Today's ride was the second for the new HumeBUG. Nine adults met at the Grand Boulevard General Store and Cafe: some were on time, some made it with only seconds to go before we left at 10:00am.
The weather was overcast with periods of rain, and a fairly strong southerly wind. We set off down the Galada Tamboore Pathway along the Hume Freeway (Craigieburn Bypass) and made a cracking pace. The state of the path was frustrating, making us compete for space with overhanging branches from the bushes and dealing with the thud of the concrete path construction joints. Onto the Metropolitan Ring Road Path towards Jacana and up Moonee Ponds Creek we rode, arriving at Westmeadows Bakery Cafe soon after 11:30. One rider left immediately, while another rider joined us: he had just missed us back in Craigieburn!
After a restful period of draining our cups of coffee of various types, and snacking on some food, we rode back down the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail to Jacana Reserve. Another rider left us here, while the main group continued up the Broadmeadows Valley Park Trail.
Several riders trailed off from the main group on the way through Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn. Eventually, three riders were left and rode around the Golf Course up Aitken Creek to Highlands Lake Cafe for a well deserved rest stop. Continuing on to Malcolm Creek, we came across the family of one of the riders who continued with us to the starting point at Grand Boulevard.
It was another successful and memorable ride for the new HumeBUG.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Broadmeadows Valley Path/ Aitken Creek Family Fun Day ride 22/11/2009
The first ride of the new HumeBUG! The weather was atrocious today, and only five adults and three children met at Jacana Reserve at 10am to ride up through Broadmeadows Valley Park to Craigieburn. The idea was to have a BBQ where Hothlyn Drive crosses Aitken Creek, but the weather wasn’t helpful at all.
After departing Jacana Reserve, it wasn’t long before we had to detour due to flooding. The footbridge over the Yuroke Creek beside Dimboola Rd was awash with water, so we walked over the field (some of us tried to ride, but the ground was so wet we bogged down) to the road and rode along the footpath to the crossing point. We continued riding up the creek, stopping every so often to let the children catch up and to wring out our clothes. The children did well riding, especially considering the conditions. At Shanklands Boulevard, however, where we stopped under a gazebo, the parents decided the mother would ride to Roxburgh Park with the children while the father continued along the path.
At the tunnel under Somerton Rd, one adult rider decided to leave the group. At the path junction soon after Somerton Rd, the mother and children said good bye and the three remaining adults continued the ride to Craigieburn.
About a week or two ago I let Hume Council know of lots of rubbish, including broken glass, on the path under Heyfield Rd. This section of path has a bad reputation for this. Today, we couldn’t see the rubbish, but we couldn’t see anything of the path. It was a river! I can understand now how rubbish piles up in that section.
From the boundary of Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn, we rode in the onroad bike lanes to Bridgewater Rd. Another rider (the father actually) decided to leave the group there as it was more convenient for him. So, there were only two of us left. We made it to the Hothlyn Rd bridge over Aitken Creek and saw the marque put up by Hume Council. There was no BBQ, but the portable toilet and shelter were useful!
We hung around for nearly an hour, then when the other rider was picked up by a driver we parted.
It was a memorable first ride for the new HumeBUG.
After departing Jacana Reserve, it wasn’t long before we had to detour due to flooding. The footbridge over the Yuroke Creek beside Dimboola Rd was awash with water, so we walked over the field (some of us tried to ride, but the ground was so wet we bogged down) to the road and rode along the footpath to the crossing point. We continued riding up the creek, stopping every so often to let the children catch up and to wring out our clothes. The children did well riding, especially considering the conditions. At Shanklands Boulevard, however, where we stopped under a gazebo, the parents decided the mother would ride to Roxburgh Park with the children while the father continued along the path.
At the tunnel under Somerton Rd, one adult rider decided to leave the group. At the path junction soon after Somerton Rd, the mother and children said good bye and the three remaining adults continued the ride to Craigieburn.
About a week or two ago I let Hume Council know of lots of rubbish, including broken glass, on the path under Heyfield Rd. This section of path has a bad reputation for this. Today, we couldn’t see the rubbish, but we couldn’t see anything of the path. It was a river! I can understand now how rubbish piles up in that section.
From the boundary of Roxburgh Park and Craigieburn, we rode in the onroad bike lanes to Bridgewater Rd. Another rider (the father actually) decided to leave the group there as it was more convenient for him. So, there were only two of us left. We made it to the Hothlyn Rd bridge over Aitken Creek and saw the marque put up by Hume Council. There was no BBQ, but the portable toilet and shelter were useful!
We hung around for nearly an hour, then when the other rider was picked up by a driver we parted.
It was a memorable first ride for the new HumeBUG.
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