COTA (Council on the Aging)cycling group
Seniors Bike rides in 2017
We ride each Wednesdayof the month.
The 1st and 3rd Wednesday rides are short (20- 30km) to encourage less experienced riders to join us and the route is mostly chosen on the day. The 2nd and 4th Wednesday rides are longer (50- 60km), more challenging and for experienced riders. Rides on the 5th Wednesday are generally longer.
We generally meet at 10am at the ‘Place to meet’ (see below). A coffee stop is found midmorning. We take our own lunch and picnic together on the long rides. Riders are welcome to join the ride along the way or cut the ride short at any point.
If the temperature is 30°C or above on the day, the long rides will be cut short.
If a ride is to be altered from the published program, including cancelling the ride, you will be notified by e-mail before 8pm the night before. Please check your e-mail on Tuesday evening after 8pm.
All riders are required to register with COTA and accept the group riding conditions—go to: . We also recommend that riders consider joining Bicycle Victoria for the insurance and service they offer.
Please contact Richard Hawkey by e-mail r on 0428 329 450 to discuss details.
Date / Place to meet / Description / GradeJuly 5th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
July 12th / Hopper’s Crossing Station. Werribee line train leaves FS at 9:21am, arr. HC at 9:58 / Skeleton Creek and Werribee River Circuit. Coffee at HC then ride up Skeleton Creek and Werribee River Trail circuit to Werribee Mansion for lunch (BYO). Back on the train at Werribee or HC or ride back to the city. Richard to lead. 40-60kms / Easy
July 19th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
July 26th / Southbank Footbridge / Eastern Trails. Up the Main Yarra Trail to Gardiners Creek and Scotchman’s Creek trails to Jells Park for lunch.Then up Dandenong Creek to Heatherdale Station, or continue along the rail trail to Blackburn. Peter and Joan to lead / Medium
No gravel Suitable for road bikes
Aug 2nd / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Aug 9th / Modialloc Station. Frankston line train leaves FS at 9:14 arr Mordialloc at 9:56 / Peninsula Link Trail. Quick coffee in Mordialloc then ride the Long Beach trail to Patterson River. Then the Peninsula Link Trail to Baxter Park for lunch (BYO). Return along Peninsula Link Trail to Frankston Trail to Frankston Station. ~50km Tricia to lead / Medium
Aug 16th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Aug 23rd / Cathy Mead to lead this ride. She will provide details closer to the date as she is currently cycling in Germany.
Aug 30th / Seaford Station. Frankston train to Seaford leaves FS at 9.14 arrives Seaford 10.11 / Seaford to City. Quick coffee in Seaford. Ride next to Seaford wetlands and then either along the Patterson River and the bike trail (not sealed) or along Wells Road, to Mordialloc and then Bay Trail to City. Lunch along the way. Bail outs are Mordialloc, Parkdale, Sandringham train stations. Sylvia to lead. 50+kms / Easy
Gravel sections but OK for road bikes
Sept 6th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride to Rosstown Heritage Rail Trail via Bay Trail and Elsternwick Canal. Alan Brown to lead / Easy
Sept 13th / Cathy Mead to lead this ride. She will provide details closer to the date as she is currently cycling in Germany.
Sept 20th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Sept 27th / Mitcham Station
Belgrave line train leaves FS 9:26, arrives 9:55 / Westerfolds Park Ride. Meet at Mitcham Station. Ride north to Park Street and Mullum Mullum Creek to the Main Yarra Trail and Westerfolds Park for lunch. Then continue down the Main Yarra Trail back to Southbank. Peter and Joan to lead. / Medium
Some gravel but suitable for road bikes
Oct 4th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Oct 11th / East Camber-well station. Belgrave line train dep FS 9.31, arr 9.48 / Head for the Hills. Ann. Trail and streets N to start of Koonung Trail. E on Koonung, Mullum-Mullum (pass Ringwood Lake), Heathmont, Dandenong Ck, Mountain Highway Trails to The Basin. Down Forest Rd (bikelane) to Ferntree Gully station. ~45 km. Train return from here or ride further down the rail trail. Les to lead / Hard— climbs to Mitcham & Basin
Oct 18th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Oct 25th / Diamond Creek Station. Hurstbridge line train leaves FS at 9.14,arrives DC at 10.11. / Diamond Creek to the city along the Main Yarra Trail. Coffee at Eltham. BYO lunch to eat somewhere along the way. Bail outs for this ride are Heidelberg, Fairfield, Clifton Hill stations. Sylvia to lead. 50+kms. / Easy
Suitable for road bikes
Nov 1st / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Nov 8th / Rushall station. South Morang line train dep FS 9.28, Arr 9.50 / Northern Creeks and Streets. Up Merrie Creek (coffee at Coburg) to Broadhurst Ave exit. Wilson Bvd, Edgars Rd, Victoria St to Whittlesea Gardens. Hume Trail to Epping Nth. Streets E to top of Darebin Creek Trail (now sealed for whole length). Down Trail to Reservoir, finishing at Reservoir station (~50 km). Les to lead / Easy
Suitable for road bikes
Nov 15th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Nov 22nd / Lilydale Station
Lilydale line train leaves FS 8:45am, arr. 9:37am / Lilydale to Woori Yallockand return. Stop at Mt Evelyn for coffee after the first hill. Lunch along the way so BYO. Don to lead. 46km. / Hard. Gravel
Nov 29th / Southbank footbridge / Extra Xmas Lunch Ride. Ride along Main Yarra Trail to Gardiners Creek and Scotchman’s Creek trails to Holmesglen Institute for their Xmas lunch special ($40) prepared and served by their hospitality students (25km). Return ride to Southbank or ride on to Glen Waverley Station for train home. Judy to lead. Let Sue know if you will be staying for lunch. / Easy
Suitable for road bikes
Dec 6th / Southbank footbridge / Short ride
Dec 13th / Southbank Footbridge / Ride Bay Trail to Hampton (coffee). Streets E to Karkarook Park. Dingley, Dandenong Bypass trails and Eastlink to Yarraman station. Train return. ~45 km. Les to lead / Easy
Dec 21st / Southbank footbridge / Short ride and Xmas Lunch