Darebin Creek 13th November 2005
The turnout at Alphington Station for the Darebin Creek ride was a good one. Robert Waryszak, Ludo and Renild Schoenborn, Alan, Diane and Eric Ball, Jon Finch and Emma Symes, George and Chris Durbridge. Good weather, with a warm sun but not much wind. No new and exciting machines, unlike last year's Darebin Creek ride, which was one of the first outings of John Kuljis's Xevon.
We made our way up to Bundoora Park with only a few defections (Diane and Emma had other commitments) and a couple of wrong turnings (John and I got lost last time, so nobody should have expected me to know the way). At Bundoora Park, we found the Mini Club showing off over 100 Minis. Real Minis, not the BMW imitation. We toured those and speculated whether Robert could be persuaded to build a 1275cc Python.
After that we climbed Mt Cooper, which has decent views, and took photos of and from the highest point in the metropolis. The metropolis may be elevated from various cultural and moral points of view, but not topographically, except relative to Alphington Station. Having appeciated the elevation, we appreciated iced coffee, before setting off back. Except that the party became somewhat scattered, none of them terminally lost, the return leg was fairly predictable.
The total distance was about 25 miles, shorter than usual. No accidents or mechanical failures, except that Alan's gear cable turned difficult. The route is mainly through wooded parkland, with some short stretches through back streets. The path is mainly good, with a surface varying from good to medium, some hills, some short steep bits and some lapses in the signposting, to make navigation more rewarding.
