May 2006
There are 98 photos in this set, all except one were taken over several days in May 2006. It shows my regular commuting route, which you can follow on Bikely.
Most of the route follows off-road paths (the Gardiners Creek and Yarra Trails) before joining Swanston St at Federation Square and heading north.
Update 2008
As of early 2008, this is no longer exactly the route I take. I travel by road to Glenferrie Rd, where I join the trail at the suspended pathway. And at the city end, I don’t normally travel the full length of Swanston St—I usually turn left at Collins St (near the Town Hall) and go north along Elizabeth St.
I hope to make another photo set to show my new route.
East Malvern
Here’s a good warm-up: the ride really gets started on the East Malvern railway overpass.
Slow Up
I’ve never had any trouble following this direction printed on the upward ramp on the bridge…
First water jump
Travelling under protective cover—some of those golf balls can go a bit stray!
Dunlop St
Traffic lights here help break up the morning rush of mums in urban assault vehicles.
Dorothy Laver Reserve
The duck pond ensures there are always plenty of waterbirds around here (umm…except this morning!)
Dorothy Laver Reserve
This stretch of path has since been resurfaced—and it looks like it needed it!
Brixton Rise
A short stretch along a quiet cul-de-sac—I reckon more bikes than cars use this street.
Exit Nettleton Park
Sweeping blind left-hander onto the bridge into Glenburn Bend Park.
There’s a motorway just over there…
You’d never know it, but the South Eastern Linear Carpark is just over there on the left.
The Tooronga Wasteland
A.K.A. Burke Rd South Reserve. Why is there always a head-wind here?
Graffitti close-up
Here’s a tip: objects in the viewfinder are closer than they appear…
Patterson Reserve
Welcome to the swooping birds zone (for a few weeks in spring, at least).
Under Glenferrie Rd
…and under. Note the floodwater debris in the railing to the right.
Under the South Eastern Linear Carpark
More floodwater debris—yes, that is well above head height!
Suspended Pathway
Strung underneath the motorway and over Gardiners Ck—shade from the sun, shelter from the rain, smoother than a velodrome. Noice.
Yarra Trail under reconstruction
We spent a few months riding on the Boulevard while the trail was under reconstruction.
End of the Boulevard
Looking back at where I’ve just come from and returning to the trail at the end of the construction zone.
Under MacRobertson’s Bridge
Pelting down the hill to pick up speed for the upward slope on the other side.
Descent to Burnley Harbour
Hurtle down the hill but be prepared to stop at the boom gate (usually when you’re running late!)
Floating Pathway
You can’t get much closer to the water than this—right down on the pontoon pathway.
Church St Ramp
Before it was covered in a non-slip coating this ramp was really slippery—it was easily the most hazardous spot on the route when wet.
Church St Bridge
Looking back from the city side—some poor buggers carry their bikes up and down those stairs!
Cremorne
Note the clear sound barrier on the right—perfect for waving to drivers stuck in traffic.
Under Swan St Bridge
You sometimes see swans mooching around under the Swan St Bridge. Who’d have thunk it?
Flinders St Station from Fed Square
OK, let’s start a tour of some Swanston St landmarks (and cycling hazards…)
RMIT University
Get the trams to ride shotgun for you here: there’s nothing like a light rail vehicle to discourage bike-blind drivers making a right turn into you.
City Baths
Possibly the worst-ever shot of the city baths, but there it is on the right.
Victoria St
Three lanes converge to a parking lane, a bike lane, and one ordinary traffic lane—so it’s heaps of fun taking off at the green light here!
Bike Lane?
I’m required to ride on this, am I? Well, if the truth be told, the rest of the road ain’t much better…
“Hey, Sports Car Dickhead!”
You can only use the bike lane for turning when there aren’t bikes already in it!
Lincoln Square
There’s no swarm of pedestrians pouring off the tram today, but use your imagination—it happens.
Grattan St
Journey’s end with the Royal Women’s Hospital on the right and the University of Melbourne coming up on the left.
Nice gallery. It looks like you have a bike path most of the way. NICE! 8D
I am insanely jealous!! OK, so about half my route is through the parklands of London — Kensington Palace Gardens, Hyde Park and Green Park — which are very beautiful and peaceful, but the other half is on roads in TRAFFIC where there is NO DESIGNATED CYCLE LANE and I have to fight to ‘take the lane’ with double-decker buses, taxis, cars, motorbikes, vans etc. and if you happen to get in the way then so be it. Your route looks wonderful! Very little agressive four-wheeled traffic to deal with!!
It’s just pure dumb luck that I’ve got a bike lane that goes almost directly from A-to-B. I don’t think that I’d go out of my way to use it—but seeing as it’s right there where I want it…
OK kimbofo, I know you’re a photographer so the ball’s in your court: don’t just tell us about your route, show!
