Boronia Circuit via Blind Creek and Ferny Creek Trails

Ride 29 March 2019

On a warm autumn morning, 22 riders gathered at Boronia Station to extend OYB’s conquest of outer eastern Melbourne. We welcomed Linda, who was riding with us for the first time. Linda regularly rides with the Darebin Bicycle User Group. 

From Boronia station we rode south, Jonno leading and Bob as sweep, along the Underwood bike path to connect to the Blind Creek Trail.  We took a loop through Dobson Park and the tranquil Tim Neville Arboretum (named after Jonno’s former boss who died in unfortunate circumstances) and then re-joined the Blind Creek Trail to Fair Park. From there we rode south along Scoresby Road and through Knox Park to join the Ferny Creek Trail, which we followed to Upper Ferntree Gully. We lost David along the way. (Not due to negligence on my part but he needed to train back early to get to another commitment.)

At Upper Ferntree Fully we enjoyed a rest, refreshments and stimulating conversation in Brew’d Café where the service was amazingly quick given the number of riders. We then divided into subgroups.  One group decided to train back from there. Another group rode to Boronia Station along the Underwood bike path. From Boronia one rider decided to continue riding to Bayswater and the rest of us trained home from there.

Overall, a wonderful day of pleasant weather, beautiful nature and fantastic company. Thanks to Bob and Peter for sweeping and John and Joy for the photos.

Jonno.

Ashburton via Gardiners Creek, Anniversary and Ferndale Trails

Ride on 22 March 2019

It was a perfect autumn day for cycling – no wind, light cloud and little or no sun. 22 cyclists took part, some riding from Collingwood/Clifton Hill, others arriving at Burnley Station and a couple at Kooyong Station.

We met at the junction of the Gardiners Creek Trail and Yarra Trail, just near St Kevin’s College, and proceeded along bike paths edged by water, parks and shaded by large trees. This is a fabulous route because it’s bike paths all the way, with just a few quiet suburban streets to cross. 

There was a convenient water station early in the ride, and a couple of sets of toilets on sports grounds further up the trail.

We took the right fork where the Gardiners Creek and Ferndale Trails converge, then joined the Anniversary Trail and rode along the disused railway route to High St, Ashburton, for coffee.

Café staff settled us into one very large table and, despite incredibly slow service, we had good coffee and vittles. We then checked out the café over the road, and on Fridays they have two baristas, plus a big room upstairs. Next time we’ll try that and see how the quality of service and coffee measure up. 

After an obstinate bike lock was freed with Audrey’s impressive bike tool, we split into two groups for the ride home.  Pam took half the group on the Ferndale Trail which looped us back to Gardiners Creek and then to our starting point at St Kevin's. Some riders headed for the train, others rode to Richmond or the city, while the remainder took the Yarra Trail back towards Clifton Hill.

Bob took the other half on the Anniversary Trail for Clifton Hill and points west via Alphington. This route offered long glides through the greenwood of the old railway cuttings, and led over the new series of attractive bridges linking the Darebin Creek path to the Main Yarra Trail at Kew Billabong. The only drawback was the steep pinch up to Darebin Parklands and Alphington station. Nevertheless, all riders showed their mettle in negotiating this, and ambled on comfortably to Clifton Hill.

Thanks for coming everyone, and special thanks to Peter for acting as sweep on the outward leg, and to Veronica and Jonno for sweeping on the return legs.

If anyone wants to shorten this ride (it’s about 35km round trip from Collingwood), they could catch the train back to the city from Ashburton Railway Station. Or you could follow the directions in Ashburton Circuit from Burnley Station. There’s also a café on the Ferndale Trail, on Glen Iris Road. More public toilets too, in the park just before you reach this café.

Pam.