THE ÒBLUE DUCKÓ RIDE 2012
Ride Leader: Gerd Brachmann
Date: Friday,
20/1/2012 – Sunday, 22/1/2012
(the weekend before Australia Day)
Starting Point: Lilydale, Shell Service Station (20/1, 7.15 for
a 7.30am start)
Route Day 1: Noojee
(Morning Tea), Newborough, Heyfield, Stratford (Lunch), Bairnsdale, Swifts
Creek, Omeo (Afternoon Tea), Omeo, The Blue Duck Inn at Anglers Rest (for 2
nights). Total distance: 440 km.
Over
dinner: Part 1 of the ÒBlue Duck TrophyÓ events: TRIVIA QUIZ.
Day 2: Breakfast
at the Blue Duck; then Bogong High Plains Road, Falls Creek, Mount Beauty (and
Tawonga Gap?) for Morning Tea / Lunch, and return to the Blue Duck for our
Highland Games (Part 2 of the ÒBlue Duck TrophyÓ events). Total distance: 165
km. Dinner.
After
dinner: Award of the 2012 Blue Duck Trophy.
Route Day 3: 7.30
start, then on to Omeo (Breakfast around 8.15), Mt. Hotham, Harrietville,
Bright (Morning Tea around 10.45), Myrtleford, Milawa, Whitfield, Mansfield
(Petrol and Lunch around 1.15), to Healesville (End of Ride and ÒGood-byesÓ around
4.00). Total distance: 470 km.
Ride Level: Medium
/ hard.
Additional Notes:
1.
Note that the ride is a reasonably long one.
2.
Petrol: After starting off with a full tank, there
will be petrol stops at Stratford, Omeo (Day 1), Mount Beauty (Day 2) and Omeo,
Bright and Mansfield (Day 3).
3.
As many of you know, accommodation at the Blue Duck
is in 6 cabins. Each cabin is fully serviced with bedding, towels, full sets of
crockery and cutlery, tea and coffee-making facilities by way of a gas stove, a
wood heater and wood (if needed), lights and ensuite bathroom. As the facility
is powered by a generator, we canÕt use any appliances (there are no power
points).
Each cabin can accommodate up
to 6 people. There is a double bed in the main entrance / lounge / kitchen
area, and another room contains another double bed and 2 single (bunk) beds.
(Of course, you may request the company you want to
share with, and IÕll try my
hardest to accommodate such requests; but this canÕt be guaranteed,
unfortunatelyÉ)
Saturday morning (continental)
breakfast can be pre-purchased in the bar the night before, if required (I can
imagine that some of you may be equipped yourselves).
É2
- 2
-
4.
Costs involved:
-
Accommodation (2 nights) and Stratford Lunch (Day
1): $ 140.00 p.p.
Half of this money
($70.00) should be paid to me as soon as you book in for the ride (and this
will guarantee your participation). The balance ($70.00) is due by the end of
September. (You may, of course pay the full amount immediatelyÉ)
-
Breakfast Blue Duck Day 2: $ 10.00 – 15.00 (or
self-catered).
-
Breakfast Omeo Day 3: $ 12.00 – $ 15.00 (full
breakfast).
-
Morning Teas Days 1, 2 and 3: approx. $ 20.00 - $
30.00 all up.
-
Afternoon Teas Days 1, 2 and 3: approx. $ 20.00 - $
30.00 all up.
-
Lunches Day 2 and 3: $ 20.00 - $ 30.00 all up.
-
Plus: Dinner Day 1: The hotel serves a very nice
dinner (no BYO here). Food and drinks come at a similar price compared to other
pubs. (Please check the menu on their web page www.blueduckinn.com.au.)
Dinner and drinks are paid for as at other pubs; this dinner is mandatory (part
of my arrangements with The Blue Duck Inn).
-
Plus: Dinner Day 2: A hearty German meal will be
provided, at a cost to be decided after my initial shopping (similar to the price
for a self-catered BBQ). Please pay me at the time.
-
Petrol.
Please take some water or other
drinks for on the way as I expect it to become a little warm at times (it will
be January, after all).
Whoever wants to bring BYO
liquor, is welcome to consume this in and around the cabins, not in the Blue
Duck pub (that includes my schnaps, of course, tooÉ).
What to expect:
Ÿ Excellent
motorbike riding (tight corners, majestic sweepers, fast and long straights)
through the best of Gippsland, into Ôthe mountainsÕ, over the Great Alpine
Road, and via Mansfield home into our wonderful Yarra Ranges.
Ÿ Good
camaraderie with doses of fine food and drinks, and some schnaps, of
courseÉ
Ÿ The
superb battle to wrest the Blue Duck Trophy out of Gayle and IanÕs hands.
What to do next:
If youÕre planning to come
along, please advise me as soon as possible (by Email, if possible), and
pass on the initial deposit of $70.00 per person.
Any questions?
Please contact me
-
by Email (gbrachmann@minopher.net.au),
or
-
by phone (9894 1730), or
-
by text message to my mobile (0415 996 653).
In the meantime: Safe Riding!
Gerd