East Gippy Kings Birthday ride - Intermediate - 47+50+60

A long weekend base camp ride exploring rail trails and surrounds.

*UPDATED INFO & ROUTE PLAN*
In early June the forests and rolling hills of will be lush and green. Much of the ride will be on the East Gippsland rail trail with some back roads or gravel forest roads sections.

We'll start and finish in Bairnsdale and stay two nights in Nowa Nowa.

For this winter time ride, we'll use indoor accomodation at the Mingling Waters Caravan Park where there is an excellent pub/restaurant and camp kitchen. A general store across the road has limited snacks such as chips and pies.

Preparing for the ride
You'll need to be confident riding on mixed surfaces for this ride, and be aware there are medium-level hills! : ) Strongly recommend carrying gear in panniers or bikepacking bags rather than a backpack.

Food and snacks
You'll need to carry supplies for 2 x breakfast, 2 x lunches plus snacks. For dinner you can choose to eat at the pub for one or both nights (or neither).

Other things
For Day 2 forest picnic lunch please bring plenty of warm layers for our stops along with (if you can) a camp chair or something to sit on.

Don't forget to bring plenty of easy-to-access warm layers to put on while riding when we stop to regroup or have outdoor picnics. Bring a camp chair or something to sit on if you can for the Day 2 forest ride.

It's super helpful for the organisers if you can enable notifications for your MeetUp app OR check in for messages in the week or two before the ride (thank you).

Cabin accomodation
Depending on final numbers, the plan is to have a male and female cabin. Bedding and towells are provided and there is heating.

Route plan (updated)
DAY ONE - Bairnsdale to Nowa Nowa - 47km - 450vm
Meet at Howitt's Park (just near start of the rail trail) at 12pm for a prompt pedal off. We'll have lunch at Nicholson before continuing on a mixture of back roads and rail trail.
Day 1 route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50840440

DAY TWO - Loop ride - 50km - 490vm
A loop ride through the Colquoun forest. We'll start on the Princess Hwy (riding in the shoulder) before turning off on gravel forest roads. We'll ride up the Discovery Trail (single track) turning back on the main rail trail. Picnic lunch will be at the old Quarry site or Log Crossing campground.
Day 2 route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50840447

OPTION: Those looking for a more relaxed ride can instead ride out-and-back ride to Orbost along the East Gippsland rail trail. This might be a wet day backup plan too.

DAY THREE - Nowa Nowa to Bairnsdale - 60km - 430vm
We'll ride entirely along the rail trail and you're welcome to ride ahead if you need to.

Lunch stop will at the delightful village of Bruthen. There are lots of options including Tambo Honey which has cafe meals along with honey tasting.

Day 3 route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50840450

TRAVEL
Driving is probably the best idea as trains on this line are limited. Please consider where you will park your car.

If travelling by train, you'll need to book your ticket ahead as it is a reserved service.
VLine trains depart Southern Cross at 07.54. Returning home on Monday public holiday, trains dep Bairnsdale 4.53pm.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
Please complete at least two days before the ride. 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, 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' well before the ride day.

This ride is 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.