Cycling

A Saturday train ride to the country to pedal back to Melbourne. **Ride**: We catch the Southern Cross **9:15 Vline train** arriving Bacchus Marsh at **10:00** then cycle **55km to Werribee** on backroads. From Werribee, we ride on paths to Point Cook and via Altona to finish in the City at Jeff's Shed (Melbourne Exhibition Centre) **Forecast**: Partly cloudy, light chance of 0-1mm, winds becoming westerly 15-20 km/h during the morning. Max 17°C https://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/bacchus-marsh/forecast/detailed/#d2026-05-30 ( 12° when we start riding in Bacchus Marsh ) **Suits:** Upper intermediates and above. Conventional dropbar road bikes only, thanks **Speed**: 25-30 kmh typically. Faster if the tailwinds are favourable. **Map and GPX files**: [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43071692](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43071692) \* \* Route may vary on the day. All roads are sealed. **Bring**: Spare tube(s), tools, water, energy snacks, phone with my number (cellular coverage not guaranteed everywhere) & money for emergencies. Please fit and use a bright flashing tail-light. Coloured jersey / jacket advisable for safety, ie, no black tops, please. Check your bike's mechanical condition including tyres beforehand, please. **Contact**: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409 \***Photo**: Bacchus Marsh - Werribee - Aug '14 "All riders are riding at their own risk and Melbourne Cycling does not take any responsibility for any injuries or accidents you may have on any of our rides"

**🚣‍♀️Ever wanted to try dragon boating?** Join us for a beginner-friendly Saturday morning “Come & Try” session at Docklands—no experience needed. 👉 Just RSVP or message us and come along ⸻ **What to expect:** * Quick safety briefing + basic paddling tips * Join our crew for a real on-water training session * Friendly, supportive environment (perfect for beginners) * ☕ Optional coffee catch-up after ⸻ **What happens after?** If you enjoy it, you can: * Join our weekday trainings (Tues/Thurs evenings) in addition to Saturday sessions * Continue to paddle with us for 30 days free on the Dragon Pass ⸻ **What to bring:** * Comfortable clothes to exercise in * Water bottle * Sun protection * Change of clothes (you may get a little splash) 👉 We provide all equipment (paddle + life jacket) ⸻ Location: Community Hub at the Dock 912 Collin’s Street, Docklands (waterfront side) ⸻ **👊Come give it a go this Saturday!!** No experience needed—just turn up and try it. ⸻ **Can’t make Saturday?** We also train Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 6pm—just reach out and we’ll help you get started. **⸻** **Southern Storm Paddle Club** trains all year around in Docklands, weather permitting. (Rain is not an issue!) If you have any questions, please get in touch with us on Facebook, meetup or email on [southernstormpaddleclub@gmail.com](mailto:southernstormpaddleclub@gmail.com) Follow the team on Social Media @ [https://www.instagram.com/southernstormpc/ ](https://www.instagram.com/southernstormpc/)[https://www.facebook.com/southernstormpaddleclub/](https://www.facebook.com/southernstormpaddleclub/)

Join me for the premiere screening of Signatures of Earth by Robert Nugent, presented by RMIT Regenerative Futures Institute and Environmental Films Australia. The film is described as a poetic documentary journey to the far side of Australia, connecting a total solar eclipse, planetary thinking, and everyday Earth-bound encounters. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion between Dr Robert Nugent and Dr Polly Stanton. We’ll meet at 6:30pm, say hello, and head in together before the 7:00pm screening. This is a relaxed, low-pressure event, and solo attendees are very welcome. Please buy your own ticket in advance through Humanitix. A Meetup RSVP does not include entry to the film. **Who this is for** This event is good for people interested in documentary film, environmental themes, art cinema, poetic/non-fiction filmmaking, RMIT-connected cultural events, or just trying something thoughtful and different on a Friday night. No film knowledge needed — just come along with an open mind. **Links** Event / tickets: [https://events.humanitix.com/signatures-of-earth](https://events.humanitix.com/signatures-of-earth?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Meetup start point: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q2DnfyGmyV9bf1sH9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q2DnfyGmyV9bf1sH9) **Timeline** 6:30pm – Meet near the entrance/foyer and say hello 6:45pm – Head inside, check tickets, and get settled 7:00pm – Film premiere starts After the screening – Panel discussion 9:30pm – Event finishes / Meetup ends **Tickets / cost** * Please buy your own ticket in advance through Humanitix. * A Meetup RSVP does not include entry. * Tickets may sell out, so booking earlier is recommended. * Please make sure you book the correct session **Transport** Brunswick Mechanics Institute is on Sydney Road in Brunswick. Please check your own public transport or parking option before coming, especially if travelling after work. **Bring** * Your ticket / booking confirmation * Comfortable clothes for an indoor evening event * Weather-appropriate clothing for getting to and from the venue * Optional: water bottle or snack beforehand **Expect** * Film: Documentary / environmental and planetary themes * Vibe: Relaxed, thoughtful, low-pressure, solo-friendly * Group style: We’ll meet beforehand, go in together, and keep things easy **Important notes** * Please arrive on time so we can head in before the 7:00pm start. * Please buy your own ticket * If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear.

