Yellowbellies be jumpin: Yellowbelly Track is open

There is now a rideable version of the Yellowbelly Track that includes substantial sections of river track in National Parks.

Yesterday (Friday 17/03/23) ParksVic re-opened a substantial section of Lower Goulburn National Park (LGNP) after it had been closed for flood damage. Luckily this included the prime stretch of Yellowbelly Track, 17km along the Goulburn River from McCoys Bridge to Yambuna Bridge.

As far as I am aware the map below is the current situation for the Yellowbelly Track routes between Shepparton and Echuca. The three yellow highlighted areas are the only parts of the Yellowbelly Track river tracks through Parks that are still closed.

Scale guide: riding from Echuca to Shepparton along the red line is 88 km

Until the small northern section of LNGP is reopened, the best access point for riders at the north end is a 1.3 km section of Yambuna Bridge Road (marked purple on the map above).

Shepparton Regional Park (map to the left) is all open. This Park also includes river and bush track where the route goes close to the Goulburn River.

Access to this Park is important because it allows Yellowbelly Track riders to avoid the built-up urban areas of Shepparton and Mooroopna.

As a guide to the scale of the map – the ride distance from Shepparton to Toolamba along the red line is 21 km.

The only other closure anywhere is Kirwans Bridge, but there is a viable detour via Chinamans Bridge (see red line on the map to the right). As a guide to the map scale, the red line is 4.2 km long.

There is local community pressure to reopen Kirwans Bridge for car traffic, so this may open soon also.

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Final Situation Report – updated 18 March 2023

See – Flood and Storm Effected Parks.

The Good News:

  • A lot of ParksVic areas that were closed have suddenly re-opened in March. Perhaps there is pressure from commercial groups to have parks reopened by Easter, a peak camping time in Victoria. Recently opened areas include parts of Lower Goulburn National Park, the park areas east of Echuca along the Murray, the streamside reserves along the Campaspe such as Englishs Bridge reserve, Shepparton Regional Park, and Major Creek Camping Area.
  • In North Central Victoria the Campaspe, Goulburn and Murray Rivers have all receded back to within their banks. River levels are actually lower than usual.
  • Rainfall levels are back to normal levels and hot dry weather has assisted in drying soggy gravel and clay roads and tracks.
  • Gravel routes to the west and south-west of the GABCY Network, including Rushworth Heathcote ironbark forest, are mostly back to normal. But please make your own enquiries before riding, particularly if intending to camp in public reserves.
  • The roads on the most southern section of Yellowbelly Track from Tallarook to Murchison are all open as normal, although Kirwans Bridge is closed. The nearest alternate Goulburn River crossing is Chinamans Bridge on Vickers Road to the south of Nagambie town.
  • Northwood Road Reserve camping area is open near Seymour.

The Bad News:

  • The sections of Lower Goulburn National Park around Coomboona, and north of Yambuna Bridge Road are still closed.
  • Even in bush areas that were flooded, but are now open, there is some ongoing risk of treefalls and branches dropping onto tracks.
  • Advice from ParksVic is that they have concentrated on the main tracks and popular areas. Even in Park areas that are open, large sections of bush away from the tracks have not been assessed.

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That’s all I’ve got. Please make your own enquiries and let me know if you discover anything else.

Reminder – there are other places to ride in the GABCY Network that are still in good condition.

See All The Rivers Flood – for more detail on recent floods.

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Review: Red Ridge Ride – Darryl, Marion and a friend

In February 2023, Darryl, Marion and a friend rode 80km in a version of the Red Ridge Ride – Heathcote Wineries Tour. This is how Marion described it on Facebook.

With the lure of good food and wine, we started our gravel ride on Sunday around Heathcote… after coffee @fodder, we unanimously decided to go for the bigger loop.

Darryl was on the e-bike and made us work for our adventure!

We ended up stopping at Tellurian Wines … a showcase of great wine, friendly staff and yummy food!

The desent down chinaman’s hill was awesome!

Very quiet back roads and gravel tracks made for a sublime day out.

The South Westerly on the way home wasn’t our friend, but my jelly legs got us back to Heathcote where we were treated with a nice meal under a big oak tree in the courtyard… yes, I slept well that night.

