Seville-Warburton Rail Trail, Saturday, 10 April, 2004, 45km Return.
This is one of the most picturesque rail trails in Victoria. It was beautiful Saturday morning. John K and Scott K started riding from Seville, while Robert and Jana W and newly converted 'wedgie' riders Wendy, Scott and Neil K started from Home Hotel at Launching Place 10 km closer to Warburton. We stopped frequently along the trail to show off our bents and give out the introductory OZHPV brochures to numerous 'wedgie' riders . On the way back we met Les and Dot H who told us about their Row Bike. See details.
Scott starting from Seville on the SWB, FWD folder
John starting from Seville on the OZ Chopper
Spontenaiety in Sunny Seville - Report by Wendy K
When Robert W’s invitation to be spontaneous and join fellow riders each Sunday arrives via e-mail, a rethinking of priorities inevitably occurs...Should we stay home and do domestics and be good with our protestant work ethic or should we just go out and have some fun. Its easy to get caught up in daily grind and lack the motivation to pack up and go...
Lunch at Milgrove, about 5km from Warburton
I was thinking that I was glad I did as I rode through a well sealed path with rock faces on either side of me – a cutting previously used only by railway...wondered what it would have been like on the train – just whipping by...not even noticing...the birds or a view of the houses down the hill through the trees.
When the peace of the trail ended and we headed for the bustle of old Warburton town it was like coming in from a wild adventure out West...
Seville old railway siding now green and smooth path – well used today...interesting how usually associate with dry ground, noisy engines and rusty rails. Now green, peacefully quiet with birds chirping. Regenerated...
Robert and Jana accompanied the less fit brigade (Neil & Wendy) by doing half the trail...the more adventurous and took the full trail and we arranged to meet them in hotel car park at Launching Place.
Careful tutelage of Jana and Robert...behind me while I developed a feel for a borrowed canary yellow recumbent I was...aware of the view of the mountains that seemed very close but new bike...getting the feel... Impressed with Scott & John on chopper style bike (see pic) zooming along.
Warburton pretty location set deep into the hills. Coffee at a local café in the main street and ability of recumbents to...draw a crowd of onlookers eager to ask questions...
Getting ready for cappuccino at Warburton
On way out another onlooker talking about his dad’s involvement with building...there’s always someone popping out of the woodwork...
When packing up the bikes at the end of the trip, met another couple who were looking for a bike they could enjoy together...recumbent tandems...Kindly offered John a rowing bicycle.
From beautiful Warburton on the way down to Launching Place
Finished the day with falafels at the Felafel Kitchen Restaurant in Elsternwick...Does pay to take a day out of busy lives that we lead to commune with nature, chat to others and get some exercise at the same time.