food to cart tommorow.We should get to Avoca in time to see the town market.



‎43ks Maryborough to Avoca. Very humid day. Arrived too late for the market. Nice Caravan Park . Thunderclouds overhead! Great coffee shop in town.








‎45ks from Avoca to Clunes. Via Talbot. Rainy to start with then once at Talbot in came the strong wind. Made for a cold and wet last 17ks. Eating out tonight too cold and wet with no shelter to cook in to keep warm and dry.







Once again laying in the tent listening to the rain come down. Nanna nap time!



Clunes to Beaufort via the biggest windfarm in oz. 55 ks . Surprise it was windy. Wet to start with. Freezing cold only got to 12 c. Temp has been dropping since so it will be a cold night.



Beaufort to Arrarat 55ks great ride lot nicer day. Highlight?? Was running over a very large brown snake. I was riding about fifth in the peleton when there was a sudden slowdown and touch of wheels. I was watching this when I looked down just as th snake bumped under my wheels. He was not happy. He was ran over by about four or five of us. Raelene was not impressed!!!














‎55k ride Arrarat to Halls gap. Nice climb out of Arrarat. A few hills till morning tea then flat till nearlt at Halls gap. Ate in.Very nice CP right in the very centre of the town. About 15 resident kanaroos browsing around the tents! Stiff neck for the second day in a row is pissing me off. Rest day tommorow hopefully it will settle










Pouring @ Halls Gap stuck in the tent. Going out for tea so at least i will get out for a while. Lets hope it clears by the morning!







‎40 k ride into Wartook from Halls Gap . 20+ ks of rough sandy and gravelly corrugations. Then a good climb over Roses Gap. Older rundown caravan park. New owners are trying to improve it.





Last day of the ride Sunday. 44k ride Wartook to Horsham. Fast ride with a screaming tail wind. Made it into Horsham by 12.15am quick shower and change and pack up then head back to Adelaide.





Another very interesting And fun bike tour over. I got to see another very interesting part of the country. Its a shame that so many of the small country towns we passed through look to be really struggling to survive! Now to save up some more leave so I can go on another trip.