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"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.

*****
Next Weekend Ride
Warburton to Marysville & back
Sunday 31st August

Peter Warren is the convener of this ride and he has provided the following information.
Start points
1 Millgrove - car park near toilets - 9 am sharp
2 Cement Creek car park - approx 10 am

For all the fit people who enjoy a climb we start at Millgrove to allow us to warm up before tackling the climb up the Donna Buang Road to Cement Creek where we will meet up with the more sensible riders. From Cement Creek we go straight up the Acheron Way.

The road is unsealed but should be in good condition as we travel among the tall trees. At the end of the Acheron Way we are faced with the choice of a 10km uphill ride to Marysville or a much shorter, flatter ride to Narbethong for Coffee etc.

We return back along the Acheron Way. Don't forget to bring water and nibbles to help keep your energy up. Estimated total distance - Just under 100km

Annual Phillip Island Ride
Saturday 6th September 9.00 am start

Our first scheduled weekend ride for Spring will be the Annual Phillip Island Ride to be held on Saturday Sep 6th. The plan is to start from Cranbourne at 9.00 am and ride down to the island. The road is very bike friendly with a wide bike lane giving good separation from vehicles. Most of the way is slightly undulating, with a moderate climb up to the Anderson turnoff.

We will be stopping at Rhyll for lunch by the water. Those that wish can then continue the ride down to the Nobbies before returning to Cowes for dinner. We depend on "support crews" to provide transport for riders and bikes back to Melbourne so we need as many drivers as possible to join us for the day. Car pooling will be the order of the day. If you can provide transport or require a lift back, please let me know.

I would encourage as many riders as possible to join us for this most enjoyable ride. It will also give us a chance to celebrate the ending of winter and the return of the sunshine. All we need is a mild day (and a tailwind) to make it perfect.

The Poowong Loop - Sat 9th Aug
A Perfect 10/10 !

There is little doubt that 4C is cold in anyone's language. Yet that is what the dashboard gauge was registering as I set out on the drive to Lang Lang for the start of the ride. It was just as well I had packed leg warmers, ear warmers, winter jersey, rain jacket and long fingered gloves. They say that the secret to surviving cold winter rides is n wearing the right layers. If that was the case, I had more layers than a poultry farm .

On the bright side I was overjoyed to see that the day had dawned bright and clear with an almost unbroken blue sky over head. The Poowong Circuit is one of my favourite rides and takes in some of the best Gippsland scenery you could imagine. The only problem is that it is rather exposed and on hot, wet or windy days there is no place to take refuge. On the other hand, when the weather is kind, there are few better rides that you could imagine.

I arrived at Lang Lang a little after 9.00 am - long before the appointed starting time of 10.00 am. I soon dicovered that I was not the first to arrive, as Tom Partel had been waiting since 8.00 am. That guy really IS keen. We were soon joined by Lisa and Steve and a short while later a guest rider called Anthony pulled in. It was also a pleasant surprise to see Ross turn up for his first ride in quite some time. By the time we were ready to start we had an even 10 riders in the group.

With the pale warm winter sun shining overhead we rolled down the main street of Lang Lang and turned left onto McDonalds track which was to take us all the way to Poowong. We had not ridden more than 300 metres before Tom suffered our first (and last) puncture for the day. About twenty minutes later we were underway again and the turgid blood started to flow around our arteries, bringing long waited warmth back to our extremities. Within 10 kilometres or so we were well warmed up and I noticed several riders stopping to shed their outermost layers of clothing.

From Nyora there is a gentle, winding climb up to the hilltop hamlet of Poowong. This section offers glorious views to the north of rolling green pastures as far as the eye can see. Those riders who were doing this ride for the first time were all struck by the sheer beauty of this countryside. At the top of the first climb the road follows a ridge line with a few false crests before you finally reach the township itself.

We all pulled in at the only open shop and overwhelmed the unsuspecting owner with more coffee orders than she probably gets in a good month. It then gave us a chance to rest and chat in sunshine for some time before tackling the next undulating section to Drouin South. This section has a couple of short but steady climbs and two very fast descents. It was on one of those descents a few years that I set my own personal speed record of 78 kph on my old red rattler. Perhaps I am wiser now because the fastest I allowed myself to reach on this ride was only about 58 kph.

Anthony was starting to realise that riding a mountain bike on an extended road ride can be quite hard work and each successive hill seemed to slow him down a little more. We all regrouped at the T intersection at Drouin South but Tom had decided to do one of his characteristic bolts and was never seen again for the rest of the afternoon.

