Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club

Grade: Intermediate, 143km
MBTC Members and Guests only
2 riding days
Dep SX 0714 Sat1Apr

A chance to leave noisy Melbourne and ride quiet country roads.

Day 1 Iron and Steel - riding through undulating countryside to the site of first production of Iron and Steel in Australia, Von Guerard and Bungal Lookouts thence a newly opened cafe in a small country village. 66km (14.8 unsealed)

Day 2 Autumn Avenues - after enjoying an extra hours sleep coffee at a sustainable housing community, Begonias in the Gardens, then riding through undulating countryside and Autumn colours of The Avenue to Lambley Gardens thence along the old Gold route west of Mt Beckworth to enjoy fine food at a newly opened cafe in a small country town. 77km (22km unsealed).

2 riding days return to SX 1748 Sun 2Apr

Mix of Mostly sealed paved surface with some gravel sections, distances as above.
15kph on the flat, ride would suit a touring or gravel bike 30mm tyres as a guide. You should be confident riding in traffic and on mixed road surfaces.

Further Details on registration

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
To be completed when you RSVP. It can be found at
https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
LIGHTS
Functioning headlight that enables you to See the road ahead & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etc
WATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. When riding outside suburbia remember that carrying too much water is better than not enough as the distances between water availability may vary greatly from the planned route due to road closures or other unforeseen circumstances.
Check your app for any changes the day before a the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.

This ride is for MBTC club members only. To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership
When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law.
I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.

Midday movie, Bayside ride and dinner at the pub.
We will begin by taking in a movie at the Palace Como, South Yarra at 12pm midday.
'Of an Age', is a film with LBGTI themes as well as being a local Melbourne production.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c496BvQ0qBs
Seeing a midday movie may not be everyone’s cup of tea so you are welcome to join us for the ride at 2pm after the movie.
I hope to ignore grumbles about being time for lunch and get on the road straight after the movie because the food in South Yarra is boring and expensive.
I’d like to do lunch at House of Bread and Pastries in Brighton, but I suspect I’ll be over ruled and we’ll end up doing both lunch 1 in South Yarra and lunch 2 in Brighton.
https://www.houseofbreadandpastries.com.au/
Anyway, Chapel Street to Alma Park West, then we’ll follow the rail line to where it crosses the Nepean Hwy.
Lunch at House of Pastries then the Elwood Canal then Bayside Trail, Port Melbourne Rail Trail, Docklands then Capital City Trail to Fitzroy for dinner at the Union Club Hotel or the Rainbow if the Union is too crowded… and noisy.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42366072
That’s it, this is an easy social ride.

There are a whole selection of wineries that we rarely have the opportunity to visit, in the Pyrenee Ranges out in NW Victoria. This is a moderately-paced tour over Easter to ensure the chance to visit 2-3 wineries* each day. The land should be gold & green, with scenic blue hills, and lovely autumn weather. The towns are small and iconic with a great deal of historic charm. We will need to carry a fair bit of our supplies for meals each day as supermarkets are pretty scarce, but there are a couple of towns with supplies and Moonambel has a nice pub for dinner. The first night's camp at Elmhurst gives us a choice between a basic camping area in a lovely bush setting with toilets but no showers, or a rec. reserve camping area in town with a shower. Moonambel has great facilities for two nights.

* Non-wine-fans are still welcome as there are many good reasons to tour this region.

This is the route

As this is camping ride plan to carry all suitable gear (tent, sleeping bag, mattress etc) and carry necessary foods, snacks etc.

Note: this ride will be conducted in line with the MBTC Ride Leader Guidelines which can be found here. In particular we will be 'traveling at the pace of the slowest rider' ie. regrouping at junctions and appropriate times. We do not leave riders behind.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
Preferably it is to be completed when you RSVP, but no later than the day before the ride. It can be found at
https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etc
WATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. When riding outside suburbia remember that carrying too much water is better than not enough as the distances between water availability may vary greatly from the planned route due to road closures or other unforeseen circumstances.
Check your app for any changes the day before a the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.

This ride is for MBTC club members, or those who have not yet done 3 days riding with. To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law.
I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.

Open to financial MBTC members and anyone that intends to join our club before the night.

The library closes at 6pm so we will have someone at the door between 6:45pm and 7pm to let you in. The workshop will start at 7pm.

One of the many benefits of being a financial MBTC member is access to our Ride with GPS Club subscription.

This gives us extra route planning options, visual or audible turn by turn navigation, but most importantly is gives us our routes and maps when we are offline and in the middle of nowhere.

If you are not currently connected to the Ride with GPS club account, just post a message and I will talk you through it prior to the night.

On the night we will get our hands dirty. Here are some of the things that we will do in the club account:

• Using the club account
• How to create and save a route
• Using various map formats
• Adding POI's
• Adding/removing/changing route tags in the route library
• Editing a route and the use of control points
• Lock and unlock a route
• How to copy and edit a locked route
• To download or not to download the route & map for offline navigation?
• Locating and downloading the route in the phone app
• construct a route using a ride we have already recorded

The training and learning space has a laptop for each participant.

Here are some of the advantages of using the RWGPS Club account with offline maps & navigation:

• We've paid for it as part of our membership so lets use it!
• The club route library is at your fingertips
• Download offline maps on home wifi to save using mobile data when navigating in mobile reception areas
• We'll always know where we are on the ride as the map & route won't mysteriously vanish when we're out of mobile reception
• Look at the elevation of the terrain ahead
• Be able to check the remaining distance, and point to point distances
• If anyone decides to bail out part way into the ride we can be sure of getting back to the car or station
• If the ride leader is unwell or injured and has to abandon the ride then the ride can continue with another leader
• No more excuses for splitting the group when riders pass the ride leader and take wrong turns
• More members will be inclined to lead rides in the country with confidence
• Stop thinking and just enjoy the ride!