**🚴‍♂️ Eat Drink Dance Melbourne: The Great Suburban Spin‑Off (Cheeky Edition) 🚴‍♀️** **When** Friday 14 February 11:00am start . Please arrive at 10.45 am **Meet at:** Love Bar, South Wharf (next to the Skyline Ferris Wheel, opposite the Exhibition Centre) **Distance**: ~30km (plus optional coastal chaos) **Finish**:~ 2–3pm at Hughesdale Station Melbourne, it’s time to clip in, roll out, and flirt shamelessly with the middle suburbs. Join Eat Drink Dance Melbourne for a social bike ride with big personality — part scenic cruise, part snack‑hunting expedition, part rolling group chat. Zero Lycra‑snobbery, zero racing, maximum fun. **+++Ensure you read the rules at the end before joining. Registering = agreeing to them+++** **🌿 The Adventure** We launch from Love Bar (because of course we do) and glide along the river before sliding onto Swanston Street’s bike paths like a well‑oiled social machine. Then it’s up to Princes Park, onto the Capital City Trail, and across to the leafy charm of Fairfield Boathouse. **Expect**: - 30km of “I swear this is still leisurely” riding - 4–5 hours including snack‑based diplomacy - Café stops, ice‑cream stops, hydration stops, existential‑crisis stops - A pace that encourages conversation, not competition - Views that make you say “wow, Melbourne, you’re actually kinda hot” We then follow the Outer Circle Rail Trail to Hughesdale Station, where the official ride wraps up and the trains whisk you back to the city like the responsible adult you pretend to be. **🌊 Optional Coastal Extension** (For the Bold, the Beautiful, and the Mildly Delusional) If you’re still feeling spicy, you can continue from Hughesdale to Elwood Beach, then cruise the Bayside coastal path back into the city. **Perfect for**: - People who don’t melt in the heat - People who think “just a bit further” is a personality trait - People who want to brag later **✨ Vibe Check** This is classic Eat Drink Dance Melbourne energy: Playful, social, a little chaotic, and very snack‑positive. **Bring**: - A bike that won’t betray you - Water - Snacks - Bike Lock and helmet - Sunscreen - A sense of humour - Your best “I’m absolutely stopping for ice cream” attitude If you want to, you can hire a bike at l [Blue Tongue Bike Rental](https://bluetonguebikes.com.au/) just across the river from where we start. please allow 15 minutes or so to arrange this. Come roll with us, chat with strangers, and see Melbourne from angles you didn’t know existed. **⚠️ Group Rules & Event Etiquette ⚠️** These are basic, commonsense standards that keep events safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone. **👟 Fitness Requirements** Riding: 10–15 km/hr We walk/ride at a relaxed pace. Please ensure you meet the fitness level for the event. If the group is forced to wait excessively, you may be asked to leave the event. **⛹️ Pace: Too Fast or Too Slow** Small social events rely on staying together. If you prefer a very different pace, consider going solo, joining a faster/slower group, or choosing events that match your fitness. **👩‍💼 Time Constraints** If you’re on a tight schedule, this may not be the right event. Social activities rarely run exactly on time. **⚠️ CRITICAL EXPECTATIONS ⚠️** **👻 No‑Shows** No‑shows block waitlisted people from attending and disrupt small-group events. - Remove yourself at least 24 hours before the event. - No‑shows will likely be removed and blocked from the group. - Last‑minute cancellations **(“flaking”)** may also result in group removal, especially when there is a waitlist. **👀 Attending Without Being on the Going List** This is a security issue. **Do NOT turn up unannounced**. If you’re not on the Going list and haven’t arranged it with the organiser beforehand, you will be asked to leave. Event check‑ins are performed. **⏰ Late Arrivals** If you’re late, the group will not wait. - You may be marked as a No‑Show and removed from the group. - It’s your responsibility to communicate and catch up—this may not be possible for some events. **🎲 Second Chances** If something goes wrong, communicate with the organiser. Silence + poor behaviour = removal. Communication + accountability = second chances. As the organiser is busy organising this may be impossible during the event. **🚩Disclaimer: No Liability & Organiser Indemnity** By participating in this event, you acknowledge and accept full personal responsibility for your own safety, wellbeing, and belongings. The organiser assumes no liability for injury, loss, or damage incurred during the activity. Participation is entirely at your own risk.

