Monthly Archives: May 2019

9 members assembled in Woodend this morning to ride a 64km loop to Malmsbury and back. Weather conditions were not very agreeable for riding with cold, cloudy and heavy drizzle falling. After the usual discussion we decided to start the ride with one rider electing not to ride.

Once we reached Cheveley Road the weather conditions began to improve, the sun began to shine through and we rode the remainder of the ride to Malmsbury in good conditions, We also had a cross tail wind out to Malmsbury which made for a quick ride. One rider who had hurt his back prior to the ride ceased riding at Kyneton and returned home.

We had a enjoyable cafe break in the warmth at Malmsbury before we commenced the ride back to Woodend. By this time the weather conditions had clouded over and we had a cross head wind all the way back to Woodend. As we neared Woodend the ride split into 2 groups with 2 riders continuing on and riding back to Woodend along Boundary Road with the others riding direct to Woodend along the Avenue of Honour. Back in Woodend the conditions were still the same as we had left many hours earlier. It was into the warmth of the cars and home for hot showers.

3 members braved the wintry conditions for today’s ride. The weather was windy, cold with some frost still on the ground in patches. The threat of rain was also ever present. The entire ride was completed on dry roads and no rain.

We rode a 47km modified version of the normal Thursday ride by eliminating the Bryces Lane loop as there was some light spots as we neared Collwells Road. There were also some very ominous black clouds as we were about to return to Woodend, fortunately the clouds had dispersed by the time we arrived back at Woodend. The ride back was slow and into the head wind from Batters Lane.

Back at Woodend it was into the warmth of the cafe for the usual chatter and refreshments before heading home. We were also joined by Ken S who had a prior appointment and did not ride.

Sunday Ride – Kyneton – 26th May 2019

18 riders assembled in Kyneton this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were cold and cloudy as we prepared to ride. Just as we commenced the sun began to shine through and we enjoyed sunshine for the entire ride. A head wind greeted us for the first half of the ride followed by a tail wind for the ride back.

11 riders rode the medium ride and the remaining 7 rode the long ride. 4 riders on the medium ride rode down Metcalfe Hill and back up before rejoining the other riders later in the ride.

Once back at the cafe it was good to get into the warmth and enjoy the refreshments and chatter before heading home. Jennie S also joined us after the ride.

7 riders arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were cool early but then became a sunny morning with a freshening Northerly Wind. A good ride with the head wind early and a tail wind for the ride back to Woodend.

The ride split into 2 groups with 4 riders riding our normal 53km loop to Newham via Bryces Lane, Chases Lane and turning to ride back to Woodend at Batters Lane. The remaining 3 rode a shorter 47km loop without riding the Bryces Lane loop. All riders were together before we reached Woodend on the return. We also had a friend of one of the riders with us for the first time.

Once back in Woodend it was the usual chatter and refreshments before we headed home.

Sunday ride – Woodend – 19th May 2019

27 riders arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were a little cool early with a Northerly wind blowing. As the ride progressed the day warmed up and ended being a good day to be out on the bike. As the wind conditions were favourable all rides were conducted at a good pace with tail wind conditions for a large portion of the rides.

11 riders rode the long ride, 16 rode the medium ride with 4 riders electing to not climb Mt Macedon Road. 2 riders who climbed Mt Macedon modified the medium ride with one returning to Woodend at Newham and the other joined up with another club member at Straws Lane and they rode multiple climbs to the Camels Hump and back.

All riders were back together at the cafe for the usual refreshments and chatter before we all headed home.

4 riders arrived in Woodend this morning on a cold morning with some light frost in the area and the sun shining.

2 riders rode the normal 53 km Thursday ride with the other 2 riders eliminating the Bryces Lane loop and riding 47km. The cloud was still hanging about as we rode past Hanging Rock and the temperature was very cold at that point. Once back into Newham we were in the sunshine again with warmer temperatures. Both rides rejoined as we reached Batters Lane and then rode the remainder of the ride back to Woodend together.

Back at the cafe we were joined by Michael C and the usual chatter and refreshments followed before we headed home.

Sunday Ride – Gisborne – 12th May 2019

21 members assembled in Gisborne this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were cold, windy with some sunshine patches. The long ride encountered some misty rain at the top of Kerrie Valley and around Woodend before riding out of the weather and back to sunshine.

9 riders rode the medium ride and the remaining 12 rode the long ride. One rider on the long ride rode a modified version as he had time commitments. The long ride was fast for the first third of the ride followed by the climb up Kerrie Valley and a fast ride back to Gisborne to finish the ride. There were 2 lady members on the long ride who had never climbed Kerrie Valley before and both made the climb OK. I am unsure as to the medium ride but I assume there were some modifications of the published ride due to time constraints and the cold weather.

When the riders on the long ride arrived back at the cafe the others had already left so the usual refreshments were enjoyed by that group. I imagine riders on the medium ride were the same.

5 members arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were cold with a very strong Northerly wind blowing. We also had a new lady member riding with us for the time. Today’s conditions were not ideal for a first ride however she coped well with the ride.

We split the ride into 2 groups with 3 riding a modified shorter version of our normal loop by eliminating Bryces Lane and Chases Lane loop for a distance of approx 35km. The other 2 riders rode the normal loop. On both rides it was difficult riding into the wind but good to have a tail wind back to Woodend.

Due to the cold weather riders on the shorter loop had left the cafe by the time the other 2 returned. One of the riders met us on the way back to the cafe to let us know they had not stayed for a coffee. Once we got back is was good to get out of the cold and into a warm atmosphere for a chat and a drink.

Sunday Ride – Kyneton – 5th May 2019

25 riders arrived in Kyneton this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were cool with a fairly strong southerly wind.

2 riders rode the short ride, 18 rode the medium ride and the remaining 5 rode the long ride. All rides rode the same route to the end of Youngs road where the medium and long ride went and climbed Shepherds Hill with the long ride continuing on to Fern Hill before returning to Kyneton while the medium ride rode back to Kyneton from the top of the hill. 3 riders on the medium ride climbed Shepherds Hill for the first with 2 of the riders being newer members who had never attempted a long climb before. A great effort from those 2 riders.

Members were together at the cafe where the usual chatter and refreshments were enjoyed before we all headed home.

1 member arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. Another member was spotted in Woodend with bike on car but wisely decided to head home and not ride. As I had supermarket shopping to do I did that first to see if the weather improved. When I got back to my car the rain had all disappeared so I went for a ride and completed the entire ride without any rain and also had patches of sunshine during the ride.

I rode an extended 60km version of our normal Thursday ride. The roads varied from slightly damp to completely dry and with head wind out and tail wind back the ride was difficult early and fast for the ride home.

Once back in Woodend it was a quick drink and some food then home.