May 2009 - Warburton Rail Trail

April 2006 - Capital City Trail A bike ride taken from "Bike Rides Around Melbourne" by Julia Blunden This is the official circuit trail, we started from Heyington Railway Station along the Main Yarra trail to Victoria Park, then taking Merri Creek Path to Flemington. From Flemington we took the Moonee Ponds Creek into the Docklands and onto South Bank, then back out again along the Main Yarra Trail. Our first time taking this route, but we have ridden a large portion of the Main Yarra Trail previously but in the opposite direction. We didn't have any of the usual problems with directions on this ride except it was a mistake to choose to begin from Heyington Station. We planned on cutting through St Kevin's College but the gate was closed, so we ended up riding to Kooyong to cross onto the Main Yarra Trail bike track. The full assemble on this ride except of course Meg who is still to young and was kindly looked after by Nanny & Grandpa. Today on the ride it was, Catherine, Jamie, Connor, Caitlin (the usual back seat driver) and I. It was magnificent weather for the ride today, as you can see in the photos there is nothing like sunshine to make everything look happy and cheery. I just hope that we have a few more days like today before Winter well and truly closes in on us. I made a concerted effort when taking the photos today not to have so many pictures with Catherine out in front (after complaints from Catherine) and i took both batteries for the camera, changing to the second battery at the Docklands, so this time it is a complete pictorial of the ride.

April 2006 - MAD (Melbourne Autumn Detour) See the Photos Here Jamie, Connor and I participated in the 24th MAD Ride along with approx 800 other riders, spread over the 3 routes, a 60km road, 100km road and 65km mountain bike ride. We had a great day doing the 60km road, hats off to the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club for a very well organised event. See The Trip Report Here

April 2006 - Outer Circle A bike ride taken from "Bike Rides Around Melbourne" by Julia Blunden East Malvern along the Anniversary Trail to Kew then taking the Main Yarra Trail to Kooyong. Our first time taking this route and not without the usual frustration of missing turn offs, getting completely lost or going in the wrong direction, even after studying the Melways before we left. It took us 20 minutes just to find where the Anniversary Trail began, accidentally riding through a Golf Course before finding the actually path over a bridge (with a sign saying it was closed)! Just the 3 of us on this ride Catherine, Caitlin (the back seat driver) and myself. Connor was at his Mums for Easter and although it was predicted that we would have tag alongs, this did not eventuated. The last stretch of the ride has no photos as we ran out of light and camera batteries, not to mention that Catherine need a little bit of assistance (push) to finish the last stage of the ride as she was feeling a bit off colour from the word go. [Caths Comments] For a person who has only been on a bike 6 times in the last 20 years this is a good start for a learner rider. More effort required than riding the Yarra Trail from Mount Waverly to the City (20 Km) but still an easy pace. Although there are no major hills there are inclines on a regular basis. This is compensated by some fabulous downhill runs. Yes I did require a push for the last 4 kms (out of 31 Km) but Matt failed the mention I had been sick for the whole Easter weekend.