On Ya Bike! 4 – You Yangs via Hovells Creek and Ted Wilson Trail

Posted on October 27, 2021 by hlyth2013

Dirk and Barbara led this delightful ride on a day of perfect weather. After the initial photo was taken at Rippleside Park, Kevin and Lynton appeared to take the numbers to 20. There were 10 visitors – 9 from the Portarlington, Indented Head and Drysdale, and one from Geelong West. The route was around the Balmoral Quay shared path to St Helens – then following paths and roads to Limeburners Lagoon and on to Lara. Doug joined the group at Lascelles Wharf making a total of 21 cyclists.

From Lara the group turned north for the You Yangs along Mill and Branch Roads, before turning south along Flinders Avenue. There was a short detour to the Kevin Hoffman walk, before a refreshment stop at Xpresso Coffee Lounge. (Helen and Hermann shortened the route by a few kilometres by cutting back to Lara from Windermere Road.)

The return ride skirted Lara Lake to Canterbury Road and Hovells Creek Trail, with the main group turning along School Road to join the Ted Wilson Trail back towards Geelong and Rippleside Park. The distance for the full route was 68 kilometres. Helen, Sharon and Hermann returned via the waterfront route – for a total of 41 km.

It was wonderful to welcome back some of our earliest On Ya Bike! participants from 2008 – Paul, Terry and Gerry were on our earliest rides, and became core members of the Wednesday riding group that formed in around 2008-9 after riders from On Ya Bike! decided to continue riding as a group on Wednesdays.

Riders at Rippleside Park.

WOW – Wheels on Wednesday

For those who would like to ride a longer ride (around 70-100km) at a medium speed, Wheels on Wednesday meets every Wednesday. Currently the regular meeting time is 8am, and the regular starting place Swanston Street, South Geelong, near Landy Field. The rides are varied, with the group deciding on the destination and route at the start of the ride. There are occasionally special rides, including rides to Arthur’s Seat via the Queenscliff Ferry, and rides to Lorne.

(The rides are listed on our Cycling Geelong Ride Calendar for further details.) This ride is not affiliated with any club, although its origin was Cycling Geelong’s Seniors Month series. All cyclists welcome.

On Ya Bike! 3 – Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail, October 20th, 2021

Posted on October 22, 2021 by hlyth2013

Kevin led 10 riders along the trail to The Bungalow Cafe at Drysdale, where Ron joined the group. Terry and Gerry had ridden from Drysdale to the start of the ride, and left the group after the coffee break.

With a strong tail wind, the ride back to the Showgrounds was easy and fast.

Thanks to Kevin, ride leader,

On Ya Bike! 3 – Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail, October 20th, 2021

Next Wednesday is the last of the On Ya Bike! rides for 2021. This is a mystery ride of around 60km starting at Rippleside Park at 9am. Dirk, ride leader, says it is an interesting ride of medium difficulty. All cyclists welcome.

On Ya Bike! 2 – Lara via Hovells Creek

Posted on October 14, 2021 by hlyth2013

Fourteen cyclists rode to Lara for the second On Ya Bike! ride for the 2021 Seniors Festival. Helen led the ride of 10 Cycling Geelong members and 5 visitors – Brenda, Bev, Terry and Gerry from Portarlington and Noel from Lara. Kevin was tail-ender, supported by Doug and Hermann.

The outward route, via the port area and Hovells Creek path, was hard, due to a very strong head wind. The route passes the Grain silos, Corio Quay (site of the Tasmanian Ferry terminal from next year), woodchip terminal, Moorpanyul Park, Lascelles Wharf, past the Refinery Pier and onto the Hovells Creek path along the estuary to Lara.

The coffee stop was at Xpresso Coffee Lounge where the coffee and service was, as ever, excellent. Many thanks to the staff who are working so hard in this difficult time.

The return route to the Hovells Creek trail was via Lara Lake. The strong wind continued, powering the group back to Rippleside Park by soon after midday.

Thanks to all cyclists, and Kevin our tail-ender.

Some of the group near Rennie Street Lara

Next week’s On Ya Bike! ride is along the Bellarine Rail Trail, leaving at 9am from the trail at Showgrounds (near Breakwater Road). The distance is around 36km, mainlyon the rail trail, but with a number of road crossings and an on-road section at Drysdale. All cyclists welcome. .

Barwon Heads Road works – detour needed for cyclists

Posted on October 14, 2021 by hlyth2013

Thanks to David S for forwarding this information from Major Road Projects Victoria,

Construction is well underway on the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade which includes adding new lanes and an on-road cycling lane between Settlement Road and Reserve Road.

We’ve started installing barriers in sections along the Barwon Heads Road, and more barriers will be installed in the coming weeks. As we finalise these works, access to road shoulders will be reduced and the existing vehicle lanes narrowed.

Therefore, cyclists are recommended to plan ahead and seek an alternative route around the works on Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road and Reserve Road.

For road cyclists, an alternative detour route is via Warralily Boulevard, Surfcoast Highway and Francis Street in Belmont. To support the detour route, we’re increasing the shoulder sweeping frequency on Surf Coast Highway to weekly.

We’ve consulted with bicycle representatives as well as the City of Greater Geelong and the Department of Transport to finalise a cycling detour that is a safe and alternative route for all cyclists. We’ll soon share a detour map for you to promote to your networks and also have detour signage on site.

On Ya Bike! 2 – Lara – Tomorrow

Posted on October 12, 2021 by hlyth2013

Tomorrow our On Ya Bike! series travels to Lara, via the Hovells Creek shared path. There is some road riding, but all of this is on quiet roads. Our refreshment stop is in the main Lara shopping centre.

