Day 1
Our Scone trip started with everyone meeting at Muswellbrook railway station, with light showers falling. Everyone was ready to go by 11.00am. We headed straight out of town into the beautiful country side. We were greeted by a few testing hills but everyone managed them with no trouble. Around half way we pulled off onto a dirt road and stopped for lunch. After we all filled up with our home-made lunch and coffees we headed off to Scone. For the next 10km we had a very flat road until we didn’t. I had forgotten about the hill leading into Scone but it came rushing back when I saw it from a distance. After everyone recovered we headed into town along the bike path. We arrived at the motel by 2.00pm giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon. Thanks to John for being sweep. We all met at the bowling club for dinner. Well nearly everyone. 33km
Day 2
Beautiful weather greeted us for our ride to Washpools waterhole. Today’s ride was in memory of Martin. This is a ride I know he would have loved, so it was, and will be, known as Martin’s ride. We headed back out of town along the bike path we came in on then we turned right onto Middlebrook road which would take us all the way to the Washpools. With minimal traffic we were able to enjoy what the country had to offer and it was really enjoyable. From the greenest pasture, horses, cows, mountains, and old farmsteads to new houses we had a lot to look at. Everyone navigated the 3 cattle grids, narrow roads, dirt road, head winds and a few hills to reach our lunch stop. The club was kind enough to supply lunch today. Jenny made a great choice in the subway-variety trays, cakes and biscuits. Thanks Jenny it was enjoyed by all. Thank you to Sue for picking them up for us and bringing them out to our lunch stop. After lunch everyone had time out to enjoy the area. Once we were all ready we headed back with a lovely tail wind. Back the same way we came but with very little elevation. I took one for the team with the maggie but thankfully he was harmless. As we rounded the corner back to Scone I decided to give the bike path a miss as I was nearly taken out by a car on the way out so we stuck to the road. We all arrived back safely and enjoyed the afternoon to look around. A few of us were shown around the old hospital building which is now a motel we were staying in. Over 100 years old with a lot of history. We all met for dinner at the RSL. Thanks to Jenny and Paul for sweeping. 44km
Day 3
Today we headed back to Muswellbrook via Gundi road. This ride was going to take us through some of Scone's horse studs. After a hill to warm everyone up we had a pretty flat ride to our morning tea stop at Allan’s bridge. Sue was once again waiting for us with a supply of biscuits to have with their tea or coffee. Once we all got going again we turned on the New England highway where Deb and John left us to go back to Scone. We all carried along the highway for 1km where we turned back onto the country road. Still enjoying the flat road we came across a couple of dogs that chased us protecting their property. Harmless, but still not great with a group of riders. We had a couple of hills to attack through mining country before we arrived back in Muswellbrook. Thanks to Narelle for sweeping and to everyone who came along. I hope you all enjoyed the ride and the countryside. Glad to report no incidents or punctures. 36km
Michelle
