Saturday, 9 November was a great day for a ride, a typical Melbourne spring day with a nice clear, crisp morning that blossomed into a beautiful sunny day, ideal for riding.

Nine Wanderers departed from Pearcedale at the earlier than usual time of 0800 hours to join a group of fellow Ulyssean members for the monthly Ulysses Victorian Breakfast Club (VBC) at Misty Hills Cafe in Neerim South. This was our second branch VBC ride following an unofficial pilot ride to Creswick in August and a September ride to Romsey that Muzz led. The October breakfast was in Wangaratta, but we did not attend.

Paul of the Echuca branch organises these rides with the usual format being a Friday night pub dinner for those doing an overnight trip. The breakfast is at 0930 on the Saturday morning, all nice and casual. The only requirement is you advise your attendance to assist with the businesses catering and staffing arrangements and, if required, organise your own accommodation. All activities are at your own expense.

So, with our arrangements in place and a bit of chill in the air, we tracked a well-worn route from Pearcedale via Tooradin, Bayles and then on through Longwarry and Jindivick for a quick regroup stop. Then through a nice little twisty run into Neerim South where we joined a group of 40+ Ulysseans (including Flyrr and Jackie) at Misty Hills Cafe for a hearty breakfast, some banter and BS with like-minded people. It was great to have Trevor on the Yellow Peril and Annie along for the ride.

Following breakfast, Trevor and Muzz headed home for other commitments while Woody headed on to do a reconnaissance ride for his next club ride as Ride Leader. I know it will be good. Check the calendar, 1 December for details.

While Flyrr and Jackie headed home to Warragul, the rest of us headed off through the hills via Nilma and Ranceby to another coffee stop at the Drouin Bakery before heading home via Lang Lang to Tooradin for goodbyes. While a relatively short ride, we still managed some nice roads, beautiful scenery and good company.

It was noted how responsible this ride was with not a drop of beer passing anyone’s lips. (Not sure how that happened, may be my last Ride Leader gig!)

There were also some assertion that an unplanned U-turn occurred. That may or may not be true. There were also some complaints about a patch of dirt road I came across. I know Nizz would be proud of me LOL.

All in all, I think it was another good day. Thanks to all who turned out to support the ride, the Breakfast Club with Paul organising the gathering. And a special thanks to Ross as TEC.

Enjoy the pics and look for more on the Ulysses VIB Facebook site. I recommend keeping an eye on the calendar for future Breakfast Club rides.

Stay happy and safe.

Mark S