Southern Cross - Organ Pipes - Sunbury, 53 kms, Beginners

Everybody's welcome! Non MBTC members need to join club by the fourth ride with us, ask us how!
An easy ride, on this balmy weather, aimed to leisure cyclists mostly on bike paths and quiet suburban streets.
Leaving Southern Cross station we'll get on the recently opened Dixon Veloway over Foostcray road, then we'll take the Maribyrnong bike trail that deliver us to the Steely Creek trail, then on to the Taylors Creek trail.
Following this, we get for a couple of kilometres into the busy Calder Highway to arrive to the Organ Pipes National Park, we may need to lock our bikes, then walk to see the rock formations.
Continuing on we'll deviate for a couple of k's to check the site of the Sunbury Festival held here in the mid-70's, there is also a commemorative plaque in honour of Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs.
Trains from Sunbury station every 40 minutes or so.
In the event of extreme temperature, over 30 deg C, we'll ABANDON the ride and look for a rail station to go back home!
Please bring your own food, drinks and plenty of water for the day.
Ride end time is a guesstimate only.
Check route here (give or take a couple of wrong turns): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53649754
Early lunch at the 24 k mark, at Keilor Village, many choices.
The route is 100% sealed, and the terrain is pretty easy to navigate with no climbs.
So bring your, in good condition, bike, we suggest 32+ mm tires.
We'll keep a steady pace, stopping often to regroup.
No one left behind policy applies, but you need to keep yourself properly fueled and hydrated through the ride.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This is to be completed when you RSVP and can be found at:
www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning front & tail light, spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, etc.
Suncream; sunglasses; lip balm; hat brim; etc.

Check your app for any changes the day before a the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you can not make it to the ride, please change your RSVP to 'NO' at your earliest opportunity.

When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law. I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.