The Official Home of the Warby Ghost Riders

 

(Note that stories relating to pre 2007 rides can now be found HERE)

2008 Major Rides Calendar

2008
Rides & Activities
"2008 - The Year of The Saddle "
Ride Organiser*
Sun Jan 6th

Warby Trail Social Ride
9.00 am start at COGS

The perfect chance to invite your friends and partners to join us. COMPLETED
Sat Jan 12th China Training Ride - Upper Yarra Dam/Reefton Pub Ride will start at Launching Place Pub at 9.00 am COMPLETED
Mon Jan 28th Australia Day Ride - Belgrave to South Bank Follow the bike paths to the city. 9.00 am start at Belgrave COMPLETED
Sat Feb 2nd Annual Awards Evening - 6.30 start at Paradise Hotel The biggest night of the year. All riders and partners are expected to attend COMPLETED
Sun Feb 3rd Cardinia Loop Ride Scenic ride around Emerald COMPLETED
Sun Feb 17th China Training Ride - Triple Toolangi 3 times up the mountain- 8.30 am start at Healesville COMPLETED
Fri 29th Feb - Sun 2nd March Annual Wangaratta to Bright Rail Trail Ride Over 200 km of cycling over 2 days. COMPLETED
Sat March 8th Final China Training Ride -
Pakenham to Drouin
8.00 am start at Pakenham COMPLETED
Mon Mar 10th (Labour Day) Maribyrnong River Trail 10.00 am start at Port Melbourne COMPLETED
Sun March 23rd Buxton Loop Tough ride through the mountains COMLETED
Sun April 6th Walhalla Forest Ride Beautiful mountain bike ride through the forest. 10.30 am start at Erica COMPLETED
Sat April 19th Beach Rd Ride
9.00 am start
North Road to Frankston and back COMPLETED
Fri April 25th Anzac Day Ride Great Southern Rail Trail 10.00 am start at Meeniyan COMPLETED
Sun May 4th Reefton Pub Ride 10 am start at Launching Place COMPLETED
Sun May 18th Yarra Junction to Noojee Ride 10 am start at Yarra Junction COMPLETED
Sun June 8th Kirth Kiln Playtime Mountain bikes only - short but demanding ride (1.00 pm start) POSTPONED
Mon June 9th (Queens Birthday) Inner City Bike Paths Loop An interesting loop around Melbourne's Bike Paths COMPLETED
Sun June 15th Eastlink Freeway Only chance to ride the freeway (7.30 am start) COMPLETED
Sat June 21st Pakenham to Drouin Pleasant ride to Drouin for lunch (10.30 start) COMPLETED
Sun July 6th Belgrave to Jells Park and Back Follow the bike paths to Jells Park for lunch (10.00 am start) COMPLETED
Sat July 12th Mid Winter Social Night Join us for dinner at Valentino's Restaurant COMPLETED
Sun July 20th Mt Starling Ride Challenging mid winter ride COMPLETED
Sat July 26th Picnic at Hanging Rock Ride Explore the area around Macedon and Hanging Rock COMPLETED
Sat August 9th Poowong Circuit 10.00 am start at Lang Lang Dennis Dawson
Sun August 24th Warburton to Marysville 9.00 am start at Warburton Peter Warren
Sat Sep 6th Annual Phillip Island Ride 9.00 am start at Cranbourne Dennis Dawson
Sun Sep 21st Dandenong Creek Ride 10.00 am start at Jells Park Phil Jones
Sat Sep 27th Donna Buang Lungbuster Staggered start from Launching Place Andrew Dunne
Sun Oct 5th Diamond Creek Circuit Hilly ride around Diamond Creek Kev Henley
Sun Oct 19th (TBC) Big Bay Ride Up to 200 km or more around the bay Jon Bate
Sun Oct 26th Upper Yarra Dam Picnic 10.00 am start at Launching Place Paul Barnard
Sat 15th Nov Reefton Pub Ride Join us for a burger on the balcony. 10.00 am start at Launching Place Gary Hall
Fri 21st to Sun 23rd Nov East Gippsland Rail Trail Weekend A great weekend of cycling and fellowship Dennis Dawson
Sat Dec 6th Glenda's Christmas Bash Celebrate Christmas with your cycling friends Glenda Wise
Sat Dec 27th Annual Bellarine Peninsula Circuit 100 km around the peninsula.. 10.00 am start at Queenscliff Phil Jones
       

