Six riders (John H, Pam and Ian F [Geelong Touring Cyclists]) and Karen, Mike C and Helen – ride leader [Cycling Geelong]) set off from Rippleside Park for a western circuit around Geelong. It was a chilly 5 degrees!
The route followed the waterfront to School Road then went west along the new bike path to Princess Highway, and continued on Plantation Road to the Ted Wilson Trail. After following this south west, the riders swept down the hill to Fyansford. John Hagen gallantly took the lead against the brisk westerly on Hamilton Highway. The riders turned off at Merrawarp Road for Barrabool Road and Ceres. For those of us whose winter cycling has been sporadic the hill to Ceres was slow! However, the pay back came with a fast descent along Cochranes Road and the old Princes Highway to Waurn Ponds. John’s faithful recumbent clocked over 70kph on this section, despite a stop half way down the hill!
From Waurn Ponds the cyclists wended their way to Highton for a well earned break at Darriwill Farm before completing the circuit to Rippleside via the River path, Breakwater and the waterfront. Total distance 63km. Gain 438metres, including the Ceres hill which is rated category 4.
- Coffee at Darriwill Farm
- John H shows where he plans to take a photo – Barwon River Path
- Helen, Karen, Ian, Pam on River path
Well done, thou true and faithful cyclists. Why not join us on the next joint ride?