Australia Felix - Grade Experienced (1,917 km)

A grand exploration, to commemorate another great explorer.

Meetup will not allow me to post anything longer than 2 weeks. This will be a full month-long event.

Riders may be able to join/depart for shorter segments. We will be camping mostly. Very self-sufficient travelling.

The planned route is HERE.

It will be possible for people to join the ride for sections, ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks using V/Line rail services. The following would be the sectors:
1. Swan Hill to Pyramid Hill
2. Pyramid Hill to Horsham (using the Overland train service)
3. Horsham to Ararat (about 14 days)
4. Ararat to Maryborough
5. Maryborough to Castlemaine and/or Nagambie, and
6. Nagambie to Violet Town and/or stations along the line to Albury.

The ride will commence in Swan Hill on Sun 22nd March, having taken the Swan Hill train. It is retracing Major Thomas Mitchell's route through Victoria, 190 years later (by the 200th anniversary in 2036, I may be riding an e-bike then and who knows whether I will still be happy to go camping).
The plan is to travel along the Major's route (roughly) taking in a whole host of Victorian country towns, scenic and historic sites, and a few of the 'Major Mitchell passed this way' monuments. We hope to finish in Albury on about ANZAC Day, 25th April.

RSVPs will open on Dec 14.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
The form should be available within a day or two of the ride announcement. The link will be seen in the messages when you RSVP. Please complete it when available.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Camping gear for self-contained travel (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping matt, stove, mess-kit, etc)
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks,
Power bank for electronic devices.
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 organizer 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.