Hume BUG Sunbury Explorer Ride 5/2/2012

Today’s Sunbury ride was strenuous and made much more difficult in the prevailing conditions. The rewards however were considerable. 7 riders were tired but very satisfied driving back to Melbourne. When I got home I found dirt marks stencilled on my scone by the vents in my helmet.

Hume BUG cyclist Iain

The weather was threatening to turn when 7 HumeBUG cyclists met outside Sunbury Railway Station early on Sunday morning. After a delay waiting for some slow coaches to arrive, we briefly chatted to a local who was curious about the group of cyclists forming.

We commenced our ride against the strong northerly but cool wind and proceeded through the gates of Rupertswood (Salesian College) and down the driveway to the lake, where a path snaked along the creek under the old railway bridge to Racecourse Rd. A fairly new wide path exists along some of this road, which we took but eventually had to ride on road and we came upon the narrow footpath that leads to Emu Bottom Wetlands. We passed the entrance to the wetland reserve and rode up the short section of hilly road to Homestead Way and to the driveway of Emu Bottom Homestead, the oldest homestead in Victoria.

With a strong wind behind us, we made good time back along Racecourse Road and made our way onto the smooth Elizabeth Drive bike lane. This lane extends from one side of Sunbury to the other, with a couple of major road crossings (roundabouts) along the way. 15 minutes later, with a strong wind again pushing us, we were on Mitchells Lane, another road with a bike lane. We headed back towards the park, where one of the group departed. The other six cyclists continued on with the ride.

It was mainly path from this point. Along the relatively new path along Blind Creek, we made our way to the Heysen Rd Path, which was a laborious climb towards the highest point of the ride. Instead of taking a shortcut back to the Blind Creek Path, we rode a short way higher and along Phillip Drive where the strong wind was blowing dust from the new housing estates across our road. With mouths shut we made it to the Blind Creek Path and speedily rode downhill back to the park where we stopped for a 15 minute breather at the picnic shelters. A discussion ensued about the continuation of the ride in the wind, but we bravely decided to ride on.

We cycled through the tunnel under Riddell Road and across a narrow, low bridge, where we came upon Kismet Creek Path. Riding upstream, in other words “uphill”, we approached Spavin Drive Dam, where a photo opportunity allowed two local youngsters to gain experience taking photos.

Departing, we turned off to head back to the start of Elizabeth Drive and onto another path. On entering the local road at the end of this path, we noticed a resident tackling a large branch fallen onto the ground and that closely missed several cars.

We continued to Racecourse Road, along a wide path, and made our way through the railway station and town centre. Our ride was nearing an end, but there was still a way to ride and several hills to conquer.

Leaving the town centre on Brook St we passed two young children cyclists and a lady cyclist, who had obviously been shopping as her panniers appeared loaded. We turned south and crossed Macedon St, crossed Jacksons Creek and rode along the path back down to Sunbury Rd. Shortly before approaching the old bridges at Sunbury Rd, Kevin stopped the group to suggest they ensure they chose an appropriate gear for the upcoming corner and steep climb up beside Sunbury Rd. At the top, we regrouped for a breather, then proceeded north along Francis Boulevard and east along Sunningdale Ave.

Turning north again into the wind, the reserve beckoned and all agreed to ride through the gravel car park. The alternative was to ride along the Melbourne-Lancefield Rd against a strong wind – no thank-you! This area of Sunbury reminded us of Mickleham, with fairly large properties. After another ten minute struggle against the wind, with the boys sheltering behind the leader and the female cyclist, we made it to The Skyline and its sandy path. Some chose the road, while others chose the path. A quick time was made here, the wind pushing us speedily, and the altitude decreasing, back to Jacksons Creek.

We crossed Macedon St for the last time, and the group was horrified to look ahead at the Aitken St climb. This sorted us out again, but part of the reason was mechanical failure. Neil quickly fixed his dropped chain and caught the rest of the group at the top of this climb, where Bill was keenly taking photos of everybody struggling up the hill (“keenly”, because it shows he had already made it!). A short breather and we remounted our bikes to continue the climb up Jacksons Hill.

We stopped near the Boilerhouse Theatre to relieve the pressure in our own boilers, and passed the 3NRG radio station, apparently called that due to the “NRG” required to ride up there. It was all downhill from here, along Belleview Drive and Evans St, back to the railway station.

After 43kms, 1300m of ascent, and 2 and a half hours of riding time (3 and a half hours total), a cuppa from The Jolly Miller beckoned, or a cold drink instead, while we sat around chatting and bragging about our cycling deeds.