About us
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 up to three MBTC single-day rides (RSVP via MeetUp) before deciding to become a full member for $25 per year. Only financial members can do overnight rides.
- 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
12
Saturday Night Burger Ride social 33km
Sandringham Railway Station, Waltham St & Station Streets, Sandringham, AUWe will meet at Sandringham Railway station entrance.
We will ride to a genuine Burger Joint while there is good light then enjoy a wonder smashed burger with chips cooked in tallow
The owner buys his meat from a local butcher and is very passionate about his ingredients . I believe his sauce is to die for, well we will find out !It's then a short ride to Victoria Park Railway station.
Any type of bicycle will do as it is on roads and cycle paths. Bring water .
Your bike needs to be in good order with l front + back lights and wet weather gear if the forecast is for rain.Ride route Sandringham 2 Abbotsford
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 photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.
3 attendees
Scram to Ballan - 54km - Intermediate
Ballan Farmers Market, 73 Inglis Street, Ballan, AUA classic countryside loop starting and finishing in Ballan – BYO picnic lunch!
We’ll have morning tea at the farmers market then ride to Mt Edgerton for picnic lunch.
After an initial stretch on a busier road, we’ll follow quiet back roads, enjoying awesome views from the ridge lines. The route then plunges into the forest towards the end for a stretch on gravel. This ride includes around 550 metres of elevation with a couple of steep hills so you'll need good fitness and experience.
I’ll stick around for a drink at the pub afterwards if anyone would like to join.
Moderate pace but as always feel free to download and follow the route for if you’d prefer to ride ahead.
Check out the route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50625569
Meeting point
We’ll meet at the market (73 Inglis St) around 10.30 (feel free to get there earlier).
Pedal off at 11-ish.A train leaves Southern Cross at 9.15am and arrives Ballan 10.20.
Ballan can be very cold of a morning so please bring layers.Ballan Farmers Market
The market is pretty small, but expect to find:- Sausage sizzle
- Coffee van
- Bakery goods
- CWA Devonshire tea
- Chutneys, olive oil, honey
- Dutch pancakes
There is a gold coin donation for entry.
Picnic
We’ll have lunch at the Mt Edgerton Rec Reserve where there is a shelter and toilets.
There’s a supermarket in Ballan if you need deli items or other picnic supplies.
End of the ride
We’ll end the ride at the Commercial Hotel Ballan to enjoy a beverage.
Trains to Melbourne run every 40 minutes.
The end time is an estimate only.
What you need to do- Change your RSVP as early as possible if you can’t come on the ride
- Check MeetUp or app notifications the night before the ride – occasionally rides are cancelled due to bad weather or illness.
- Check your bike and equipment to ensure they are in good working order.
- Make sure you’ve read the ride description carefully.
What to bring
Tyres of 30” or wider that can handle gravel roads.
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
Suitable clothing for the forecast conditions.
About our club
You can do three riding days with our club before deciding to join via an annual $25 fee.
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.16 attendees
Castlemaine Panacea Winery Maldon CP Weekend. 40km & 43 km hard ride
Castlemaine train station, Castlemaine, Melbourne, AUCastlemaine Station to Panacea Winery for lunch to Maldon Caravan Park Weekend.
We shall depart Castlemaine Station at 10 am.
There is a train departing Southern Cross 7.01 arriving 8.35 and a train departing 7.40 arriving 9.26.
For those who want brekky in Castlemaine before getting on the road and are planning to come by train the 7.01 is advised.
Brekky can be enjoyed at the excellent Das Kaffhaus:
https://coffeebasics.com/
Our weekend destination is Maldon Caravan Park which offers camping but also cabin accommodation but you will need to book the cabin accommodation yourself and it would be wise to book this in advance as Maldon is a popular weekend destination.
You will need to be riding a bike that is fitted with pack racks that carry paniers in which to carry a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat if you are planning to camp at Maldon Caravan Park.
Most of the weekend’s cycling will be on gravel.
In order to be suitable for this ride you will not only need to be riding a properly fitted bike but also be as good as listening to others opinions as you are at expressing your own opinions.
The ride leaders may communicate guidance in regards to suitability for this ride.
Saturday lunch will be at Panacea Winery, you are welcome to take the rail trail direct to Maldon if you would prefer and get into Maldon by lunch and spend the afternoon exploring shops, a walk up Mount Tarrengower or whatever if you would prefer.
By extending the ride to Panacea winery on the Saturday is gives us a proper ride for the day, Panacea Winery offers a cheese platter only to eat so it might be wise to bring lunch for Saturday.
Saturday’s ride may be viewed at Ride with GPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56217025
We will have dinner at the pub on the Saturday night, if you do wish to cook your own dinner the CP does have a BBQ, but further details to follow later.
Maldo CP says no e-bike recharging but AI says there is EV recharging at Mount Tarrengower, a power point at Muckleford Staion, possibly the machinery museum if you smile and ask nicely and speaking from personal experience if you're prepared to smile and offer a $5 donation there are plenty of community facilities; op shops, community houses, that will let you recharge at a powerpoint
Sunday’s ride with be on through state forest to Red White Blue mine, a Favourite photo op then on to Guildford for lunch then a scenic route via Kemps Bridge Road back to Castlemaine Station.
This ride is for financial MBTC members, or those who have not yet done three single day rides with us.
To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membershipESSENTIAL 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' as soon as you know but no later than the day before ride day.
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 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.22 attendees
Past events
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