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More Ride Reports

Click on this link to see more Ride Reports from the GABCY Network

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Review: GABCY Bakery Tour – Phil

In January 2023 most of the River parks and reserves were still closed in the aftermath of the floods. Undeterred, Phil rode a 2-day, 240km U-shaped tour of the GABCY Network linking up many small towns with a particular focus on their bakeries. This is his account.

This was my first trip to the northern country in decades, and never with a bike. With it came the normal trepidations- how far can I expect to get per hour; do I have enough water capacity; will I have phone reception if something goes wrong?

Day 1 – Murchison to Echuca, 116km.

I caught the 5:55 am train from Southern Cross Melbourne to Murchison East. I had a plan to utilise the prevailing wind.

A week earlier I had rolled out from Seymour train station assisted by a ripping southerly that blew me along. A mechanical meant I had to pull the pin and go home. But I learnt a few things. The second time around I changed the route to bring my first re-supply stop (water) closer, and the wind now favoured an arc-shaped parcour. Just on the wind… I highly recommend targeting the best wind for your route. If time doesn’t allow that, then plan your route around the wind.

Changing my route was easy. I was already well versed with the GABCY network and playing on rwgps has become a hobby. 

At 8:10am I arrived at Murchison East station and excitedly clipped-in. Away we go! You pass an impressive two-storey old hotel before crossing a fortified bridge over the Goulburn River and into Murchison central.

The bakery has automatic doors like a bank! By now the trip was taking shape in my head. It’d be a bakery tour of the Northern Country. You can town-hop easily enough here. It’s 30k from town to town on gravel backroads. Less than 10 cars passed me in 2 days (250k).

I love custard scrolls and figured I’d eat 4 each day and rate them. Sadly, custard scrolls don’t exist in this part of the state. I know, crazy. I settled on a custard tart. Then I asked the friendly staff for their most popular item under $5. She gave me a vanilla slice. This would be the new game plan. That idea lasted 2 bakeries; I was offered a vanilla slice every time and there is a limit to how many vanilla slices I can eat in a day!

Breakfast done. Off we go. I ride with a Garmin etrex mounted on the stem as my navigation device and utilise rwgps to configure the pre-trip gpx file. Two years ago I would have had no idea what that meant.

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To read the full report and access a Strava link for the route, click on this link – Review: GABCY Bakery Tour – Phil

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Review: GABCY South East – Wayne and Matt

In December 2022 Wayne and Matt rode a 190km, 2-day / overnight loop starting and finishing at Heathcote. Their loop used sections from several South East GABCY routes – Reap the Red Ridge, Camel Cornella, Kirwans Rushy Whroote, Nagambie Meander and Ghostown Gambol. This is their report (words – Wayne, images -Wayne & Matt).

Day 1: Heathcote to Whroo via Toolleen/Colbinabbin/Rushworth

We zigzagged our way out of Heathcote on a perfect summer’s day.  Warm but not hot, and barely a breeze.  We made good time on the firm, gravel roads to Toolleen, with the occasional section of fast bitumen having us arrive at the Toolleen pub early, well before opening time.

Toolleen Hotel – too early for beer o’clock

My disappointment in missing on an early beer turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  Instead we crossed the Mt Camel range with a short, relatively easy climb to detour to the Shiraz Republic Winery/Brewery in Cornella.  40km done. We were rewarded with spectacular views, admiring the wedge-tailed eagle hovering above us as we paused at the top for some photos and a drink.

Chinamans Bend lookout, en route to Shiraz Republic

Can’t say enough about Shiraz Republic.  We shared a superb beer and pizza lunch in idyllic surrounds.  Heaps of shade, music, and even sunscreen!  Need to come back on a day ride and stay longer. Some pics below.

Penance for lunch was dished out with a nasty (longer, steeper) climb over a more northerly part of the range, full bellies groaning in protest, though the red dirt roads were again spectacular.  They’d be incredible when the canola is in bloom, though I’m told these red clay roads can be unrideable when wet.

Hamblin Road, Mt Camel Range – climb and descent

With the climbing behind us, we tracked northwards through open farmlands, helped along by a gentle tailwind, for some silo art gazing at Colbinabbin.