*Ride Organiser

For all major scheduled rides held in 2008 we will have a nominated "Ride Organiser". The responsibilities of the organiser will be as listed below
(1) To be thoroughly familar with the exact route of the ride, including any potential danger spots, etc.
(2) To conduct the pre ride briefing and pass on any important instructions to the riders.
(3) To officially start the ride when they consider it appropriate.
(4) To conduct the ride in a fashion which is safe and enjoyable for all those taking part.
(5) To keep an eye out for anyone who may be in need of assistance during the ride.
(6) Any other tasks as required during the ride as may be considered important., such as delegating someone to be the "tail end charlie".
(7) To assist with the running of any particular ride it may be wise for the organiser to arrange for a "deputy" to assist as required.

If riders are running late for the start of a ride it is important that they contact the organiser to advise them of their situation.

No rider is to deviate from the prescribed route without first informing the ride organiser. It is important that the organiser knows the whereabouts of each rider during the ride. It is expected that all riders participating in any ride obey the directions of the ride organiser. Any rider not willing to do this may be advised to leave the ride immediately.

Past Rides.....

2007
Rides & Activities
"2007 - The Year of The Sprocket "
 
Sunday 14th January
The Poowong Classic
75 km of pretty Gippsland countryside COMPLETED
Friday 26th Jan Australia Day Ride Belgrave to South Bank COMPLETED
Sat Feb 10th Double Toolangi Hill Climb Start from Healesville at 10 am . COMPLETED
Sat Feb 17th Pakenham to Drouin and back A 6.00 am start made this a fantastic ride. COMPLETED
Sunday March 4th Triple Toolangi The ultimate heart starter, but a great achievement. Start from Healesville at 10 am COMPLETED
Monday March 12 Maribyrnong River Trail Start from Newport at 10 am COMPLETED
16th - 18th March 2007 Great Alpine Ride Wangaratta to Harrietville and back again COMPLETED
April 2007 2007 Great China Ride Even bigger and better than the 2006 ride. Sorry now booked out. COMPLETED
Sunday April 8th Buxton Loop See Peter Warren for more details COMPLETED
Wed April 25th (Anzac Day) Great Southern Rail Trail Start from Meenihan at 10.30 am (don't be late) COMPLETED
Sat May 12th 2007 Picnic at Hanging Rock Ride Start from Gisborne Station at 10 am sharp. COMPLETED
Sun May 27th Kirth Kiln
Mountain Bike Ride
This ride is being run by Hall's outdoor Education and is designed for all those who love mountain biking COMPLETED
Mon June 11th Inner City Bike Paths   COMPLETED
Sat June 30th Ride to Frankston Lovely ride along Beach rd COMPLETED
Sat July 14th Social Night Valentinos Restaurant COMPLETED
Sun July 29th Pakenham - Kooweerup Circuit   COMPLETED
Sun August 26th Reefton Ride have a burger at the Reefton Pub COMPLETED
Sat Sep 8th Phillip Island Bicycle Grand Prix Ride from Cranbourne down to the Nobbies COMPLETED
Sat Sep 29th Donna Buang Lung Buster test your stamina against the mountain COMPLETED
       
Sun 21st Oct Big Bay Ride Join the 1000s of cyclists riding around the Bay COMPLETED
Sat Oct 27th Upper Yarra Dam Ride Picnic at Upper Yarra Dam COMPLETED
Sat Nov 3rd Tonimbuk Loop An exciting 75 km mountain bike ride through the Black Snake Range COMPLETED
Fri 16 to Sun 18th Nov East Gippsland Rail Trail Join us at Bairnsdale & Lakes Entrance on this fun weekend COMPLETED
Sat Dec 1st Glenda's Christmas Party    
Thur Dec 27th Annual Bellarine Peninsula Ride 90 km around beautiful Bellarine Peninsula COMPLETED
Feb 29-Mar 2nd Annual Wangaratta to Bright Rail Trail Probably our most popular ride of the year Bookings Essential
March/April 2008 2008 China Ride The famous "Trail of the Dragon Ride " in China sold out !
       
