Ride on 26 April 2019
Shrugging off BOM’s predictions, 15 hardy (foolhardy?) riders assembled at Mt Waverley station. Patches of blue among the storm clouds gave encouragement, and we swept down through the bushland of Valley Reserve, a hidden suburban gem, to the Scotchmans Creek path. Our smooth progress was briefly interrupted by an icy shower which had everyone scrambling into wet weather gear, but a quick phone call to BOM brought out the sun, and before long waves of scents sweet and savoury announced that we had arrived in an Oakleigh in the midst of frantic preparations for Greek Easter celebrations.
Refreshed by coffee and dishes sweet and savoury at Nikos, and increased in number to sixteen by the addition of one rider, who had ridden from the city to meet us, we headed off again along the new Djerring trail, built as part of the Pakenham-Cranbourne line’s Skyrail project. This trail has eliminated the frustrating kerfuffle of crossing the railway line at Hughesdale, and, after a glimpse of the sparkling new 21st century station there, we were coasting down through the Urban Forest Reserve to East Malvern station. At that point half a dozen enthusiastic souls continued citywards along the Gardiners Creek trail, while the rest of us opted for a warm and comfortable train ride. Thanks to everyone for making this outing yet another OYB success, despite the weather, and special thanks to Terry for sweeping.
Bob.