Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club

Meredith Meander Camping Weekend; Grade - Beginner/Intermediate, 102km

Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM AEDT

Ballan Railway Station, Fisken St / Atkinson St, Ballan, Ballan, AU

This is a back-roads exploration of the plateau lands just to the west of Melbourne, west of the Brisbane Ranges. We shall camp in the reserve close by town, and be able to do dinner and relax indoors. Please have the RwGPS map downloaded on your phone as there are a few tricky turns and we do not want to lose anyone.

We shall catch the train out to Ballan. There are 2 trains departing Southern Cross at 7.15 am and 7.55 am, arriving in Ballan at 8.19 and 8.59 respectively. We can take a short coffee stop, before heading out to Mt Egerton for a lunch-stop. We will then head south through Bungal to the Moorabool East River crossing at Ballark. A few turns take us to Morrisons and the scenic valley of the Moorabool River cut into the tablelands here. Watch out for old gold tunnels in the valley sides here. A short distance on we come to Meredith.

The Meredith Royal Hotel has good reviews for meals, and they are near the Farm Store.

Next day we will ride across to the Brisbane Ranges National Park, possibly stopping along the way at the ghost-village of Beremboke. In the Brisbane Ranges we can stop at Boar Gully camping area for lunch. The afternoon ride takes us down some long descents out of the ranges, then over the Dog-trap Gully and a final ridge-climb before the descent to Bacchus Marsh.

It may be feasible for people to plan a shuttle back to Ballan using the train, if they wish to travel out on Saturday by car.

Route for the weekend is HERE.

Some views of Beremboke, in particular the old school - https://youtu.be/W36HO0XaboY?si=oPeplo0oq4tjGUes&t=1014

ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, matt at a minimum)
Food for lunch and snacks during each day. There is a small shop at Meredith on Sunday morning.
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etc
WATER

**Please note - as this is a camping ride it is expected that you have at least a basic tent to camp overnight in and suitable pannier bags to carry it and your gear.**

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 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 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.

In the Hills Again Lilydale - Healsville 120+ km Intermed level

Wed, Nov 4 · 10:00 AM AEDT

Lilydale Station, William St E, Lilydale, Melbourne, AU

This is a 2-3 day ride and walking tour . We be staying at Polana Camp near Healsville Sanctuary.

Please note that this ride is a Wednesday through Friday which should give us much less traffic on the roads.

"Polana" Camp, is a historic camp set up by post WWII polish migrants, within 4.1 hectares of a native bushland. Located at Badger Creek, it is just 3km away from Healesville town centre with a number of unique cafes and restaurants, supermarkets and more. It is also a walking distance (1.5 km) from the famous Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. There are a number of tourist's attractions in close proximity and a short drive to the Victoria Yarra Valley wine region with tens of wineries having open cellar doors for visitors.
The camp is known for its rich bird life. Very often a laughing kookaburra can be heard, and a number of parrot species would come to the ground (eg. Rosellas, King and Cockies incl the black ones), that are friendly enough to seat on your shoulder or hand for feeding (the camp staff can provide seeds on request).The forest is still a large part of the camp, with a native Australian bushwalking track throughout the property if one would like to explore.
Leaving 10:00 from Lilydale Station via the rail trail to Launching Place
then a slow but long climb on back roads to the Polana Camp.

The first day will be around 40km. Arrive at the camp around
4.00 pm . The Kitchen is fully equipped for cooking with pots, pans, utensils , cups and plates but no dry or wet food is kept from previous campers.

Second day ride to Maroondah Dam for a view then on to Chocolate Factory near Yarra Glen for the best vista lunch then returning back to Polona via a brewery .

Third day. Into Healsville for late Breakfast at Beechworth Bakery then onto Lilydale Station

Wednesday's Route: Wednesday route , there will be an option for a easy ride but it will be on roads.
Thursday's Route: Maroondah , Chocolate factory and return
Friday's Route : Healsville 2 Lilydale
You will need.
A sleeping bag, pillow case as there are bunks, You can also pitch a tent.
Walking Shoes.
Spare tube,repair kit,water
There is plenty for food options in Healsville and Yarra Glen .

Cost: to be around $80.00 for the 2 nights. Paid in full prior to attending . Payment David Kuttner CBA bsb 067167
account 1128 5085

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 financial members only.

To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

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 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.

Smythesdale Gardens overnighter - 57+56km - Medium with easy option

Sat, Nov 7 · 9:30 AM AEDT

Wendouree Train Station, Wendouree VIC 3355, Australia, Wendouree, AU

Join me for a ride putting combining rail trail with back roads and camping at the delightful Smythesdale Gardens.

The ride will start and finish at Wendouree Station so you can come by car or train.

On day one we’ll ride entirely on the Skipton Rail trail. Most of the ride will be luggage free. On arriving at the delightful Smythesdale Gardens we will set up our tents then cycle to Linton Lake and back. Route here.

Day two will be on country roads, via Snake Valley, Haddon, the Yarrowee River trail and Wendouree Lake. Route here.

Expect mostly flat riding with a few hills – both days have an elevation gain of around 350vm.

EASY / SHORTER OPTION
For a shorter option on day two, feel free to cycle back to Ballarat on the rail trail.

CAMPING
Smythesdale Gardens camping is run by volunteers – please bring a donation (e.g. $5). There are toilets, showers and picnic tables, and camp kitchen with kettle and fireplace. I’ve stayed there a few times and really liked it.

MEETING POINT & TRAINS
Pedal-off from Wendouree Station at 9.30 am
Ballarat (Ararat) train leaves Southern Cross at 7.55am

DINNER
Pub diner at the excellent Smythesdale Hotel. Please BRING LIGHTS to safely ride home to the gardens. There’s a supermarket in Smythesdale if you wish to cook at the camp kitchen.

LUNCH
Day one: Picnic lunch at Smythesdale Gardens while we set up our tents.
Day two: café lunch at Haddon nursery or byo.

BREAKFAST
Bring your own to eat at camp or café brekkie (recommend Thru The Gate)

FINISHING THE RIDE & TRAINS HOME
Trains for Melbourne depart regularly from Wendouree. Train-goers may wish to finish at Ballarat Station.
The posted end time (3.30pm) is a guess only.

ESSENTIALS
Please make sure you have lights, spare tube and a puncture kit, water bottles, snacks, etc
Check Meetup for changes or messages one or two days before the ride. Please check messages and/or enable app notifications.

WATER
It's your responsibility to think about water and make sure you are carrying enough.

WHO CAN JOIN
As this is an overnight, please make sure you are a paid member of MBTC. Check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

RSVPS
If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.
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.