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- Go For Gold - 70k ExperiencedCreswick Railway Station, Creswick
Creswick - Wendouree via Ullina and Clunes.
Come for a tour through historical gold rush locations on quiet country roads.
The weather looks good so far for Saturday but if that changes, the ride may be posponed. We will be riding mostly on sealed roads except approx 4k on good gravel that can also be ridden on a road bike. So touring or road bikes are approriate.
** Please note I have updated distances to water and afternoon tea. Thanks Alan Page for pointing out my error!**
Vline train from Southern Cross to Creswick departs at 8.35 am and arrives in Creswick approx 10.20. This is the only train for the morning. The ride will end at Wendouree Station. The trains run every 50 minutes from 17.08 onwards back to SC.
We will start at the Creswick Railway station at 10.20 and travel the short distance to the Creswick township to allow for a quick cuppa at Le Peche Gourmand and to purchase any supplies you will need for both lunch and afternoon snacks. It will also be the last chance to fill up water bottles if needed as there won't be a water stop until Clunes.
We will then ride 20k north on quiet country roads over the rivers of gold and Monash bridge to Ullina recreation reserve for lunch, stopping at historical points of interest along the way. Ullina is a farming area now but was originally a gold mining settlement and closely linked to the Berry deep leads gold rush area. There are no facilities at the rec reserve.
After lunch we will ride west through farmland to the 33k mark at Clunes for a rest stop and afternoon tea.
After a break we will ride on to Wendouree station for the trip home with a glimpse of Lake Learmonth along the way.
I have rated the ride for experienced club members only as we will have to ride a short distance on the Western Freeway to cross from north to south. I have also limited the numbers to 8 as there is only one train that stops at Creswick on Saturday morning and it regularly carries riders heading to the Creswick trails. The information online indicates there are only 6 bike spaces on this train. I would suggest you get to SC station early to grab a spot for your bike. 2 of us will be making our own way to the start so that leaves 6 for the train spaces.
Ride end time is a guesstimate only, so plan your day activities accordingly.
Check route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51933944
So bring your touring or road bike in good condition bike, also layer up as temperatures could be low and the expected wind chill is not known at this stage.
No one left behind policy applies.
RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This form can be found at https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-riderESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning front & tail light, 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 a the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you can not make it to the ride, please change your RSVP to 'NO' at your earliest opportunity.
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.
- Swiss National Day Celebration (<10 km, very social)Footscray Station carpark, by the station footbridge, Hyde Street side (City trains outbound side) , Melbourne
Following the current MBTC Culinary Ride Theme, this short ride is all about food, drink and music.
The Swiss National Day Celebrations will be held at Seaworks in Williamstown.
I'll be cycling from Footscray to Williamstown as car parking is always scarce in Williamstown. Meet at Footscray station around 10 am on the Hyde Street side of the station.
The ride to Williamstown is less than 10 km each way following a well-known path.
Event tickets are available on www.swissfestival.com.au. Please purchase tickets prior to the event day as this is a popular public event.
The ride will finish at Seaworks, please make your own way home. Williamstown Station is close to the event or cycle back to Footscray, Docklands.
There will be copious amounts of alcohol of all forms available, please be mindful.
RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day 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.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning headlight & taillight
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. There are drinking fountains along the way for topping up.
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.
- Tuesday Social ride, 46km (social, intermediate)Frankston Station, Frankston
All welcome on this Social, Intermediate ride.
Meet at Frankston Station at 8.45 for 9am roll out. We take the Peninsula Link trail and some back roads as well as a short stint on the shoulder of Nepean Hwy to Mornington Community House where we'll spend an hour or so, 10.30 to 12-ish and see/hear Grace Laing perform. The event is free, run by Candour Connect (Candour Funeral service), with morning tea provided.
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/51964126RIDE 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.
