Yep. The 1956 Olympic Road Race was routed through Greenvale. Quite a chunk of it. There was even a landmark named ‘Greenvale Corner’ on the maps. Taking a guess from the old maps, it’s on the east side of Mickleham Road, opposite Providence Road.
I was inspired to have a crack at this ride after coming across an article on Cycling Tips several years ago (https://cyclingtips.com/2013/12/riding-through-history-the-1956-olympic-road-race/ ). It’s amazing having history in our own backyard; and apparently, the area received sealed roads as a result of hosting the event. Some may say, but only the cynics, that Somerton Road hasn’t been upgraded since. Well, this year, in the year probably to be known as ‘The Year of COVID’, I finally took the plunge. I figured that with the roads being quieter due to soft lockdowns, it couldn’t be a safer time to brave Somerton Road on a bike, even with a 37 kmh southwesterly blowing!
The modern take on this ride is basically a square. Pascoe Vale Rd, Somerton Rd, Mickleham Rd and Broadmeadows Rd. A course covering 17.5 kms as I measured it, routed through or skirting the boundaries of Broadmeadows, Meadow Heights, Roxburgh Park, Attwood, Westmeadows, Gladstone Park, Jacana and of course, Greenvale. The official course was 187 kms, therefore 11 laps of a 17 km course. With some local knowledge, I rode as close as possible to what I estimate to be the original, which takes in the modern day sleepier local streets of Ardlie St Attwood and Raleigh and Johnstone St, Westmeadows.
Back in ’56, this would have been the route to Melbourne through old Broady town. It would appear that Mickelham Rd did not extend from Attwood to Gladstone Park as it does today. In fact, the course would have ensured it stayed on the north side of Moonee Ponds creek. It was natural barrier to transportation. Hard to imagine now. Somewhere in that modern day twist, the course has become half a km longer. This must have explained my time!
The 5 kms down Mickleham Rd and into Ardlie street is a blast. Those that have read my previous posts on Mickleham Rd understand that I describe it as the dipper section of a rollercoaster. In ’56, road surface aside, the curve heading into old Broady town must have magnificent and the left turn as you hit the Westy pub must have been the equivalent of sliding into the lift area at the bottom of a ski run. You could imagine that with 88 riders of Olympic standard congregating together in the early laps of the race, this corner would have been rather hairy. Add to that, the technology of the bikes. The bikes that they were competing on would make my machine of today appear like the space shuttle.
The next 8 kms is almost a steady climb through Westmeadows and up Pasco Vale Rd to Somerton Rd. I say almost, because Broadmeadows Rd heading into modern day Broadmeadows has a spiteful 12% gradient climb, which wouldn’t have been pleasant the upteenth around. I was aided in part by that southwesterly, but on a hot day as it apparently was, there must have been some colorful international language thrown about.
Pascoe Vale is quite a pleasant ride with a wide cycling lane, even with cars streaming by at 80 km/h. Somerton Rd though, is a bit of a bitch. A speed limit of 70 km/h which isn’t well adhered to, loose gravel shoulders, disrespectful motorists and a couple of lumps, the last rising from below Greenvale Reservoir reaching 12.5%. Its a 4 km stretch I was glad to have behind me. The wind not helping on this side of the route.
I finished the course where I started, on the corner of Mickleham and Somerton Rd. An experience to treasure and with a different perspective on these lumps of bitumen, concrete, potholes and gravel which we drive daily. As a single lap, it is quite short with only 185 meters of elevation. As an event, it would have had a bit of everything and across multiple laps it would have been a test of endurance. Easy to picture why only half the field completed the race.
If you haven’t already, check out the article. It’s a great read. Full of drama, politics and you sense that bit of Australian “she’ll be right mate!” poke through.
Enjoy!