Once a year for the past three years we have entered into the mysterious world of Melbourne's bike paths to explore a side of the city that only a relatively few people ever see. This year we decided to up the ante by laying down a challenge. The aim was to ride all the way from Belgrave railway station to Southbank, as far as possible using only bike paths. Although many of our riders had done sections of this ride, no-one had attempted to put all the individual sections together.
As the word of the ride got around I started to get an inkling that we could get a good turnout for the ride, however I was not quite prepared for the that welcomed us to the Belgrave carpark. In fact the carpark was filled with a vast group of riders, mostly decked out in their coveted yellow jerseys. It was soon obvious thatthis would be our biggest peloton ever. I just hoped it would not end in tears and confusion.
Although we had originally planned to be under way at 10.00 am sharp it was not until about 10.20 am that we finally started moving. The delay was due in part to a missing helmet but it also gave us a great opportunity to get to meet each other before the ride, check tyre pressures, apply sunscreen and the like. It was a huge relief to see that we would be riding in perfect riding conditions with a cloudless blue sky and a predicted top temperature of 26C.
Since I didn't even know where the trail started I appointed a designated trail blazer and the impressive lycra caravan unsteadily started to get under way. First it was out of the car park, over the Puffing Billy bridge and then down the main street of Belgrave (amid lots of admiring stares from shoppers) before we turned down a side alley and into the seedier side of this small township. Graffiti covered walls showed a side that the tourists usually don't see.
Once on the bitumen trail we were able to coast for long distances. In fact the section down to Upper FTG is virtually all downhill, allowing the rider to get warmed up slowly. We emerged under the bridge at Upper FTG and then rode through the shops before reassembling at the train car park. The next section followed the train track for several km, until past FTG station, at which point we turned left and headed towards Knox City. I had never been on this part of the trail before and I was careful not to let the leaders out of my sight. There are a number of intersecting paths and it would be easy for anyone "navigationally challenged" (like myself) to take a wrong turn. For anyone planning on taking this path for the first time I would recommend that you go with someone who knows the way.
Somewhere along this section we picked up more riders, swelling our group to 26 participants. This was easily a record for any Ghost Rider actvity, but it did introduce a few logistical problems keeping everyone in sight. With some quite slow riders in the group it was difficult to keep to a speed that suited everyone. We did keep stopping every few km to allow the tail enders to catch up.
My original plan was to arrive at Southbank at about 1 to 1.30 pm but it soon became apparent that would be unrealistic. With the meandering nature of the trail, the distance we would have to cover would be at least 60 km.
The trail finally emerged behind Knox City Shopping Centre allowing me to get my bearings again. We rested on the grass and enjoyed a drink while an assortment of jelly snakes and other nibbles were shared around the group. Everyone seemed to be in a very cordial mood and I was pleased to see just how far we had grown in 4 short years. As I looked around the group that was gathered around I realised afresh just what good friends we have made and what amazing times we have shared together on our bikes.
It was soon time to remount and cross Stud Road and pick up the next section of the trails. This was well defined with an excellent surface and it terminated near the corner of Cathies Lane and High St Road where the new Eastlink is under construction. A few riders got excited and took the wrong road but soon saw the error of their ways and rejoined the enlightened group. After following the construction works for a short distance we turned into Jells Park and were soon gathered near the large coffee shop. This was to be our first extended break, allowing riders to purchase a drink or visit the toilets. We were also pleased to see that Bendigo Bank had been expecting us and had a welcoming tent waiting with an ample supply of FREE sausages and bread. This was a perfect opportunity to take on some calories to prepare us for the second half of the ride.
As we lay on the grass happily munching on our free sausages we noticed Peter and a couple of other riders miss the turnoff and do disappearing into the distance. Fortunately, due to the marvels of mobile communications, we soon had them safely back in our fold.
The first group of navigators had done a good job in getting us this far but it was now time to pass pelotonic control to Chris Mackay. After all she is the only one I know who spends her evenings memorising the Melways. Before leading us off she did warn us that she would be taking us over one "small hill" but that it wasn't too bad. We rode back out of the main entrance to Jells Park and then into Waverly Road.
We soon came upon a small hill and I assumed that this was the one we had been warned about. It certainly wasn't that bad and I found myself climbing it easily. It was only when I rounded the top that I saw the "small hill" that Chris had mentioned. Towering in front of us like a colossal barrier I was half expecting to see the summit covered with snow.
