Ride to LittleBrew (Take 2) – Sunday 27 June 2021

Welcome back! Fingers crossed I don’t have to edit or cancel this one.

Speaking of edits – this will NOT be the same ride as previously planned for last month. The only time slot I could get for LittleBrew was 3:30pm so we’re going to do a shorter loop ride, which will start/finish at Dobson Park near LittleBrew in Ferntree Gully.

There are two options to join in on Sunday:
1) ride only
2) ride and dine (beer and pizza!)

RIDE ONLY – The current cap for outdoor (socially distanced) activities is 50 people. We’ve never had that many people on a Club ride, and I don’t expect that we will get that many people this time. Our nominal cap is 20 riders. You will all be asked to check in with a QR code at the start of the ride.

RIDE AND DINE – The current cap for group bookings is 10 people, therefore you must RSVP if you wish to stay after the ride for beer and pizza at LittleBrew. If you choose to stay, please be committed to purchasing food and drink to support this small business which (like many) have been hit hard by the (ongoing) Covid lockdowns.

People who RSVP’d for last month’s ride will be offered first dibs on Ride & Dine places. If there are any allocations left people will be included on a first-come-first-served basis. Therefore please let me know your preference when you RSVP.

Here are the actual ride details:

• Meeting time: 2:15pm
• Meeting location: Dobson Park, Ferntree Gully – just around the corner from LittleBrew
• Distance: approx 13km (loop)
• Elevation: Although not flat, the rises should be easy to moderate for everyone.
• Ride duration: 60-90min. We’re aiming to arrive at LittleBrew at 3:30pm where we have a reservation for 10 people
• RSVP: Please RSVP to Dayna at melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com and indicate your “Ride” or “Ride & Dine” group preference. If you confirm via the Facebook event, please also comment in the event to indicate your preference.

Suggestions for what to bring:

• Your bike (in good working order)
• Sensible clothes for the weather
• Water bottle
• Money (card)
• MYKI (just in case)
• Hand sanitiser and mask (just in case)
• Phone
• Spare tube (if you have one)
• Helmet (it’s the law)
• Smile (they’re free and wonderful to share)

Public Transport Options

LittleBrew is a pretty easy 2.5km ride to Boronia Station, mostly on bike/share paths. I will also be travelling to/from via this option.

Friends are great!

You are always welcome to bring a friend along on our rides. That friend does not need to own/ride a Brompton to join in. All we ask – from everyone – is that you/they are friendly and polite, and be a considerate rider within the group. If they want to try a Brompton for the ride and you don’t have a spare, then please feel free to contact me at Brompton Junction Melbourne.

Not sure if we’re for you?

Should you have any queries about the ride that are not adequately covered above, or any concerns about your own riding abilities – please reach out to me at melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com. Don’t rule yourself out before you’ve had a go…or at least a chat.

Happy riding everyone. Hope to see you soon.

: )
Dayna

CANCELLED – Little ride to LittleBrew – Sunday 30 May 2021

**DUE TO 7 DAY COVID LOCKDOWN THIS RIDE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. I’ll update in due course once we’re able to reschedule.**

Firstly, I admit the title was the first one that came to mind and I’m too lazy to think of a more creative one. Feel free to post your own suggestion/s in the comments.

But to the point of why you’re reading this… our club ride for May actually falls on the last weekend of the month – as advertised! (Woohoo!) This month, the plan is to enjoy a very relaxing ride from Jells Park along Blind Creek Trail (an off-road share path) to LittleBrew (Brewery) in Ferntree Gully where we have a table reserved for us to enjoy beer and pizza for lunch. Mmmm-mmmm!

Jells Park to LittleBrew (our lunch stop)
We will return to Jells Park along the same route.

