Rushall Station to Southbank

Talk on Indigenous History Image: Joy

Ride on 5/2/2021
See Capital City Trail West for route details.

This week we had the sad news that one of our OYB leaders, Bob Morrow, had died. So today we stopped at the Nth Carlton Railway House, the start of Bob's first OYB ride in 2014, to remember Bob and give thanks for the joys of knowing him and riding with him. To read Bob’s poem, written in 2014 about OYB, see “The Ride”.

The weather was very pleasant throughout the ride with a great tailwind. I hope everyone made it home before the rain, which as I write at 2pm, has just started.

It was a pleasant run down to the Docklands where we enjoyed coffee & c. at the Boatbuilder's Yard next to the Polly Woodside.

Near the zoo, Rodney gave a very good talk about the Indigenous history of the Royal Park area and some of the harms visited upon the First Nations people and their lands by the colonists.

A good and worthwhile outing.

Ross

Heatherdale to Eltham

Ride on 22/1/2021

Our last ‘unofficial’ ride for the summer hols was along the Mullum Mullum Creek, passing through some lovely forest, listening to the birds sing (okay, some squawked), and the creek bubbling along. We had a bit of discussion about where exactly the ride takes us and concluded that for much of the way the creek forms the border between Park Orchards and Donvale. This explains the size of the houses near the trail.

 Last time we rode this trail, we noticed Beasley's Nursery and Tea Rooms and decided to try this out for our cuppa. With 19 of us, I booked in advance so that we didn't get that slight expression of panic when we rocked up. This is a great addition to our list of OYB approved cafe stops.  

 The ride continued and we were soon off the nice bitumen Mullum Trail and onto the Main Yarra Trail ready to check out the final burble of the Mullum Mullum Creek as it meets the Yarra. Here a small group split off ready to head home along the Main Yarra Trail.  For the main party, a short section of gravel took us to the Diamond Creek Trail. Back on the bitumen we rode for a few kilometres to Eltham Station and the train ride home. Uh oh, the ride continued when a police operation lead to all but two of us abandoning the train at Fairfield and riding home.

Penny.