Fern tree Gully to Dandenong via Blind and Dandenong Creeks

Ride on 14 June 2019

What more could you ask for – a wonderful riding day, beautiful scenery and twelve great riding companions. We headed down the Blind Creek Trail to the Dandenong Creek Trail. The route is just about all off road with just one busy road crossing in 33km. We passed through verdant parklands, bush and horse paddocks with views of nearby hills of the Dandenongs and Lysterfield Lake in the near east of the ride.

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At one point the trail was dedicated to "Oppy" (Hubert Opperman). It seems he lived in a retirement village in Wantirna justifying the local memorial to this cyclist. Thanks to Bob for the snacks to keep us going at this point. Our coffee stop was in Jells Park. After a surfeit of great riding we arrived in the heart of the Dandenong CBD ready to catch the train home.

Thanks to Bob for looking after the rear end.

Penny

Craigieburn to Rushall via Galada Tamboore Pathway

Ride on 7 June 2019

After catching the train from the city, 19 riders headed off from Craigieburn. The weather produced a glorious, calm, sunny, early winter's day. Pretty well ideal riding conditions.

Heading north from the station we rode along footpaths until we hit the delightful Malcom Creek linear park trails and then onto the start of the Galada Tamboore Pathway at the S/E corner of Amaroo Rd and the Hume Highway.

We followed the GTP past the Craigieburn Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve  which was looking pretty drought-stressed. A few short climbs and lots of sweeping downhills.

Around midday we stopped for a welcome break at the Wild Bean Cafe at Cooper St, a nice change from the inner city watering holes we usually stop at - the dim sims, steamed or fried, were most welcome and excellent value.

Continuing along the GTP we hit the outer ring road where some riders opted to return via the Merri Creek Path. We followed the ring road path east to Thomastown where some riders returned by train from Thomastown Station.

Then onto Dalton Rd where we turned right to head down the Pipeline Path to Reservoir and then onto the St Georges Rd Path with people peeling off home as we pedalled along. 

Just two of us finished at Rushall station.

Ross