This report from your correspondant Avenel ( paddling co-ordinator) ;
Get out of your boat; (and) jump on your bike - sounds like the lyrics to a song. With the wind up and few wishing to paddle ( I forgot there was a significant football event on ) I pulled the plug on paddling and did just that - jumped on my bike ( for the first time in along time) and joined the peddlers for a day out on the road.
Meeting in Boolarra we made sure our head gear was correctly fitted , then we set off for Morwell River Falls. This ride is about 8km on bitumen and the remainder on gravel but than a few corrugation and pot holes it was a good surface.
Graham promised a 25km ( slight under quote) mostly flat ride out to Morwell River Falls Reserve from Boolarra. I can do that I thought, and much to my surprise I did - it is only 16.8km out to the falls, but another 16.8km back to Boolarra; and the road is flat , it just so happens to go up and down. gradually upon the way in with long periods of downhill coasting on the way back. Unfortunately Mr Murphy of Murphy's Law was also in attendance on the ride resulting in one rider having a mechanical and getting the car, and another running out of charge - it is hard peddling a 23kg e-bike up a long gradient - hats off to JJ - you did a great job. Fortunately with a car at the falls a return to Boolarra was quickly organised.
The road follows the river, initially through open farmland and then through the winding valley with a mixture of tree plantations, remnant vegetation, with stands of Mountain Ash. The shaded areas felt about 10 degrees cooler than the sun blessed road. There were a number of idyllic spots along the river campers enjoying nature at its best. A HVP sign on a corner gulley indicated where an alluvial silver mine once existed.
Arriving at our destination, a short break for refreshment and off to walk to the falls - well we are a walking club so I should of expected that. A quick uphill climb and then down to rest area before navigating the steps, track stairs down the waterfall - it was worth it!
Our trip back to Boolarra was mostly down hill and in no time we were back having stopped to admire the working waterwheel along the way.
Thank you to all who made this a truly enjoyable peddle, particularly Joe who looked after the tail end charlie's. Will definitely do this again. My rating 5 stars out of 5.
Participants: Pat Williams, Avenel Casson, Mary-Anne Taylor, Val McDonald, Jean Jackson, Joe Jans, Graham Clements
