The weather looked ominous when 10 cyclists met at the Westmeadows Bakery at 10:00am on 21st March. There was a strong breeze, but we would be riding downhill so that wasn't much of a problem - we were more concerned with the dark clouds. We set off soon after 10:00, but it wasn't long until we came across an obstacle: the path was being repaired just 50 metres from the start. There were no signs to warn of this nor to provide directions for an alternative route. We walked around the construction.
We made a cracking pace through Jacana, and met up with a couple of other riders at another section of path being repaired. This was at ?? Reserve, Strathmore Heights, though this time we were able to continue along the path proper by simply riding around the barriers.
Further along, a bit of a tangle with another cyclist at a bend that was difficult to negotiate slowed a couple of HumeBUG cyclists, while the others continued at the cracking pace.
Before long, we arrived at Docklands and stopped for a rest at The Coffee Club. The Southern Skywheel was like the path in the couple of sections - it was being repaired! Unfortunately, there are not many places to leave bikes in that retail centre, so we simply leant our bikes against the information display explaining about the Skywheel. I wonder if the people who came to read the sign were really looking over the bikes?
We had a nice chat, and decided to keep riding along the Capital City Trail. It was very busy with pedestrians along both sides of the Yarra River. At Federation Square, Stephen, Ann and John departed, leaving seven others to continue.
At the Gipps St steps, we detoured on-road around to The Convent in Abbotsford, back onto the Yarra Trail (Capital City Trail). A rest stop at Dight's Falls to top up with water had us sightseeing.
The Merri Creek Path begins here, so we rode up towards Rushall Station. The original plan had been to keep riding and make our up the Upfield Bike Path, but, except for one of us, we decided instead to keep riding up Merri Creek to the Ring Rd Path.
Again, the group split, with a few riding back towards Jacana to Westmedows and another few riding up the Galada Tamboore Path.
It had been a very fast ride today because of the type of experienced cyclists who showed up.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Craigieburn Festival Family Ride 20100228
It was a slightly windy but otherwise beautiful day when more than a dozen cyclists converged on Westmeadows Bakery to start a ride to Craigieburn. The cyclists were an eclectic bunch, ranging from experienced BUGsters and road cyclists, through to young children.
Before long, a cyclist experienced a puncture and many stopped to provide assistance. Cyclists are helpful people! It was decided to break the group into two smaller groups, one slower bunch with the children and the other quicker bunch with experienced cyclists who stayed back while the puncture was repaired.
The wind was favourable heading to Craigieburn. From the Moonee Ponds Creek junction with Yuroke Creek at Jacana Reserve, the slower group headed up the Broadmeadows Valley Path. After a short break at Shankland Bvd playground to let laggers catch up and to catch their breath, we continued on and were soon within Craigieburn.
Just a kilometre or so from the finish line, a young cyclist fell off her bike. To her credit she jumped straight back on and kept riding!
Crossing Bridgewater Rd at Aitken Creek was challenging. This is a matter on which HumeBUG will probably advocate for improvements. Another potential improvement would be the sharp corner on the junction of paths behind Craigieburn Gardens - it is difficult for many cyclists to ride up the short steep section without being able to get a run-up to it.
We came out at Craigieburn Rd and prepared to cross at the pedestrian refuge. It was here that a vastly more experienced cyclist (don't ask who, no names will be given) showed that spills can happen to anyone. Unlike the young girl who got straight back on her bike, this man didn't get back on until after visiting the Festival.
The Craigieburn Festival was in full swing. The wind was playing havoc, but people were still enjoying themselves. We walked our bikes up to meet the faster group who had already arrived. Together we secured our bikes to the oval fence. After a photo shoot, the riders broke into small groups to walk around the Festival.
After having lunch and viewing the stalls most cyclists made their own way home with a small group riding back along the Broadmeadows Valley path to join the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail.
Before long, a cyclist experienced a puncture and many stopped to provide assistance. Cyclists are helpful people! It was decided to break the group into two smaller groups, one slower bunch with the children and the other quicker bunch with experienced cyclists who stayed back while the puncture was repaired.
The wind was favourable heading to Craigieburn. From the Moonee Ponds Creek junction with Yuroke Creek at Jacana Reserve, the slower group headed up the Broadmeadows Valley Path. After a short break at Shankland Bvd playground to let laggers catch up and to catch their breath, we continued on and were soon within Craigieburn.
Just a kilometre or so from the finish line, a young cyclist fell off her bike. To her credit she jumped straight back on and kept riding!
Crossing Bridgewater Rd at Aitken Creek was challenging. This is a matter on which HumeBUG will probably advocate for improvements. Another potential improvement would be the sharp corner on the junction of paths behind Craigieburn Gardens - it is difficult for many cyclists to ride up the short steep section without being able to get a run-up to it.
We came out at Craigieburn Rd and prepared to cross at the pedestrian refuge. It was here that a vastly more experienced cyclist (don't ask who, no names will be given) showed that spills can happen to anyone. Unlike the young girl who got straight back on her bike, this man didn't get back on until after visiting the Festival.
The Craigieburn Festival was in full swing. The wind was playing havoc, but people were still enjoying themselves. We walked our bikes up to meet the faster group who had already arrived. Together we secured our bikes to the oval fence. After a photo shoot, the riders broke into small groups to walk around the Festival.
After having lunch and viewing the stalls most cyclists made their own way home with a small group riding back along the Broadmeadows Valley path to join the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail.
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