Colbinabbin – Hotel and silo art

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To continue reading this report and access Strava links for each of the days click on this link – Review: GABCY South East – Wayne and Matt.

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Yellowbelly Track / River access update

For more recent update see – Yellowbellies be jumpin: Yellowbelly Track is open

Last updated 15 March 2023

The Good News:

  • A lot of ParksVic areas that were closed have suddenly re-opened in March. Perhaps there is pressure from commercial groups to have parks reopened by Easter, a peak camping time in Victoria. Recently opened areas include the park areas east of Echuca along the Murray, the streamside reserves along the Campaspe such as Englishs Bridge reserve, Shepparton Regional Park, and Major Creek Camping Area.
  • In North Central Victoria the Campaspe, Goulburn and Murray Rivers have all receded back to within their banks. River levels are actually lower than usual.
  • Rainfall levels are back to normal levels and hot dry weather has assisted in drying soggy gravel and clay roads and tracks.
  • Gravel routes to the west and south-west of the GABCY Network, including Rushworth Heathcote ironbark forest, are mostly back to normal. But please make your own enquiries before riding, particularly if intending to camp in public reserves.
  • The roads on the most southern section of Yellowbelly Track from Tallarook to Murchison are all open as normal, although Kirwans Bridge is closed. The nearest alternate Goulburn River crossing is Chinamans Bridge on Vickers Road to the south of Nagambie town.
  • Northwood Road Reserve camping area is open near Seymour.

The Bad News:

  • ParksVic continues to list Lower Goulburn National Park (LGNP) as closed. See – Flood and Storm Effected Parks.
  • A large section of Yellowbelly Track goes through LGNP – i.e. 45 km of the Tracks option, and even 5 km of the Roads option.
  • Even in bush areas that were flooded, but are now open, there are continuing treefalls and branches dropping onto tracks. I think this is the reason ParksVic are continuing with their closures.

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That’s all I’ve got. Please make your own enquiries and let me know if you discover anything else.

Reminder – there are other places to ride in the GABCY Network that are still in good condition.

See All The Rivers Flood – for more detail on recent floods.

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Red Ridge Ride – Heathcote Wineries Tour

We are finally getting some spring weather; the Mt Camel range grape vines are bursting into a new cloak of bright green leaves.

Firstly, I’ve driven or ridden all of this route this month to check the condition after recent rain and surface flooding events. It is all rideable!

Summary pics for a ride-through guide

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—————- Original pre-ride post ——————-

