Mickleham Rd, north of Somerton Rd, has always been a bit of a hairy ride for cyclists.  No shoulder.  Old timers still driving it as if it’s a 100 km zone.  Ever increasing volume of trucks taking the route as the new estates develop;  but there hasn’t ever really been an alternative, other than taking the long way around by going south through Greenvale and using Aitken Boulevard .   Additionally, I never thought there was a way through to Donnybrook Rd.  This has always made me hesitant to venture that far north of Mt Ridley Rd.  How wrong I was.  Forest Red Gum Rd in Mickelham now has clear air between Mt Ridley Rd and Donnybrook Rd, thanks to the new estates at Botanical and Annandale, north of Craigieburn and Yuroke; and maybe it has for awhile – there just wasn’t a catalyst to discover this little fact, but that moment has arrived.  In less than two weeks time, the intersection of Craigieburn Rd and Mickleham Rd will be closed for two months.  Full time closed.  To all traffic.   Yes, I said all and two months.  So, I took on the challenge of avoiding Mickleham Rd, whilst cycling a return loop between Greenvale and Mickleham; and I managed to do so for all but  600 metres or so.

The loop above is a neat 40 km round trip, a lot nicer than using Mickelham Rd.  Large segments of it are dedicated bike paths or lanes through Greenvale, Craigieburn and Mickelham.  Forest Red Gum Rd has a country road feel about it and the return loop back through Oaklands Junction, largely described in this route http://thecyclingbuzz.com/2017/04/08/sailing-on-the-wind-from-mt-macedon-to-greenvale/ , is always satisfying.   The hairiest part of the ride is the Somerton Rd/Mickleham Rd roundabout.   I suspect that will be next to close.  That’ll cut Greenvale in half!!

I feel like I’ve opened open up new horizons with this find.  Access to Donnybrook Rd, using this route, adds a safety blanket to venture further out to Whittlesea and Kinglake.   Also,  a km or so west along Donnybrook Rd, as you hit Mickleham Rd,  you come across Marnong Estate winery.  Very indulgent way to break up the ride if you so wish.

Oh, and the 600 metres I couldn’t avoid was between Botanical Estate and Bardwell Drive, Mickleham.    I can’t see a way around it, but it is downhill – so can be gotten out of the way quite quickly.    Bardwell Drive is well worth it regardless.  A downhill ski run.  Absolute great fun.  I’ve only ridden up it before and surprisingly never blogged about the experience.  One to watch out for.

Who needs Mickleham Rd anyway! 🙂