Who said it was hot?

Thursday last was meant to be 40 degrees. 

So, the wise amongst us (viz Jurgen) decided 0700 would be a good time to kick off a ride from Bayswater to Diamond Creek. 

Arm warmers were the call of the day and the balmy cool air followed us all the way to the coffee shop at DC.

Seems the world of joggers made the same decision and some pleasent banter occurred between the two competing exercise groups, bikes vs footers.

With the forecast heat yet to arrive the journey back was going to as uneventful as the forward epic. Naturally, something had to be done about that!

Firstly, Irene chose to have her derailleur play silly buggers. Henk to the rescue. 

Next, Jon Bate busted a spoke. Henk to the rescue.

After that, Henk failed to read the road signs and ended up in Warbuton or somewhere like that, thus making an epic journey through the wilderness to rejoin his awaiting colleagues at Bayswater. Henk to the rescue again?

Only the last 5 km was it a little warm. However, after this ride, we all decided to dispence with our tool kits and just take Henk with us.

Thanks to Jurgen for making it happen. 

Jon

Workshop No 2, Friday 7th. Feb

A second workshop is about to be launched.

Trumpets will sound.

Lightning will flash.

Angels will sing.

When?   Feb  FRIDAY 7th ( as requested)

Where?  Henk's domain.   38 Fairway Road, Emerald. Parking available on the road.

How long?  10.00 to (maybe) 1300hrs.

Menu?  A repeat of the last one though maybe not including some egghead stuff.

Please bring a few nibbles and 

OK to bring your bike. 

You need be willing to sacrifice  the odd long fingernail. Ask Irene.

THERE IS ONE PROVISO

To make it worthwhile, we need a min. of 4 starters.

RSVP Jon Bate

0439 311 212   or bate.jon@gmail.com

I will confirm via the blog as the date looms large.

Cheers 

Jon

Workshop

Many thanks to Peter(not a heart attack recoveree) for the hospitality of his place for the workshop. I'm reliably informed that the resident 10y.o. worked out how to operate the coffee machine 

The effort of our MC (Henk) for running the show was above and beyond the call of duty Everyone left having learned more than they anticipated. The challenge we all face is to remember it.

Much appreciated you two.

Jon

DIAMOND CREEK - maybe

The bloody weather is again playing silly buggars with us - so instead of leaving at 9.30 we are now leaving at 7.00 AM from Bayswater Park and we’ll see how far we feel like riding. Never let it be said that the weather has intimidated us. We will stand steadfast and face any adversary.

Jurgen
0429 384 416

A DUET of DATA

1   Thursday 30 will be our third effort to ride from Bayswater to Diamond Creek. Led by Jurgen, 0930,  usual park at Bayswater. Road bikes ok.

2   Workshop.  Peter D is 23 Batesleigh Rd in Selby, not 28. 

Peter would prefer not to distress this  neighbour with excesses of lycra

Please RSVP to Peter if coming to the workshop.

0490 412 390

Jon

New Zealand Bike Ride

On March 11th, Ex-Warbies Rick Coxhill and Noel Wolstencroft will be taking their bikes to New Zealand North Island for a three and a half week ride around the east coast from Auckland to Wellington. It includes a ferry trip, bike paths, riding the historic "Route 52" and lots of hills. Some areas remote and difficult to get accommodation. About 1300km. No backup, all gear in panniers and accommodation pre-booked. Longest distance in one day is 90km, shortest 45km. A rest day every 4 days.

Rick wanted to take his new electric touring bike but it is virtually impossible to take an electric bike overseas, even if you want to send the battery separately. In any case, Noel considered it an unfair advantage having an electric bike. Could have purchased a battery in Auckland but the cost was $1300.

Good luck boys - ps The Bungee chord is also going !

Noel (left) and Rick (right) pictured on recent Stawell to Warnambool ride   

THURSDAY 23 JAN

Today’s ride cancelled. See you next week.

