CYCLING FOR PLEASURE GROUP (INC)
Future Trips
- Goolwa
- Ballarat
Past Trips
CPG Grampians Trip
22nd – 29th October 2006
Report by Jill Marriage
Photos by Alan Marriage
After a very pleasant drive from Adelaide, we arrived at Aginda to sort out sleeping accommodation and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Marilyn Partington and helpers and lots of happy socialising and planning for the week ahead.
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After a good night’s sleep, a hearty breakfast and lunch preparation, we set off on our day’s ride. The weather was perfect. First we visited Barney’s Rubble, an unbelievable second hand store which just happened to make delicious coffee. Here Gil made a new friend.
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We rode on to the caravan park at Lake Fyans for lunch. The water level was very low and the manager told us there hadn’t been a decent rain in the area for eight years! The weather had become hotter and we rode into the wind on the way home. Not easy, but it made the shower very welcome when we returned “home”.
After another of Marilyn’s delicious dinners, we gathered around the campfire and Gordon accompanied us on his guitar in a community singing session interspersed with a variety of stories.
The next day, after the usual morning rush, we set off to go to The Pines. On the way the group divided – some of us don’t like soft surface dirt roads and preferred to stay on the bitumen. It was a beautiful morning and the countryside looked splendid as we rode through farming country. We reached what we thought was the lunch spot near the new ramp at Lake Lonsdale – a vast scene of dry land, dead trees and dried grass –
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– but we were mistaken.
Back we rode to another much more pleasant spot on the lake where the other group were eating their lunch.
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We were very grateful for the cool drinks supplied by the back up car. The backwater didn’t entice any intrepid swimmers. It was a hot ride home, but the wind was behind us and the shower and dinner were waiting. After dinner we amused ourselves with reading, games and Tantrix, supplied by Eric.
The next day was a rest day, a walk(?) to Boronia Peak. It was a steady climb through messmate forest and native pines, then native shrubs and big rocks and a rocky scramble to the top.
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Well worth the effort – a magnificent 360 degree view over both sides of the range! I had help from Roy going up and Clive coming down – there are some advantages to increasing age. A late lunch, relaxation and off to the hotel for dinner.
Next day was moving day and after cleanup we set off to ride the 60km to Dunkeld, members sharing the riding and the driving. We were struck by the remarkable regeneration of the gum trees
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and
the forests of Xanthorrhoea which followed the disastrous bushfires of
which 22 were deliberately lit. The climb over the range and the long
downhill ride to Dunkeld down the Victoria Valley Road were enjoyed by
all.
We found the Bunkhouse and early arrivals organised it to suit our needs. At the end of a busy day, we were happy to relax, read, go for a walk or just talk.
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Next day was cloudy with light rain falling, but we were still full of zest and good cheer. On our way to Cavendish we ran into an icy storm and a head wind, not very pleasant or comfortable. But after morning tea, the sun came out fitfully and we rode on to the home of a friend of Liz and Roy on the edge of a National Park.
We were greeted with beautiful views in every direction
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and enjoyed the rest and refreshments when we stopped for lunch.
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We went to the local hotel for dinner due to the difficulties of catering in the kitchen – very up market for such a small town.
A small group decided not to ride the 70km to Hamilton next day. The weather was not promising and the wind strong, but we did have a pleasant ride along quiet back roads. When we came back to the town we visited the splendid tapestry in the Royal Mail Hotel depicting morning, evening and midday, fire day, afternoon and tranquil evening, beautiful evocative art.
At last time to go home. Clean up and packing and many thanks to Marilyn and David Partington, Marilyn for her tremendous catering effort and David for first class organisation of the week. Indeed the club is fortunate to have them!