Quickly clicking through the gears till I had my lowest one engaged I put my head down and tried NOT to look ahead. Some bright spark suggested that if you don't look up, then the hills are never as hard to climb. All around me I could hear cogs clicking as riders tried to find an even lower gear. All talking stopped as lungs started to heave. This was seriously hard work. The top seemed a vast distance away as my speed quickly dropped below 10 kph. I started to wonder if I would actually be making better speed by getting off and walking, although that would be an admission of defeat.
Somehow I managed to claw my way to the summit without putting my foot to the ground but I was mightily relieved to be able to stop and join those who had already made the climb. Over the next few minutes we were able to encourage, cheer, exhort and clap each rider that completed the climb. The latter end of the group had wisely decided to complete the climb more quickly by getting off and walking up the final 100 metres or so. I have to admit that the group of heaving middle aged cyclists that eventually gathered at the top probably didn't make a pretty sight, but I am sure we were all glad that the hardest part of the ride was now behind us. From now onwards this climb will always be known as "Horrible Hill".
Once we had defeated Horrible Hill we continued along Waverly Rd a short distance, crossing over Springvale Rd and then turning on to Scotchmans Creek Trail at Holmesglen TAFE. From this point onwards we were able to follow the bike paths all the way into the city, travelling along sections of the Gardners Creek and Main Yarra Trails.
The only puncture that was suffered during the day was scored by Ben, who had obviously learned absolutely nothing from the similar experience he suffered on our recent Donna Buang climb. He had come with neither pump or spare tube, therefore had to rely on the goodwill of others to get him going again. A new rider (yet another "John") was also having trouble with a chain that repeatedly jumped off the chain ring.
When we arrived at the velodrome some of the riders took the opportunity to try out their legs by doing a few laps. It's a pity that we don't have a resource like this closer to the Dandenongs, but I guess we do have lots of nice hills instead.
After the velodrome and the repairs to Ben's bike we were finally underway again. As we got closer to Melbourne the crowds got steadily thicker and the trail was filled with a growing assortment of cyclists, joggers, families, etc. In some places it was a bit of an obstacle course requiring some godo bike control to negotiate without coming to grief.
It was not until about 2.20 pm that we eventually pulled into Southbank and joined the thousands of other who had congregated in the city on Australia Day. We immediately set off in search of food to replenish our energy stores. Since there were no tables free we ate our lunch standing up by the Yarra and watching the passing parade that was happening all around us.
At this point some of our riders left to go into the city while others had decided to ride all the way back to Belgrave. Our original plan had been to catch the train back to Belgrave but this plan was thwarted by the fact that the line was closed between Camberwell and Ringwood stations. We therefore switched to Plan B, where we would catch the train back to Glen Waverly and then ride back to the Belgrave line and catch another train at FTG station.
It seemed like a good idea but it assumed that we would be able to purchase tickets at the automated ticket machine. Since it had no instructions and since it seemed to take an immediate dislike to most of our money it took us quite a long time to secure what we hoped were the correct tickets and make our way onto the platform. It has probably been over 20 years since I have ridden on a suburban train and I had been looking forward to the experience.
When the train finally arrived we dicovered that the carriages were quiet and comfortable but there was very little (ie no) room for us to store our bikes. We managed to somehow prop about 6 bikes inside the door and thus make it almost impossible for anyone else to enter or leave the carriage. And the Connex marketing people try to tell us that the metropolitan trains are very "bike friendly". They have obviously never tried to get a bike on board a crowded train, let alone a collection of bikes.
The train took us to Glen Waverly where we crossed Springvale Rd and followed a clearly marked bike path back to Jells Park. After a brief stop to wait for the tail enders, it was back onto the bikes for the final section, past Knox City and onto FTG station. Unfortunately we soon splintered into several small groups and my group apparently turned left instead of right at a critical junction. We found ourslves emerging at Boronia station just in time to jump on a Belgrave bound train.
A few moments later we looked out of the window to see some of the other riders frantically riding alongside the train in an effort to jump on at the next station. It was not until we reached Belgrave that we were able to do a head count and see who had managed to catch the first train. It was evident that several must have missed it and would have to wait for the next one. At least that would give them a good rest at the station.
As we packed out bikes back onto the cars it gave us a chance to look back over the ride we had just completed. In most respects it had been a success. The large number of people who had turned out indicated that it was a certainly popular selection. The weather had been perfect all day. On the other hand it had been somewhat difficult to successfully cope with the wide range of abilities of those who turned up, resulting in the peloton being fragmented at times. There was also the problem of riders turning up without spare tubes or a pump. I am sure we will do this ride again but we will need to work harder on our riding procedures beforehand so that some of these problems can be addressed.