Diamond creek ride

The weather at the moment is as fickle as some women I know.  Who knows what the weather is going to be like tomorrow – SO tomorrow morning at 7.00 am having studied the radar and consulted the weather guru, a decision will be made whether or not the ride will happen. If it is cancelled it will automatically be scheduled for next Thursday, ie.,  30th. Jan.  The decision will appear only on the blog.
Cheers,
J

 

--

Birds eye view . 190120

Irene's Ride

Irene's Ride-30 km Circuit – 8 am Sunday Mornings

Irene has found a 30 km circuit to get one up and running.

Well located, sound climbs, good distance and home to a fine piece of cultural expression.

Sunday mornings, 8 am, Carpark, Corner Colchester Road and Mountain Highway, Boronia.

--

--

BIKE WORKSHOP TUES 28 Jan

Finally, a " HOW TO..." workshop for bike riders.

A range of topics will be covered from simple things like getting the right seat height to more involved items like fixing a chain when it breaks on a ride.

Or/and...bring your own question. 

The aim is to provide knowledge/skill so you can service or fix your bike or get home if  broken down on a ride.

WHEN           Tuesday 28 Jan 

DURATION   10.00hrs for about 2 hours ( if we run out of time, a second workshop                         will be be arranged.

WHERE          Peter's ( I've not had a stroke!) place: 28 Batesleigh Rd.,  Selby. 

                        (Peter says turn right at the "No thru rd", or "trespassers will  be shot"                           sign.)

WHO              Master of Ceremonies will be Henk. 

Please

1       RSVP  Peter on   0490 412 390

         if you are  coming. Otherwise he will run out of coffee  cups.

     

2        bring a few snacks.

3         RSVP Peter on 0490 412 390

Any queries contact Jon Bate

DIAMOND CREEK 23 Jan

Start Bayswater Park  9.30 a.m

We will have another crack at the Diamond Creek trail after retreating from it with our tails between our legs, due to heat, on our pre-Christmas ride.
The 70 km ride is on about 90% asphalt and guess what? No frigging hills !!  except for a few minor undulations. We will refuse to be put off  by any pessimistic forecast of rain.

Jurgen 0429 384 416

Home by a Thread ! - Lysterfield Ride 50 kms -

It was almost like an old fashioned Saturday Afternoon Movie Matinee where the audience sat entranced wondering whether the Hero (in our case plural) was about to come to an untimely end !

Our scenarious read like a Dan Brown thriller ! Would Werner succumb to the "quicksand"  that threatened to engulf him complete with road bike. Would Harald survive riding in one fixed gear up the many hills to come after suffering earlier Derailleur problems and would JB safely navigate the steep descent from Belgrave without becoming a Eunuch with one pedal all but set to remove itself from it's tired looking spindle - this was all just too exciting to contemplate !

We'd assembled earlier at the Upper FTG Car Park in clearing conditions following heavy overnight rain. I have to admit to presenting with just the hint of a sadistic smile knowing that after hundreds of rides trying to match the gang on their roadies today we would all be equal with a fair proportion of our ride off road !

Having worked our way down the Dandenong Creek Trail avoiding flooded underpaths we turned off at Police Paddocks cycling along the fringe of the Churchill National Park bordering Endeavour Hills and Lysterfield

Our aim was simple - make Lysterfield Park without having to climb the infamous Trig Point track  something of a cross between an armoured tank testing ground and a boulder filled quarry !

We succeeded after first passing through one of the weirdest suburbs in Melbourne - "Lysterfield Sth". This enclave of massive mansions looked like they'd been plucked from "Garish Homes Monthly" and dropped side by side in a suburb that borders Lysterfield Park

Realising that we'd struggle to be able to afford to own any of the properties letterboxes we finally entered a soggy / sandy Lysterfield Park where we all instantly thought we'd developed two flat tyres.

Pushing through the "glug" we avoided a number of skittish Kangaroos during our circuit before crossing over Wellington Rd into Birdsland

With Harald and Werner reasonably feeling the pinch we elected to take the high road back into Belgrave where after 40kms and a fair amount of mud splattering, we could finally take a cuppa after first choosing which of the 6 side by side cafes to enter.

