The Official Home of the Warby Ghost Riders |
"Life's Too Short to just be a Spectator!"This web site is proudly sponsored by Crossbow Computers & Warren's Sport & Recreation. We also welcome Subaru Fountain Gate as our new sponsor for 2008.s ****Blue Danube Ride - September 2009****
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| A comment on Gael and Glenda's fungal disaster - read story 5th June 2008 |
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| Gary's view of Crasher's Latest Crash (29th May 2008) |
If you would like to read the full account of the 2008 Great China Ride it is now available HERE It's over 14,000 words so you better grab a cup of coffee first.
With a warm and sunny day we were treated to one of the most enjoyable rides we have ever conducted. In fact it would be harder to imagine better cycling conditions. In addition, the trail has been significantly improved with works undertaken to all the gates and also an amazing new bridge 2 km from Meeniyan. This bridge should become the model for all future rail trail bridges - it really is sensational.
All the riders had a fantastic ride, with several experiencing this trail for the first time. There were no punctures, no falls - just lots of smiles and a thoroughly enjoyable day.
| The magnificent new bike bridge 2km from Meeniyan |
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| Some of our riders approaching the summit of the Hoddle Range (between Fish Creek and Foster) |
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The majority of our 2008 Great China Ride team members have now arrived back from China and Hong Kong. Most came back with substantially more luggage than we left Australia with and we all have lots of new memories to keep us talking for the next 12 months. All riders performed incredibly well, even when the going got hard. Those training rides up Toolangi obviously were a good idea. The full story has now been posted HERE
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| Gael celebrates the completion of a challenging climb by savouring a glorious view over the limestone karsts near Xingping in Guangxi Province - April 2008 |
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Some of our 2008 China Team gathered under a giant drum tower (Back row Glenda, Dennis, Ravi, Kelly, Rienzi, Henk. Front Row Gael, Lisa, Toni.) |
Planning now resumes in ernest for our 2009 Nepal Adventure and for the next overseas cycling challenges.
This year 8 intrepid riders headed off into the forests of Walhalla to tackle the Walhalla Wilderness Trail Ride. After the huge storms that had lashed the state a couple of days earlier the riders encountered a large amount of storm damage with numerous trees fallen over the tracks. One unfortunate rider (by the name of Kevin) had his knicks ripped off him by a vicious twig and had to complete the ride "sans pants". Apart from that everyone else had a ball (no pun intended).
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| The 2008 group gathered for a start |
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| Now that can really ruin your day (in more ways than one)! |
I have just returned from what must be regarded as our most successful ever Great Alpine Classic. We were blessed with absolutely perfect riding conditions on both Saturday and Sunday and had no less than 22 riders complete the trail in both directions. By the time we include partners and other family members, our total group numbered approx 35 participants.
It was great to see so many of our newer riders achieve a new Personal Best for their longest distances covered in a day. Congratulations to Gael, Linda, Russell, Helen, Michelle & Bob (Andrews). On Sunday morning Stacey Doswell made her own personal giant leap of faith when she jumped off the mountain on her first paragliding flight. Thanks to everyone who came along and helped make this such a fantastic way to spend a weekend. You are all legends. You can now read the official account of the weekend HERE
This ride really should be a compulsory inclusion in everyone's annual calendar.
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| The above pic was taken in Nov 2002 on our first ride along the Rail Trail - pictured from left Dennis, Bob (Crasher), Duncan & Ross |
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| March 1st 2008 and look how far we've come. The peloton gathers at Everton station for a photo shoot. Back row (from left) Russell, Daryl, Al, Phil J, Phil W, Joan, Garth, Linton, Viv & Geoff.. Front Row - Linda, Michelle, Gael, Werner, Paul, Glyn, Bob L, Helen, Glenda, Bob A & Dennis ("Mega Mike" joined the ride at Beechworth) |
On Saturday night 28th March 2009, 29 members and friends of the Ghostriders will be holding an unforgettable party on Kopra Ridge, 4000 metres high in the Nepal Himalaya. We will be within amazing proximity to two of the worlds highest mountains - Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
When I first started planning this trip I determined that I would be only able to take 12 participants. To my amazement within two weeks of announcing the details I have now received applications from 29 people. This means that we will now be taking TWO groups.
The trip will see us flying into Nepal via Bangkok. After two days in the unbelievable city of Kathmandu we will be flying to Pokhara where the trek will commence. The trek itself will last for 11 days and we will return for two nights in Pokhara, before flying back to Kathmandu. During our day in Pokhara we will be hiring mountain bikes and exploring the nearby Phewa Tal (lake) and surrounding countryside.
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Now that our 2007 Overseas Cycling Adventure is completed, I am pleased to say that the 2008 is already booked outl. In 2009 we will be heading in a different direction to complete a two week trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. Later in 2009 we will taking a more gentle approach when we head off to Europe to complete a 15 day ride down the Danube. This ride will be suitable for anyone of good health and reasonable fitness.A great chance to explore Europe with your friends.
All overseas adventures are open to men and women who are fit and active with well developed senses of adventure and good sense of humour. You do not have to be an experienced cyclist but you will need to be prepared to complete a realistic training program to adequately prepare for the challenges ahead.
You can either stay at home and think of a hundred reasons why you can't go, or else you can take a step at fulfilling some of your dreams. Once the decision is made, the details have a way of taking care of themselves.
If you would like to read the story of the the 2006 ride then click HERE.
The story of the 2007 adventure can be found HERE
The story of the 2008 trip can be found HERE
I can also arrange to meet with your cycling group to give them more information on these trips. Ring me on 03 5968 4706 for details.
In the interests of keeping this page to a manageable size I have archived some ride stories to another page. If you've got some time to spare you can read dozens of previous adventures by clicking here.This site is sponsored and maintained by Crossbow Computers - suppliers of all your computer hardware and software needs (established 1988) E-mail messages should be sent to Dennis.
Warren's Sport and Recreation
Crossbow Computers
Subaru Fountain Gate
12/06 In Which the Force Comes Out in Force
05/06 In Which the Fungi Fight Back
29/05 In Which a Treemendous Catastrophe Occurs
22/05 In Which COGS is Busting out all over
March 2008 Great China Ride
01/05 In Which we Get a Pleasant Surprise
24/04 In Which an Evil Premonition Comes True
17/04 In Which the Downhill goes Uphill
10/04 In Which I return to the Peloton
13/03 In Which Global Warming Hits Home
06/03 In Which the Bermuda Triangle Moves to Warburton
The full story and pictures from our 2006 adventure are available for you to read. Click HERE.
Our 2007 Great China Ride has now been successfully completed. ! The official story can be found here
Our Third Great China Ride has now been successfully completed. Read all about it here.
The detailed plans for this trip are available now.The first group of 12 filled up within 48 hours of being announced, so we will now be taking TWO groups instead of one. Due to illness we now have a vacancy in both Group 1 and Group 2 for anyone who would like to join us.
Planning has now progressed to the next stage for the 2009 Danube Ride. This will take place in Sep 2009 and will consist of a 15 day ride along the Danube, starting in Germany and progressing through Austria, Slovakia and ending at Budapest in Hungary. Suitable for anyone of good health and fitness. This trip is already almost booked out !
Watch for more details later this year.

Donna Buang 2007
Comics (click for enlarged view)

For more crazy Garibaldi Cartoons click HERE
Did you know that we also have an e-mail mailing list? If you would like to be informed/reminded of future cycling events by e-mail just drop a request to me at the following address dennis@crossbow.com.au