What we’re about
We ride all over Victoria and sometimes beyond, on trips ranging from a few hours to multiple days and covering all kinds of surfaces, levels and places.
Our club has a proud fifty year history.
You can take part in three riding days (RSVP via MeetUp) before deciding to become a full member for $25 per year.
- Read more on our website: www.mbtc.org.au
- Follow us on Facebook or Instagram
What is the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club?
MBTC brings together like-minded people keen to share their experience. We’re a great club for anyone interested in exploring longer-distance bike travel, including camping and overnighters.
What is bicycle touring?
Bicycle touring (some might call it bikepacking) is all about experiencing the world on two wheels. Scenery, sightseeing and socialising are an integral part of our rides, and we love a good bakery (or cafe or market or pub).
Please be aware that everyone is riding at their own risk and the club does not take responsibility for any injuries or accidents you may have on any of our rides.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Tuesday Social ride, 46km (social, intermediate)Frankston Station, Frankston
All welcome on this Social, Intermediate ride.
Meet at Frankston Station at 8.45 for 9am roll out. We take the Peninsula Link trail and some back roads as well as a short stint on the shoulder of Nepean Hwy to Mornington Community House where we'll spend an hour or so, hearing from Nature Link enthusiasts , talking about preserving and promoting the native plants in our environment. The event is free, run by Candour Connect (Candour Funeral service), with morning tea provided.
We can visit famous Mornington Peninsula bakery 'Brendans' opposite in Wilson Rd, for lunch or byo.
We then take the same route back to FrankstonRoute:
Check out https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52462379RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day of the ride being announced. Please complete when available, 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 Meetup for any changes the day before 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 published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.
- Following the Butterman, Grade - Intermediate, 68 kms (80% sealed)Ringwood Railway Station, Ringwood
This day-tour is a riding classic from the past (the '80s even) which is now updated with a delightful shared-path trail for the first 12 km, and a new rail-trail for the last 9 kms. There will be some traffic in between but the route attempts to minimise this, and on the Saturday before Father's Day it might be somewhat quieter.
We meet in Ringwood and follow the Mullum Trail to Warrandyte to get morning coffee at The Bakery, a very nice setting. After that there is an unavoidable climbing road to Kangaroo Ground, after which it should be quieter and easier on the rolling run to Pantons Hill and Smiths Gully.
Smiths Gully Cafe in the old store is our lunch venue. Departing here we descend to St Andrews and proceed on to Buttermans Track (now sealed; wonders never cease). There is a possible winery stop at Buttermans Track Wines. This is a gorgeous rural road that takes us to top of Skyline Ridge above Yarra Glen.
Descending to Yarra Glen we have a few kilometres of nasty traffic before reaching the peace & serenity of the Yarra Ranges Rail-Trail taking us to our finish at Lilydale.
So bring your touring or road bike in good condition. Also layer up as temperatures could be low and the expected wind chill is not known at this stage.
We travel at a moderate pace, regrouping at key points. No one is left behind.
The ride route is HERE.
Some history about the Butterman:
"The road called Buttermans Track runs from Skyline Road northwest of Yarra Glen to St Andrews. It is believed to have been opened up by James McPherson who took his produce to the Caledonian gold fields*. The farmers of the district profited from a ready market for their home-made butter and milk and vegetables."
* The Caledonian goldfields were St Andrews.RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This form can be found at https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-riderESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning front & tail light, spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, etc.
Suncream; sunglasses; lip balm; hat brim; etc.
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 can not make it to the ride, please change your RSVP to 'NO' at your earliest opportunity.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.
- Ruffy weekend details to follow.Baracca Lane Cafe, Seymour
We will depart Baracca Lane Cafe 10-ish, with mild September weather to be expected we can take our time over brekky and take our time going up Hughes Creek Road.
https://www.facebook.com/BaraccaLaneSeymour/Plenty of time for lunch along the Hughes Creek Gorge.
The cost of the facilities at Ruffy is $20 per night.
You will need to bring a snack for on the road for lunch on both days.
There are no shops after departing Seymour.
There are no drinking water taps until we get to Ruffy so bring a good supply of drinking water.There are no shops at Ruffy so you will need to bring dinner but there is a proper kitchen with stove, microwave, fridge etc for preparation and dining room to sit and eat, a power point for recharging bike and phone batteries.
You will also need to bring brekky.
Also bring tent, sleeping bag, insulated inflatable mat, camp pillow, thermals, woollen socks, Tyvek outer, you're in the mountains now so it will probably be cold at night.
I will take the usual Hughes Creek Road route, although Matt is thinking of cooking up an alternative adventurous route.- Most of the weekend's cycling will be on gravel roads.
Riders need to be aware that like all gravel roads the Hughes Creek Road requires care.
It's a pretty good road as gravel roads go, however, there are some corrugations, some cattle grids to be crossed and some erosion gutters containing loose gravel that require care.
I will add a Ride with GPS route at a later date.
There is a train departing Southern Cross 7.07 am, arriving Seymour 8.24 and a Sprinter departing Southern Cross 7.16 am arriving 8.39.
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
Suitable tyres for gravel riding, at least 32"
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, basic toolsWATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. 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.
CHANGES
Check MeetUp for any changes the day before 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.
- Most of the weekend's cycling will be on gravel roads.
- Heathcote Shiraz & Rail Trail Tour - 2/3 days; 108/165 km, intermediate gradeSouthern Cross Railway Station, Docklands
This is going to be a two or three day tour to explore the Heathcote region and visit a few of its highly-regarded wineries. We will take the V/line train to Bendigo on Saturday. Accommodation will be camping at Queen Meadow Caravan Park (I shall book sites) or organise your own fixed accommodation.
We will do dinner at the pub in Heathcote on Saturday night and stay together in this nice town.
We shall all meet on Saturday at Southern Cross at 7.15 am for the Swan Hill train to Bendigo.
Some people coming for two days may prefer to drive to Bendigo, leave the car there overnight and ride back on Sunday. That will be OK by me.
Taking a later train to Bendigo on Saturday may also be an option for some, then follow the route to catch us later.The planned routes are:
Bendigo to Seymour
Wineries day-ride loop (For 3-day riders; we may not do all of this)On Saturday we shall ride along the O'Keefe Rail Trail via Axedale and Derrinal Pool to Heathcote. Sunday will be a loop ride to visit a couple of the renowned Heathcote wineries. Monday will be a backroad route to Tooborac with lunch at the Tooborac Hotel & Brewery, then a quiet road ride to Seymour for the return train to Melbourne.
RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day or two 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.
The form is now available.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
*Camping gear (tent, warm sleeping bag, sleeping matt) if you are not booking your own accommodation.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 Meetup for any changes the day before 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 only for MBTC club members. 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.
