Eventually John & I got underway along the bike path and John set a cracking pace of 26 – 29kph which had me huffing and puffing a little as I’d done a tough ride on Saturday and this was supposed to be my `Recovery’ ride. We met up with Graeme and his friend Gary, at Pier St., Altona. As we were chatting, who should walk up but Mary. When asked why she wasn’t joining us, she sheepishly admitted to having had a big night out on Saturday with her workplace Xmas party. Mary and her partner took out the `best couple on the floor’ title for their dancing and she was still quite chuffed with herself, despite being a little the worse for wear.

After some consultation we decided that the fjord would be under water from the previous night’s rain, so we cut up the western side of the old racecourse and over the rail line. It was here that John had another unfortunate incident, as when we went to cross the rail line, Graeme decided not to ride through a very muddy spot and spent a little time looking for a dry patch to get across. Gary was in the lead with John close behind when I looked back and saw that we had left Graeme a fair way behind. I called out to the others and Gary stopped immediately. John went `smack’ right into the back of him then flew over his handlebars and into the grass at the side. Fortunately the only damage was a scrapped knee, and John was very brave about continuing to ride with it. The rest of the ride was smooth and pleasant. Gary added some great stories to the conversation as he has lived around Williamstown all his life and told of riding his father’s horses down to the beach as a boy. He was able to describe all the changes that have occurred along the foreshore during his lifetime. Graeme took us down to see the `lava blister’ at Point Gellibrand, something I’d never seen before. As we came into Williamstown proper, Gary took us to this fascinating place… The local morgue, built in 1859 from bluestone hewn by convict labour. Graeme was keen to get inside!

From the morgue we hurried on to Commonwealth Park, where we found the markets in full swing and the boys had fun deciding what produce to buy, while I found some Christmas presents to put into my panniers.

We met up with Dianne Sommerville and Gary’s wife Judy at the park and enjoyed the sunshine and people watching before finally heading back home. The wind was kind to us on the way back, more southerly than westerly so once again we scooted along at a decent pace. I enjoyed myself thoroughly with `the boys’, they are great company and I’m envious of those who are able to ride with the Pelican Peddlers on weekdays.

We almost called it off as clouds lowered and rain scattered briefly across the yard, however the thought that we had a new friend waiting spurred us on. John, Jen, Mary & I met up with Peter Tamarua who joined us for the morning. We all enjoyed chatting with him along the way. We picked up Deb at Williamstown and nearly lost John & Peter as they had ridden ahead and forgot to check where their ride leader was! We reached our destination by 10:45am. Peter needed to head back a little earlier than the rest of us, so he turned back immediately when we reached Pipemakers park.

The ride out was pleasant, although the wind picked up a little after 10, and had us feeling that we had had a decent workout by the time we got to our destination. There was plenty to comment on as we rode, with the greening up of all the parks being the most obvious result of the good rains we have been getting. There are numerous birds around and the numbers of black swans seem to be on the increase.

I had wanted to ride out to Pipemakers Park as I had heard that there was a local historical society & museum out there, and I wasn’t disappointed. While the rest of the group settled down at a table and bench outside to eat their morning tea, I had an informative chat with the man inside the Historical centre. I had wanted to know about the origins of the name of Skeleton Creek and he informed me that it was from bones found there belonging to local Koori people. He also told me there are remnant eel & fish traps along there if you know what to look for. I was given instructions on how to find out more and I left feeling the effort to get out there was worth it.

Riding home we had a wonderful tail wind and sped along, although we noticed the numbers of pedestrians, babies in prams and dogs had increased significantly by the time we turned homeward. There were plenty of other cyclists about and noticeably large groups, some sporting club shirts like us. Overall, all path users we encountered were friendly and civil about sharing the path.

We dropped Deb off in Williamstown and returned Mary & Jen safely to Altona, by 1pm. Thanks to all who came along, it was great to meet up again.

Our next road ride will be on the 17th of August, departing Werribee for the You Yangs.