Williams Landing to Williamstown via Bay Trail West

Ride on 6/12/2019

100 Steps of Federation

100 Steps of Federation

Twenty-two U3A riders set off from from Williams Landing. Although the station was chilly, once we had negotiated some road works and got onto the Skeleton Creek trail the weather was great for riding with a tail wind most of the way. 

We headed down the creek and turned left into the wetlands near Altona Meadows and up the 100 steps of federation. Here we briefly stopped to admire the views. It is amazing that some of the best views of Melbourne are in one of the flattest suburbs. 

Sadly the birds were not hanging out at Laverton Creek. Perhaps this was due to the high tide, or maybe the wind. Continuing on we soon reached Altona with our tongues hanging out ready for the all important coffee. As there were so many people we went to two cafes and both groups seemed happy with their morning tea. 

The next stage of the ride was an OYB first - Cherry Lake. Twenty years ago, or so, there was an unmade goat track around a rather sorry lake. Now there is an excellent bike path and the surrounds have been extensively landscaped. 

Crossing the busy Kororoit Creek Rd, took us along another path to Altona Wetlands and the vandalised statue of Phar Lap. We then headed down to Williamstown Beach and the end of the ride.Thank you to Kevin and Rodney for sweeping. And to Christine for the picture below.

Penny

Orbost to Bairnsdale via East Gippsland Rail Trail

Ride on 26/11/2019 to 28/11/2019

20191127_095511a.jpg

Twelve keen OYBers set off on a great three-day ride from Orbost to Bairnsdale for our spring tour.

Riding from Orbost to Nowa Nowa on day 1, we enjoyed rain nearly the whole way. The bad news was that we got a bit wet. The good news was that this dampened down a bushfire near Burthen so that we could do the rest of the ride. Oh, and at Nowa Nowa Tavern, they welcomed us with an open fire, perfect for drying off.

The first and second days of the ride were mostly through lovely open forest and past some spectacular and historic timber railway trestle bridges. While there were sustained climbs, these were offset by downhill sections. The third day was through gently rolling farming country.

As we rode, we enjoyed trying out the various pub meals and bakeries as we went. As always we enjoyed evenings of hilarity and companionship as we recovered from our day of exertion.

20191127_115459a.jpg

Special thanks go to Ruth who did a sterling job of being support driver.

Ross.