About 20 of us decided to ignore the weather forecast and join Mike’s ride to Mirboo North which is set among beautiful hills but also subject to a bit more rain than other parts of Victoria.  Our bravery was rewarded as the rain stayed away apart from a bit of a shower on the way home.  

It was great to see a mix of old and new faces in the ride group.   After coming to our social on Wednesday night, Jim joined us for a ride today on his Indian Scout which made it Indians on two rides in a row.  

Samuel took on Tail End duties again and handled it with aplomb.  Bill arrived as we left after attending a grandchild’s sporting event earlier and I only realised he was on the ride when I saw him corner marking.

We started off

with a bit of a transit section east and then south through roadworks before enjoying more open roads.  Once through Lang Lang, we enjoyed some delightful roads and scenery up to Poowong

and the gave our suspensions a bit of a test along the bumpy road to Bena

before rolling into Korumburra for a cuppa and rest break.  The facilities there have been upgraded to accommodate the South Gippsland Rail Trail

and provided really good shelter from the wind for those who had brought drink flasks.  We weren’t the only riders who had stopped at Kelly’s Bakery.   

We then rode north

through Strzelecki and enjoyed beautiful roads and scenery

while being buffeted by quite strong winds.  The rolling green hills really are something to take in and enjoy. After passing through Tetoora Road (that’s a location not a road name) we turned east and enjoyed more great roads plus farmland

and forest before stopping for lunch at the bakery in Mirboo North. 

After a leisurely break and chat we all headed off home in smaller groups depending on destination.  New rider Jim kept me company and we rode to Thorpdale (potato fields) and more back roads before joining the freeway just the city side of Trafalgar.  We rode into headwinds to Pakenham where I peeled off into the hills and we bid each other farewell.  As I stopped to refuel at Wandin near home, I actually saw our ride leader Mike and several others pass through.                

The refuelling confirmed that the combination of great curves and scenery for hundreds of kilometres do not improve fuel economy, but I really don’t care.

 Thanks to Mike and Samuel plus all who came along and added the camaraderie which made it such a great day out with fellow Ulysseans.     

Cheers

John Cook