Mild weather….. and didn’t we burn up the trail! Nick, Barry, Bill, Lindz, Bruce, Ken and Lou had a great day. Nearly lost Bruce who headed off to Warburton East and was lucky to get something to eat from the bakery. Ken nearly missed the bus at Sour Dough –all packed up and ready to push off home! Lindz asked the question, “why do we do this just once a year?”
Aah, the infallible rule of what we did last time Lindz. Over to you Lindz.
                                              

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without a thought on anything but the road you are taking”………..                                 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

And so it was that we set out from Marngrook oval, Bill, Barry and Ken heading for the meeting place by the tennis courts at Eltham. Unfortunately, Bas suffered a puncture and decided to return home only having one spare tube. A good roll up there in Eltham, Bruce,Brian, Rob, Brent, Lou and we decided to head for the Caf at NMIT Fairfield. Apart from a dispute between one rider and his front tyre, (no names – initial Rob) the ride was pleasant and brisk. The multi-tasking abilities of OMNICYCLE Blokes is amazing. As well as keeping the pedals turning, conversations were maintained and hopefully, we all returned home enlightened! The coffee was good and a rousing version of ‘Happy Birthday’ was sent over the airwaves to David in Darwin.He was mightily impressed with the rendition and asked if we sang together as a choir! The return journey was without incident and the Group asked if Bruce might lead us on a trip up the Merri Creek on 19th June. Long range forecast – 17deg,sunny with a few clouds!

Nineteen degrees and showers, that was the forecast and seven optimistic OMNICYLE Blokes set out in three cars for the starting line at Mt Evelyn. Bill and I were the last to get there only to learn Bruce would not be along for the ride. Over coffee at the Sourdough Café we learned that Bruce and Geraldine’s dog Freya, had had an early morning epileptic fit. In an attempt to calm her so that she wouldn’t come to any harm, both Bruce and Geraldine sustained injuries requiring medical assistance. So off we set – us Mountain (or Mounted) Men pedaling into the Mount Evelyn ‘Mist’! Simply cruising down the first 7/8 klm’s, we soon came onto the gently rolling trail which makes up most of the ride. Two first timers on this annual ride, Lou D and Rob J were enjoying the change from our usual routes and – the scintillating conversation!
It didn’t seem to take all that long before we arrived at Launching Place to be greeted by Nick G.
Well on the way to recovery from an illness, it was so good to see the determination shown by Nick to complete at least part of the ride. Well done Nick! By this time the ‘Mist’ had lifted and we cruised on in to the beautiful town of Warburton. It has become ritual for us to have lunch at the bakery by the river. Once again, the fare did not disappoint. The bakery was well patronized and a large group of riders and day trippers were there to savour the offerings. After a short rest and a walk along the main street through the shopping centre we set off for the return journey. We all travelled rather well and were quite prepared for the last 7/8 K’s which finished off the trip. Arriving back at the sourdough, all agreed it was a great day, a nice change from the usual, and that we should pencil it in again for April 2014.
Riding today were – Bill B, Brian A, Rob J, Leon H, Lindsay C, Lou D, Ken R and Nick G.
Footnote: Freya, Geraldine and Bruce are doing Fine….KR