(Story supplied by the ride convenor - Jone Bate)
We could not have chosen a better day for the annual Australia Day Ride from Belgrave to Southbank
The sun was shining, the day was warm and the wind was cool when riding. What perfect riding weather. So in this climatic paradise, eleven riders ventured from Belgrave for the downhill trek to Southbank.
Yet, so good were the riding conditions, that as we progressed, our numbers swelled.
Jells Park saw a few more riders added, one of whom was Bob (2 Bob) Leedham, recovering from a recent illness. The Waverley swim centre saw a few more additions, and even more riders linked with us at Glen Waverley. In the end 22 yellow jerseys headed for the Yarra,
It was a well constructed peloton this year, and the group made a good spectacle as they progressed on mass, intimidating any others game enough to share the trail with us. Even road etiquette was well maintained with all riders observing the single file maxim whilst riding on the bitumen bits
And as for the trail! We had a newly resurfaced section around Upper gully, a different and very scenic route from Knox to Jells to enjoy, and the chance to follow a route mapped out by Bill Vandendool via Scotsman’s Creek trail which in turn meant we avoided the lung buster of Waverley Hill. Even so, two deluded souls decided THE Hill was too good to miss, and tacked it anyway. Good on you Steve Warburton and Geoff Vigar. We’ll accept your word that you rode THE HILL with ease. The rest of us relaxed by riding through the flatter back blocks of Mt Waverley.
Lunch at a modestly crowded Southbank, then home again with everyone electing to ride as opposed to risking a train journey from Flinders Street.
The return journey saw the peloton reverse the swelling of its ranks, as various riders took their leave at different stages to take alternate routes to their homes, though most still enjoyed a shorter return route from the city to Jells, lead by Mal Doswell, via Glen Waverley and the East Malvern golf links (directly across one of the fairways. Hmmm!!!)
In the end, 6 riders arrived at Upper Gully and 5 continued at a near leisurely pace on the relaxed climb to Belgrave. (One nameless rider, feeling the 106km ride had been insufficiently demanding, continued riding on to Monbulk. No prizes for guessing who.)
A great day, no incidents of note, excellent weather and the provision of two walkie-talkies for the front and rear riders helped keep us all in touch and together. And a milestone for several riders who achieved their longest journey yet.