Bicycles are showing up everywhere in Melbourne, whether you've bought a new Reid bike for $300, you've assembled one at Ceres for a sultry 40, or you've ordered a pale yellow vintage single-speed bicycle online for $1000. Maybe it's because cars are too expensive, too unhealthy for the hyacinth flowers that line Royal Park, or just maybe because they're so goddamn pretty. Or maybe it's because Melbourne's the perfect place for bikes with bike trails lining Melbourne's beautiful inner city.
Photograph by David Iliff (Wikimedia Commons)
The Capital Hill Bike Trail goes in a 30km loop that's shielded from cars. You can get on it by looking out for black signs that are marked by a drawing of a white bicycle wheel and the sign 'Capital Hill'. It takes you through Melbourne's inner city, across Carlton into Collingwood and Abbotsford, Richmond, and eventually into the city. Highlights include the Collingwood Children's Farm where you can grab some coffee and cake and check out the pigs, and even milk the cow if you're there on time. Right next to the farm is the Abbotsford Covenant which has Lentils as Anything, and a bakery and cafe.
As an additional bonus, on every last Saturday of the month, they have a market with local produce such as organic honey, potatoes, and even freshly baked apple strudels, so bring a calico bag. There's a rock-climbing wall too in Richmond for all you cheeky monkeys.
At some stages, you are surrounded in lush greenery, with the Yarra or the Merri Creek rushing just half a meter beside you. Don't worry though, it's mainly flat. And if you get too tired, you can just catch a train back with the track stopping at many train stations. But don't forget your helmets otherwise those redcoats will get you.
