There is always a need for more people putting a hand up to lead a ride. It is not hard, and any of the committee are happy to help with the planning of a ride. So give it a go.

Over a dozen of us met up at Ardeer this morning Jeremy with his alternative steed for the branch ride to Ballarat. It was great that we had two news faces (Anthony and Barry) come along and join us and they were made very welcome.  I managed to add to their entertainment by having a “brain fart” and missing the very first turn off to the Western Freeway and added some totally unplanned traffic light practice.  Once sorted, we got onto the freeway as planned for a bit, then rode south a bit and west towards Glenmore.  The ride past Melton Weir is actually quite nice but the speed limits are frustrating.  The climb up the hill from Glenmore is quite spectacular and we stopped at the top for a photo. Then it was on to Ballan where we stopped for a break and a chat.  Sharing the "News" We then rode more back roads to Mount Buninyong, but found the park and lookout were still closed.  So much for Plan A.  We then rode to Ballarat and stopped for lunch between Lake Wendouree and the Botanic Gardens. Quite a nice setting.  After a leisurely break and chat we rode bask towards Melbourne via Invermay and Pootilla and Iron bark Gorge before joining the freeway at Bacchus Marsh and heading home.     Thanks to all who came along, and also to Brian Lacey for doing TEC duty today on his SV650.     Cheers John Cook                 

Our Branch received an award at the Annual Rally for our contributions to UCARF over the past year. This is of course the Ulysses Club charity which supports research into arthritis which can be a debilitating illness for our age group.