Diamond Creek Ride 28 August, 2005
The role call for the ride was Robert, Ludo, Renild, Alan, Eric, George and Chris. The temperate weather, gentle scenery and relatively easy riding brought out a congenial group a bit larger than for other recent rides.
The tracks were mostly smooth, and the hills not too steep or too numerous. By the end of the ride (50+ kms) some of those hills seemed rather tougher.
The ride was sufficiently testing that there were a couple of mechanical collapses. A critical bolt in Ludo's streering sheered off, leaving his bike unridable. Fortunately the breakdown happened at a slow point and a pleasant lunch spot. Dianne kindly came to the rescue with a substitute bike and transport for the crippled vehicle. On the way back Eric's beautiful new low racer developed a persistent 'chain coming off' problem and had to retire.
Refreshments were taken at the turn around point in Diamond Creek, in a welcoming bakery, where we snacked despite Robert's inclination to look elsewhere - no iced coffee! I did try to persuade him to construct an affogato from a short black and a Dixie ice cream (he declined - didn't like the idea of the hot/ cold mix). Next time I will suggest a latte made with cold milk instead of hot, with the Dixie added - improvised unsweetened iced coffee.
Renild and I were discussing Cool Ties on the ride, specifically the crystals used for water storage. I found this site with directions for constructing cool ties and some interesting background information.
I have been using Yates Waterwise Storage Crystals for the ties. The only caution on the label concerns the dangers of swallowing. With one teaspoon holding a cup of water, you can imagine the danger to little stomachs. There are other brands available in any gardening department. I just bought a convenient size container at the best price where I was.
Inspired by the high energy biscuits produced from Allan's recipe , I went looking for a recipe on the net. I didn't find it. But I did find these official recipes for Anzac biscuits. Not only the familiar ones like Mum used to make, but the rather more bracing Anzac Tile.
I must offer a batch of Anzac tiles to the teacher at Gavin's school who likes to re enact the landing at Gallipolli on school camps.