**Please note the starting place is at The Atrium** **Ride**: An afternoon social ride on the paths that comprise the 30km Capital City Trail around Melbourne. Coffee stop at Studley Park Boathouse. *We will be back in town by before 4pm but you can head off home anywhere, of course.* **Sunday forecast**: Melbourne area - 15°C Shower or two (0 - 1mm for the day). Winds west to northwesterly. Check the link for more details closer to the day: http://reg.bom.gov.au/places/vic/melbourne/forecast/detailed/#d2026-05-31 **Bike**: Any mechanically sound bicycle. Please pump your tyres to firm pressures beforehand as soft tyres could make you struggle. **Speed**: 18 - 22 kmh max (easy) **Distance**: \~30 km (coffee after 15km) **Route**: Depart the Atrium to Main Yarra Trail and cross to the southern side soon after. Coffee stop at Studley Park (outdoor bakery cafe) after 14km then continue cycling onto Merri Ck Trail through to Rushall, Park St path, Flemington Bridge, Moonee Ponds Trail to Jeff's Shed (Melbourne Exhibition Centre). https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46981876 \* \*Actual route may vary on the day **Bring**: * Spray jacket, water, tube, tools, your phone with my number in your contacts * Emergency Contact Details \* (See below) **Contact**: Neil Griffiths - 0419 560 409 *Texting or calling me on the day is preferred as I may miss Meetup messages while I'm cycling* **Photo**: Underneath Swan St Bridge - Aug '25 **\*EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS** : *Please have these on you in case of a medical emergency. ie Family member's name, phone number and relationship (eg, Sister). Preferably written down and with any personal items that you carry so it can be found by emergency personnel attending. Just in case.* "*All riders are riding at their own risk and Melbourne Cycling does not take any responsibility for any injuries or accidents you may have on any of our rides"*

Starting from 'Friends of Mine' cafe in Burnley, we walk along the Yarra Trail for a short 6.6km walk to the Molly Rose Brewery for some lunch. If you like a morning coffee, arrive earlier to grab a coffee ***before*** the meeting time. We meet at 10:20am for a 10:30am start. If you arrive late or you're waiting for your coffee order, you can catch up on the trail or meet at the destination. We leave on time to ensure we get to the venue as it opens at 12pm. Winter hiking season starts very soon. If you're new to the group, come along and meet some of the regular hikers and suggest your favorite hiking locations for the coming months. The pace will be a moderate pace (\~5.5km/h). We will not be stopping often to regroup. I will pause at the turns to help ensure no one misses them. **By attending, you agree to match the pace and stay in sight of the group or be comfortable navigating your own way to the destination.** With the variability of this kind of event I will book a best guess close to the event and we will find extra tables or seats on the day if needed. We arrive just as the venue opens. **This is a one way hike and you make your own way home.** It's recommended you take public transport. The finish location is a short walk from Victoria Park train station, or to nearby 86 trams on Smith St. By attending, you agree to drink responsibly and take public transport if you're drinking. **What to bring:** * Water bottle * Appropriate clothing if it's windy or possibility of rain * Hats/Sunglasses/Sun protection if it's sunny **MEETING LOCATION** Friends of Mine Cafe https://maps.app.goo.gl/VLwPK9HXLkB4E8o78 Tap on the map below to get the pin location for the exact meeting spot. **LIABILITY WAVER** The organiser of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury or accidents to participants or their property on this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. By joining this event you agree to these terms.

**Fairfield Park – Main Yarra Trail** This week we return to the popular **Main Yarra Trail** and walk the trail from **Fairfield Park Boathouse** along the riverbanks to Abbotsford Convent and return. We’ll walk past Dights Falls and watch the slalom kayaks tackle the river rapids. At the halfway point, we’ll stop for coffee at The Convent Café, a delightful outdoor café in the gardens. **Start:** Fairfield Park Boathouse – car park. Meet at the toilet block adjacent to the carpark. **Start time:** 9.00 AM **Parking:** If above carpark is full park in Additional Carpark in **Yarra Bend Rd** (Polytechnic). Parking is FREE on Sunday. If parking here, allow 5 minutes to walk back to the START. **The Walk**: The walk follows the Merri Creek to Dights Falls, then the Yarra River around to the Children’s Farm, where we’ll have coffee at the Abbotsford Convent. The return to our cars will be back along the same Trail. **Total distance**: 6.0 km. (approx.) **Time:** Allow 2.0 hours for the walk, plus half hour for coffee. Total 2.5 hours. **Difficulty:** Easy **Toilets:** At the start, plus halfway at the Convent café. **Coffee:** Abbotsford Convent café.

