Back to the bike path page... /city| _-@ _-@ |country\ | --\ --' --\ --' | .. .. .. _____|__________(*)'_(*)__________(*)'_(*)_________|_____ .. .. .. ..Andrew Watkins and Pandora Hope ... Click here to mail us!
Heading North there are several other water courses that come into the creek, all providing their own share of rubbish, but the surrounds are lovely, if you don't look at the banks near the water - many willow trees shading the path, and, as we are increasingly finding, many water birds - we saw a white faced heron at one point where there appears to be an island in the creek. We passed some pretty impressive looking buildings, but were unsure what they were.
After about 4km, the path has a huge kink in it, around a velodrome, which is open for free public use (But they race on it every Saturday (2pm) during summer, so its doubtful you could ride on it at those times.) We went on a Sunday. The banking seems incredibly steep, but, with a bit of speed (which Dave found hard to get on his mountain bike), it was actually quite fun, if you can avoid the local kids! Try it out, but remember not to get too buggered (like Andrew!) cos you've still got a little riding to go!
Onward ho, and past what seems to be some large (possibly community) vege gardens, and many of the locals having their fun by the creek: fishing, dog walking, sun basking.... There is only the odd shopping trolley in the water at this point, in some places, particularly bubbling over the rocks it didn't look too bad! Soon you cross a very impressive suspension bridge over the Merri Creek. On the other side is a sign to Moonee Ponds Creek path, but continue on the Merri Creek Trail towards Coburg Lake. Not long after this, just after passing under another bridge, is the sign to a "historic cottage", which we didnt visit! (We dare not repeat what one of our parties thoughts were on this matter!!) If its any good, please drop us a note!! Eventually the trail by the creek ends, and you come up to Murray Rd in Coburg. The signs still tell you where to go: west, past the (extremely green looking and totally uninviting!) Coburg pool (closed in November, I don't know if it is permanent), to the north side of Pentridge, and.... da dahhhh.. Coburg Lake.
On arrival, we were greeted by the sight of a young man with his forearem completely covered in thick, red, ooze - blood we presumed. It seemed like he was being well looked after, but as we were about to ride past, Pandora's first-aid training got the better of her (and perhaps a hint of curiosity), so she stopped to see if she could help at all. He had slipped and gashed his arm in several places on a bottle - really nasty stuff - but he was still standing! So she sat him down, and waited for the ambulance, since the bleeding seemed to have stopped. When the ambulance officers came, we moved off, and as we were leaving we heard him telling them what had happened - It had been a TOMATO SAUCE bottle! Maybe it wasn't quite as bad as we had thought! So, we then followed the trail of blood drips further into the park, and .... found that this is a lovely little park, with plenty of big shady trees, and small, distinct areas to find somewhere on your own. The lake in the middle, though small, is delightful, with many birds. The park also has plenty of play equipment, but there was also enough space to get away from the kids. There are also (apparently FREE!) barbeques there, which we could tell by the smells, as we were reminded that we hadn't yet had lunch.
Pandora's front tyre had been going down slowly on the way, so we changed the tube at this spot, while we sat for a while and watched the ducks and their families, and spotted a tortoise. Hard to imagine how the little blighter got there!! Even we were nearly skittled on Murray Rd!
To get back to the Moonee Ponds Trail, and hence make a circuit rather than return via the Merri creek, head back down the Merri Creek path to the Moonee Ponds Creek path turnoff, about 2km back, though we suspect the sign was a little overestimating.. if you remeber, the turnoff is at the impressive suspension bridge over Merri Creek. You cant miss it.. The link between the two paths is all on roads, but they are quiet back streets, and you tend to be directed to pedestrian crossings to cross the major roads. We only were unsure about the path at one point, where it said shared footway up to the right, and no other sign, but we decided that we would go straight ahead, which is the right way, and ended in a huge downhill......... weeeeeeee...! I guess the rule of thumb is.. if in doubt, go straight ahead (and down the hill!) We passed the path which goes beside the Upfield Railway Line, which Pandora used to use to commute from Brunswick to Melbourne University, which is a handy route, but not all that pretty. We guess it is possible to take this "home" to the city if you like, but that wouold be a little drab. We continue over the Tullamarine Freeway which is pretty good, and onto the Moonee Ponds bike path! If you are coming from the other direction, we think the sign on the bridge said "Upfield Bk. Trail" or something similar. Its about 2-3 km north from Brunswick Rd if your heading north anyway..
This path makes you feel like you're in the country at spots, and there is still much bird life - we saw a beautiful black shouldered kite soon after joining it. We headed towards Carlton, and home, with stops to play on the BMX (remember them) track, and watch the ladies cricket. There are plenty of footy and cricket ovals all along here. At Brunswick road, we crossed the creek, up the hill. Here it gets a little tricky getting back to Princes Park (where we start..) Join onto Brunswick Rd. The first street on your right, and the first street on the right after the road bridge that crosses the Fwy, takes you to Park St. You can head up that to Prinny Park, or, alternativley, turn right onto Manningham St, and follow that about 1.5km until you get to the railway bridge over the road. At the bridge, go up the steps (with bike lane!) on the east (left) side and follow that bike path. At the railway station, continue _up_ the hill with the Zoo on your right, on the footpath but following the road. The path goes behind a gravel car park, and then drops down to the left to travel along the old (disused) railway cutting. Make sure you take that left though!! Follow the bike trail along and suddenly, after travelling in the "tunnel" under Royal Pde.. dah dah... there you are in Princes Park. A nice little sojourn to end with!
We did this, and added a nice detour back to Dave's place on Manningham Street, Parkville. After a quick round of tennis, and plenty of banana cake to make sure we made the final stretch, we mosied home on the new path that heads toward the zoo from Manningham road, beside the railway, then joined the one that goes under Royal Parade, and into Princes Park, which then becomes the Park Street path, and home..........
To... Mmmmmmmmmmmm.... Almond croissants!!
Back to the bike path page... /city| _-@ _-@ |country\ | --\ --' --\ --' | .. .. .. _____|__________(*)'_(*)__________(*)'_(*)_________|_____ .. .. .. ..Andrew Watkins and Pandora Hope ... Click here to mail us!