Solstice, Cider, & Gravel. East Kilmore to Craigieburn. 67km, 760vm. Med/Hard.

WINTER solstice day ride. Point to Point TRAIN or CAR SHUTTLE based. East Kilmore > Darraweit Guim > Craigieburn.

67km, 760vm. 50% sealed, 45% unsealed back roads & laneways, 5% rougher tracks. HILLY, scenic, intermediate, hard.

A good, gravel-worthy geared bike with tyres suited to a wide mix of smooth and rough surfaces (recommended minimum 40mm semi-knobby). Rider skills, experience and fitness to match.
NOT for novices or beginners.

Via Monument Hill, past olive plantations, Pretty Sally Hill, Darraweit Valley Cider, Old Sydney Road, Caffe Vista @ Marnong Estate, Mt Ridley Conservation Reserve, Malcolm Creek Linear Park.

TRAIN based: Catch the 7:16 am SEYMOUR interurban service from SOUTHERN CROSS. Myki fare - no reservations. Get in early - bike spaces are usually limited to 5 or 6 on these trains, at conductors discretion:

https://www.vline.com.au/Fares-general-info/Bikes-Luggage-Animals

(If you get enough EARLY notice that there is no room for your bike on the Seymour service, you could catch the 7:00am Craigieburn metro service, and try and get a lift to Kilmore East with car shuttlers)

Alternatively, drive and park at either Kilmore East (ride start) or Craigieburn (ride end) and catch a train to or from.

Another alternative will be to organise car shuttling between the start and finish points (a 39 km, 25 minute drive). As I will be driving from the Yarra Valley, I’ll be looking to do this.

This is the shortest day of the year, hence the early start. Bring lights and suitable seasonal clothing.

With a few stops planned for food, drinks and sightseeing, a fairly swift moving pace will need to be maintained during ride.

• Kilmore Brunch ~ 8:45am @ 3.5km

• Darraweit Lunch ~ Noon @ 34km

• Mickleham Tea ~ 2:30pm @ 53km

Bring water and other food and snacks as required.

We start at 8:15am from the train station straight in to Kilmore for brekky/brunch at the Kilmore Bakery & Cafe.

We wind and weave our way along quiet back roads and laneways; view scenic vistas from Monument & Pretty Sally Hills; descend on winding gravel to Darraweit Guim for LUNCH at the Cidery.

https://dvcider.com.au

After lunch, the ridgeline Old Sydney Road takes us to the outer fringes of Mickleham & Donnybrook, with afternoon TEA at Caffe Vista @ Marnong Estate.

Urban streets, conservation reserves, & lineal creek trails take us through to the end at Craigieburn station, where you can catch a metro train back to Melbourne.

If you need to get back to your car at the start from Craigieburn by train, interurban Seymour trains depart at 2:24, 3:44, 5:04 and 6:04pm and take about 30 minutes to get to Kilmore East.

Photos and RidewithGPS route form part of ride description.

Ride route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51032664

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 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.