All cyclists are invited. The ride start is Rippleside Park, near the Adventure Playground, and starting time is 9am. The distance is around 36km. Tomorrow’s ride leader is Helen.

Covid-safe rules apply. Please ensure you have a face mask. Participants also need to ensure that they have a roadworthy bike, and wear an approved bike helmet. As there may be showers tomorrow morning, it’s also advisable to bring a rain jacket.

Last week’s ride was perfect – with 26 happy riders. It was good to meet old friends and make new ones.

On Ya Bike! 1, 2021 – History around the Barwon River

Posted on October 6, 2021 by hlyth2013

Rod led a total of 26 cyclists on the first of 2021’s On Ya Bike! rides for 2021. Due to Covid restrictions, there were three groups of up to10, led by Rod, Doug and Lynton. As well as 14 Cycling Geelong members, we welcomed twelve visitors – Brenda, Annie, John G, Bev, Mick, Marie, Geoff, Jay, Paul, Vicki, John P and Tseviet. Thanks for your participation.

At the start and along the way, there were stops for history of the river, including pre-European settlement.

Due to flooding there was a deviation at the Breakwater end – around the Barwon Valley Golf Course and past the criterium track, rejoining on the Belmont ride of the river, near the James Harrison Bridge. As the course near Queens Park Golf Course was flooded and muddy, a decision was made to return via Queens Park Bridge. The refreshment break was at Barwon Edge.

The weather was magnificent – especially after the windy, cold and wet weather we’ve had in the last month or two.

Thanks to Rod for leading the ride, our group leaders, Doug and Lynton, those who contributed snippets of cycling history, and all those who joined the first On Ya Bike! ride for 2021.

On Ya Bike! – Week 2 – Wednesday 13th October.

Next week On Ya Bike! visits Lara, via the northern waterfront and Hovells Creek Track. The ride leaves at 9am from Rippleside Park (near the adventure playground).

On Ya Bike! – revision

Posted on October 5, 2021 by hlyth2013

The Barwon River is in flood! Therefore the first ride “History around the river” will be varied.

The starting point (car park at Balyang Sanctuary) remains unchanged. However, the route will be along roads and Rod has varied the commentary to include points of historical interest along the way. There will be a coffee stop, but, due to Covid restrictions, capacity for sit-down refreshments may be limited. You may wish to bring a Keep Cup.

On Ya Bike!

Posted on September 30, 2021 by hlyth2013

Victorian Seniors Festival 2021

Every Wednesday in October Cycling Geelong presents On Ya Bike! – a series of bike rides.

All cyclists are welcome – you don’t need to be a senior. Rides are free but there is always a stop at a cafe or coffee shop, so please bring some money if you’re looking to buy refreshments.

The series begins with Rod’s History Around the Barwon River ride – an easy 20km circult, all on sealed bike paths) and culminates in a 60km Mystery Ride mainly on sealed roads.

We will be following Covid safe guidelines for ride size, mask-wearing, distancing etc. We also expect all participants to follow current road rules, ride a roadworthy bike, and wear a bike helmet.

There is no need to pre-book. Please direct any queries to Helen (On Ya Bike! coordinator).

Title	Starting time & Place	Distance	Grade and details
History around the Barwon	9:00am Balyang Sanctuary Car Park, Marnock Road, Newtown	20km	Easy (all bike paths)	Rod Charles
Lara via Hovells Creek Trail	9:00am Rippleside Park (near Adventure Playground)	36km	Easy (sealed bike paths and roads)	Helen
Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail	9:00am Bellarine Rail Trail (cnr Tucker Street/Carr Street) near Showgrounds entrance	36km	Easy (sealed bike paths and roads)	Dave Simpson
Northern Mystery Ride	9:00am, Rippleside Park (near Adventure Playground)	60km	Medium (sealed roads and bike paths)	Dirk

On Ya Bike! photos

Ted Wilson Trail – Sunday 1st August, 2021

Posted on August 1, 2021 by hlyth2013

Helen led Dave S and Hermann on a repeat of the Ted Wilson ride – truncated at our last attempt by bad weather.

The conditions were cold and sunny with an increasing westerly wind, so the ride direction was clockwise, incorporating part of the Gabrielle Blythe trail (Cements Works Rail Trail) to the Cement Works, the the Ted Wilson Trail to its end in Corio. A slight glitch caused by no electric boost was an issue for Hermann at first, until the problem was diagnosed and fixed – a disconnected electrical lead.

A short ride around the local streets from the end of the Ted Wilson Trail brought the group to the Corio Bay Roadhouse for refreshments – plenty of seating and good service makes this an ideal stop for a northern ride. The circuit was completed with more quiet streets, then across the Melbourne Road on Refinery Road, North Shore Station Road and the waterfront back to Rippleside Park.

Ted Wilson Memorial Ride- Sunday, 4th July 2021

Posted on July 4, 2021 by hlyth2013

Despite the cold, wet and extremely windy conditions, four people – Dave S, Karen, Kevin and Helen (ride leader) rode the annual ride to commemorate the life of Ted Wilson, and his enormous contribution to cycling. All riders received a sprig of rosemary (for remembrance).

Due to the conditions, the route was modified, with the coffee stop early in the ride at Soft Cafe in Minerva Road – welcoming, warm and good coffee. From there it was up Church Street and down the Ted Wilson Trail to Pioneer Road. Leaving the trail, the westerly wind pushed the riders to the Grammar School and Bay Trail for the return trip.

Despite some flurries, there was no rain during the ride. The wind increased as the ride went on – an exhilarating ride home to the peninsula for Dave – but a bit of a battle for Kevin.

Due to the bad conditions, many people who would have liked to do this ride missed out, so the ride will be re-scheduled in a couple of weeks, hopefully on the original route.