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- Solstice +1 The Afterparty Hard 76kmSouthern Cross Railway Station, Docklands
Forecast sunny and light winds makes for a perfect country cycling day. This is a ride for MBTC club members.
We’ll stop briefly at the market for coffee and second breakfast before heading out of town.
We’ll ride along quiet country lanes enjoying bucolic scenery: views of distant hills and ancient volcanoes to our Morning Tea at Le Péché Gourmand where there will be an opportunity to purchase supplies for lunch.
Lunch will be BYO picnic lunch stop to enjoy the outdoors and sunshine remember to byo camp chair #coffeeoutside
At rides end we will celebrate and tell the stories of our day with pizza gathered around the fireplace for an enjoyable evening at Itinerant Spirits.
This ride has become an MBTC classic
Grade: Hard
76km
Paved 73.2 unpaved 2.8kmRoute https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51341007?privacy_code=jA3I4YbDNlJYjt4uwIqUlguktjrHLWtC
Mostly on quiet country roads mostly paved.
Train Départ Southern Cross 0715. Arrive Ballarat 0841
Return trains every 40min
23kph on the flat, this is an undulating ride would suit an audax, road or touring bike 28mm tyres as a guide. You should carry your gear and supplies ON your bike NOT in a backpack You should be confident riding in traffic and on mixed road surfaces. You should be capable of riding 20km continuous.
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
LIGHTS
Functioning headlight that enables you to See the road ahead & 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 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. 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.
- Rushall Station, Preston Market, Co Conspirators Brewery.Rushall Railway Station, Melbourne
Details to follow:
Depart Rushall Station. Up Merri Creek trail to Ceres Bridge. A few streets to rail line then rail trail to Preston Market for morning tea and travellingsnacks.
Then back to Oakover Street then Bracken Avenue to consider the history of a former creek.
https://www.friendsofmerricreek.org.au/brackencreek
A bit of Merri Creek trail then off at Albert Street ten through the back streets of Brunswick to Co Conspirators Brewery.
https://coconspirators.com.au/
Refreshments available here and street food (but check their website).
If we're not too exhausted by this rather short social ride at this stage we might do some group poetry writing. (Take turns adding a line of poetry (or a sketch) to a light hearted group poem).
Then back through the streets of Brunswick to the Merri trail or south to the capital city trail to Rushall Station.RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
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
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etcWATER
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 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
