No rain but there was a goat.

What matter a few black clouds and adverse rain forecasts for a select few of the Alt Thurs riding group. Who believes in forecasts anyway. Rain jackets at the ready and the ride was on. Kirsten and I led the way to UPPER Beac, through the road puddles, thus showing Mike and Jon how to avoid them.

It was a route mapped out in the distant past by Kirsten and later  checked again when Kirstsn and I rode it. Bearing in mind that Mike was one of the intrepid riders on this occasion and is still recovering his fitness, the route was  carefully selected to suit the status of his riding muscles. Nothing outrageously steep. Only 47k and 800+m of climbing??????##@@%%. If Mike had known that at the outset, the group composition might have changed, right at the start of the ride.

So be it. It is a delightfully scenic route, a mixture of dirt and tarmac,  that neither Mike nor Jon had witnessed before. We all oggled houses with views to kill for as they overlooked the rolling lush valleys around Upper Beac.

Coffee was taken at the Apple/cider farm on Browns Rd. where we were told of their upcoming enhancements intended to attract more bike riders. E.g.  a pizza oven with provision to serve apple cider. comfortable out doors seating and sundry bike racks. It will be worth another visit when  finished.

So from the flatlands around Browns Road in Pakenam with stomachs full of coffee and cakes and our bodies warm from sitting under a gas heater, (outside temp = 9degrees) our peloton headed UPWARDS, back to UPPER Beac. The noun "UPPER" features heavily in this ride.

Near Upper Beac, an encore of pitiful bleating hit my ears. Hoping it was not one of us, I stopped, checked my riding partners and decided they were not the cause. Phew!

It was a Billy goat with enormous razor sharp horns stuck in a fence on the verge of the road.

Naturally, Kirsten and I took one look at the horns and decided all rescue endeavours would be the responsibility of Mike and Jon.

Rescue duly implemented. No injuries to any parties involved. A relaxing ride UP  the neverending hills from Upper Beac to Emerald was all that remained to complete a lovely circuit, one that goes on the "must do again" list. 

 Mike is still talking to us.

Kerri