Ten riders arrived early and enthusiastic at our meeting point in the Bunnings Car Park in Craigieburn on Sunday morning. The weather was mild and sunny with very little wind; perfect for the planned ride. We had a brisk ride down the so-called Galada Tamboore Pathway beside the Hume Freeway and we quickly had 20 kms on the clock when we stopped to bid farewell to Kevin who was heading to Thomastown to hook up with another bike riding group.
Then we headed west along the Metropolitan Ring Road Path before turning south onto the Merri Creek Trail. With the pleasant weather and not much pedestrian or cycle traffic (at least along this part of the trail) we made good time and everyone was enjoying the urban forest and grasslands along the creek path. We were soon at Coburg lake where we skirted the west side of the lakes through the lovely parkland. The main trail is on the other side of the park so this area was a new to most of the group. We also squeezed in a photo opportunity at a little lookout over the creek.
We crossed Murray Rd and took a detour through some of the Pentridge residential development and then did a circuit around the remaining walls of the old prison before stopping for a coffee at about 11.00am. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the ride so I had suggested that we continue south along the trail to the City (rather than ride directly to Pascoe Vale Station as planned) and this change of plan was enthusiastically agreed by everyone!
Back onto the trail we were soon at the Brunswick Velodrome and everyone did a PB but after one lap it was time to move on. Walkers and cyclists traffic was increasing on the Merri Creek Trail so at Rushall we turned onto the Capital City Trail and once again headed west. The weather was still perfect for a bike ride and we enjoyed the wider path, soon passing Princes Park, under Royal Parade, behind the Zoo and down to Flemington Road to join the Moonie Ponds Creek Trail.
Skirting around behind the Observation Wheel we detoured through Docklands then a slight miss communication regarding who was following whom saw Rhonda take a different route to Southern Cross. And she didn’t have to carry her bike up a long flight of stairs!! Anyway, we soon found Rhonda loitering on Spencer Street and the group were quickly together again and enjoying a well-earned lunch at the food hall at Southern Cross Station.
We finished lunch and found the next Craigieburn Train departing in about 5 minutes so we were soon on our way back to the cars. On the ride from the station back to the cars the option of rding another 2 kms to crack 50 kms for the ride was discussed and dismissed as a bad idea.
Judging by the comments and smiles everyone had a fantastic ride in an area that we new to many. Thanks to everyone for coming and making the day a success.
Cheers Peter
The riders were Paul and Pauline, Richard, Sharon, Barb, Kevin, Rhonda, Eadaoin, Robyn and Peter