Start point: WE HAVE A NEW CAFE! **Truffles Patisserie** **192/194 Carlisle St, St Kilda, 3182** It's at the corner of Carlisle and Chapel St's. End point: Who knows? Distance: Approx 4 to 6km (each way) Estimated time: 60 to 90 minutes (stopping and starting).

**Weather permitting**, we’ll take a casual ride from Pickerington Ponds (Glacier Knoll) to Three Creeks and back. Distance is **18–25 miles**, depending on where we turn around and whether we add a side loop. Pace is around **12 mph**, but this is a fun, no‑drop ride — we can slow down as needed. Here’s the **map** showing Glacier Knoll (bike), Confluence Park (flag), and BrewDog: [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit..](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit..). Text or call Scott at **614‑975‑4458** if you’re coming. Columbus ski club membership not required for this event. CSC assumes no responsibility for the event or any injuries as this is organized by a third party.

BIKE RIDE TO SUNBURY Dust off your bikes, pump up your tires, and get out and ride. • When: Saturday, May 30, 10AM • Where: Leaving from the Westerville Library, 126 S. State Street, 43081 ◦ Meet at East side of parking lot by the playground. Trip Itentiary • 20 miles round trip • Ride to Sunbury, stop for lunch (Location TBD), then ride back to the Westerville Library • All skill levels welcome Contact: Therese Butz (614-561-1976), Art Kahn (614-370-5246) Columbus Ski Club membership not required for this event. CSC assumes no responsibility for the event or any injuries as this is organized by a third party.

**Weather permitting**, we’ll take a casual ride from Pickerington Ponds (Glacier Knoll) to Three Creeks and back. Distance is **18–25 miles**, depending on where we turn around and whether we add a side loop. Pace is around **12 mph**, but this is a fun, no‑drop ride — we can slow down as needed. Here’s the **map** showing Glacier Knoll (bike), Confluence Park (flag), and BrewDog: [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit..](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit..). Text or call Scott at **614‑975‑4458** if you’re coming. Columbus ski club membership not required for this event. CSC assumes no responsibility for the event or any injuries as this is organized by a third party.

Discover practical ways homeowners can expand tree canopy on their own properties and advocate for stronger tree coverage in their communities. Come learn how important trees are, even in our own yards, for helping with climate change by absorbing carbon and reducing heat, providing habitat for wildlife, and improving the health and wellbeing of our communities through cleaner air, shade, and more comfortable places to live. **Presenter** Todd Fleishans is a local consulting arborist with more than twenty years of experience. His credentials include ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Urban Forestry Arborist, Certified Tree Safety Professional, and Registered Consulting Arborist. He works with residential, commercial, and municipal clients, providing expertise in tree identification, health, risk assessment, and valuation. **Evening's Agenda** This meeting has the option to either attend in-person at the Bloomfield Township Library at 1099 Lone Pine Rd, Bloomfield Township, MI 48302 in Meeting Room 2 or online via Zoom. For those attending in-person, there will be a meet-n-greet before the presentation - see the agenda below for details. * 6:30 pm – Doors open for a meet and greet with members, supporters, and the local Sierra Club Executive Committee * 7:00 pm – Introductions and presentation begin (remote participants should join at this time) * 8:00 pm – Question-and-answer session begins **About SEMG Monthly Meetings & Presentations:** The Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group (SEMG) offers free presentations during its monthly first-Thursday meetings at 7 pm. Meetings are held via Zoom or in person, begin with brief announcements, and feature an hour-long presentation with Q&A. All are welcome.

Short North Street Skates return Saturday, April 4 and we’re excited to get back rolling together. These weekly rollouts are a chance to move through the city as a group, build community, and create more visibility for skating and small-wheeled movement in Columbus. Details: Meet: 1160 N High St 9:30 AM meet 10:00 AM rollout All wheels welcome We’ll be skating through the Short North and surrounding areas at a steady, social pace. Routes will use a mix of streets and bike lanes, so comfort navigating the city is helpful, but you don’t need to be an expert. If you’ve been meaning to come out, this is a great place to start. Come solo or bring a friend!