I like riding unsealed roads because it increases my awareness of different micro-environments. I become more conscious of the impact of weather patterns on the ground, plants, and animals in those environments.
The GABCY Seasonal Ride Series offers a set of monthly rides. These rides align with local weather patterns. They also harmonize with natural environments. The rides are in different locations around the GABCY Network. The aim is to showcase the most suitable and scenic time to ride in each location. It also aims to show the wide variety of rides available across the GABCY Network.
Indigenous seasonal information is from the Gariwerd calendar which is the closest publicly available match to the GABCY region.
For Information about understanding different road conditions in the GABCY Network – see Local Knowledge – Roads & Tracks.
August
July and August correlate to the indigenous season of Larneuk. It is the nesting bird season. This is the wettest time of the year. It is marked by dramatic weather changes and high rivers.
For GABCY cyclists, it is the last month of winter. It is still cold. Much of the soil is wet or sticky mud on sodden clay tracks. Rushworth Ironbark forest is an exception; its thin layer of sandy soil along rolling slopes drains and dries quickly. The forest provides shelter from cold winds, and the late winter wattles are in full spectacular bloom. This 47km loop is an ideal ride for August – Wattle Day Ride – Rushworth
2022 – We rode the route on 3rd September 2022. Wattle was on the wane; lots of golden wattle but ausfelds wattle had finished. Still a great day. Tracks in great condition – smooth and dry. Some wildflower bushes were in bloom. Although there was a cold 20 km/hr southerly blowing it was calm in the shelter of the forest. In future, it would be better to ride in the last weeks of August to get peak wattle gold. Some pics from the ride are below:
.
September
September to November correlates to the indigenous season of Petyan. This is the wildflower season. It is marked by a tempestuous weather pattern. Days become warmer, and the bush bursts into life. It is also the time for murrnong (yam daisies).
For GABCY cyclists it is the start of spring; the days are getting longer and mornings are warmer. Weather remains highly variable. Gravel roads drain well and are usually rideable even in the wet. However, clay roads and tracks are usually still too sodden to ride. The dominant features on rides are lush green fields of the new season’s cereal and fodder crops. Particularly the brilliant yellow fields of flowering canola. This ride is ideal for September. The Cornella Canola Roller route passes alongside many fields of canola. It also has scenic climbs of Mt. Camel Range ridge line. Riders can look out over the patchwork of colourful fields.
2022 – We rode the route on 23 September 2022. A great ride, gravel roads were in good condition and lots of canola in bright flower. The clay tracks were sodden so the route avoided them. Rain for last 10 km including final climb of Chinamans Bend was a slight dampener. This date was the perfect timing though; by the following weekend canola fields were more patchy with flowers breaking down. Some pics from the ride are below.
.
October
September to November correlates to the indigenous season of Petyan. This marks the wildflower season. The weather becomes tempestuous. Days are warmer. The bush bursts into life. It is also the time for murrnong (yam daisies).
For GABCY cyclists, it is the middle of spring. The equinox has passed. The return of daylight savings time indicates that longer, warmer days are approaching. Weather remains highly variable, which makes planning rides difficult. Gravel roads drain well. They are usually rideable even in the wet. However, clay roads and tracks are usually still too sodden to ride. An ideal and reliable ride for late October is Gobarup Grass Trees and Wildflowers. The local wildflowers are in peak bloom. The thin sandy topsoil and gravel tracks on the rolling hills of the Rushworth forest drain well. This remains true even when it is wet and boggy elsewhere.
2022 – The ride was scheduled for 29/10/22. However, because of extensive rain and floods across northern Victoria, the ride was cancelled – see All The Rivers Flood.
.
November
September to November correlates to the indigenous season of Petyan. It is a wildflower season marked by tempestuous weather. There are warmer days and the bush bursts into life. It is also the time for murrnong (yam daisies).
For GABCY cyclists, it is the last month of spring. The weather is more predictable, with warmer days. There are also more hours of daylight. Roads start to dry out and many clay roads become rideable. Grapevines are in full, bright, green leaf. Although you still need to research current conditions and plan accordingly, there are more route options. An ideal and reliable ride for November is Red Ridge Ride – Heathcote Wineries Tour.
2022 – The ride was held 26 November 2022. Some pics below –
.
December and Following Months
Usually in Summer, this seasonal ride series would focus on rivers and river tracks. During the summer of 2022/23, the national parks along rivers remain closed. This is due to flood impact. They may stay closed into autumn of 2023.
Accordingly, this series is suspended until I can get more certainty about access to national parks and reserves.
.
Nix-Tracks 