Collingwood Farm/Capital City trail to CBD QUICKLY

[smokyjoe]

Hey all, very novice rider here. Apart from riding to the train station and back sporadically, I haven't ridden a bike much since I was a kid. Yesterday I did my first commute into work, from Diamond Creek on a $500 Reid commuter. Bit sore and stiff today, but otherwise ok.

Anyway, I'd prefer to avoid roads, or at least major ones, so I followed the diamond creek trail to the Main Yarra Trail, then the capital city trail. I was dismayed to realise once I got to Collingwood that I still had around 15kms to go. The city looked tantalisingly close!

Obviously following the capital city trail from Collingwood is not a direct route, so I'm hoping someone can suggest me a better one. As mentioned, I'd prefer to avoid roads if I can, but I'm ok with quieter streets.

Any suggestions on how to get into the CBD (Collins/Queen if it matters) from around the childrens farm, or the infamous steps, in a more direct route?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this.....

[P!N20]

There's plenty of options, but why not take Nicholson St south through Abbotsford, then right at Elizabeth St to cross Hoddle St then continue up Albert St to the CBD? Albert St has it's lights timed for cyclists, too.

[nemo57]

No need to go as far as Collingwood.
Assuming you're coming west on main Yarra trail from e.g. Bulleen direction ...
When you get to Kew roadworks go under the Chandler Hwy on the new bike bridge, up the first hill a few hundred metres (on path next to Kew Boulevard) then right on steep path, down to & cross pipe bridge, make your way across Yarra Bend Park to NW corner, cross Merri Creek and hook back onto Merri Creek trail going initially north-west.
This takes you to Rushall station. Cross underneath the station and head west: you're on the linear path that follows the old inner circle railway. A few pedestrian road crossings follow, and at Princes Park take path up to Royal Parade, turn south with plenty of two-wheeled company and you're a couple of K from the CBD.
(Some of this can be straightened out a bit - e.g. go north on Chandler Hwy at Kew, west on Heidelberg Rd, west on Westgarth St to come up the other side of Rushall station, but depends how little you want to hit roads)

[Mozziediver]

Definitely don't need to go as far as Collingwood.
The suggested change will work well, but it's quite a hill up from the switchback.

You could also take an earlier turn off and travel along the new Darebin trail up to the reserve, taking the left turn at the top of the hill and follow the new trail along side the railway, then from Station St take the back streets close to the rail line to Clifton Hill turning south to cross Heidelberg Rd and follow the Merri Ck trail to Rushall station.
Then as suggested, follow the Inner Circle trail, either all the way to Royal Pde (Elizabeth St one up from Queen) OR alternatively turn off earlier by taking a left at Nicky St or my preference Canning St. The latter is quieter and used by lots of cyclists. There are good cyclist friendly lights to get across Alexandra Pde and Elgin street. When you reach the Gardens, left gets you to bike path on Nicholson, right gets you Rathdowne with a bike lane if that's more convenient. Either gets you to Collins.
Hope that helps.

[fat and old]

Either of the two replies that use the Merri Ck trail would be good I reckon. Nemo57's probably little less hilly for an early morning gotta get to work ride.

Diamond Ck to Collins, first ride in after so long. That's pretty darned impressive. Ride home must have been a bit of a shock compared to the ride in?

Edit: once you get some more confidence get off the MYT at the Chandler, cross over the river and go to Heidelberg Rd. Straight line to Napier St Fitzroy (quiet cyclist st), turn left the straight line to Albert St. Heidleberg Rd is actually quite good, esp past Station St Fairfield. Much more direct, all downhill.