Members of the Old Paradians’ Premiership winning team, together with fathers, sons and former students of Parade, were amongst the cyclists who completed the OPA’s Annual Alphington-Bundoora Bike Ride on Sunday.

The 16-kilometre ride, which began in the foothills of the old Flowerdale campus and ended on Parade Drive at Parade College Bundoora, coincide with the latter’s well-patronised Open Day.

The leisurely ride, which took in the idyllic surrounds of the Darebin Creek trail, ended at the Grevillea Pavilion where John Abrahams (1982) was waiting with barbecued sausages and thirst-quenching drinks.

Also at the finish line was OPA President Lewis Derrico (who had earlier served as marshal) and OPAFC President Mike Jolley, nursing the 2015 Percy Matthews Trophy earned by the players in last year’s D-Section Reserve Grand Final.

A number of Old Paradians attending Open Day also made a point of the Grevillea Pavilion meet and greet, including 1977 Parade College Captain and 1980 Stawell gift winner John Dinan and his family.

1969 College Captain Phil Carter, who also officiated as marshal, believed that the Alphington-Bundoora Bike Ride would attracted more cyclists as its reputation grew - particularly given this was the first yearly event convened by the Association in its hectic social calendar.

“The area where the ride was staged is a beautiful place, with the creek and the lovely trees – and the course itself is manageable, it’s not uphill and down dale,” Phil said.

“The College also looked really good and the weather was exceptional, so I’ve no doubt the bike ride has the potential to be something really good.”

Those who completed the bike ride are as follows: Carlo De Bolfo, Nathan Fraser, Peter Gilmartin, Wayne and William Grogan, Damian Hannam, Michael and Joshua Jackson, Anthony Jolley, Daniel McKenna, Dino Rebellato, Paul Schofield, Chris Shepherd and Asheet Tak.

The OPA committee acknowledges the efforts of John Abrahams, Mirella Busso-Lee and members of the Old Paradians’ Association Amateur Football Club in ensuring the success of the ride.