Category Archives: Uncategorized

7 members arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were not at all favourable for cycling with a very cold westerly wind blowing, intermittent showers and the temperature feeling not much above zero. Nearly as bad as our worst winter day rides. As we commenced riding the skies began to clear and by the time we reached Newham the sun began to shine through and the roads dried out. Even with the sun shining the temperature did not appear to increase.

We rode our usual 53km loop to Newham, 3 Chain Road, Chases Lane and turning for the ride back to Woodend at Batters Lane. The ride was basically head wind out and tail wind back. 1 rider decided not to ride the Chases Lane loop because of the cold and rode a 45 km approx loop back to Woodend by not riding Chases Lane.

Back at the cafe it was the usual chatter and refreshments before we all headed home.

Sunday Ride – Woodend – 13th October 2019

21 members arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride under grey skies and a cool north easterly wind blowing. Some members were dressed for warmer conditions with others wearing some of their winter gear. It was difficult to predict which was the better way. As the ride progressed the sun occasionally shone through but never really warmed up. We also had a first time rider with the club this morning who rode the longer ride and finished with the faster group.

8 riders rode the medium ride, 2 rode modified medium rides and the remaining 11 rode the longer ride. The longer ride was split into 2 groups with the faster 7 ahead and the other 4 following. All riders were back together at the cafe except for the slower group who arrived back just as most of the others were leaving.

Back at the cafe it was the usual chatter and refreshments before we all headed home.

9 members arrived in Woodend this morning for today’s ride on a cold, foggy morning, with damp roads and a southerly wind blowing. As the ride progressed and we road away from Woodend the skies began to lift and for the most part the roads had completely dried.

6 riders rode our normal 52km loop out to Newham via Bryces Lane, then 3 Chain Road, Chases Lane, and turning at Batters Lane for the ride back to Woodend. The remaining 3 riders rode the same loop except for the Bryces Lane section. We had a tail wind or cross tail wind for the ride out to Batters Lane followed by the inevitable head wind for the ride back to Woodend. The magpies seem to have quietened down a little bit with the only rider being swooped who happened to be on their own at the time and had 3 different magpies having a go. We also spent time having to dodge a kangaroo running towards us on Boundary Road which was a little different.

Once back at Woodend it was into the warmth of the cafe for the usual chatter and refreshments before heading home.

Sunday Ride – Gisborne – 6th October 2019

12 members arrived in Gisborne this morning on the first day of daylight savings. The weather was mild with a very strong North Westerly wind blowing. All rides encountered the head wind early in the rides with tail wind conditions for the ride back to Gisborne.

4 riders rode a modified medium ride of 25km to keep out of the wind as much as possible. 6 riders rode the medium ride and the remaining 2 rode the longer ride. A large number of members were also riding Around the Bay this morning and the wind conditions would have made the return portion of the ride a challenge.

All riders on the Gisborne ride were together at the cafe for the usual chatter and refreshments before we all headed home. No photo today as the camera man managed to drop his phone at home this morning and break the screen.

8 members assembled in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. 5 lady members also had a separate ride this morning as a warm up for a ride they are doing. The weather was warm with a strong north easterly wind blowing.

We rode our usual Thursday ride out to Newham via Bryces Lane, 3 Chain Road, Chases Lane and turning for the ride back to Woodend at Batters Lane. The ride out to Batters Lane featured mainly into the wind with some sections a cross tail wind. On the ride out to Bryces Lane at a spot where there is a known attacking magpie the other riders let me go first and when I was attacked by the magpie they had a good laugh behind me. With friends like that who needs enemies. Once we reached Batters Lane it was then a good tail wind ride all the way back to Woodend.

Back at the cafe it was sitting in the sun enjoying the chatter and refreshments before heading home.

Sunday Ride – Kyneton – 29th September 2019

27 members arrived in Kyneton this morning for today’s ride. The weather was cold early with a strong southerly wind blowing. During the ride the sun began to  shine through and warmed conditions up slightly. The early part of the ride was assisted by the tail wind.

12 riders rode the medium ride and the remaining 15 rode the longer ride which was in 2 groups with the faster group of 10 riders and 5 in the slower group. During the longer ride when the slower group arrived at the regrouping points they were able to see the others ahead of them in the distance. Apart from the head wind the other main problem on the ride was being attacked by magpies especially if a rider became separated from the bunch and was on their own.

Back at the cafe it was the usual chatter and refreshments before heading home. Quite a few of the riders had ridden up from Woodend and they shortened the route and went back direct to Woodend without having refreshments in Kyneton.

Woodend to Malmsbury Ride – 66km

19 members assembled in Woodend this morning for today’s ride plus 1 other member who joined the ride at Kyneton. The weather was cool with a strong North Westerly wind blowing. The wind made the ride to Malmsbury a bit of a struggle but with the tail wind back the overall ride was conducted at a good speed with most rides being completed at 24 kph or better. During the ride the members split into 3 groups depending on riders speed with riders regrouping at various points to ensure everybody was OK.

Once at Malmsbury we all enjoyed the chatter and refreshments at the Malmsbury Bakery before we commenced the ride back to Woodend.

Once we had climbed the hill out of Malmsbury the ride speed increased especially with the tail wind and it was great to have the assistance all the way back. We were also fortunate to arrive back in Woodend before the forecast of the wind changing to a southerly wind arrived.

8 members arrived in Woodend this morning on a perfect start to the day for a ride. The sun was shining and a light breeze blowing which was not strong enough to effect the ride. We were also joined by another member during the ride as we headed back to Woodend.

We rode our usual loop out to Newham via Bryces Lane, 3 Chain Road, Chases Lane and turning for the ride back to Woodend at Batters Lane. One rider shortened the ride by not riding the Chases Lane Loop and another had the misfortune to have a puncture near the corner of Batters Lane. As he was fully prepared he told the riders with him to continue and he rejoined us later after he finished the ride. As the conditions were good the ride was ridden at a good pace and we all enjoyed being in the sun and not freezing for a change.

Back at the cafe it was the usual chatter and refreshments before we all head ed home.

Sunday Social Ride – Woodend – 22nd September 2019

25 members assembled in Woodend this morning for today’s ride. Weather conditions were cool and overcast with a cold Northerly wind blowing. We also had one of our riders having his first ride in 6 months after having a hip replacement. A good effort on a ride with some difficult climbing. Another one of our members was down from sunny Queensland and was in shock with the cold weather. Get over it was the main comment.

17 riders rode the medium ride and the remaining 8 rode the longer ride. Ride conditions were good as most of the ride into the wind was on downhill sections and both rides were followed by fast sections back to Woodend with the tail wind which had strengthened a little by the time rides were being completed.

All riders were together at the cafe after the ride were we enjoyed the usual chatter and refreshments before heading home.

14 riders assembled in Woodend this morning on a sunny day with a very strong north easterly wind blowing. We were also joined by another member during the ride and 2 of today’ riders were riding with us for the first time including one rider down from Sydney.

We rode our normal Thursday loop out to Newham via Bryces Lane, 3 Chain Rd, Chases Lane and turning at Batters Lane for the ride back to Woodend.

4 riders rode modified versions of the ride with 3 eliminating the Bryces Lane Loop and the other eliminating the Chases Lane loop. The ride out to Batters Lane was either directly into the wind or sections of cross tail wind followed by a fast ride back to Woodend being blown along by the wind.

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