Day 1. Ride from Hastings to Balnarring Beach and return
It was a beautiful sunny day as seven of us set off for our ride from Hastings to Balnarring. Val was riding remarkably well, considering she forgot the battery for her E-bike! I especially liked the bike track that continually curved rather than the normal straight track. Lunch was at the yummy Red Hill bakery, then off to tour Balnarring and the beach. We had a short break and enjoyed the view over to Phillip Island. After returning to the Hastings caravan park, it seemed like we still had enough energy after the 39-kilometre ride for a game of ping pong….Kerry was by far the best player.
Day 2. Ride to Somerville and Jack's Beach
The following day, our group expanded with the addition of Elizabeth and Julia as we pedalled toward Somerville. Our mission was to track down the paramedics and their reputed coffee shop. Despite missing their coffee break, we discovered a decent coffee shop. Energized, four of us embarked on another ride, this time to Jack's Beach. Here, we uncovered a fascinating piece of history- the Jack brothers' tanning pit, where they used to tan their fishing nets and lines by boiling wattle bark.
These two days of riding were a testament to the fun and camaraderie that come with such adventures. We owe a special thanks to Kerry for her meticulous organization of the event, which made it all the more enjoyable.
Participants: Kerry Baggallay, Elizabeth Pearce, David Vaughan, Judy O'Connell, Julie Coulter, Jay Jay, Michele Timmins, Josie Lomagno and Val McDonald
Author: Judy O'Connell