D1: Bairnsdale-Bruthen(34kms) D2:Bruthen-Orbost (65kms) D3: Orbost-Nowa Nowa(38kms) D4: Nowa Nowa -Bairnsdale(53kms) Total for 4 days 190kms
Day 1: Sat 22/4 Depart Southern Cross 7.54am arr. Bairnsdale 11.39am Coffee or early lunch in Bairnsdale, see famous St Mary's church painting, ride rail trail to Bruthen, dinner at pub, overnight at Bruthen camp ground (phone or message Colin[masked]) Greg Ridsdale Memorial caravan park on Tambo river $20-$25 p.p. unpowered site, camp kitchen and shared showers/toilets, also possible indoor accom at Bruthen Inn. Visit Bullant brewery for afternoon refreshment or Cottage Tea rooms for cake or Devonshire teas. Also a bakery and general store.

RwGPS route coming soon

Day2: Sun 23/4 Ride Bruthen rail trail to Orbost caravan camp ground, overnight, camp kitchen, phone[masked] unpowered tent site or maybe cabin accom. Camp ground states that there are no facilities there to re-charge e-bikes.
In Orbost, visit Sailors grave brewery, Forest gallery 2 dinner places, Orbost Club Hotel or The Orbost Club, 2 bakeries, Foodworks supermarket
Extension, early riders might want to do 15kms road ride to Marlo, could also find a spot on the banks of the Snowy River to do stealth, free self-contained camping (no facilities though) If staying at Marlo, various camp options, for you to book your own.

RwGPS route coming soon

Day 3 Mon 24/4 Orbost rail trail to Nowa Nowa. There's a general store, closes 5pm, carry food for dinner, Overnight at Nowa Nowa Caravan Park. https://nowanowacampark.com.au/ at 7 Bridge St (Hall Rd) Nowa Nowa
Stephen Stewart will take individual's bookings via email, for indoor accom, as per caravan, check website nowanowacaravanpark.com.au or will book unpowered tent sites ($27.50 each) when numbers are known. Shared showers and toilets, fully equipped camp kitchen.
Day 4: Tues (25/4) Nowa Nowa to Bairnsdale, cafe open at Mingle Waters for breakfast on Tues am. Early start leaving 7 or 7.30am Tues to arrive in Bairnsdale for the 12.50pm train to SC. Or at a slower, later pace, it's possible to get the 6pm train from Bairnsdale to SC that gets in at 10pm

RwGPS route coming soon

Will book tent sites for group when numbers are clear, or if you prefer indoor accom, then arrange your own or let us know.

Train fare SC to Bairnsdale is a paper ticket A: $39.40 each way C: $19.70
Alternatively one could drive to Bairnsdale for 3 and half hours each way, for a car-based ride.
(myself, maybe others, will book a night in Bairnsdale for Friday night, 21/4)

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day of the ride being announced. Preferably it is to be completed when you RSVP, but no later than the day before the ride. It can be found at
https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
Paper V-line ticket, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etc

WATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. When riding outside suburbia remember that carrying too much water is better than not enough as the distances between water availability may vary greatly from the planned route due to road closures or other unforeseen circumstances.

Check your app for any changes the day before a the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.

This ride is for MBTC club members, or those who have not yet done 3 days riding with us. To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law. I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.

A base-camp ride, staying in excellent group accommodation done last Queen's Birthday. It was a ride worth repeating. The King's Birthday Weekend this year.

This will be a winter long weekend tour, staying in accommodation at Avenel. We will tour some of the Goulburn Valley wineries, possibly do a loop tour to Hughes Creek, and travel along Upton Rd to Euroa. Distances will be medium, about 50-60km each day, but wine-tasting and short daylight hours may make a slightly speedier riding pace necessary.

Note: this ride will be conducted in line with the MBTC Ride Leader Guidelines which can be found here. In particular we will be 'traveling at the pace of the slowest rider' ie. regrouping at junctions and appropriate times. We do not leave riders behind.

Ride routes may be modified subject to feedback and possibilities. These are routes from 2022.
The initial route plan is here:
Saturday loop tour to Tahbilk: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39189634
Sunday loop tour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39058663
Monday loop tour: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39189935

The accommodation is still to be confirmed, but is delightful for winter. It will require a prior commitment paying monies beforehand for about 50% of the cost. I will confirm the accommodation cost later but it was about $60 per person per night last year if I recall. Most rooms are double, some are twin, all with en-suite. A HUGE living space and smallish kitchen (for 20).

Video of the weekend last year is here.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This is to be completed by the day before the ride and can be found at:
www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider, preferably when you RSVP.

Etiquette: Social pace. We wait for each other to regroup at key navigational points. No one is left behind with a puncture. On the day, if you cannot make the ride please change your RSVP. Recommend bring pump, tools, spare tube, money, phone with my number in it if we get separated, MYKI, and a bike lock. This is an accommodated tour so only light loads need be carried; extra clothing, lunch & snacks, rain gear and personal items. Check your app on the day for any changes. Do bring lights in case we get delayed.

Our club policy is that visitors may do three riding days with us before making the decision to join our club for an annual fee of $25. You can join Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club Inc. at http://www.mbtc.org.au/membership/
Benefits include other rides not listed on Meetup, special event meetings, social events, RWGPS club subscription, etc.

When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law. I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.