Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club

Part of Kingsville is the historic Queensville Estate. Surveyed in the 1880s, her "surviving rear right-of-ways are valuable elements associated with the 19th century night soil collection" (Heritage Victoria).

As seen in the photo, there are a variety of surfaces in the laneways. Thin tyres may be problematic. Unfortunately (maybe fortunately for us) most of the cobblestone is gone.

Once back in Footscray, we will be lunching at Hong Kong BBQ Restaurant, my favourite hanging meat restaurant in Melbourne.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48484075

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM

This will be available within a day of the ride being announced. Preferably it is to be completed when you RSVP, but no later than the day before the ride. It can be found at https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS

Spare tube and a puncture kit

MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etc

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 MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.

This ride is about saying Thank You to ride leaders.
Putting together a day ride can be daunting enough but putting together a weekend or long weekend ride can be an awful a lot of work especially when extreme weather conditions and V-Line train cancellations can be, quite frankly, quite unhelpful.
When you RSVP for this ride see if your favorite ride leader has RSVP-ed.
If they haven’t, send them a note, a congrats and saying that we all want them to come along so that we can all thank them.
We’ll depart Rushall Station, the capital city trail to Swanston then St Kilda Road.
Cut across Fawkner Park to coffee and yummy stuff at Prahran Market.
Then north via the Yarra Trail to Moon Dog Brewery for lunch and a drink.
There is a contingency plan, in case we’re ambushed by perfect sunny weather, (LOL), to buy lunch at Prahran Market and have lunch in the park, maybe at Flockhart or Dickinson Reserve near Moon Dog, Abbottsford.
The ride can be viewed on Ride With GPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48493995
RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day of the ride being announced. Preferably it is to be completed when you RSVP, but no later than the day before the ride. It can be found at
https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.
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.

Following the Goulburn River, the Yellowbelly Track is a route that pieces together existing dirt, gravel and sealed back roads. We’ll ride Nagambie and Shepparton section, Now well and truly on the cycle touring map, it was mapped out by a north east cycling enthusiast. Read more here.

Riders will need to be confident on dirt trails as we’ll need to negotiate some uneven sections and potholes. 32mm tyres minimum recommended. Conditions could be quite changeable depending on rain.

DAY ONE – Nagambie to Toolamba – 55km

Train leaves Southern Cross at 9.16am, arriving Nagambie just after 11am
On the way out of town we’ll check out a few local sights including the Black Caviar statue, Lake Nagambie walkway and historic bridges.
A 30km ride on sealed back roads will see us in Murchison for a bakery stop and some river rambling along the Goulburn. From there we’ll continue on to set up riverside camp then option to go into Toolamba (about 1km away) to pub dinner and water supplies.

Please be aware this is a bush camping site. It is a lovely secluded spot but with no toilets or other facilities. Water can be picked up in Toolamba for washing/breakfast.

DAY TWO - Toolamba to Shepparton – 40km approx

Leaving camp near Toolamba we’ll cruise along the Goulburn River on mostly dirt tracks, taking in some stunning vistas.

This section is very flat but has a few spots where we’ll need to push bikes in and out of steep gullies (a little challenging but nothing too crazy).

After a lunch stop at Bill and Beats cafe, we’ll come into Shepparton and take in some of the town’s excellent riverside cycle paths.

There will be options to visit Victoria Lake and the Shepparton art museum and café and/or a ride on the Broken River path.

Train to Melbourne departs at 16.09pm (last train).

Routes to be provided following RSVP.

FOOD
You’ll need to bring camp breakfast for the Sunday and snacks. There will be a short opportunity to buy supplies at the Nagambie IGA at the start of the ride.

TRANSPORT
You can do this entirely as a train-based ride or alternatively drive /leave your car in Nagambie and travel back two stops on the Shepparton line.
One option would be to travel up to Nagambie on the Friday night, staying in caravan park, motel or Airbnb accommodation.

EQUIPMENT
You’ll need a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat along with other essentials such as a torch, power bank/charger and insect repellent. Bring a camp chair if you have one!

It’s recommended to download the route to your phone so you can ride ahead or in the event you get separated from the group.

OTHER ESSENTIALS
- Gear should be carried in panniers or bikepacking bags on your bike, not in a backpack.
- Please bring pump, tools, spare tube, money, MYKI, and a bike lock.
- Lights are essential as we may return to camp in the dark.

RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This is to be completed by the day before the ride and can be found at:
www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider, preferably when you RSVP.

ETIQUETTE
- We will travel at touring speeds of average 16-18 kph, regrouping at key points.
- No one is left behind with a puncture.
- If you cannot make the ride please change your RSVP as early as possible.
- Check for updates on the day/morning before. Extra and info and reminders will come to you via the Messages function on MeetUp (so please check).

PHOTGRAPHY
Please let the ride leader and others know if your photo can't be taken. Be aware it is club practice for participants to take photos and upload them to Meetup or club social media.

LIABILITY
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.