  • Date and Time: Saturday 26th November 2022. Start at 9:00am.
  • Distance and Duration: Around 70 to 95km depending on how many wineries you visit. Personally, I’m planning a relaxed all-day ride, stopping for a while at some of the 12 Cellar Doors and along the way. More detail on route options is provided below.
  • Start and Finish Location: Palling Bros Brewery, 168 High Street, Heathcote. Assemble in Chauncey Street on the corner of High Street.
  • Amenities: Heathcote at start and finish. Up to 12 Cellar Doors and a brewery along the way. Be aware that while wine tastings are often free at cellar doors, food is usually relatively expensive. There are more details and maps of how to get to all 12 wineries and the brewery below.
  • Accommodation: There are accommodation options at both the north and south ends of the loop. So it is easy to do this ride as an overnighter with 2 days riding, which will also allow more time at winery stops. At the south end, Heathcote has more accommodation options (and a central booking service). At the north end, Heathcote II and Shiraz Republic offer accommodation, although these are relatively expensive and rooms may only be available for 2 nights minimum. Nearby Toolleen Hotel is more suitable for bikepackers; this has basic rooms although they are not listed anywhere, you have to contact the hotel directly. There is also a free campsite opposite the Toolleen Hotel and general store. This campsite has toilet facilities, but it may also have some noise from the main road nearby.
  • Terrain: There is one significant climb – Chinamans Bend (about 1.5km at 8%). The remainder of the route is rolling. Expect 600 to 900 vertical metres depending on how many side trips to wineries you make. See profiles below for more detail.
    • Less capable riders should not be deterred by the Chinamans Bend climb. It is short enough to hike-your-bike on the steepest sections if necessary, and most riders will stop at the hairpin bend half-way up to take pics looking out over the scenic vineyards, so you will get a rest.
    • There are also some short, steep climbs of only a few hundred metres on the western side of the route, and on driveways spurs into wineries.
  • Roads and Ride Surfaces: Irrespective of route choice the surface information is the same. About 75% gravel, mostly in good condition although there are occasional gouges and potholes. Watch out for a few full-width transverse ditches across the road caused by recent heavy rain runoff. These ditches are only about 30-40 cm wide and 15-30 cm deep, but you don’t want to hit them at speed. I’m planning to stop and lift over these ditches. The remaining 25% of the route is sealed road. The only clay / dry weather road is the short-cut road option (about 4 km on Hagans Lane) and this was rideable when I checked it earlier this month.
  • Heavy Traffic Sections: Three sections of sealed road are busier and more risky than I’d like but there are no other options. These are 4 km on C347 (Heathcote-Rochester Rd), 3 km on Chinamans Bend climb where drivers could be distracted by the hairpins and views, and probably 3 km on B75 (Northern Highway) near the end of the day. These locations are marked on the map below. Please do your own research and make sure you are prepared to ride on these roads. Lights and high-visibility clothing are recommended.
  • Bike and Tyres: No need for suspension as most of the surfaces are fairly smooth. But riders will probably find the jarring and vibration from the gravel roads uncomfortable on tyres less than 30 mm wide. To be comfortable you should have tyres wider than 40 mm if possible.
  • Navigation and Communication: There will not be any signs or marshalls. Parts of the ride are on very quiet forest tracks and un-signed back roads. Riders are unlikely to stay in large groups. Every rider should be able to navigate by themselves using gpx files and appropriate devices. Adventure riders should always carry personal locator beacons for emergency situations.
  • GPX Files: GPX files are below and available to download. I expect riders will need to use more than one gpx file. I suggest using a mobile phone app that allows multiple gpx files to be loaded at the same time in different colours to distinguish between the through-loop, and out-and-back spur rides to cellar doors. I use GPX Viewer which can load and track against multiple differently coloured gpx lines at the same time in its free version.
  • On Bike or in Day Bags: As well as navigation and emergency communication devices, riders should plan to support themselves for a full day on the road in changing road and weather conditions. Some suggestions – food, water, sunscreen, insect protection, lights, puncture management, bike tools and spare parts, first aid including a snake bite kit, and clothing options for hot, cold, wet and low-visibility conditions.
  • Highlights: Gravel roads in mostly good condition with low traffic. Scenic views of vines in new season’s leaf. A wide variety of winery cellar doors with relaxed ambience, a range of food choices and some live music. Conviviality – everyone I met was relaxed, friendly and happy to chat. And great wines!
  • Costs and Support: It costs nothing. For that you get to ride completely self-supported, self-navigating and at your own risk. There will be no marshalls, no route markings and no physical or mechanical support people or vehicles. Please do your own research and risk assessment to determine if this is a suitable ride for you.
  • Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol will impair your ability to ride safely and also cause dehydration which increases health risks further. Please drink in moderation and drink lots of water during the ride.
  • Seasonal Ride Series: This route is part of the GABCY Seasonal Ride Series – a set of monthly rides that are in harmony with local weather patterns and natural environments. The aim is to showcase the most suitable and scenic time to ride in each location, as well as show the wide variety of rides available across the GABCY Network.
  • Route also connects with: If you want to incorporate this ride into a longer multi-day ride trip, this route has connections with O’Keefe Rail Trail, Leen Down the Dale, Camel Cornella and Golden Black Track. See – the GABCY Network.

Route Options

Please refer to the map below to understand the various route options.

  • Blue line – this is the basic loop. It is 69 km without visiting any cellar doors. The loop is rolling with one significant climb (1.5 km at 8% on sealed road), and approx 600 vertical metres total.
  • Green line – a shorter route using a short-cut across the loop to avoid doing the northern section. Riding this loop is 57 km without visiting any cellar doors. This loop is rolling with a longer, shallower climb (2.8km at 3 to 5% on clay and gravel road), and approx 470 vertical metres total.
  • Red spur lines – these are connecting roads or driveways to all the cellar doors. These are all out-and-back extensions; they add distance to the ride. If you decide to ride all the red spur lines to every cellar door shown, as well as the blue route, you will ride 95 km in total. This ride option is rolling with one significant climb (1.5% at 8% on sealed road), and approx 880 vertical metres total.

