Did a reccy through Rushworth State Forest in central Vic on the weekend. All the green scrub in the pic is a form of golden wattle. It is still about a month from coming into full flower - when it does the forest full of wattle against the black ironbark trunks looks stunning. Well worth a visit if anyone is interested.
Looks good. Let us know about the next ride your organising up that way.
This is on in Yackandandah on the 11th of Oct.
http://www.hardyacka.com.au/
^That website makes me want to throw up
Custom BO Gear for the Killarney overnighter… yes it’s rad, dual entry, two compartments (thick and thin) designed to run with my TT X-Lab. By the way X-lab stuff is made by Yanko and is the shizz.
Nice.
think you blokes have got the wrong thread
Hi gravel fans. I have a new ride starting and finishing at Nagambie. Sunday 3rd January 2016.
Only 47km and flat, 40% gravel, with some scenic stops at wineries to eat and wander through wetland walking trails. So it is a good one to invite partners or friends who are yet to become full members in the cult of gravel.
It is possible to do a same-day Train loop to Nagambie and back from Melbourne and complete the ride. If anyone wants to do this let me know and I will delay the ride start a bit.
For lots of information see this link
Well my sedate ride around Nagambie was a bit more epic than expected - between 1 and 2 inches of rain in an hour will do that.
Enjoyed Tahbilk, good food and then a ride around 4kms of wetland trails.
We got to the Cellar Door just as the rain started and decided to wait it out while having a few wines. Very pleasant wandering through the old cellar while having a drink.
Eventually people arrived saying the exit roads were flooded and only 4WDs could get though. We decided to chance it as the land was flat and there were not any creeks or causeways. That road in the above post is the exit road - it was flooded for much of it’s length. We rode along the ridge line in the middle - sometimes it was just above the water line, often 5cm below water, and occasionally 10cm below water level.
However we got back OK; we seemed to fare better than some cars. All in all a good day - we survived as did our bikes and any cameras or electrical devices we had. The ride is worth doing if you are ever in the area and looking for an easy roll around with some friends.
I checked the rainfall when I got home - the closest reading was Graytown about 20km west of Tahbilk - 79mm for the day. That’s 3 inches - I reckon we saw a fair bit of that.
I also have received a few questions about more gravel rides in Strathbogies this year.
So what I am thinking is a weekend of rides in Strathbogies with a few different ride options. I’ve found a few more good roads and some low traffic linking roads - so it’s basically choose your own gravel adventure.
All rides start and finish at Euroa - so no train return link this time, that wasn’t really worth the hassle. Riders can come for 1 day and smash themselves, or stay overnight and split the route into 2 easier rides over 2 days. Still same basis as last year - no cost / self-supported.
Currently looking at weekend of 19-20 March 2016, if you want to mark the dates in your diaries.
Here is link to last year’s ride to give you some idea of the terrain.
Thinking tomorrow I’ll do Lilydale - Yarra Glen - Chum Creek Rd - Mt St Leonard - Healesville - Dirty Donna - Warburton - Lilydale.
Dirty Donna I know is fine on the roadie, but I’m wondering if Mt St Leonard is also fine? Haven’t been up there before. Running 28mm tyres.
EDIT: climbing cyclist says it’s suitable. OK.
Myers creek road is nicer and quieter up from healesville.
Monda road would be OK on the way up, the fire track to the top from the gate is a bit rougher but you’ll. be fine.
Views from the tower can be great.
Take care coming back down Monda rd,
pinch flats.
Me and Tom went up the fire roads from Donnelly’s weir (good for a swim) on Saturday, was tough going.
Yeah went fine, all the way to the summit. I went up Chum Ck Rd because I was coming in from Yarra Glen/Old Healesville Rd, and that allowed a better circuit to then descend down Myers Ck Rd and head straight up Don Rd to Donna Buang from Healesville. Good days riding.
Some of those roads heading down off Monda Rd looked stupidly steep.
Unfortunately I’ve had to can this - or I can’t ride it to be more specific. I’ve had a back problem for a few months that I’ve been trying to get on top off. Saw Doc again and he’s said to stop riding and take it very easy for a month or so.
But if anyone has made plans and still wants to ride Strathbogies on that weekend, email me, and let me know what sort of ride you want and I’ll email you suggested route details. (nixtrader AT yahoo DOT com DOT au). I’m pissed this has happened, apologies for any inconvenience.
If a few people still want to ride I can still come and drive support.
Taking the day off tomorrow. Thinking of heading out along the Yarra and then climbing some hills around Kinglake (or maybe a Dirty Donna).
Haven’t ridden the river out that far. Is it as easy as following the main Yarra trail the whole way? Are there good places to jump off to connect to Lilydale/Hurstbridge?
You can follow the yarra trails all the way Westerfolds park and hook onto dirty Mt Pleasent
Once you reach end of Mt Pleasent rd you have two options:
Option 1 would be good if you want to ride Dirty Donna (from Healesville side) and return via Warby trail
Option 2 would be good if you want to climb the dirt roads around Kinglake
Happy to provide route for both options
Cheers Tom! Option 1 sounds like the exact sort of day I’m after. A route would be excellent (or just a link to a similar strava ride would be fine actually, I don’t have a gps!).
PM’d
@manatra - would you consider having company?
Cheers Tom, that’s great. (Feck, I’m going to be knackered tomorrow evening…)
Luke, sure thing. I don’t have much of a plan though, just want to clear my head after a few hard weeks at the office. Planning to head off at about 8 and ride until I’m tired. Might get up Donna and home again, might grab a train home at some point. Just want to take it as it comes.
If you’re keen text me on 0437 337 oh oh seven and I’ll keep you up to speed on where I’m at.