Trail Information
Most of our
weekly rides follow the beautiful Warburton Trail. This is undoubtedly one of
the most scenic short rides available near Melbourne and offers an array of
spectacular scenery.
 
Very
importantly, because the trail follows the path of the old train line, the gradients
are all relatively gentle. There are no ferocious hills for
the fainthearted. A ride along this trail is not only good for the body it is
also great for the soul.
The
surface consists of lilydale toppings of various thicknesses. Although it can
be soft in places, especially after it has just been topped up, it is generally
suitable for most types of bikes, including mountain bikes and hybrids. Although
I would not want to risk my best road bike on this surface I have ridden it
well over 100 times on my old road bike.
 
  Our
usual day of riding is Thursday afternoon, although this is sometimes changed
in Winter months if the weather dictates that it would make better sense to
switch to an alternate day.
Depending
on your level of fitness you may choose to join the ride anywhere between Mt
Evelyn and Launching Place, the important thing is that we all finish at Warburton
at approx 2.45 pm for a cup of coffee, a cake, or a well earned lunch at the
local tea rooms. A great place to enjoy a yarn and observe the (sometimes rather
colourful) locals. Just remember that you still have to cycle back to your starting
place - so don't blame us if your bum is sore!
| Location
|
Melways
Reference |
Approx
time |
Distance
to Warburton (km) |
Mt
Evelyn
(experienced riders)
|
120,
C1 (next to COGS cafe) |
1.00
pm |
33
|
Wandin
North
(keen riders)
|
119,
B10 |
1.15
pm |
28
|
| Killara
Station
(average riders)
|
285,
G5 |
1.30
pm |
21
|
| Woori
Yallock Station
(if you're
running late)
|
286,E10
|
1.40
pm |
17
|
Launching
Place Hotel
(Newcomers)
|
287,H6
|
1.50
pm |
12
|
Yarra
Junction Reserve
(the ride you have when you are not having a ride!)
|
288,
D7 |
2.00pm
|
9
|
Warburton
Town
Lunchtime
|
290,
A4 |
Approx
2.25 to 2.45 pm
(depending on the number of punctures)
|
Hot
coffee and lunch! |
In cooler
months the temperature can be low so bring warm clothing, preferably windproof,
to avoid getting cold.
New riders
are always welcome, no matter what state of fitness you are in. We all have
to start somewhere and one of our riders has actually made no progress whatsoever
in the past THREE YEARS, so you won't feel out of place.
|
Upcoming Rides & Activities for 2010
- Sat Sep 4th -Belgrave to Jells Park Social Ride - 9 am start at Belgrave
- Tue Sep 7th - Tuesday Fitness Group Mountain Bike Ride - 10 am start
- Thur Sep 9th - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Sun Sep 12th - Acheron Way Ride to Narbethong - 9.30 am start from Cement Creek
- Tue Sep 14th - Tuesday Fitness Group - walk starts at 10 am
- Thur Sep 16th - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Tues Sep 21st - Tuesday Fitness Group - walk starts at 10 am
- Thur Sep 23rd - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Sat Sep 25th - Annual Donna Buang Lungbuster - staggered starts from 8 am
- Tues Sep 28th - Tuesday Fitness Group - walk starts at 10 am
- Thur Sep 30th - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Sun Oct 3rd - Social Ride - Bayside Bike Paths - 10 am start at South Rd
- Tues Oct 5th - Tuesday Fitness Group - mountain bike ride starts at 10 am
- Thurs Oct 7th - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Tues Oct 12th - Tuesday Fitness Group - walk starts at 10 am
- Thues Oct 14th - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Sun Oct 17th - Big Bay Ride - 7 am start at Frankston
- Tues Oct 19th - Tuesday Fitness Group - walk starts at 10 am
- Thurs Oct 21st - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
- Sat Oct 23rd - Upper Yarra Dam Ride - 9.30 am start at Launching Place
- Tues Oct 26th - Tuesday Fitness Group - walk starts at 10 am
- Thurs Oct 28th - Warburton Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
Most Recent Ride Stories
(Please note that most ride stories are now published in the FREE weekly newsletter - why not subscribe now ?)
08/04 In Which You Could See us from the Moon
17/12 In Which Seventeen Soggy Santas Spread Some Smiles
03/12 In Which the Wind Sucks
31/10 The Sixth Annual Lungbuster
22/10 In Which Unity Reigns Supreme
15/10 In Which Even Noah Stayed Home
08/10 In Which the Peloton is Splintered
For all previous weekday ride stories click HERE
Lots of other weekend stories can be found HERE
Previous Overseas Adventure Challenges
Click HERE for 2006 China Ride
Click HERE for 2007 China Ride
Click HERE for 2008 China Ride
Click HERE for our 2009 Himalayan Challenge and pictures
Click HERE for the 2009 Danube Ride Story
2010 - South America Adventure Challenge
The Ghostriders will be heading off in a few days to South America on our longest and most ambitious challenge yet. .
2011 - Second European Ride
The Ghostriders will be returning to Europe in Aug/Sep of 2011 to complete another ride along the Danube, this time starting from Ulm and finishing in Vienna. It will also be combined with a secondary ride from Prague to Dresden along the Elbe river. All original spaces for this trip are now filled but I have started a supplementary list.
Newsletter
Did you know that we also have an e-mail mailing list? If you would like to be informed/reminded of future cycling events by e-mail just drop a request to me at the following address ghostriders@netspace.net.au You can also download previous newsletters here
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