Pics - Thurs Ride

Up the Creek 

Now that's a slice !

Some dancing while we wait for the rain to stop ! 

 

Werner's infamous Cow Track !

Up The Creek - Werner and the Cow part 2 - Menzies Creek to Lysterfield

It was a 2 "Wow" start to an overcast day at Werners in Mezies Creek. "Wow" 1 was that there were actually 5 of us present despite the days forecast while "Wow" 2 was that cake and coffee were already on the table thanks to Werner / Master Chef. With the weather finally clearing and a half slab of cake eaten, we mounted our steeds following Werner as he took us along a challenging dirt track that parrallels Wellington Rd near the Dam. Surviving our first adventure we crossed the Dam and headed back down Foot Rd to our "wet" creek crossing (Peter threatening to sue if his new bike got wet) although this time we came prepared with towels. The Harkaway exit was picturesque  as we made our way to Narre Warren and the home of the mouth watering triple decker Vanilla slice - Jon's favourite cafe ! With rain threatening Mike took over our exit taking us along Belgrave Hallam Rd to a back entrance into Lysterfield past an enormous Tibetan style temple. Helen was thankful as we sheltered briefly (to avoid the rain) at the posh Lysterfield cafe before a fair climb all the way back to the Dam. Werner couldnt resist a final adventure taking us briefly along his 40 year old 'Cow Track" before we ended up back at Werners place for yet another litre or two of coffee. Thankyou so much Werner !    

+h7

  

Thursday 27

Forecast is for a bit of rain but forecasts are unreliable.

SO, 

we still meet at Werner's at 0900 and decide from there.

Jon

Other Poss Future Rides

Have now surveyed a couple of rides to add to our list to do at some point if peeps interested. 1) An 80km cross country ride mainly on goodish unmade roads that goes from Gembrook to Labertouche to lovely Jindivick. Return can be done by way of Tonimbuk. 2) A 70km ride from San Remo along back beaches, the Rail Trail and inland Roads to the Desal Plant, a fabulously wild secluded beach, Wonthaggi and of course back to San Remo for some of the best Fish and Chips in Victoria                  

Thurs Ride - 27 May - Start at Werners In Menzies Creek - 9.00a.m.

Save that appetite as we cross dams and creeks on our way to Lysterfield in search of some fine cakes and coffee. An adventure filled ride - dirt bikes recommended       

Licorice All Sorts - Tues Kallista ride !

On a "fineish" morning and with a couple of "weather wowsers" missing, we took on an "all sorts" ride covering a fair bit of new turf. We added Perrins Creek road and Olinda Cr to our Olinda climbing routes (Perrins now high on Jon's dislike list) before a rocket fuelled descent took us back down Falls Rd to Silvan. With only rough notes to follow and few signs, we ended up predictably lost on our way to Mt Evelyn in the Silvan Forest instead ending up at York Rd. The ride back was at least directionally easier as we made our way to the Basin for a well earned cuppa and to allow Helen to recharge on a slab of banana bread. Recovered we took  on the one in 20 by climbing Perrins Creek on descent back to the Kallista car park. For a fairly short ride this had a heap of climbing but we did at least manage to beat the wind and rain ! 

    

Fwd: Thursday 27th

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jon Bate <bate.jon@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 May 2021, 19:05
Subject: Thursday 27th
To: Helen Geddes <helen.geddes1@gmail.com>, Kirsten Eakins <kirsten.eakins@gmail.com>, Kerri McDonald <kerri_mcdonald@bigpond.com>, Peter Duivenvoorden <p.duivenvoorden@bigpond.com>, Jurgen (Max) Weller <jweller@vtown.com.au>, Mike & Monica Litchfield <m_litchfield@hotmail.com>, Jon Bate <bate.jon@gmail.com>, Geoff James <jameco@bigpond.net.au>

Watching the radar closely.

If the rain predicted is to arrive in late arvo, the ride will go ahead.

If rain in the morning, then ride will be deferred.

Watch this space for final decision.

OTHERWISE

Meet at Werner's place, 0900, dirt bikes.

Water crossing involved so bring a small hand towel.