       

Please note that the above calendar is tentative only, but may assist you with future planning. If you have any comments or suggestions PLEASE pass them on to me

* Ride Classification - to assist potential riders I have introduced a ride classification system. This gives an indication of the pace that the ride will be conducted at.

IP (Individual Pace) - all riders ride at their own best speed (usually 30 to 40 kph) but with stops to allow slower riders to regroup.

FCP (Fastest Common Pace) - the group rides at the fastest speed of the slowest rider, keeping all riders in a bunch. (usually 28-32 kph)

BP (Brisk Pace) - a pace roughly equivalent to 80-90% of maximum effort. A good workout without leaving anyone behind. (probably 25- 28 kph)

MP (Moderate Pace) - a pace suitable for newer riders and also allowing conversation to take place. Also suitable for longer rides. (usually 22 - 25 kph)

SP (Slow Pace) - suitable for social rides with new riders in the group. Where the social interaction is just as important as the ride itself. (probably less than 22 kph)

Many rides will actually have combinations of the above speeds. For example the ride might be mainly at BP but with a couple of IP stages to assist fitness training.

 

Official Sponsors

Warren's Sport and Recreation
Crossbow Computers
Subaru Fountain Gate

Upcoming Rides - August/September

  • Tues 26th Aug - Nite Riders Night Ride - Warburton Trail
  • Thurs 28th Aug - Warburton Trail Ride - start at COGS at 1.00 pm
  • Sun 31st Aug - Warburton to Marysville Ride - 9.00 am start at Warburton (note change of date)
  • Tues 2nd Sep- Nite Riders Night Ride - Warburton Trail
  • Thurs 4th Sep - Warburton Trail Ride - start at COGS at 1.00 pm
  • Sat 6th Sep - Annual Phillip Island Ride - start at Cranborne 9.00 am
  • Tues 9th Sep - Nite Riders Night Ride - Warburton Trail
  • Thurs 11th Sep - Warburton Trail Ride - start at COGS at 1.00 pm
  • Tues 16th Sep - Nite Riders Night Ride - Warburton Trail
  • Thurs 18th Sep - Warburton Trail Ride - start at COGS at 1.00 pm
  • Sun 21st Sept - Dandenong Creek Social Ride
  • Tues 23rd Sep - Nite Riders Night Ride - Warburton Trail
  • Thurs 25th Sep - Warburton Trail Ride - start at COGS at 1.00 pm
  • Sat 27th Sep - Annual Donna Buang Lungbuster - The Biggest Ride of the Year
  • Tues 30th Sep - Nite Riders Night Ride - Warburton Trail

Latest Ride Stories

31/07 In Which The Prodigal Sun Returns
26/07 The Annual Hanging Rock Ride
24/07 In Which an Indian Summer Arrives
20/07 The Starling Gap Mountain Bike Ride
17/07 In Which Patience Pays
10/07 In Which Many are Cold but Few are Frozen
03/07 In Which our Eyes Don't Deceive Us
12/06 In Which the Force Comes Out in Force
05/06 In Which the Fungi Fight Back

2006 Great China Ride

Click HERE

2007 Great China Ride

Click Here

2008 Great China Ride

You can read about our Third Great China Ride here.

2009 Nepal Adventure Challenge (only 1 place left)

Two groups will be travelling to Nepal in March 2009. The first group of 15 is full, but we have 1 place remaining in Group 2 for anyone interested

2009 Danube Ride - almost full !

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. Only 1 or 2 places left

2010 - Mongolia, Vietnam, China, New Zealand, South America ????

Watch for more details later this year.


Click for larger images


Donna Buang 2007



Comics (click for enlarged view)



For more crazy Garibaldi Cartoons click HERE

Newsletter

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