Smythesdale Gardens overnighter - 57+50km - Medium with easy option

Join me for a ride putting combining rail trail with back roads and camping at the delightful Smythesdale Gardens.

The ride will start at Wendouree Station and finish at nearby Ballarat Station so you can come by car or train.

On day one we’ll ride entirely on the Skipton Rail trail. Most of the ride will be luggage free. On arriving at the delightful Smythesdale Gardens we will set up our tents then cycle to Linton Lake and back. Route here.

Day two will be on country roads, via Snake Valley and Haddon. We'll then follow the Yarrowee River trail (unsealed) back to Ballarat. Route here.

Expect mostly flat riding with a few hills – both days have an elevation gain of around 350vm.

EASY / SHORTER OPTION
For a shorter option on day two, feel free to cycle directly back to Wendourree on the rail trail, about 20km (self-navigation).

CAMPING
Smythesdale Gardens camping is run by volunteers – please bring a donation (e.g. $5). There are toilets, showers and picnic tables, and camp kitchen with kettle and fireplace. I’ve stayed there a few times and really liked it.

MEETING POINT & TRAINS
Pedal-off from Wendouree Station at 9.30 am
Ballarat (Ararat) train leaves Southern Cross at 7.55am

DINNER
Pub diner at the excellent Courthouse Hotel. Please BRING LIGHTS to safely ride home to the gardens. There’s a supermarket in Smythesdale if you wish to cook at the camp kitchen.

LUNCH
Day one: Picnic lunch at Smythesdale Gardens while we set up our tents.
Day two: café lunch at Haddon nursery or byo.

BREAKFAST
Bring your own to eat at camp or café brekkie (recommend Thru The Gate)

FINISHING THE RIDE & TRAINS HOME
The (updated) finish point will be Itinerant Spirits, adjacent to Ballarat Station. From there you can take a train to Melbourne. or alternatively back to Wendouree Station if your car is there.
Trains either way depart every 40 minutes.
The posted end time (3.30pm) is a guess only.

ESSENTIALS
Please make sure you have lights, spare tube and a puncture kit, water bottles, snacks, etc
Check Meetup for changes or messages one or two days before the ride. Please check messages and/or enable app notifications.

WATER
It's your responsibility to think about water and make sure you are carrying enough.

WHO CAN JOIN
As this is an overnight, please make sure you are a paid member of MBTC. Check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

RSVPS
If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.
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.