Exploring French Island - Grade: Beg/Inter, 65 km

This ride is open to financial MBTC members, and Meetup visitors who have not yet completed three introductory rides.

•What we'll do:
Explore French Island for two whole days, with two nights camping.

A trip on the Cowes-Stony Point Ferry to Tankerton on Friday afternoon, riding along the coast to camp at Fairhaven. Then we will explore French Island for two days, visiting the Redbill Creek wetlands boardwalk, the wildflower garden area of the north slopes of Mt Wellington, Bayview Chicory Farm and Cafe, French Island National Park, the Saltmine Point barge landing, with a second night camping at Chateau Baudin. Then we will visit the French Island Winery, possibly The Pinnacles for a view and the French Island Store for coffee.

The roads on the island are at best gravel, and often sandy, grass-covered, and sometimes wet and a bit boggy, so good wide tyres are very desirable. The great virtue is that there is almost ZERO traffic.

Our campsite are basic ones with tank water and a toilet, but they are close beside Westernport Bay (with a sandy beach at Fairhaven).

The distance for the weekend is only 70-80 kms, but the road conditions will make this a respectable riding effort.

A proposed route map is HERE.

Etiquette: Social pace. We wait for each other to regroup at key navigational points. No one is left behind with a puncture.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit, basic tools
MYKI card, ATM card/cash,
rain gear, food/snacks, etc.
Insect repellant
WATER
Camping gear including tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, stove, food for two lunches, dinners and breakfasts for the nights camping.

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

• Important to know
Loose road surfaces may demand wider tyres; the camping is at a basic site. Lighting for tents and all other camping gear is required.

Our club policy is that visitors may participate on three rides 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.

The MBTC Refund & Cancellation Policy can be found here.

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 Trade Practices Act 1977 (Commonwealth) as amended. I agree that photos taken of me during MBTC rides or social events may be used for publicity purposes.