After some well spent good will all that remained was to say a quick prayer on JB's behalf that all of our "bits" would hold together enough to enable a safe descent back to Upper FTG. We get to do it all over again next week !

Harald with early Derailleur problems

An early obstacle - thank god no E bikes to lift this time ! 

Pete trying to work out where the trail went ! 

A good looking group !

A near miss - "Bloody Cyclists" ! 

Werner making light work of Lysterfield's"quicksand" on his Roadie !

IB & Harald powering into Birdsland 

An even better looking group !

   

Alternative 2 Alternative Thursday - Girls Ride Out

Alternative 2 Alternative Thursday. 9 January, 2020

 

The boys were headed for the Hills to wrestle traffic on alpine ascents. With temperatures reaching into the higher 30's, a dodgy knee, not wanting hill climbs and a couple of Christmas Fare Tragics on board, Kirsten opted for flatness and tree cover, for her crew.

 

Departing from Dandenong Stadium the group sped on through Jells Park. It was not long before Yvonne had picked up a couple of quite presentable, not overly old males. Up and along past the Spirituality Centre all sped. However we were just too fast for them and they had disappeared before we reached Burwood Highway. The route took in the highlights of Wantirna, under Scoresby Road via Blind Creek, left at Dorset to work a well cycled path around Boronia, Bayswater and the Dandenong Creek trail to Colchester for a Café stop.

 

Some of this repeated on the return with some sections of Eastlink, thrown in for want of speed.

Elizabeth dazzled the assembled with one glorious, supersonic burst, restoring our foregone assumptions of her innate talent.

 

All five returned to Base some +60 km later without as much as a heart attack, having enjoyed the camaraderie.

 

Helen

--

--

Pre Xmas Pics - Irene

Advance notice: Thurs 23 Jan, back to Diamond Creek. More details later.

Thurs 16 Jan FTG Library - 9.30a.m. Return to Lysterfield Ride

It's a mixed very scenic ride on cycle trail (75%) / off road (25%) that takes in the Dandenong Creek trail before we branch off through Police Paddocks and out past Churchill Park Golf course to the Lysterfield MTB car park. From here it's a simple scenic lap of Lysterfield (on trail not the MTB circuits) before we head over to Birds Land and up to Tecoma before cycling back to FTG, The days ride (about 3+ hours of riding) is mainly flat with a few short steep on road pinches. Suited to Gravel / MTB / Hybrids. Mike-L     

Emerald - Yellingbo loop Pics

Crasher looking for his helmet at the start of the ride ! 

All back together at Yellingbo !  

Glad we didn't meet this guy on the road ! 

Quaint Yellingbo ! 

Taking a breather in the heat !

Karlo bravely battling away with JB helping 

Pete about to be knighted by Henk for his services to Cycling Navigation ! 

Our Riding Radar is off !

If we were a collective of Cruise Missiles then our approach on the defences of Yellingbo would have been a military classic i.e. simultaneous and from 3 different directions ! Sadly though as a former group of 8 cyclists we had all the hallmarks of a riding mission gone terribly wrong !   

It was appropriate that with the Nation calling out for effective leadership that one Peter ("I'm still not having a stroke") H stepped up to the plate to lead our group of 8 on a 50km Emerald - Yellingbo Loop.

Admittedly i was a little worried when i asked Pete how familiar he was with the "Monbulk Hills" after Pete's reply was that he knew it like the back of his hands despite not having lived in Monbulk for over 50 years !

Bob Lewis did not help our usual clockwork departure when he found out that he'd left his cycling shoes at home. After ringing his support team (his wife) he also noticed that his helmet was missing. Bob started to pull out his phone again until someone remarked "does your helmet look anything like the helmet that's near your bike" ? And they reckon that cycling helps you to age better !!!   

With Pete in impressive control we rode as a group to Monbulk where Bob geared up with his hastily delivered shoes.

