Ride Day - 7th May 06

Well, it felt like Winter was here early when I walked outside on Sunday morning to get the bike out of the garage. Plenty of wind & rain and threats of thunder & hail later in the day - looked like it was gonna be like a summer day in the old blighty so a good day to take a Trump for a burn - would be build for this sort of weather! This is the time of year when I'm pleased that the new Sprint has all those heat issues with the underseat pipe - it's like sitting on a hot water bottle!
Only three RATs rocked up for this one and it was great to see a new rider join us - Pete on a black Sprint RS.
It was a short ride down to our old faithful - Martians Cafe for breakfast and we were lucky with the weather as only a shower or two crossed our path on the way. That shiny bitumen and wet roads in the tree areas is alway suspicious so it was caution all round as we dropped down into Deans Marsh.
As usual the food was great and after a hearty feed we jumped back in the saddle and made our way home before those storms and hail came our way. Deans Marsh always seems to get hit with those big squalls so its best to make a move when the going looks good!
It was a good steady ride and although it was a bit cold we were lucky with the elements.
Time to get out the thermals and winter woolies! I'm looking forward to hearing how Leigh & Janine went up in the Grampians with Rod & Shirley - would have been a wild night up there.

Sunday Ride - May 7th 2006 - An Idea!

I received this from Mal earlier in the week - he got it from the Weekly Times newspaper. An interesting idea for the ride day on Sunday.

The Queenscliff ferry leaves at 10am and on the return journey departs Sorrento every hour up to 6pm. Cost is $48 return for passenger and bike.

Talbot Weekend in June 06

For those of you that were at the monthly meeting last Thursday night at the Wharfshed you'll know that there's a week-end trip to Talbot planned for Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th June. Those that have been on previous trips will remember the warm hospitality offered by Kyle and his Mum Annie at the Courthouse Hotel. Leigh has spoken to Kyle and he only has 3 rooms available - two with a double & single bed and one with a double and two singles. If you want to book get in quick as rooms won't last long and it's first come first served.
There's also another hotel at Carisbrook about 7kms away and Kyle from the Courthouse knows the owner so can arrange accommodation there too. For anyone staying at this hotel Kyle has offered a pickup & drop off service on Saturday night for those that want to have dinner and a drink at his hotel in Talbot.
Contact Kyle on 03 5463 2204 to book accommodation at the hotels.

There's also:

1. Chesterfield House Garden Villas, 2 Ballarat St, North Talbot VIC 3371 Telephone: (03) 5463 2363

2. Saddlers Cottage - http://www.saddlerscottage.com/ Tel 03 5463 2330

3. Eany Farm Bed & Breakfast & Cottage - Majorca - Talbot Road, Majorca, Phone: (03) 5464 7267 (three bedrooms in main house and cottage sleeps five)

4. Talbot Caravan Park - Phone 5463 2515

This is also the weekend of the Farmers Market in Talbot so lots happening & plenty of fresh food to sample & take home - http://www.ballarat.com/talbot/farmers_market.htm and remember the observatory is just across the road from the pub for midnight star gazing!

Contact Leigh for more info. on the trip - Tel 52593653