Thanks to Mike Currie for this report.

After a wild and stormy night, I was feeling somewhat doubtful about the wisdom of braving the elements on the BAD ride.  This is the annual Ballarat Autumn Day ride hosted by the Ballarat Bushwalking Club. However, thinking the weather might improve, I headed off towards Ballarat.  A wrong turn on the way meant that I arrived as the first peloton was being waved off but by 9:20, I was on my way.  On  physio’s advice I had decided to do the 50km ride and the conditions gave me no cause to change my mind.  After a short ride around the lake, we headed north -easterly into the teeth of a gale (37km/hr) with many falling by the wayside.  Mythoughts went out to the many volunteer marshals who endured the weather standing on lonely corners.  At Miners Rest we turned west and the wind seemed to alter direction accordingly, remaining in our faces.  At Avenue Rd the 50k riders turned south to skirt Lake Burrumbeet (the wind now coming from the right meant riding at a 45 degree angle), passing the lunch stop at Cardigan Village.  By this time it was raining as we made our way south east towards Smythes Creek, before finally returning to the starting point at 11:50 for a welcome coffee.  Unfortunately I didn’t see any other Cycling Geelong members but they were probably there somewhere.  Despite the conditions, an enjoyable ride on lovely country roads with the added bonus of the nice certificate provided by the Bushwalking Club.

The start of a BAD ride – better conditions than 2016. Photo: BAD ride website. http://www.badrideballarat.com.au/uploads/3/8/6/0/38606013/1973503_orig.jpg