Ride on 24/1/2020
Eighteen riders luckily met on the south side of the Yarra rather than at the incredibly crowded Flinders Street Station/Fed. Square area. And luckily Penny had chosen the south side of the river to ride on instead of the north side where tennis fans abounded. (She would have liked to have put this down to forethought, but it was indeed just luck.)
It was a beautiful day for riding as we headed out past the row boats along the Main Yarra Trail past Herring Island and the snazzy riverside houses of South Yarra to the most unpleasant section of the trip, the crossing over MacRobertsons Bridge with whizzing cars (and their fumes) only a foot away. But this inconvenience was brief, and we were soon riding alongside the tranquil Yarra towards St Kevins and the entry to the Gardiners Creek trail.
We managed to pass under Burke Road without the usual breast beating Tarzan yells before turning onto the Ferndale Trail. This was our gravel and uphill practice for the day. The Ferndale Trail is a lovely trail, with some glorious mature trees on display. Eventually we reached the Anniversary Trail where a few hundred metres took us to our cafe. What luck, we just fit into the upstairs section where we chatted and ate, and boosted our caffeine levels.
Another great section of trail followed, part of the Anniversary Trail with excellent views of the city buildings. Back on the Gardiners Creek trail we rode through past lovely lakes and wetlands to the end of our ride at Kooyong.
Thanks to Rodney for sweeping today. And thanks to everyone else for their delightful companionship.
Penny.