Stuff (click on Link)

Thinking of entering an alt Thurs team for next year

Bike Race

And doing a tour of Ireland 

Ireland

In case missed the British Pathe film of plane crash site we visited recently  

Plane Crash

Or Maybe Tajikistan is your go 

Tajikistan

Tues Ride 25 May - Kallista - Olinda - Silvan - Montrose - Kallista

 Assemble 9-00a.m. Kallista - Dirt bikes - If weather turns sour will post on Mon night at 7pm  

New Bike - Worri to Coldstream - Thurs Ride

It was nice to be heading in the right direction for a change on this Boys own adventure (Girls MIA). Starting at Worri we were lead up a steep, scenic but thankfully not too long a climb to Guyere and Coldtsream where we joined the Warby Trail back to Lilydale and Mt Eveyln. Bumping into John Bird we digressed at the convenient Paschendale Cafe where Pete proudly showed off his brand new lightweight Gravel Bike to all and sundry (PS - Pete wants to know if its a girl or a boy before he names it). From Mt Evelyn it was a delightful down hill gradient back to Worri following in the dust trail left behind by Jurgen and Werner..Another good ride, no lost pees and thankfully no rain !  

Trail Adventure

 

Early coffee at LP

Yep lost again at Redwood  

Redwood

Sign on Aqueduct .. valuable if you'd just climbed from the mudpit   

No sign going this direction of busted bridge  

I was tempted ... steep, muddy, slippery with a rope to hang on to   

Thurs 20 May - Worri - Coldstream - Worri

 Start at Worri at 9.00a.m. - by way of the Warby Trail and various roads on return   

Lost on the Trail - Worri - Lyrebyird !

It could almost have been described as idyllic, the ride mainly completed, lunch in hand and an amorous couple nearby in the warmth of the sun in a lovely setting at Millgrove just outside of Warburton. There were though a few problems .. it was now 3.30 in the afternoon, lunch was a vanilla slice and a coke (no pies left), the sun was about to disappear ... and that amorous couple were two very young looking males .. where did the day go wrong !

We'd started off well enough at Worri .. Kirsten had forgotten her cycling shoes, Werner had mislaid his car keys and I was frantically searching for my wallet ... and they say that cycling helps to ward off old age and dementia ! 

With Jurgens plans changing by the minute we ventured eastwards catching up briefly with Gary Hall, to Launching Place to allow Kirsten to hit a bike shop where she negotiated in gold bullion attempting to buy a pair of shoes. While we waited Kerri decided that is was close enough to 10a.m. to have our first coffee of the day some 5 kms into the days ride !. 

With no luck in the shoes dept we tried in Warburton again without luck so settled instead for Kirsten and Jurgen to swap bikes to allow Kirsten to ride uncleated

Heading to Big Pats Creek we somehow lost Helen. As Werner rode off valiantly in search we wondered whether we'd ever see either of them gain. Thankfully we were soon reunited and headed up Mississippi before branching off at Lyrebird for a decidely long climb through beautiful forest. This was followed by a grateful descent back on to the Warby Hwy where after a quick detour to the Redwood Forest i departed ways with the gang seeking a slightly more adventurous route back along the Aqueduct trail 

I'd forgotten how beautiful this trail was. Even in its sodden state it provided for stunning views down  the Warburton Valley. After what seemed like an endless amount of cycling I reached a bridge that I vaguely recalled Gary Hall mumbling something about. The bridge was impassable with a tree smashed across its walkway. I was a little ropeable to say the least as there had been no signs of such in the direction i'd come but there was one in the opposite direction saying to be wary of workers on the track

Now the only problem with the sign was that it was only readable to someone who'd either magically flow over the bridge or alternatively taken the "path of death" under the bridge - a slippery hand hewn path that came with its very own rope ! 

Now while I could have gone down the rope i'm not sure whether I would have been upright at the bottom nor whether my bike wouldnt have impaled itself upon me so i decided to back track 4 kms to the nearest exit point i could find and then took a circuitous route back through Warburton (lost again) to Milgrove and my lunch appointment at 3.30 in afternoon no doubt with the others well and truly warming themseles up at home - can't wait for our next adventure ! PS make note to self  .. listen better to mumbles from Gary Hall !                       

Killara ride Thursday 20 May

Start. Woori 9.00
Route:  Mt.Evelyn, Lilydale, Coldstream, Gruyere etc.  Dirt or road bikes.

Cheesecake, Icy Winds & the Return of the Prodigal Son !

 After Tuesdays aborted effort Werner and self were determined to at least make it out of the car park. Jon was still ill, Jurgen & Kirsten MIA and Helen sent her written apology. We did though pick up our long lost mate Peter who presented at the Library car park with a long list of requirements. The ride should not be too long, too hilly, too rough or too fast - when we realised that the only ride meeting all those requirements was one involving a couple of laps of the library car park we instead suggested that we ride the trail ride to Gembrook which Peter took in his stride pushing Werner for front spot.