On our way again through the back blocks of Monbulk JB's suggestion that we should break up into small groups was taken seriously. Soon the 8 became a 5 when the 3 trailing (me included) failed to bring our thermal imaging / radar glasses to be able to work out which of the 4 or 5 possible turns the group up front had taken at a nearby roundabout.

We (the missing 3) elected to go ahead down Swayles road. With JB (our comms man) sending out distress calls, Karlo and i embraced the euphoria of a 60+km / hr descent down a steep section of road complete with an attitude that said we sure as hell aren't going back up that !

Pete's group of 5 soon became a group of 3 as Jurgen and Crasher bravely set off in search of the missing 3 (us).

Somehow the "now" 2 missing groups headed in the general direction of Yellingbo to reform arriving 20 mins before what was left of the main group who'd not only done more kms (by taking the correct route) but also had to stop for Harald's puncture !

With a long coffee break at Yellingbo to reassemble the missing airborne divisions and to conduct a  few hasty court martials, we tracked our way back to Emerald along the Macclesfield road up a steepening series of hills in the now warming and smoky early afternoon.

Luckily for Karlo, Henk's suggested short cut on the way back added just a few more hills enough to now have Karlo well and truly in danger of regurgitating his Tasmanian Xmas Pudding !

As all good rides go we finally made it back to base safe and sound to complete a really enjoyable even if slightly chaotic Hills ride - Many Thx to Pete H for organising   

REMINDER FOR WANDIN RIDE

Thursday's ride to Wandin will go ahead as planned unless weather turns really bad. If cancelled I will post on Wednesday arvo. Otherwise, "Thunderbird Are Go"

Reter D

EMERALD to WANDiN Thurs 9th 0930

The weather for Thursday looks fine and there is the likelihood 

of 0.2mm of rain. Whoopee!

So starting at the Emerald library carpark at 0930hrs, we will traverse sundry routes to visit Wandin and then surprise the Yellingbo cafe by arriving for coffee.

From there it is back to Emerald by further diverse routes.

Good for road bikes even though there will be a short stint on dirt in order to avoid the local 4wd fraternity. Naturally there will be the odd incline to enjoy.

And don't sweat about breaking anything on your bike. After seeing what Henk can do to fix a bike in the Bunnings' carpark last Thursday, all will be fine. Just make sure Henk comes.

Peter (No! I've not had a stroke.) Duivenvoorden

0490 412 390

Pakenham to Drouin

Well, the Alt Thursday Drouin ride has come and gone and what an interesting convoluted start we had.

Kirsten intimidated the socks of us  by inviting her friend Celia who so happened had been training for the Olympic riding team and was a champion triathalon  competitor. However, we males managed to avoid shame through the good offices of Peter (No! I' s not had a stroke) Duivenvoorden.

Having ridden Donna B with 7 out of 9 gears working, Peter excelled himself this time and arrived with only 1 out of 9 gears in going condition. Hank to the rescue and diagnosed stuffed cables. Hank carries a workshop on his bike in the form of a saddle bag full of spare cables and pliers.  We all watched and learnt as the master (Hank) operated. Peter's repair took an hour but we made good use of it by sending the ladies off on their own, thereby avoiding male egos being dented by Celia. Thanks Peter.

In hindsight, we should have sent Werner with Celia. Werner rocked up with a new carbon fibre, aero styled road bike. It weighed less than my drink bottle even before I put water in it. On the return from Drouin, Werner open up the bike and broke the land speed record.

Meanwhile, John (Max) Mudgway explored every McDonald store and every Bunnings in Pakenham, except the ones at the start point. Not to worry, as Hank was still operating on Peter's bike as Max arrived knowing more about the Pakenham envidons that any of us.

From that point on all went according to plan...almost.

John B and Werner suggested a short cut (or was it an easier route? ) to take. Hmmmmm!  I should have known better. Still, what happens on the road stays on the road. 

 A  brisk 77 km ride, good weather, friendly winds, no cars of note and good company.

Thanks to convener Max.

Jon