Aitken Creek Loop Ride 19/6/2011

On a Sunday morning that was becoming windier, 14 cyclists, which includes 6 children on their own bikes, departed from the old Craigieburn Library through the Leisure Centre and Craigieburn Gardens to Aitken Creek. Following the conventional route around the golf course, we rode on the southern side of Aitken Creek across grass and muddy tracks and local roads, crossing the Aitken Boulevard road reservation, collecting heaps of mud on some bikes and more mud on shoes. After a brief climb and look over Mt Aitken (it’s really only a little hill), we rode down against a very strong wind and around to Highlands Lake, where it was decided to stop for a rest break.
After a refreshing cuppa (and cake, or toasted sandwich, or whatever we happened to order) in the heated environs of the Waterside Cafe, we remounted our steeds and proceeded up Waterview Boulevard and Aitken Boulevard to Malcolm Creek. The new section of the upper Malcolm Creek Path was open, so we decided to detour and rode along this to the top of Grand Boulevard, where we pondered whether the construction was of a hotel, supermarket or 22 stores.
The path along Grand Boulevard is wide enough to be a shared path, so we proceeded along the path to Hanson Rd where some of the group departed to their nearby homes. A bit further beyond was reconstruction of the footpath, possibly an upgrade to a shared path along Hanson Rd as a continuation of the Hanson Rd bike lane. On bypassing the construction we proceeded through to the noisewall beside Hume Highway and mad our way onto Hamilton St. Near the Plaza, another cyclist departed to go home. The remaining cyclists crossed Craigieburn Road and rode down Hardy Street and approached the Craigieburn Gardens by the rear.
By now, the wind was very strong and would help some of the group to ride home in personal best times! Other cyclists, though, had to ride against it.
It was an enjoyable ride, if a bit windy and cold at first.