On 27th June 2018 the Diamond Creek OM:NI Group and Eltham Mens Shed lost a valued friend. Sadly, Nick Grange passed away after a battle with cancer. Nick was a long standing member of both groups, with OM:NI being a keen member of the cycling group, encouraging us to ride further and more widely astray, and with the Men’s Shed he started the bike repair group.

We all had fun riding alongside NIck on the trails, chatting about cooking and life in general, and enjoyed comparing coffee notes during the mid ride break. Nick also started this web site, which became one of his passions as he converted it from a simple blog to a formal web site. All who knew Nick were influenced by his dreams – the blog, the bike repair group and the peleton.

He is still sadly missed, but his memory lives on in our minds and in the annual Nick Grange Memorial Ride. Each year close to his anniversary, the group goes on a ride which duplicates the last ride Nick rode with the group.

This year the ride was held on July First.

Ron, Joe, Bill, Lindsay and Bruce started the ride from the usual meeting place at the Eltham Tennis courts.

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The first stop was on the way to Diamond Creek, in a gentle bend in the creek where Nick’s ashes were scattered. This was a time for a gentle reflection on Nick and life in general and the realisation that it can be shortened at any time. The learning here was to make the most of each day and enjoy it.

The ride then continued on to Hurstbridge via the new section of the Diamond Creek Trail to Wattle Glen, then on the road to Hurstbridge and back to the cafe at Pepper’s Paddock where Peter, Lou, and Steve joined the group for coffee and friendly chatting.

Then the peleton returned home to Eltham Tennis Courts, stopping to walk the labyrinth near the Diamond Creek Play Ground. Nick, together with Ken Ramplin was largely instrumental in persuading Nillumbik Council to construct this project, and after a number of years and much consultation the labyrinth was completed. By good luck the labyrinth is just across the Diamond Creek where Nick’s ashes were scattered, a lovely example of good karma.

Finally the group rode home to Eltham, gently reflecting on our friendship with our mate Nick, who still rides with us in our hearts.

                   CHEERS TO OUR MATE NICK