Ride on June 28 2019
Near perfect riding weather greeted us when 20 OYBers disembarked at Heatherdale Station. This was a ride along babbling creeks, through sweeping parklands, a couple of tunnels and, it has to be said, up a few hills. The early section beside Mullum Mullum Creek took us under Eastlink, over wooden bridges and through thickly wooded gullies. Ross gave us some expert instruction on how to ride safely down steep descents, while Di and Fin surged up the nastiest of the inclines.
After stopping to draw breath a couple of times we picked up Koonung Creek Trail and the mostly long sweeping glides through lighter, dryer woodlands and a succession of linear parks. Reaching the playground and toilet just beyond Doncaster Road we stopped for lunch: café de wheels specialties were on hand, tea and coffee served, (thanks to Ross for bringing along the Stanley vacuum flasks, filled with hot water). The rest of the ride saw us join up with the main Yarra trail, riding past the Burke Road billabong and beside the golf course until we met up with the Darebin Creek trail, which took us along the elevated path between the playing fields of the grammar school and the calming waters of the creek until, with one final nasty, steep incline, we reached Alphington Station, where we went our separate ways and onto the weekend until next Friday, when we will gather again for another adventure.
Thank you everyone who came and shared their food, good cheer and positive spirits.
David