Ruffy weekend via Highlands or Hughes Creek direct. Hard ride.

On the Saturday morning we will depart Baracca Lane Cafe 10-ish, with mild September weather to be expected we can take our time over brekky and getting to Ruffy.
https://www.facebook.com/BaraccaLaneSeymour/

Matt will be taking the Highlands route to Ruffy:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44354339

Edmund will be going Hughes Creek direct.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41186839

There are no shops along either route but Antcliff Chase Winery will be open if you are going to be taking Matt's Highlands route.

Please be aware that buses will be replacing trains between Donnybrook and Seymour on this weekend.
There is limited space for bikes on buses but with a suburban corridor stretching for much of the way between Donnybrook and Seymour and can take what seems like an eternity.
Of course you could always drive... and I'm sure almost everyone will, or else join a car pool.
Option C is to stay in accommodation or a caravan park (the Seymour CP is very good) on the Friday night.
Then on the Sunday and Monday rather than return to Seymour, you could maybe explore the Yarck to Tallarook, (Mansfield) rail trail over a couple of days arriving back in Tallarook on the Tuesday when trains have resumed.
The beautiful Terip Yarck road will connect you to Yarck and the old Gobur Road will connect you to Merton.

The cost of the facilities at Ruffy is $20 per night.
You will need to bring a snack for on the road for lunch on both days.
There are no shops after departing Seymour.
There are no drinking water taps until we get to Ruffy so bring a good supply of drinking water.

There are no shops at Ruffy so you will need to bring dinner but there is a proper kitchen with stove, microwave, fridge etc for preparation and dining room to sit and eat, a power point for recharging bike and phone batteries.
You will also need to bring brekky.
Also bring tent, sleeping bag, insulated inflatable mat, camp pillow, thermals, woollen socks, Tyvek outer, you're in the mountains now so it will probably be cold at night.

1. Most of the weekend's cycling will be on gravel roads.
   Riders need to be aware that like all gravel roads the Hughes Creek Road requires care.
   It's a pretty good road as gravel roads go, however, there are some corrugations, some cattle grids to be crossed and some erosion gutters containing loose gravel that require care.
   I will add a Ride with GPS route at a later date.
   There is a train departing Southern Cross 7.07 am, arriving Seymour 8.24 and a Sprinter departing Southern Cross 7.16 am arriving 8.39.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day of the ride being announced. Preferably it is to be completed when you RSVP, but no later than the day before the ride. It can be found at
https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Suitable tyres for gravel riding, at least 32"
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, basic tools

WATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. Remember that carrying too much water is better than not enough as the distances between water availability may vary greatly from the planned route due to road closures or other unforeseen circumstances.
CHANGES
Check MeetUp for any changes the day before the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.

This ride is for MBTC club members, or those who have not yet done 3 days riding with us. To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law.

I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.