This route setup allows individual riders or small groups to tailor their ride to their own interests and capabilities. Riders can choose which cellar doors they wish to visit and how far off the base loops they want to venture. This will determine the total distance each person rides.

To continue reading about this ride, including downloading the gpx files and seeing detailed information about all the wineries click this link – Red Ridge Ride – Heathcote Wineries Tour.

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All The Rivers Flood

Mid-October 2022. There are major floods in northern Victoria. Please be very cautious about riding at the moment – particularly in the vicinity of rivers.

For the latest information – see Vic Emergency site and app

The image above shows the scale of the northern area likely to be effected by river floods in the next weeks. This image is from a flood study scenario for areas north of Rochester and Shepparton. Areas further south, upstream along the Goulburn and Campapse Rvers, will be similar. They are just not included in this study scenario.

As a comparison, the two pics below show the same areas. The pic on left hand side is from the flood study, the pic on right hand side is a clip from the GABCY Network Interactive Map. If you open either pic, and flip back and forth, you will get a good idea of the sections of GABCY routes and amenities that are likely to be effected.

Why has this happened?

Higher than average (about 80 percentile level) rainfall in South Eastern Australia over August and September meant that every dam and weir was full or close to it, and the ground was saturated.

Further high falls in October (likely 4 to 5 times the October average in these catchments) had nowhere else to go but over the weirs and into the rivers downstream. Those rivers also filled and eventually overflowed onto flood plains.

Many GABCY Network routes are on low-lying flood plains because those are the only areas of bush that remain available as public land. The land on higher areas around rivers was always settled first and is private property.

GABCY routes near the rivers on the eastern, northern and western perimeters of the GABCY Network area will be severely impacted by these floods. Firstly routes will be inundated, and then some areas of track, path and road will be damaged and washed away by fast-flowing flood waters. When the water recedes the routes will be covered in debris.

At this stage there isn’t anything else to say except be very cautious, and allow emergency responders space to do their thing. Things will become clearer once the water recedes.

It may take weeks for all the water to recede back into the rivers. All the water has to flow downstream into the Murray. But the Murray is already full and there are other flooded rivers from NSW and Western Victoria flowing into the Murray further downstream. Rivers might slow and backup; this will all take some time to clear.

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Gobarup Grass Trees and Wildflowers – Ride

Update 23/10/22: Ride Cancelled.

Unfortunately, I am cancelling this ride. For two reasons.

Firstly a dam has extended out over a track and the water looks too deep to ride across. The water is over an s-bend in the road so not sure where the road would even be under the water. We could detour around it but that would entail riding about 10 km on an unpleasant road. Because it is a dam, the forecast rain will flow into this blockage so it is not likely to clear before Saturday.

Secondly, most of the wildflowers have gone. It looks like the heavy rain stripped them. Some more flowers might pop up but it is unlikely before this weekend when more heavy rain is due.

——————– Original Post ——————–

It’s a La Nina season with plenty of spring rain. This means it is a good season for native ground fungi, and a great season for the wildflowers that depend on fungi for part of their nutrition.

Spring wildflowers are plentiful in the Rushworth Ironbark forest and are often most abundant close to grass trees (Xanthorrhoea). Both plant types are more prevalent in areas of forest that have been less disturbed since European settlement.

The thin sandy topsoil and gravel tracks on the rolling hills of the Rushworth forest also drain well, so it is better riding there in a wet spring than on flat muddy river plains.