Here are the ride details:

• Meeting time: 11:30am for an 11:45am departure
• Meeting location: Jells Park, outside the Kiosk
• Distance: approx 14km each way (28km return)
• Elevation: Slightly uphill to LittleBrew
• Ride duration: 1h 15min+ to get to LittleBrew (they don’t open until 1pm so we are not in a rush), 90min for lunch, and probably closer to 1hr on the return leg as it’s slightly downhill. Return to Jells Park around 3-3:30pm
• RSVP: **REQUIRED BY THURSDAY 27 MAY** to Dayna at melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com or indicate “going” on the Facebook event (merely “interested” people will not be counted).

Suggestions for what to bring:

• Your bike (in good working order)
• Sensible clothes for the weather
• Water bottle
• Money (card)
• MYKI (just in case)
• Hand sanitiser and mask (just in case)
• Phone
• Spare tube (if you have one)
• Helmet (it’s the law)
• Smile (they’re free and wonderful to share)

The table reservation is currently for 10 people. If you are coming you must RSVP by Thursday to me (Dayna) at melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com. If you RSVP then need to change your plans, please ensure to let me know.

Public Transport Options

If you’re looking for a Public Transport option to get to the start, you can catch a train to Heatherdale Station and ride 13-14km along the Eastlink Trail to Jells Park.

Alternatively you can shorten that to 5.5km by catching a train to Glen Waverly Station – the route to Jells Park is mostly suburban streets rather than bike tracks or bike lanes.

LittleBrew is a pretty easy 2.5km ride to Boronia Station, mostly on bike/share paths, if you’re looking for an easy post-lunch option.

Friends are great!

You are always welcome to bring a friend along on our rides. That friend does not need to own/ride a Brompton to join in. All we ask – from everyone – is that you/they are friendly and polite, and be a considerate rider within the group. If they want to try a Brompton for the ride and you don’t have a spare, then please feel free to contact me at Brompton Junction Melbourne.

Not sure if we’re for you?

Should you have any queries about the ride that are not adequately covered above, or any concerns about your own riding abilities – please reach out to me at melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com. Don’t rule yourself out before you’ve had a go…or at least a chat.

Happy riding everyone. Hope to see you soon.

: )
Dayna

Fed Square to Black Rock – Sunday 18 April, 2021

Let’s go and breath some salty air!

This ride is aimed at everyone comfortable riding 24km+ at an easy to moderate pace. I would encourage you to come and have a go even if you’re not entirely sure, as there are couple of options along the way (tram stops at St Kilda, train stations at Brighton Beach and Sandringham) to jump on Public Transport if anyone wishes to stop, or has a mechanical.

Faster riders are welcome to venture on ahead, however if the weather is even semi-decent, the number of other path users means a more relaxed pace makes for a more enjoyable ride overall.

Meet at: Federation Square
Meeting time: 10am
Route Length: 47km return (one-way and shorter options available)
Duration: ~4hrs
Terrain: Flat and easy
To Bring: Appropriate clothes/layers for the weather, money, MYKI, spare tube, suncream

Departing Federation Square, the terrain is flat and easy riding to the bay and continues so heading south along the foreshore with only a couple of slight rises, the largest of which is the slow rise from Hampton up to Black Rock (but it’s a rise, not a hill).

The turn around point is The Cerberus Beach House at Black Rock. It’s a short but steep-ish ride down from the road (good practice using your brakes), but they have a kiosk with decent food… at least it was decent last time (a couple of years ago now) when I last passed by that way. Click here to check out the menu. This way we don’t have to worry about a reservation; just the weather. And if you prefer to bring your own food, you’re welcome to do so.

**Whilst the majority of the route is on off-road share path, please note that the last 3km is along a painted bike lane on Beach Road. (If the group decides they’re not comfortable riding his last part, Plan B is to go back to the shopping strip along Church St, Brighton for lunch options.)**

After lunch and a rest (and a couple of photos), and after we climb back up to the main road and path there are two choices for the return trip; Sandringham Station is only 3km back towards the city, otherwise we ride-off a good lunch.

If you’re intending to join in, please let me know by emailing me (Dayna) at melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com. Should you have any questions about the route, our rides, your abilities, or anything else Brompton, please don’t hesitate to reach out via the same email address.

Happy riding!