Six riders met at Mann parking under grey and threatening skies. Jack set a quick pace with a slight tailwind through to McDonalds where Rusty took the lead. Showers held off on the riders but the roads became quite wet as we proceeded toward Sidney which made drafting an invitation to a very wet ride. The wind became apparent along the Sidney waterfront coming from the SE. We arrived at Melinda’s with an average speed for the ride of 24.5 km/hr. (David measured 25.6 km/hr. starting his computer at Royal Oak). A speedy ride.

Jim joined the group for coffee (still feeling under the weather) and coffee conversation centred around cars as Jack found an ad for a 2007 Aston Martin DB9 with 55,000 “real” kms for a paltry $25,000!! Jim thought this sounded like a good deal and Norm T commented on how these cars depreciate rather quickly! No one took the ad home to make the purchase.

Conversation turned from luxury cars to helicopter rides (Rusty and John had enough of that at work) and hence to mega yachts at the proposed marina at the inner harbour. No support for this project was forthcoming but some suggestions were put forward for the yacht owners to travel to downtown Vic from this remote location. Jim remains hopeful that this project will die a natural death!

Exiting Melinda’s found clear skies but much stronger SE winds. We proceeded West around the airport with initially a tailwind but soon were fighting a headwind which lasted for the duration of the ride back to Mann. All riders opted for a return along Lockside and whitecaps were observed on the water as we crossed the highway bridge. Needless to say, the pace on the return trip slowed considerably and most riders (except perhaps John and Rusty) were noticeably tiring. Jack, Norm T and Dave N arrived at Mann very tired having covered the 49 km at an average speed of 22.8 km/hr. – a very quick pace given the conditions.