  • Date and Time: Saturday 29th October. Start 9:30 am.
  • Distance and Duration: Route is 65 km. It will take 4 to 5 hours, depending on your number of photo stops.
  • Start and Finish location: High Street, Rushworth.
  • Amenities and Accommodation: Rushworth has food, water and accommodation available. There is no drinking water along the route, so please carry enough for your needs plus extra for emergency situations.
  • Terrain: There are no major climbs, but the route is rolling with continual short climbs and descents of around 3-5%. Total vertical metres is 514 m for the ride. See profile below.
  • Roads and Ride Surfaces: Most of the route is smooth and clear – 94% gravel and natural surface road and 6% quiet sealed road. There are some ruts, potholes and rougher gravel sections, as well as puddles and shallow water across the roads, but you can ride around these, or ride through them slowly.
  • Traffic: Vehicle traffic will be light everywhere. The busiest section will be the 2 km sealed road into and out of Rushworth at the start and finish.
  • Best Bike: No need for suspension as most of the surfaces are fairly smooth. But riders will probably find the jarring and vibration from the gravel roads uncomfortable on tyres less than 30 mm wide. To be comfortable you should have tyres wider than 40 mm if possible.
  • Navigation and Communication: Many of the forest tracks are not marked and winding. It is difficult to maintain a sense of direction in this forest. Some areas along the route will be outside mobile phone and internet coverage. To prepare for this ride I think it is essential to download the gpx file and put it onto a gpx tracker that will operate outside of mobile and internet coverage. Adventure riders should always carry personal locator beacons for emergency situations.
  • GPX File: Will be provided when the route is finalised.
  • Highlights: Rushworth historic township with good food options. Rarely seen native grass trees and many wildflowers in bloom. Very low car traffic. Good riding on red, scenic, smooth, natural surface and gravel tracks rolling and winding through the forest.
  • Critters: The forest is home to many snakes, spiders, magpies, wallabies and other native animals. In spring many animals become more active in seeking mates and more aggressive in protecting their offspring and territories from threats. Many small stinging insects such as bees, wasps and mosquitoes are attracted to these wildflowers and are pollinators. Please do your own research and risk assessment, and wear or carry what you need for the ride.
  • Cost and Support: It costs nothing. For that you get to ride completely self-supported, self-navigating and at your own risk. There will be no marshalls, no route markings and no physical or mechanical support people or vehicles. Please do your own research and risk assessment to determine if this is a suitable ride for you.
  • Seasonal Ride Series: This route is part of the GABCY Seasonal Ride Series – a set of monthly rides that are in harmony with local weather patterns and natural environments. The aim is to showcase the most suitable and scenic time to ride in each location, as well as show the wide variety of rides available across the GABCY Network.
  • Route also connects with: If you want to make a longer day-ride, or multiday-ride, this route has connections with Golden Black Track, Camel Cornella, Kirwans Rushy Whroote, Lap of Local Lakes, Carag Carag Wetland Wetland. See – GABCY Network.

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To continue reading about this ride, including seeing many pics of the tracks and wildflowers click on this link – Ride: Gobarup Grass Trees and Wildflowers

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Cornella Canola Roller – Ride

Many Victorians have a Grand Cycling Parade public holiday on Friday 23rd September. I plan to use mine riding the Camel Range canola fields. Other riders are welcome to join me.

  • Date and Time: Friday, 23rd September 2022. Start 9:30 am.
  • Distance and Duration: There are 3 route options 81 km, 69 km and 57 km (see maps and profiles below). The expected ride duration will depend on the route you choose and the number of stops you make.
  • Start and Finish location: Cornella Brewery (Shiraz Republic Winery), Cornella.
  • Amenities and Accommodation: Start – Shiraz Republic won’t have much at the start as it does not open until 11 am. So pack and bring anything you need pre-ride. Middle – Colbinabbin a small town along the route has a pub (open all day) and cafe (open until at least 2 pm). End – Shiraz Rupublic has a bar with a few food options. Both Shiraz Republic and Colbinabbin Hotel also have accommodation if you a planning a bigger trip.
  • Terrain: See profiles for each route below. In general, the route is very flat with a few short steep climbs (8-10%).
  • Roads and Ride Surfaces: The surface breakups are detailed for each route below. There are some ruts, potholes and rougher gravel sections, but you can ride around these, or ride through them slowly. There will be puddles of water on the roads, but you can ride around these. There are no earth or clay roads in the routes; these will be too wet to ride.
  • Traffic: Vehicle traffic will be light everywhere except for the Chinamans Bend climb in the last 10 km of all rides. There will not be many cars even there, but the drivers are likely to be distracted by the views and tight switchbacks so be very cautious there.
  • Best Bike: No need for suspension as most of the surfaces are fairly smooth. But riders will probably find the jarring and vibration from the gravel roads uncomfortable on tyres less than 30 mm wide. To be comfortable you should have tyres wider than 40 mm if possible.
  • Navigation and Communication: Riders will have to self-navigate using gpx files available below. There will not be any route markers or marshalls to direct you. I do not know if the whole ride area has mobile and internet coverage. I believe adventure riders should always carry personal locator beacons for emergency situations.
  • Highlights: Bright yellow canola fields. Relaxed riding on quiet roads through changing landscapes. Colbinabbin township with painted silos. Scenic climbs of Mt Camel Range ridgeline. Relaxed beer from Cornella Brewery afterwards.
  • Cost and Support: It costs nothing and for that you get to ride completely self-supported, self-navigating and at your own risk. There will be no marshalls, no route markings and no physical or mechanical support people or vehicles. Please do your own research and risk assessment to determine if this is a suitable ride for you.
  • Seasonal Ride Series: This route is part of the GABCY Seasonal Ride Series – a set of monthly rides that are in harmony with local weather patterns and natural environments. The aim is to showcase the most suitable and scenic time to ride in each location, as well as show the wide variety of rides available across the GABCY Network.
  • Connections with other Routes: The routes also link to other routes in the GABCY Network – Camel Cornella, Reap the Red Ridge, Nabbin My Booty, and Lap of Local Lakes.

