Doesn't Melbourne have some fantastic bike paths? Of course I already knew this but I had a good reminder over the weekend on the Audax "Paths Less Travelled" ride.
Starting at Blackburn, the route ran almost exclusively on shared paths, by turns the Gardiners Creek, Anniversary, Main Yarra, Mullum Mullum, and Koonung trails. As many of these paths are gravel, the ride is classified as a "dirt series" route by Audax, although a mountain bike was not at all necessary—these trails are all pretty well maintained.
Starting out on trails with which I'm very familiar, and working towards paths that really are less travelled by me, it was great to see (yet again) how you can feel like you're hundreds of miles away while still in the metropolitan area. As it winds towards Westerfolds Park, the Yarra Trail becomes more bushy and—despite the damage brought by drought—scenic and tranquil.
I don't think I've been along the Yarra Trail beyond Westerfolds and onto the upper reaches of the Mullum Mullum Trail (or if I have, it's been a long, long time!) but there are some really pretty views of the River and the landscape becomes decidedly rural in places. Even towards the end of the ride through Blackburn North the route took us through some terrific (though sadly isolated and disconnected) pockets of urban bush.
Apparently this was the first ride Steve has organised and although it had a smallish turnout (five riders in the group) I hope he'll be keen enough to put it on the calendar again next year. He's also got another "dirt series" ride scheduled for September on the Warburton Rail Trail—reckon I'll mark the diary for that one now.
Stephen's Good Friday experience reflects ours this weekend: beyond Westerfolds Park the trails while not deserted were far from busy (mind you, Westerfold Park itself was unusually quiet). Maybe low traffic helps to keep them in good condition? But I can't imagine that such a good trail is always so quiet.
And yeah, how good would it be if the Mullum Mullum Trail could be linked to the new Eastlink path? That would just about close a huge loop around Melbourne: it would be possible to ride from the centre of the city around the Eastern and Southern suburbs entirely on off-road paths.
Great to hear others point of view, & the photos were superb. Our bikepaths are 2nd to none so good for the average rec cyclist and an encouregement for people to cycle.
Possibly the thing that most attracts me to riding on the bike trails is that they take you places that the roads don't go—out of the way corners of the city that you wouldn't otherwise see. Usually beautiful, sometimes ugly, but always interesting.
Hi... The ride will be on again next year - and will run in the opposite direction for a bit of variety, and so the hilly bits are at the start. Thanks for the feedback. Steve Ambry (Organiser :-)
Right, well I'll be there!
Comments
The second half of your ride was supposed to be the same as the second half of a ride I went on on Good Friday. That is, until I broke my chain and had to cut it short.
I was surprised both by how well maintained the Mullum Mullum Trail is and by how few people I saw, after the turnoff to Eltham I didn't see a soul until Reynolds Road and then it was a single couple out for a walk.
The trail needs to continue past Old Warrandyte Road up to Eastlink where you will eventually be able to continue around to Ringwood or in towards the city. That whole 'network' thing.