NEWSLETTER

January 2013

                                                            Hi from Catherine

Happy New Year and welcome to 2013. I can’t believe another year has gone again. I hope you all had a GREAT Christmas and over indulged like the rest of us. We now have lots of riding to do to burn off those excess calories. I have found another solution, but not one I would recommend – gastro and a cold at the same time. Thus, I am not working and have time to do the newsletter. If it’s not to the usual standard, put it down to the very fuzzy brain that I had when most of it was written and typed.

Pat’s Presidents Report

Summer - We certainly have the hot summer weather upon us now - remember especially to keep hydrated and eat sufficient food – I know that I often tend to not feel like eating while riding.

Professionals - We are in the midst of the Australian professional cycling season with the Bay Classic, Heraldsun Tour, Australian National Road Championships and Tour Down Under to name a few January events. Australia is riding a high with all of our professional riders combined with some great television coverage.

BUG Rides - The new rides program for January-March 2013 has just begun with a good range of rides. You will note that we have made all rides originating in Shepparton, the start point is Aquamoves; and all rides originating in Mooroopna, the start point is Café 3629. If you have any particular requests in relation to type of rides, availability or otherwise to lead rides please let one of the committee members know so that we can incorporate your ideas, availability into the rides program.

7 Peak Assent Challenge - We are part way through the time period (1 November 2012 to 31 March 2013) to complete the 7 Peak Assent Challenge – by mid January most of those doing the challenge will have completed Lake Mountain, Mt Buller and Falls Creek. The challenge has been enjoyable with most of us doing some considerable training to improve our hill-climbing skills and fitness. Thanks to Rick, for conducting his hill climbing session prior to the December meeting.

Enjoy your riding.

Talking Points

You will see from the Rides program that there is a general meeting on the second Thursday of each month. This is open to all members (not just the committee), so come along for a chat, a laugh, coffee and nibbles. The last meeting on a rides program is when the next program is created, so come with ideas for rides. If you would like the shorter early evening ride again before the meeting, let us know and we can add it in.

Just a note from those who have ridden the Dookie rail trail recently – it is a bit rough with some decent cracks. Riders with road bikes need to be a bit wary and ride very carefully.

A new rides program is out and we have a BUG weekend in Bright again. The BUG’s that went last time to Bright (2011) will tell you what a good time was had by all (riders and partners).  Those intrepid 7 peakers are doing hills on the Friday and Sunday, but we will be organising other rides of varying length and terrain to suit everyone. Come along, the more the merrier. Some are going for 3 nights (Thurs – Sat), some 2 and maybe some just for the Sat night. See below in Top Rides for more info which came in later.

Top Rides!

Where we have been!

Ted, Glen, Shaun and Bill V did the Great Vic bike ride around Gippsland and it sounds like a good time was had by all. I am sure they have some stories if you ask them.

The weekend before Christmas, Pauline took a hybrid/mountain bike ride around Rushworth. I think we all enjoyed it – I know I did. While we didn’t do a big distance, the legs certainly felt it, being on the heavier bikes and unmade roads/tracks. We ended up on top of a hill at the fire lookout and climbed the tower. There is a great view of Rushworth and Waranga basin area from the top. We have given Pauline another ride towards the end of the new program, so she and Peter are putting their heads together for a different circuit.

The Taminick Gap ride mid-December was an interesting one. Due to the light rain on the way over (it had stopped when we got there) and the ominous grey clouds, it was decided to do a shorter loop, so we went up Taminick Gap from the winery and on to Wang and planned to come back the same way. All was good until we got to the bottom of the hill (Wang side) and then it bucketed down. Wendy following behind was nice and dry, but the rest of us were drowned. We had very nice coffee/hot chocolates at a café, but had to sit outside under the verandah as we were dripping. There was big debate about the wisdom of riding back, but we all know BUG’s have no brains and as it was only spitting by then, we rode back. It actually was OK and the rain stopped. Could we say we enjoyed the ride – not sure???????  Russell and I were going onto Beechworth after, so we came back thru Wang and I can tell you the rain was even heavier then.