Some pics of the ride area last year.

To continue reading full details of the ride – including maps, route options and to download gpx files please see – Cornella Canola Roller page.

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Wattle Day Ride – Rushworth

This ride is a golden opportunity to see the extensive wattle understorey in bloom through the Rushworth ironbark forest.

The planned ride is a 47 km loop, from Rushworth to Kings Cross clearing and return (see pic below for map and profile). There is also an opportunity for coffee, snacks or lunch in scenic Rushworth township on return.

  • Date and Time: Saturday, 3rd September 2022. Start 9:30 am. The expected ride duration is about 3 to 3.5 hours depending on the number of stops.
  • Ride Distance: 47 km loop.
  • Meet up and start location: Available further down the page.
  • Amenities: Rushworth at start and finish only. The ride is self-supported and there are no water or food sources on the ride. There is a toilet and shelter at the 33 km point, but there is no drinking water there. Please plan to carry whatever you might need.
  • Terrain: There are no major climbs, but the route is rolling with regular short climbs and descents of around 3-5%. Total vertical metres is 360m for the ride.
  • Ride surfaces: 87% natural surface and gravel roads, with remaining 13% quiet sealed road.
  • Best Bike: No need for suspension as most of the surfaces are fairly smooth. But riders will probably find the jarring and vibration from the gravel roads uncomfortable on tyres less than 30 mm wide. To be comfortable you should have tyres wider than 40 mm if possible.
  • Highlights: Rushworth historic township with good food options. Wattles and wildflowers in bloom. Whroo and Whroo cemetery. Very low car traffic. Good riding on red, scenic, smooth, natural surface and gravel tracks rolling and winding through the forest.
  • Navigation and Communication: Many of the forest tracks are not marked and winding. It is difficult to maintain a sense of direction in this forest. Some areas along the route will be outside mobile phone and internet coverage. To prepare for this ride I think it is essential to download the gpx file and put it onto a gpx tracker that will operate outside of mobile and internet coverage. Adventure riders should always carry personal locator beacons for emergency situations.
  • Link to gpx file: Links to download the gpx file are provided further down this page.
  • Seasonal Ride Series: This route is part of the GABCY Seasonal Ride Series – a set of monthly rides that are in harmony with local weather patterns and natural environments. The aim is to showcase the most suitable and scenic time to ride in each location, as well as show the wide variety of rides available across the GABCY Network.
  • Route also connects to: Golden Black Track, Ghostown Gambol, Camel Cornella, Kirwans Rushy Whroote, Lap of Local Lakes, Carag Carag Wetland Wetland. See – GABCY Network.
  • Some pics of the ride route are below: Photos are from various times in the year, so they don’t always show wattle and wildflowers in bloom.

To continue reading full details of the ride – including maps, route options and to download gpx files please see – Wattle Day Ride page.

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