Every Monday night at 6.00pm sharp, a motley crew of gravelists depart the Old Beechworth Gaol for a couple of hours of social riding. The general idea is to ride a different loop each week, chat with your mates (or someone you’ve never met), and start the week properly … on the bike.
Over time the Monday night ride has evolved into a beers and sunsets ride, where the group navigates their way to a suitable high point near Beechworth from which the sunset can be admired whilst sipping on a beer (turns out that stubbies in stubby holders fit nicely into bidon cages). Not a bad way to muck around on a bike on a Monday evening.
During winter we set off too late to catch the sunset, so we just ride. (There’s still beer) A good quality front light or two is essential. Our favourite setups are a wide sweep light of more than 1,000 lumens on the bars and a powerful spotlight-style on the helmet.
Very occasionally if the weather’s awful nobody will turn up (you’ll realise by 6.10), but this is generally only if it’s raining hard. If it’s cold or hot we still ride.
