Essendon to Capital City Trail

Ride on 11 January 2019

Nine of us arrived at Essendon for our ride on Friday, and it was great to welcome two visiting riders and a returning member. 

 The first part of this ride was new to most of our group. We undulated our way on a navigationally easy route along the quiet back streets of Essendon to emerge at the high point above the Maribyrnong River – the Lily Street Lookout. 

 Here we lounged about admiring the city in the distance and the river and old munitions factory in the foreground. There was some discussion about whether Lily Street is the highest point in Melbourne, but this title goes to another OYB destination, Mt Cooper. Still you can see from the pictures below that it is pretty high up, and has great views. 

 Thank you to Rodney and Kevin for leading the ride along the riverbank. First Rodney led us to the Boathouse for fine coffee and victuals. Then Kevin took over to get us to the bridge leading over to the old sale yards and abattoir near Flemington. The majestic river was exceptionally still and glassy with wonderful reflections. 

 The final stage of the ride through the sale yards was unfamiliar to some of our rides and we stopped at the murals under Epsom St (shade!!!!) for a break before heading on our new less steep route to the Capital City Trail. Here our party split into two groups – Clifton Hill/Fitzroy and City/Richmond/Abbotsford.

A ride with great views,

Penny.

Mt Waverley to Richmond via Oakleigh

Ride on 3 January 2019

There were nine starters last Thursday. Our route, pioneered by one of leaders, Bob, has lovely shaded paths and is a wonderful summer ride. 

We wended our way down the unmade trail through Valley Reserve to pick up Scotchmans Creek Trail where it was easy riding to reach our turnoff to Oakleigh. 

Hmmm, did I hear the words, "there is a hill on this road"? Yes indeed there was, but it could not have been too bad as each and every one of us made it up to the top. Then, with Oakleigh shopping centre in sight, we whizzed downhill anxious to find Nikos cakes. 

Aah, Nikos Cakes! The delightful array of goodies on display tempted almost all of us. As well as coffee, there was shopping for those so inclined. At least one bike groaned under a load of nuts and tomatoes. 

We then left on the final part of our ride. Oh joy and celebration! The alterations at Hughesdale have been completed and we no longer need to ride up Poath Rd across the railway tracks. Instead we used the new bike road crossing and bike trail before turning right under the sky rail straight onto the bike path heading north towards Dandenong Rd and the Urban Forest.  

Most of us chose to continue along Gardners Creek Trail. More shade and more fun riding took us to Richmond where we split into smaller groups to ride home.

Penny.