The final 32 km section back to Lang Lang has only one significant challenge and it is called "Heath Hill". Actually it is not particularly steep or long but, coming near the end of a longish ride, it can be a daunting hurdle for tiring riders. Once over the summit, then it is an easy and straight ride all the way back to the car park. The weather had remained still, mild and sunny all day, constituting perfect conditions for this ride.

Back at the cars everyone remarked on what an enjoyable and successful ride it had been. I am sure that we will continue to make regular excursions down to this area for years to come. Thanks to everyone who helped make this ride such great fun.

Picnic at Hanging Rock Ride
Saturday July 26th - A Fantastic Ride

Situated about 30 mins west of Melbourne, the modern township of New Gisborne was the starting point for this ride. The initial temperature was only about 6C, sending riders scuttling for long fingered gloves and extra layers, but once we got moving we soon warmed up to the task before us. Bill Vandendool had brought along a cycling mate of his - another Cannondale owner.

Due to some cold weather confusion near the start we missed the first turnoff and rode on about 3 km in the wrong direction. Once this mistake was realised the remainder of the ride went without a hitch. We soon settled into some team riding, especially on the long climbing upwind section towards Lancefield. A stop in this township gave us time for a coffee and a stroll around the bustling "farmers' market" operating in the main street.

Then it was back on the bikes for the 20 km undulating section to Hanging Rock. A short distance up the road Werner realised that he had left his pack in the Bakery and had to make an unplanned return trip to collect it. The rest of us rolled along slowly and noticed a sizeable group of serious looking riders approaching us from the other direction. One of them was even being motor paced !

We finally rode into the Hanging Rock Reserve at 2.00 pm but the lack of take away food at the kiosk meant that our stay was relatively short. Soon we were back on the bikes for the final stretch back to Gisborne. To our delight the wind was behind our backs and , with the gentle downhill gradient, we soon rocketing along at up to 55 kph ! What bliss it is so be able to fly along the bitumen powered only by nature. Just as important was the fact that the predicted showers did not eventuate - to the contrary we were blessed with blue skies and sunshine for much of the ride.

We reached the cars at about 3.15 pm (well ahead of schedule), recording a total ride distance of just over 80 km. If we had not made the wrong turn at the start, the loop would have been almost exactly 75 km - a useful fact to know when planning future rides. After a few handshakes we were back in the cars for the pleasant drive back to Melbourne. It was a pity that so many riders were apparently deterred by the distance and the poor weather forecast, this really was a very enjoyable ride.

Blue Danube Ride (aka "Budapest or Bust")
September 2009

In September 2009 a group of Ghostriders, partners and friends will be heading off to Europe to complete the ride from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary. The ride will take them through Austria (three nights in Vienna) and into Slovakia. At the end of the ride we will bus back to Vienna where participants can head off to any part of Europe on their own adventure. We can only accomodate a maximum of 20 riders and it appears that 17 places are already filled. The total cost of the ride, including accomodation, most meals, bike hire, etc is only $2995.00 + air fares. Not bad for a 16 day European holiday !

If you are interested in grabbing one of the remaining places you will need to contact me as soon as possible.

A comment on Gael and Glenda's fungal disaster - read story 5th June 2008

Gary's view of Crasher's Latest Crash (29th May 2008)

Annual Anzac Day Ride - Great Southern Rail Trail
What A Beautiful Ride

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
Some of our riders approaching the summit of the Hoddle Range (between Fish Creek and Foster)

Ni Hao - We're Back From China !
Full story is now available

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

Gael celebrates the completion of a challenging climb by savouring a glorious view over the limestone karsts near Xingping in Guangxi Province - April 2008
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.)

"Base Camp Bash"
Saturday 28th March 2009
A Party to Remember at 13,000 feet !
(only 1 space left in Group 2)

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.

OVERSEAS ADVENTURE PROGRAM
2006 Tiger Leaping Gorge - completed
2007 - Tiger Leaping Gorge - completed
2008 - Limestone Trail - completed
2009 - Annapurna-Dhauligiri (Group 1) - FULL
2009 - Annapurna-Dhauligiri (Group 2) - 1 space
2009 - Danube Ride (Europe) - 1 or 2 spaces

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.

I have already begun early investigations for 2010. Some of the possibilities under consideration include
(a) A return to Tiger Leaping Gorge
(b) Mongolia Ride
(c) Vietnam
(d) South America - The Andes
(e) New Zealand

Over the next 6- 9 months these will be refined and information will be issued once more details are known.

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.