You Yangs and Yonder

The forecast was for strengthening northerly winds during the day but wind didn't play a big part is this ride.
Approximately 27 riders departed at 8am on Sunday 18th April from Merryn and Stephen's place at Werribee and headed west towards the You Yangs. A well known series of granite peaks protruding out of the grassy plains to the west of Melbourne and to the north of the Melbourne-Geelong freeway. We headed out of town as a bunch that progressively disintergrated out along Bulban Road.

 Stephen leads everyone away

The short sharp climbs of Granite Road singled everyone in my vicinity out and so by the time we were in the Brisbane Ranges and climbing on the Geelong - Ballan Road we were all riding solo. I had Leigh in my sights ahead and knew Stephen was a little way behind but by the time we were climbing up from our first climb out of a Moorabool River valley the 3 of us were together courtesy of a short stop by Leigh and some honest pedalling from Stephen. The first control was at the Meredith milk bar as the coffee shop appeared to be thoroughly occupied by a car club. Some of the locals were also out for a stroll. [below]

 A Meredith family enjoying a walk

 Riders relaxing at the first checkpoint

Following refreshments I headed off solo down the familiar road through Steiglitz to Maude with 3 good solid climbs but also some pretty fast descents. Turning to the east at Maude onto Thomsons Road came the most challenging climb in the ride out of another Moorabool valley peaking at 14% but holding 12% for much of the ascent. I then headed back across to Geelong Ballan Road again before turning north to the second control at Anakie general store. As I was about to hit the road Leigh rolled in. My ride through Staughton Vale, Balliang and around the side of the You Yangs was quite uneventful but for once having drunk pretty well and eaten enough my performance was not tapering off like it often does. On Bulban Road along the railway line I was travelling at about 35 kph with a nice south westerly breeze at my back thinking what a cruise it will be back to the finish when within metres the wind changed to a fresh easterly that left me with a bit of a slog for the final 5kms. I arrived back at Merryn and Stephen's place about  2:15 pm to a lovely cup of coffee and cake. Some chat with Merryn and other finishing riders rounded out a great day.