Somerville Stony Point Ride, Sunday 16 January, 2005
by David C. Photos by David C.
On Sunday 16th January John N, George, David, Faye & Lysbeth met at Somerville Station at 11.00 am to accompany Robert & Jana on their spontaneous ride from Somerville to Stony Point return. As we were about to depart John K arrived with a flourish having raced up from Hastings on his Xevon to escort the group. When the bikes were assembled and ready to go everyone set off except George who was not sure if to enjoy riding or driving (see photo).
Although the weather did not look promising at the start it improved as we rode and turned into a perfect day for cycling. On the way to Hastings John K had occasion to chase after some of the group, who had deviated away from the track, to steer them back in the right direction. The riders regrouped at Hastings before setting off on the second leg to Stony Point.
Once again John K led the way and before long we came across what must be the worst bike barrier in Victoria. It was impossible for the recumbents to fit through and it was necessary to lift one after the other over a nearby post & wire fence to proceed towards the long boardwalk. However, it was worth it as this part of the ride was stunning. We rode along the boardwalk for approx. 2 kms passing over mud flats, riding between beautiful copper tipped grasses, across a wide expanse of mangroves to a small track on the other side winding its way through a eucalypt forest.
We all agreed the ride across the boardwalk was spectacular, but one needed nerves of steel to maneuver around pedestrians, pushers, small children and dogs, particular those on recumbents as it was not overly wide and there was no guardrail – it was straight over the side if you misbalanced.
After a short rest at Crib Point we rode on to Stoney Point where we finally met up with George who had been unable to find the start of the boardwalk at Hastings so had ridden along the road to join the group. We enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the coastal park, watched the pelicans and fishermen at the Marina and head off back to Hastings passing by the “Oberon” submarine at Crib Point. The ride back on the boardwalk was even more adventurous, the traffic being heavier than the morning, more pedestrians, dogs and bikes. No cyclist was game to pass a recumbent without alighting for fear of falling over the edge.
We stopped at a stylish café recently opened at Hastings Marina for coffee before tackling the climb back to Somerville. We arrived at the station approx. 5.00 pm after a most enjoyable day of cycling. The group then drove to Hastings to partake of a Thai meal at “Arada Thai Restaurant”, an enterprise recently opened by two of our Vic OzHPV members Arada & John K. The decor was striking and together we enjoyed a banquet of scrumptious Thai food with mien host and hostess chatting with us between chores. What a perfect ending to a wonderful day of cycling.
Limericks by John N:
Our septuagenarian David Tells stories exotically flavoured With word play and pun, Sometimes caustic - but fun So from boredom we're sure to be save'd.
Says our legal friend George (LLB) Recumbents are perfect for me Ninety miles in a day! Kilometres you say? There'll be no froggy units for me!