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- 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. We will be travelling as a group, stopping every so often to regroup and ensure that we all arrive together.The planned routes are here:
Bendigo to Seymour
Wineries day-ride loop (For 3-day riders)
Please ensure that you have these routes on your phone available to navigate the ride.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.
- Jacana-Laverton Market - Seaholme, 55 kms, Easy/BeginnersJacana Reserve, Jacana
Everybody's welcome!
An easy ride, with a lunch stop at the Laverton Market (41 k mark), if you want to get fresh produce from the market, don't forget your panniers!
Terrain is pretty flat, we'll be riding along bike paths on the inner West of the city to Seahome Station.
Craigieburn line train departs Southern Cross at 9.00 am, arriving at 9.25 am to Jacana station.
We'll meet at Jacana station platform, trains to the city from Seaholme station every 20 min or so.
Check route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52643749
The route is sealed and mostly on bike paths, but you need to be confident to ride on most surfaces/situations.
So, bring your, in good condition bike. We suggest 30+ mm wide tires.
Bring trail mix; food; fruits; drinks and plenty of water.
We'll keep a sedate pace (18-22 k/hr.), stopping often to regroup.
No one left behind policy applies.
Warning: The magpies are swooping early this year, so be aware of them.RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This is to be completed when you RSVP and can be found at:
www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning front & taillight, 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 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 your earliest opportunity.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.
- Seymour, to Murchison Riverside CP base camp.Baracca Lane, Seymour
If you are planning on staying in accommodation at Murchison Riverside CP it would be wise to book a cabin now as I would expect the Grand Final weekend to be very busy.
If you are not wanting a tent site because you booked accommodation could you please communicate this to Liz.
We will do 2 nights in Murchison then return to Seymour.
We will be staying at the Murchison Riverside CP.
https://www.murchcaravanpark.com.au/
On the Friday morning we'll depart Baracca Lane Café opposite Seymour Station, 9am-ish.
Apparently train timetables for the Friday public holiday will be available by August 1.
We’ll follow the Yellow Belly Trail to Murchison Riverside camping ground with a short diversion just before Murch to Longleat Estate winery.
Dinner at Railway Hotel.
Route can be viewed on Ride with GPS.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50946913
On the Saturday we'll take the brand new rail trail to picture post card Rushworth.
There is a camp kitchen at the CP or you can visit Murchison Bakery for brekky.
We'll have an early lunch at Gus and Ollies cafe, Rushworth.
https://www.facebook.com/gusandollies/
Then we'll head south to explore historic Whroo then a circuit back to Murch.
The route can be viewed on ride With GPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51045928
On the Sunday we'll do the murch Seymour route in reverse.
The route can be viewed on Ride With GPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51045956 - Tuesday Social ride, to Candour Connect's Activity 46km (social, intermediate)Frankston Station, Frankston
All welcome on this Social, Intermediate ride.
Meet at Frankston Station at 7.45 for 8am roll out. We take the Peninsula Link trail and some back roads that will take us up the Mt Eliza Ridge (expect to hike a bike if hills here are a little steep) as well as a short stint on the shoulder of Nepean Hwy to Mornington Community House where we'll spend an hour or so, creating our own Xmas wreath for the front door.
The event is free, run by Candour Connect (Candour Funeral service), with morning tea provided at Mornington Neighbourhood House.
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.