Lyn and Rick did their ‘Gone with the wind’ ride, but unfortunately the wind wasn’t so good that day. The idea was to ride in whatever direction the wind was blowing, so there was a tail wind all the way. Then, Lyn would drive everyone back in the bus (hence the limited numbers). I gather they ended up in Violet Town, but the wind wasn’t that effective in pushing them there. We have had such windy days since, it doesn’t seem quite fair.

The 7 peakers are still plodding up their hills, so if you want to know what it’s like (so you can decide whether it will be you next year), speak to one of them. Most will be at the Bright weekend.

Where are we going?

The new rides program is out and we have tried once again to cater for everyone. We are still trying to encourage new members, so please be considerate with ride speeds if there are new members or slower riders. Remember we don’t all ride at the same speed and we advertise that we ride at the speed of the slowest rider. No one should ever be left behind at the back by themselves. It is the ride leader’s responsibility to ensure the ride speed caters for all or to organise the occasional sprint for those wanting to go faster.

When the rides start away from Shepparton, we will not be meeting at Fryers first (no-one was doing it anyway). If you need a ride to the start, please contact the ride leader to see what can be arranged.

Can you also please let the ride leaders know in advance if you are attending rides that start away from Shepparton/Mooroopna? That way, if rides are cancelled, the ride leader can contact those planning to attend.

We can also wait for people running late if they are expected.

 I have a Longwood – Ruffy ride (50kms total) on 27^th Jan. To those newer members who have never done this ride, it is the best. We start at Longwood and after several kms of flattish riding; it is a steady climb (not too hard) to the turn-off. Then, it is undulating (but probably more up) along the plateau to Ruffy. There is great food at the store (so bring lots of money) with everything from eggs /bacon to yummy cakes which carbs you up for the ride back (but it’s mainly downhill anyway). The scenery is great and it’s cooler up there.

After the BUG meeting last night, I have more information on the Bright weekend, which is Feb 8-10. Due to numbers and ease for everyone, we have decided to stay at the BIG 4 caravan park in Bright (where we stayed last time). The address is 1-11 Mountbatten Ave, Bright. Phone number: 1800 033 188. You can book camp sites, ensuite sites and units/cabins of varying sizes. Everyone is to book their own accommodation, but some might want to share to reduce the cost. Chat to those going. The caravan park will give us a 10% discount as a group - just tell them you are part of the Shepparton BUG riding group. I have spoken to them today (Friday). They will try to put us in the same area of the park, but it will depend on the sizes of the cabins booked. The ones at the front that we stayed in last time are smaller. The ones at the back are 2 & 3 bedroom. We are planning to wander down town on Sat night and have tea at the pub. I imagine we will debate Friday night at the time – could be BBQ or out again or everyone gets their own.

The 7-peakers have changed their rides to Mt Buffalo on the Friday and Omeo/Dinner plain on the Sunday.

Some suggestions for rides for non 7-peakers are:

·         the Buckland Valley (approx. 40kms round trip from Bright)

·         riding the rail trail toward Myrtleford

·         Harrietville

·         Tawonga gap (and down again)

·         Wandiligong (there is a bike path)

·         Mt Buffalo (but only up to the entrance to the park)

If anyone has a preference for time, place and distance of rides, can you let me know?

For Sale

If anyone has anything (not just cycling gear) that they want to sell, buy or give away, please ring Catherine and it will go in the next newsletter. Phone number is on the rides program somewhere.

Dawn Meddings has got a new Trek road bike (carbon frame and nice colour) and is looking to sell the old one. Please contact her for the info if you are interested. I left this in Dawn, as not sure if you have sold it.

Ray Wilcox has some bikes to sell also, so give him a ring: 58222049 or 0469790280. He has a 24” girls Trek, an Avanti ladies 700c road bike (XS) and his Specialized Roubaix gents carbon fibre roadie.

BUG Memories

This was taken on Graham’s Milawa-Myrtleford ride in Sept.

Doug took this on Pauline’s Hybrid ride around Rushworth.

A line of bikes along the Rushworth bakery wall.

For Sale (cont)

There are still some BUG riding tops, T-shirts (same material) and one vest for sale.

Riding tops - $92.55 – 1 x medium and large

Vest - $87.11 – 1 x medium

T-shirts - $54.44 – 1 x small, large and 2XL, 2 x medium

I have the tops, so ring if you are interested. The tops are on the slightly smaller size.