Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail – September 5, 2019

Posted on September 5, 2019 by cycgeelong

George led around 16 cyclists on this mornings regular ride to Drysdale. It was a beautiful morning for riding, and the pace was good.

Margy and Jeff arrived at Cafe Zoo to meet the group. They had ridden the trail from Point Lonsdale as part of their training for Around The Bay in a Day and for Margy’s Great Cycle Challenge (to ride at least 500km in the month of October). You can sponser Margy here.

The ride back to Geelong was fast – except for George who had a puncture (the second in two weeks). Thanks to Lynton who stayed to help him repair it.

190905 Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail (2)_1

190905 Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail (3)

190905 Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail (4)

190905 Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail (5)

190905 Drysdale via Bellarine Rail Trail (6)

Christies Road on return ride

If a city of 8.6 million can do it, so can Geelong

Posted on September 1, 2019 by hlyth2013

Protected bike lanes make cities safer for everyone, and promote healthy and sustainable commuting.

“The bike lanes were 99% of our headlines, but only 1% of our budget.”

“If you want to build a better city, you can start by building better bike lanes.”

North western Geelong loop – Sunday, September 1st, 2019

Posted on September 1, 2019 by hlyth2013

Two cyclists set off on this morning’s ride – Helen (leader) and Kevin. Perhaps the predicted rain and strong wind and Father’s Day clash daunted other riders. Wherever you were, you missed a most enjoyable ride.

The ride route was to Soft Cafe in Minerva Road, via a loop from Rippleside – following the waterfront to Geelong Grammar, then across School and Plantation Roads to follow the Ted Wilson Trail to Church Street and coffee.

The coffee shop was very busy (perhaps a few Father’s Day breakfasts were responsible for this). Kevin’s hot chocolate finally arrived. It’s great to see our coffee shops doing such good business on weekends.

With a Father’s Day lunch date, Kevin then rode home (to a three generations lunch at his daughter’s – Kevin is the proud great grandpa to a three week old baby boy).

The return to Rippleside was via the Cement Works Trail to Douro Street, then Margaret Street overpass.

There was no rain (though by 1.30 a thunderstorm brought heavy rain and hail to Rippleside).

Kevin (taken after Cadel Evans ride in January)

Coffee at Soft Cafe

Making our cities more people-friendly… People given priority over cars

Posted on September 1, 2019 by hlyth2013

This could work for Geelong – especially the CBD. Imagine the enjoyment of coffee or a meal in an outdoor cafe in Geelong CBD, with no parked cars or exhaust fumes.

On yesterday’s Bicycle Show on 97.4 The Pulse, our mayor, Cr Bruce Harwood, postulated a car-free CBD for Geelong.

Thanks to Dave S for finding this clip.

Better than brand new: Trailer refurbishment

Posted on August 22, 2019 by hlyth2013

The trailer is transformed. Allan and Kelly have spent many hours reconfiguring and strengthening the Cycling Geelong bike trailer. This will not only make it safer and fix problems exposed in the original design, but will make the trailer much easier to load and unload.

Thanks to Allan and Kelly and their engineer welder mate for this wonderful transformation. The trailer is now ready for this year’s Goldfields weekend which it based around Heathcote.

The old trailer was difficult to load

Kelly loads bikes on last year’s goldfields tour

The reconfigured trailer showing how bikes can be easily loaded and secured.

Allan hands the paperwork to Helen (President)

Barwon River Circuit – Saturday 17th August 2019

Posted on August 18, 2019 by hlyth2013

The ride began with 10 cyclists, led by Helen – but we picked up three more on the way – Hermann, Sally and Richard. The other riders were, Carolyn, Geoff (trusty tail-ender), Kevin, Charlotte, Denis, Lynton, David J, David S and Russell.

Conditions were perfect weather-wise, but less so on the path. While this is sealed except for the notorious short section at Fyansford, the ride was ‘all terain’ with a bit of amphibian added. Flood waters had receded, leaving only a few places where there was water over the path, but after the water came the mud! At Queens Park Bridge we noticed cyclists using the grass to avoid a muddy patch on the path. This should have been a warning but your intrepid riders continued undaunted. Some rode the path, others took to the grass. The ride leader soon became tail-ender as mud and grass caked bike wheels, brakes and settled in huge clumps where the wheels pass the bike frame. David F had a spill on the slippery grass – the fall somewhat broken by the muddy grass. It seems only pride was wounded.

Finally, very spread out, all riders reached Barwon Edge for coffee, where they were joined by Nancy and Heather. After some more hasty mud clearing from wheels, all riders successfully made it back to Balyang.

Before the mud!

Saturday afternoon sorted – bike clean!

Lara via Hovells Creek – Sunday, August 4th, 2019

Posted on August 4, 2019 by hlyth2013

Five riders set off from Rippleside, under the leadership of Dave Simpson – Dirk, Barbara, Kevin and Helen.

The ride went along the new path beside Balmoral Quay, then to Limeburners Lagoon via Lascelles Wharf, and on to Lara via Hovells Creek. As usual, there was flooding under the highway (made worse by a new curb which, instead of holding the creek waters back, stops the water from draining off the path. (This issue has been added to the current survey into shared paths.*)

Coffee was a X-presso, before a return on much the same route.

Thanks to ride leader and all riders.

Near Corio Quay North

Limeburners Lagoon

City of Geelong – Shared Trails Masterplan

* The City is surveying shared paths throughout the region, asking for feedback and suggestions. In particular, the aim will be to fill gaps where paths do not join up, and solve issues. There are several more face to face sessions, and an online map, on which you can add your comments, upload photos and view issues raised by others. Please add your feedback – you are the expert on paths you use frequently.

8 August, 2019 – Bellarine Community Health Centre, 39 Fenwick Street, Portarlington
10 August, 2019 – Waurn Ponds Library, (meeting room) 230 Pioneer Road, Grovedale
15 August, 2019 – Lara Hall, 1B Flinders Ave, Lara
22 August, 2019 – fOrt Youth Centre, Cnr Melbourne and St. George Rds, Norlane

After the survey, the identified needs will be prioritised and dealt with as funds become available (for have your say on issues that concern you – the more feedback, the higher the priority).