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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.

Launching Place bridge

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.

Big Bridge We see cows

View to Hills Warburton Town 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.

Rides & Activities for February & March 2012 (or download full calendar HERE)

Tues 7th Feb - 1st Tuesday MTB ride to Gembrook - 10 am start at Emerald
Thurs 9th Feb - Warby Trail Ride - Twilight Ride -start at Woori Yallock at 3 pm
Tues 14th Feb - Tuesday Bushwalk start at 10 am at Emerald
Thurs 16th Feb - Warby Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
Sat 18th Feb - Social Ride - FTG to Jells Park and back again - 9 am start
Tues 21st Feb - Tuesday Bushwalk start at 10 am at Emerald
Thurs 23rd Feb - Warby Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
Tues 28th Feb - Tuesday Bushwalk start at 10 am at Emerald
Thurs 1st March - Warby Trail Ride - BREAKFAST RIDE -start at Wandin at 7 am
Sunday 4th March - Yarra Junction to Noojee - 10.00 start at Yarra Junction
Tues 6th March - 1st Tuesday MTB ride to Gembrook - 10 am start at Emerald
Thurs - 8th March - Warby Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
Mon 12th March - LABOUR DAY - Royal Park to Williamstown - 10 am start
Tues 13th March - Tuesday Bushwalk start at 10 am at Emerald
Thurs 15th March - Warby Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
Tues 20th March- Tuesday Bushwalk start at 10 am at Emerald
Thurs 22nd March - Warby Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon
Fri 23rd to Sun 25th March - Annual Wang to Bright Rail Trail Weekend
Tues 27th March- Tuesday Bushwalk start at 10 am at Emerald
Thurs 29th March- Warby Trail Ride - start at Woori Yallock at 12 noon

Ride Stories

Please note that ride stories are now published in the FREE weekly newsletter - why not subscribe now ?

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
Click HERE for some pictures of the 2010 South America Challenge

2011 - European Ride - Ulm to Vienna - Completed

This trip now completed, along with supplementary ride from Prague to Dresden

2012 Under African Skies - African Safari (bookings now closed)

Places in this trip are NOW FULL. This is not a cycling trip but a true African safari with lots of amazing scenery, indiginous people and incredible wildlife. An expereience of a lifetime !

2012 "Turkish Delights" Adventure (now full)

This trip will take place in Sep 2012 and will involve cycling, trekking, sailing as we travel all over this amazing land. Experience history at first hand, also includes a visit to Gallipoli. Bookings now closed but standby list now being made.

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