The weather's fine and now's the time to get active. When's the last time you rode a bike? For some, their bike is like their best friend. For others, they haven't hopped on one since their childhood days.
I'm somewhere in between. I bought a shiny, new red bike recently, but haven't yet clocked up enough kilometres to make it eligible for its first free service. Still, it is a shiny, new red bike! Lovely to look at. And it is a heap of fun when I do get on.
We're lucky enough to live in a state that takes its cycling pretty seriously, and offers a fabulous network of bike trails meandering in every direction. Don't have a bike and don't want to invest in one? That's okay. You can
hire one at any number of bike shops.
So, where to ride? If you haven't done it for a while, practising and building up your stamina around the local neighbourhood first, with a safety helmet of course, might be an idea. Then, when you're ready, it's time to start exploring – whether in the city or country.
Whether you prefer a ride by the beautiful bay, on the outskirts of the CBD, or along a creek or river, whether the Maribyrnong or a 35-kilometre trail along the Yarra, the
Melbourne Metro Trail Network has it pretty much covered.
Further afield, hopping on a
rail trail is the way to go. These shared-use pathways were once railway corridors. They link country towns and offer up some of our most spectacular scenery – great for distracting you from those searing muscles as you ride up a hill. Here's some
more information about rail trials.
If you're really keen, you might like to join a designated bike tour for some fun adventures with lots of other enthusiasts. Here are some
great rides.
It doesn't really matter how you do it. As long as you get out there and do it.
