MBC visit Werribee – Sunday 25 August 2019

Once again I find that the month has just flown by and it’s definitely time to post about an end of month ride!

This ride is in two sections – partly due to the weather forecast (which isn’t currently as promising as I’d like) and partly to encourage new riders to come along and no be put off by the not-as-long-as-you-might-think ride back to Melbourne.

The ride to and from ShadowFax Winery is all on a share path. There is one short but somewhat deep gravel section (30m or so on a slope) that you may find better to dismount and walk your Brompton. At one point along this section we might even be able to sneak a peak at some of the animals across the river at Werribee Open Plains Zoo!

For people travelling by train from Melbourne
Meet at Southern Cross Station, Platform 11
Meet by 10am to catch the 10:10am train to Werribee
ETA at Werribee is 10:58am
Myki zones covered: 1 & 2

Everyone
Meet at Werribee Train Station by 11:00am
Stage 1 ride length: approx 7km each way
Route gradient: undulating, but not overly challenging. There are some open flats which could be more exposed to the weather.
Destination: ShadowFax Winery alternatively there’s a cafe at Werribee Mansion; we could check as we ride by whether it’s open or not.

Werribee Station to ShadowFax Winery

As usual, you should bring appropriate clothing including a waterproof layer, Myki, money, etc. There is a pleasant and spacious outdoor area at ShadowFax where we can hopefully find a nice place to park ourselves (and our bikes) on the lawn or at tables and relax. The ShadowFax kitchen opens at 11:45am of a weekend.

Afterwards you can choose to catch a train back to the city or ride the approx 32km back to Docklands. Double-check the PTV app prior to Sunday if you think you might catch the train back, as it’s currently advising the service stops at Flagstaff, and you need to change trains (or ride) to get back to Southern Cross.

The ride back from Werribee to Dockland follows the Federation Trail, and is almost entirely on an off-road share path – at least until we get to Brooklyn (the suburb north of Altona North) and then we’ll be on roads with bicycle lanes for a few kilometres until we get to Whitehall Street and Footscray Road. It’s pretty flat and sometime quite exposed. Unless the forecasted wind direction really swings around, we should at least have a tail wind for much of the way which will make the ride a whole lot easier.

Werribee to Docklands

Can’t make it this Sunday or just keen for more? Stay tuned; I’ll post shortly about a ride in Geelong on Sunday 8 September (yes, the weekend after Father’s Day) and confirm details of our next Brompton Maintenance Session at Brompton Junction (Sunday 22 September).

In the meantime, happy Bromptoneering!  : D

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Merri Creek-Darebin Creek Loop – Sunday 28 July 2019

Making a loop out of the Merri Creek and Darebin Creek Trails will be a very nice route for our end of month ride! How can I state this with such confidence? Because Paul B and I rode it just this morning! On Sunday the plan is to ride the loop clockwise and have lunch at a brewery right by the trail.

Paul on Darebin Creek Trail

Paul on Metropolitan Ring Rd Path

Paul on Merri Creek Trail

Details for Sunday are as follows:-

Meet at: Rushall Station on Rushall Cres, Fitzroy North
Meet by: 10:00am
How far: Approx 45km which we comfortably covered in just under 3hrs this morning, but let’s say around 3.5hrs for the group, plus a lunch break.
Lunch stop: 3 Ravens Brewery, 1 Theobald St, Thornbury. (Paul has recommended this place. They’re doing a Sunday roast – bookings are recommended so if you’re coming please let me know so I can try to reserve a table.)

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Upcoming rides

I’m trying to organise a group discount for Around the Bay this year (Sunday 6 October), but the minimum group size is usually 20 people.  It would be fantastic to have a big group of Bromptoneers riding together on the same route – most of us seem keen to do the 50km option. The Westgate Bridge is a bit of fun and 50km isn’t too challenging for most people who semi-regularly ride.

If you can come – better yet, if you and a friend or two can come along – it would make the day a whole lot more fun! We have our new Brompton hire fleet ready to go at Brompton Junction so not owning a Brompton is no excuse. If you’re interested please get in touch – dayna@bromptonbikes.com.au

Please let me know if you’ve already registered for the 50km option (I’m still planning to create a team), or if you know someone who would like to try ATB on a Brompton regardless of whether you are also planning to ride it this year.

Thanks and happy Bromptoneering everyone! : )

July Brompton Events

Although curling up in your favourite spot with a hot drink and good book might sound tempting, we have a couple of events to tempt you outside to join in fun outings on (what we hope will be) a glorious winter’s day!

Brompton Maintenance Session – Sunday, 7 July (10am-1pm)

It won’t matter if the weather doesn’t co-operate fully this Sunday as we’ll be indoors at Brompton Junction learning how to keep our bikes on the road and riding with confidence!

Over 2-3hrs Cory and I will guide you through some basic Brompton maintenance. This is a hands-on tutorial session for up to 8 people. Click here for more details and to register to join.  Please note that there is a small fee for this session.

Brompton City Strollers – Saturday 13 July (10am to noon)

Brompton Bicycle Australia and Rapha Melbourne have organised a group ride from the CBD (32 Guildford Lane) along Capital City Trail, stopping in at Brompton Junction Melbourne, and finishing at Peddlr in Abbotsford.

So grab your Brompton (or hire one from us!) and wear whatever is comfortable (Lycra is not required) and let yourself be ‘tickled pink’ as roadies discover how much fun Bromptons really are to ride. Register your interest here.

MBC Ride – Meet Felipe from Singapore! – Sunday 14 July (from 10:30am)

If you aren’t lucky enough to have met Felipe Ong before, now is your chance! Famous in Singapore (as ‘The Minister’) and throughout the international Brompton community, Felipe is visiting Melbourne for the weekend of 13-14 July.

Our MBC ride will be on Sunday 14 July, starting at Federation Square from 10:30am. Where we ride will be decided upon on the day by group consensus, but is likely to be a gentle ride around the CBD to take in the local icons. Lunch afterwards is likely to be at a foodcourt at Southgate where there is plenty of room for a fold of Bromptons (and their riders) and we can enjoy the parade of people and boats going by.

MBC end of month ride – Sunday 28 July

I’d like to suggest the Western Ring Road Path but I’m also open to ideas for where you’d like to ride. We haven’t ridden the Anniversary Trail for a while, so that could be an option, too.

Comment if you have a ride route suggestion and can join us.

As always, happy Bromptoneering!