How’d you take these pictures? I’ve been thinking about mounting a digital video camera on my handlebars and filming while riding. Kind of an amateur version of ‘worlds worst driver’ video taken from the cameras in police cars. There’s ALWAYS something that happens on every ride that I would like to add to my (future) website…
I sometimes ride on part of your trail. I have a ’short’ a ‘medium’ and a ‘long’ route to work. Short = 2.5 km door to door. Medium = 11 km. Long = 28 km.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I held the camera in my hand. The BenQ 1300 is about the size of an iPod and I just have it dangling off the wrist strap and flip it into my palm whenever I want to take a shot.
However there are plenty of handlebar or helmet mounting options (none of which I have tried yet), including:
PEDALMASHER’s helmet cam
Excellent!! I also took a few of my shots with my BenQ1300. Some of your shots have very nice differential movement artifacts - weird! great commute.
Thanks jur—coming from you, that’s high praise.
Some of my favourite weird shots are the wonky truck and tram and speeding under High St (believe me, I was not going that fast!)
Oh wow! I’ve come over from Kimbofo’s site (she’s my big sis). We now live in Cairns but I used to walk quite often into the city from Church Street via that wonderful track. So peaceful and you get a good vision of the city. Being on this photo journey was like I was riding alongside you. Well done.
One of the things that has been a pleasant surprise about doing this blog is the number of ex-Melburnians who seem to enjoy it!
Great pics Treadly, gets me keen to have a go at my commute. You are lucky to have such lovely paths to travel on. My route is also mainly on paths but they are not all sealed so nicely. I suppose the gravel adds to thrill but not particularly good on the road bike. :)
I do enjoy seeing the commute of others. Yours looks fun, expecially when you see the “car park”.
Here is my commute if your so inclined.
Heh, i was just thinking of doing something similar to this. I notice you miss out on the instant crapulence that the yarra/gardiner route becomes the second it enters Monash city instead :( Lucky thing.
love this site - BRILLIANT!!! you have inspired me to ditch the train and get on my bike!! Normally get on at Gardiner Station travelling to Southern Cross…. so perfect… can you give me a heads up on how long it would take me?! 45mins?! cheers!!
I’m really thrilled to be an inspiration to others–that was never on my mind when I first started writing here.
For Shaz riding Gardiner to Spencer St (I just can’t come at this Southern Cross rebranding!) I’d allow 45 minutes. If you ride daily you’ll probably have a spike of improvement in both strength and speed over the first few weeks before settling down to you ‘usual’ time for the ride.
One of the best things about commuting by bike is that your pace is almost completely set by how fit you are and how hard you’re prepared to push yourself.
I’ve just moved to Footscray and I work in South Melbourne. The ride in is becoming more enjoyable, as I figure out the best way to go. I’m still confused by New Quay and a touch scared of Montague St and of course the bit between Nicholson St, Footscray and the proper path on Footscray road - that big roundabout and crossing the maribyrnong. The nice flat path along Footscray road past those beautifully coloured packing containers is the best part. I am still intimidated by the amount of semi-trailer action out that way, where trucks seem to outnumber cars, but luckily a lot of people ride this route and there’s a supportive sense of camaraderie. Today, I’m riding across to Carlton and I’m still deciding on the best route, which is how I discovered this blog. Loved the travelogue and photos. Ace. Kate James
Fantastic pics! I’ll be commuting to work on a bike (road or mountain, still undecided) and will be taking the same route as you. Your pics have been extremely useful - it looks like a fairly straightforward ride into the city! Thanks!
Yeah, it’s an easy enough route (although I don’t ride that exact route these days). You need to be aware that there are some detours in place during 2008-2009 due to the Monash-CityLink-West Gate Upgrade Project.
Hi there.
I’m from Canada and had been contemplating a move to Melbourne for the last 6 months or so. I had stumbled upon your blog back around December and remember reading this post and thinking,Wow…now I really want to live in Melbourne.
Well, 6 months later I am finally here having arrived in mid May. It’s taken me 6 weeks to get settled and buy a bike and finally have time to ride and think about starting to commute. So I start looking for a commute route and find my way back to your post only to realize that I ended up renting a place right around the corner from you and working in the CBD ! So, looks like I’ll be trying out your route very soon.
Jeff.
Hey Jeff, that’s great–glad to be of service! Watch out for the detour I mentioned above and let me know how it goes.
Hi There,
Gallery looks great!Your thoughts about the detour to Great Valley Road due to the freeway extension. Started to commute to work only to find out that 3km will be closed for 12mth coz the roadworks.
Thanks