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

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.