It was promising to be a beautiful day when cyclists met at 9am at the Grand Boulevard General Store and Cafe in Craigieburn. Although cloudy, it was fine and expected to clear.
While the first two cyclists waited for others to arrive, two helmet-less cyclists rode up and entered the Cafe. Obviously, they weren’t going on the ride!
Another cyclist, publicizing “one less car” and the “Better Paths Now!” candidate for Brunswick in the State election, arrived and made her way inside. She was convinced to join the ride.
Soon, another cyclists showed, and no more showed despite waiting a while longer. We departed along the Grand Boulevard footpath for the Galada Tamboore Path.
Crossing Sydney Rd at the signalized intersection was no drama (really, it wasn’t!) and we proceeded down the path, across Craigieburn Rd and onwards. Kevin experienced continual problems with his GPS app on his mobile, so no route map or timing is available for this section of the ride.
At Cooper St, the female cyclist decided to depart for Epping. The three remaining cyclists continued on to the City of Whittlesea Public Gardens, where they diverted from the planned route and rode across to the new Merri Creek Path in the Galada Tamboore. This path and the bridge over the creek are not officially open, but were accessible. It only extends as far as Somerset Rd, so riding on the residential and industrial roads was required. Being a Sunday morning, the roads were not busy. However, the footpath was used along Sydney Rd to Campbellfield Plaza.
We rode through the Pipeworks Market car park and onto the very beginning of the official Merri Creek Path. The diversion would not be necessary if and when the new path is linked to this older path. There is also a muddy and slippery section in the dark directly under the Western Ring Rd.
We continued on and stopped for a brief break at the Coburg Lake. We remounted our human-powered steeds and began to make our way to our next stop. However, we came upon a family enjoying a Sunday walk, and the cyclist at the front of the pack warned of our approach by ringing his bell. They were startled and jumped out of the way, the woman protecting a child. She proceed to abuse the first rider, telling him to slow down. He retaliated by telling her to put her dog on a leash! Around a few bends, we came upon a couple walking their dog. The same rider stopped to congratulate and thank them on having their dog on a leash!
We made our way further to CERES Environmental Park, where we had our main rest stop. It was very busy with many customers, as would be expected on a Sunday morning. Over a cuppa, a decision was made to divert the ride to the Craigieburn railway line via the Capital City Trail, as the ride had taken a fair chunk out of the day.
From the Merri Creek Path, we rode the short section on St Georges Rd to the Capital City Trail. It was a quick ride along this to Flemington Bridge Station and Racecourse ride where one cyclist continued along to the city. The other two rode along the Racecourse Road bike lane, which is a combination of green lippy on the road, green lippy on the path, simple line marking and bike stenciling on the road... and sometimes nothing!
At Newmarket Station we arrived with several minutes to spare before the train pulled in. It had been a long ride, a little over 40 kms, with nice weather, at a fairly quick pace.
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