A cool, sunny morning presented itself for the HumeBUG Greenvale Cicruit ride. 3 adults with mountain or hybrid bikes, 1 adult with a road bike, and 2 adults each on a tandem with a young child, met at Craigieburn Railway Station and introduced themselves. We set off soon after 10am, heading along Hothlyn Drive towards Bridgewater Road.
We rode along a few other roads, making our way towards Roxburgh Homestead where we admired the view southwest past Greenvale Reservoir and beyond the Gellibrand Hill RADAR tower. We could see planes approaching for landing at Melbourne Airport, though we couldn't see the airport itself.
The Reservoir beckoned, so we continued on our merry way. Along Somerton Rd was a dirt track that allowed us to stay off the bitumen until the bottom of the first hill. We then had to ride contraflow with the traffic for ten metres around a drain in the verge. Then it was back up hill on the dirt track, until at the crest we crossed to ride downhill on bitumen to the Greenvale Reservoir Park entrance. Kevin, as the ride leader, was expecting to meet at least one more cyclist here, but they were nowhere to be seen. (He learnt after the ride the two cyclists were waiting far back along Somerton Road where we hadn't even ridden.)
There are some paths throughout the Reservoir Park, but we rode on the internal roadway. It was a big uphill climb initially, but it then levelled off to a slight incline. It was a one-way loop on the internal road, and the last part had a long downhill section (unfortunately with speed humps that cyclists can't avoid) followed by a steep but thankfully short section up to the exit.
Despite the disappointment all around of not meeting up with the other cyclists, it was agreed to continue. The section of Somerton Rd to Mickleham Road was relatively flat and so not too bad for cycling (despite the fairly busy road being single lane each way with gravel shoulders), so we rode on the bitumen until the large roundabout. From there is a footpath that doubles as a bike path, and we rode on this until we came upon the Greenvale Tennis Club and Recreation Reserve.
We regrouped and Kevin realised he hadn't considered the possibility of tandem bikes being used on our ride when he did the reconnaissance to ascertain the condition of the route. We rode through the dirt carpark of the Recreation Reserve, keeping one eye on the game in progress, to the first gateway along the route, but the tandems were able to easily negotiate it. Here was where the dirt track began (well, "muddy" track) that lead to Woodlands Historic Park. This 150m path was atrocious for general riding, but mountain bikers who love kicking up some mud would love it.
The path improved after the that section. The ride through the Park to Woodlands Homestead was uneventful, with only another one or two spots of bother. The track used by Parks Victoria vehicles was in excellent condition.
At the Homestead, we first visited the Living Legends, the International Home of Rest for Champion Horses. The 2 adults with children entered to look more closely at the horses, but they were extremely shy today and didn't come bounding up to visitors like usual.
We walked through the Homestead garden and a few of us decided to look over the historic house. There is a cafe inside but with no internal seating or tables, we had our cuppas outside beside our bikes. It was fascinating learning the history of the prefabricated house from nearly 150 years ago.
We continued our ride. We left the gardens and made our way onto the very beginning of the Moonee Ponds Creek Path. This section of path within the Back Paddock was in the worst condition, with ruts and soft sections. There is also a section of gravel road for quarry vehicles. We passed the turnoff for the airport proper and continued along the path to Westmeadows, where we stopped over at the local bakery/cafe. We met another local cyclist here who stopped for a chat before continuing on his way.
On departing the bakery, we said our farewells and split into two groups. Three cyclists rode on at a faster speed while the remaining 3 adults and two children rode at a more leisurely pace.
On arrival back at Craigieburn Railway Station, the vehicle for the other riders had gone and the tandems were put on the roof rack. It was fascinating knowing how the tandems were placed on the rack, with the front wheels removed and the fork placed on swivelling quick-release mechanism on the leading end of the rack. The rear of the bike can then be lifted and rotated onto the rear end of the rack. This requires only one person to lift the tandem onto the roof. So easy!
So, that was the end of the day for the HumeBUG Greenvale Circuit ride. There was so much to see and do, that another ride out there soon would be justified.
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