Welcome to the new year, and my apologies that the couple of club rides thus far were not shared here.
This month’s social ride is one many of us are likely to be somewhat familiar with, in part if not the whole route. Capital City Trail (“CCT”) is a 30km loop around the north of the city incorporating parts of the Inner Circle Rail Trail, Merri Creek Trail and Main Yarra Trail. Not overly hilly or steep, but it can be undulating in parts, so a good grasp on how to use your gears effectively will help make this ride enjoyable. This is the most used share path in Melbourne, so you should expect to encounter plenty of other riders, walkers or joggers (with or without dogs).
We will start at District 35 Cafe (next door to Brompton Junction Melbourne/Velo Cycles on Park Street) and ride anti clockwise around the loop, with the aim to clear the city and riverside early, before the Formula 1 crowds get too large. Lunch at the end of the ride will be back at District 35 Cafe.
Detours to the official CCT route
Although Walmer Street Bridge has re-opened we won’t cross to the eastern side of the river this time, instead taking some back streets to rejoin CCT at Abbotsford Convent. There are (mostly) painted bike lanes and we will ride through as a group so no one gets lost, but please be aware that the area can be busy with vehicular traffic.
Ride details
- Meeting Place: out the front of Brompton Junction Melbourne
- Meeting Time: 9:30am
- Distance: ~30km for the full loop
- Duration: 2-2.5hrs
- Average pace: ~15km/hr (moderate)
- Difficulty: moderate
- Lunch stop: (optional) District 35 Cafe
If you’d like to join in, but don’t want to ride the whole way, you can ride with us to the city and catch a tram back to the start.
- Option A: Tram #96. Jump onboard at the stop between MCEC and Crown Casino, or ride up river to Federation Square, along Swanston Street and board on the corner of Bourke St. Exit the tram at stop 19, Brunswick Rd. Brompton Junction Melbourne is just on your right if you exit the platform’s to the south.
- Option B: Trams #1 or #6. Jump onboard along St Kilda Rd / Swanston St and it takes you all the way up Lygon Street. Exit at stop 120, Brunswick Rd. This stop is ~50m north of where CCT crosses Lygon Street. Turn east and ride ~650m to arrive back at BJM.
- Option C: Tram #11. Jump onboard on Collins Street, corner of Swanston St. It heads up Collins St and then along St Georges Road. Exit at Stop 23, Park Street and pick up CCT on the path heading behind the old building, or at the bike/pedestrian lights in front of you (and head left/west). Ride ~650m to arrive back at BJM.
What to bring
- Your bike, in good working order.
- Clothes (layers) appropriate for the weather. (It might be a cool start.)
- MYKI (just in case)
- Spare tube and toolkit – if you have them
- Waterbottle/drink
- Suncream, sunglasses
Should I join this ride?
As always, you should be comfortable with basic bike skills; braking safely, signalling, and using your gears – although these rides are also practice for using your gears, and advice from other members is free for the asking. If you aren’t sure how to signal to the group on a ride, or you need a refresher, please ensure to watch the video below.
Questions?
If you have any questions please:
- Comment below if you are happy for your question/comment to be made public; OR
- Email me (Dayna) if you do not want your details/question/comment to be made public: melbournebromptonclub@gmail.com
Happy riding! : )
MELBOURNE BROMPTON CLUB 