Battling the Icy winds we made the Gembrook bakery where Werner pulled out a 3 huge slabs of delicious homemade Cheesecake (he'd made enough for 6 people) which was enough to weigh us down nicely in the wind for our return effort. With rain forecast we made it back just in time for the warm sun (go figure) and with Peter almost breaking into a sweat loading his bike back on the car - another good days ride !    

               

Mystery Ride - Thurs 13 May - 9.00a.m. Emerald library

The main mystery may be will anyone turn up after Werner and I settled for a coffee instead of a ride today - way too foggy and wet. Ride option is up for grabs on Thurs maybe aim for a coffee at new Lysterfield Cafe maybe.       

Our Amazing World

 Some aerial pics taken recently of our local area - 

 

Tues 11 May - 9.00 a.m. start Emerald Library - Cafe and Creek explorer !

Dirt bikes preffered for this as we make our way past Uppert Beac to Harkaway past some lovely scenery and one possible ankle high wet creek (I'll bring a small towell - bikes can be carried across). From there a choice of coffee stops at Narre Warren or Lysterfield where we can take either the shorter option back through Birdsland or longer option back through Churchill, Wellingon, FTG etc     

A Possible future Tour

In spare time been looking at a route that might encompass best of nearby scenery Gippsland scenery. It's a bit pie in the sky stuff and I havent even looked at accommodation options but i reckon i have a beauty. It would essentially entail - 

 Day 1 - Gembrook - Noojee (60km's) over the top maybe along Beenak Rd       

Day 2 - Noojee - Willow Grove (45km's) - time to take in the Noojee falls

Day 3 - Willow Grove - Rawson (55km's) - stunning road as have driven a number of times 

Day 4 - Loop Rawson - Thomson - Walhalla - Rawson (65 km's - without panniers) - go search for gold 

Day 5 - Walhalla - Mirboo Nth (70 kms) - quite back roads

Day 6 - Mirboo Nth - Drouin (65 kms) - along the beautiful Grand Ridge Rd  

Day 7 - Drouin - Gembrook (70 km's) - a  classic finish - along beautiful back roads including rail trail to Neerim Sth - then adventure ride through Jindivick / Labertouche (sealed) and Bunyip NP (unsealed) to exit along Black Snake rd      

Henk stars in Carrum Ride

 Short video taken during yesterdays 75 km ride with Henk - ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K6mwpnl6mk  

Carrum Ride - 75 kms

 

A few pics taken on yesterdays ride to Carrum with Henk

Krasher Kotnic & the "Cursed" Chalet

 I had a mixture of feelings when John Bird rocked up to join Werner and self for another adventure starting from Monbulk. Pleased because we needed John's navigational expertise and worried because of John's awesome form on his Abrahams Tank looking bike. 

Our first climb out of Monbulk by Woolies was nothing compered to the warm up at Mcarthy Rd on the corner of Silvan Dan and that was nothing compared to what was about to come on Chalet Rd

I say Chalet Rd simply because on Google it shows as a road that connects Monbulk to Olinda. In reality it is an amazingly steep walking track that in terms of pain was never ending. Werner had already fallen prior to the track failing to decleat so was in no mood to attempt the impossible ride, As it was just walking with the bikes on the slippery clay like surface was hard enough. After much "cursing" the track finally emerged beside Hamers Arboretum. Taking in the altitude rich oxygen we did what cyclists should never do and that is give up our gain by descending straight back down to the Silvan Dam car park !. Here we used John's expertise to navigate along some lovely forest trails (why haven't we done this before) to the start of the Mt Evelyn Aqueduct trail. 

Although short this is a really beautiful trail. Exiting the trail John gave fair warning (about 2 seconds) that we were soon about to turn sharply right right up a steep climb. The warning was heard by all except poor  Werner resulting in crash number 2 ! Emerging near Mt Evelyn we "stretchered" Werner to the appropriately named Paschendale Coffee shop for some welcome recovery time

With John in charge we descended through back streets to Montrose and took lovely Glasgow Rd all the way through to the Basin where another climb took us all the way up the one in twenty. From here we descended by way of the Crescent with one final climb along Holden Rd to the Wall before a fast descent into Monbulk to complete an amazing days ride (46 kms and approx 1200 meters climbing)        

        

Change of Plan - Tuesday’s Ride May 4 moved to Thursday May 6

Due to promised inclement weather we shall now meet at Emerald Library at 9am on Thursday May 6 (for the rescheduled Tuesday ride) via back roads to Monbulk , across to the Patch and home via Menzies Creek. Dirt bikes better.
Helen

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