Following the Butterman, Grade - Intermediate, 70 kms (80% sealed)

This day-tour is a riding classic from the past (the '80s even) which is now updated with a delightful shared-path trail for the first 12 km, and a new rail-trail for the last 9 kms. There will be some traffic in between but the route attempts to minimise this, and on the Saturday before Father's Day it might be somewhat quieter.

We meet in Ringwood and follow the Mullum Trail to Warrandyte to get morning coffee at The Bakery, a very nice setting. After that there is an unavoidable climbing road to Kangaroo Ground, after which it should be quieter and easier on the rolling run to Pantons Hill and Smiths Gully.

Smiths Gully Cafe in the old store is our lunch venue. Departing here we descend to St Andrews and proceed on to Buttermans Track (now sealed; wonders never cease). There is a possible winery stop at Buttermans Track Wines. This is a gorgeous rural road that takes us to top of Skyline Ridge above Yarra Glen.

Descending to Yarra Glen we have a few kilometres of nasty traffic before reaching the peace & serenity of the Yarra Ranges Rail-Trail taking us to our finish at Lilydale.

So bring your touring or road bike in good condition. Also layer up as temperatures could be low and the expected wind chill is not known at this stage.

We travel at a moderate pace, regrouping at key points. No one is left behind.

The ride route is HERE.

Some history about the Butterman:
"The road called Buttermans Track runs from Skyline Road northwest of Yarra Glen to St Andrews. It is believed to have been opened up by James McPherson who took his produce to the Caledonian gold fields*. The farmers of the district profited from a ready market for their home-made butter and milk and vegetables."
* The Caledonian goldfields were St Andrews.

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