Aitken Creek Loop Ride

It was a glorious sunny Sunday for the Hume BUG Aitken Creek Loop Ride as 10 adults and five children cyclists met outside the old Craigieburn Library. After quick catchup discussions we rolled off through Craigieburn Gardens to the creek path. Being Sunday morning it was easy enough crossing Bridgewater Road, and we continued on towards the Golf Course and rode around it on a mix of local roads and wide footpaths.

The Aitken Boulevard road reservation was problematical to cross. Some works along there have created muddy tracks. We managed to cross but caked our bikes in mud in the process!

There were not many birds to be seen at the bird watching area, so we continued under Waterview Blvd and Craigieburn Road. The sight of Highlands Lake was breathtaking as we rode up the incline from under Craigieburn Road. Our destination was the Waterside Cafe on the other side of the lake. After some refreshments and a period of relaxation, we lined up for a group photo and took off around the lake for the next leg of our adventure.

We aimed our bikes up Waterview Blvd toward the new Craigieburn West Primary School, then across to Aitken Blvd and the wide footpath up to Highgate Recreation Reserve. We circled the reserve, watching a game of footy on Oval 2 as we rode along. We soon made it to Malcolm Creek and proceeded along the path. Near Hanson Rd, a decision was made to continue to Bunnings for a photo opportunity with the 2010 AFL Premiership Cup (won by Collingwood), however a couple decided to part and go their own way.

We crossed the Hume Highway at the signalised intersection with Grand Blvd pass the start of the Galada Tamboore Path that follows the Hume Freeway to the Western Ring Road. The footpath along Amaroo Rd provided an off-road route into the Bunnings car park, where we managed to safely avoid the cars and parked our dozen bikes at the store entrance. Many people were obviously Pies supporters, wearing Collingwood guernseys and other black and white clothing. A small queue quickly disappeared and some of the BUG cyclists huddled in front of a team photo back drop and the children held the Premiership Cup for a photo.

Several of the cyclists decided to part here. Some stayed to chat with friends who happened to be there, while others decided to ride along the Galada Tamboore Path to get home. The remaining few cyclists continued back to Hanson Rd and made their way along Hamilton St to Craigieburn Rd back to the start point at the library.

It was an enjoyable 20km ride by 15 cyclists in beautiful sunny weather who are now looking forward to other family rides.