Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail Ride: Ballarat to Linton Return (~80km)

Join me for a full-day rail trail ride on the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail.

For this trip, we’ll ride the Ballarat to Linton section and then return the same way. The Ballarat to Smythesdale and Smythesdale to Linton sections are listed as around 20km and 17km respectively, so this plan works out to roughly 75–80km return once station access is included.

The Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail is a high-standard rail trail with a mostly fine gravel / crushed granite style surface. It should be a scenic and steady day out, but it is still a long ride, so please read the fitness and bike notes before RSVPing.

This ride is best suited to people with reasonable fitness who are comfortable riding at least 80km at around 15km/h. Please only RSVP if you are confident with that distance and pace.

As this is an unsealed rail trail, a bike suitable for rail trail riding is recommended, such as a gravel bike, hybrid bike, touring bike, or mountain bike.

Links
Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qJ8g4z8i5EZ9tvof8
Trail information: https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/ballarat-skipton-rail-trail/
Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5HYaaDir8M

Rough timeline

• 6:45am – Meet at V/Line Tickets and Information, Southern Cross Station
• 7:15am – Catch the train from Southern Cross
• Morning – Arrive in the Ballarat / Wendouree area and start riding towards Linton
• Midday / early afternoon – Breaks and lunch along the way depending on pace and group needs
• Afternoon – Turn around at Linton and ride back towards Wendouree
• Evening – Return from Wendouree by V/Line

Possible return train options from Wendouree include 6:37pm, 7:17pm, 8:12pm and 9:17pm. We can decide on the day depending on pace, breaks, train availability, and how the group is feeling.

Tickets
There is no event ticket required, but everyone is responsible for their own public transport fare / Myki or V/Line travel requirements.

What to bring

• Helmet
• Front and rear bike lights
• Puncture repair kit / spare tube
• Enough water for a full-day ride
• Lunch and snacks
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Bike suitable for unsealed rail trail riding
• Any personal medication or essentials you may need during the day

What to expect

• Distance: Roughly 75–80km return
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging because of the distance
• Pace: Around 15km/h average riding pace
• Surface: Mostly fine gravel / crushed granite rail trail surface
• Vibe: Friendly, practical, low-pressure, but suited to people who are comfortable with a long ride

Important notes
This event is weather dependent and will not go ahead if rain is forecast.

This event is also dependent on V/Line train availability. It may need to be cancelled or changed if there are coach replacements, major timetable changes, service disruptions, or if bike space becomes an issue.

V/Line bike space is not guaranteed. Bicycles can be carried only if space is available, and the conductor decides whether bikes can be carried safely. Ballarat services are generally listed as having limited bike space, so please arrive early and be prepared for the possibility that travel with bikes may not be possible on the planned service.

Large groups with bikes can be difficult on V/Line, so this meetup works best as a smaller group ride.

Please only RSVP if you are confident riding the full distance at the expected pace and are comfortable riding on unsealed rail trail surfaces.

Other info
We’ll keep the ride social and supportive, but this is still a full-day cycling trip, so each rider should be reasonably self-sufficient with water, food, basic bike repair items, and fitness for the distance.