2. Victorian training rides
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Ride On readers suggested these training rides around Victoria. The Top Ten training rides in Victoria are described in Ride On August-September 2008
Bellarine Peninsula: Ocean Grove to Portarlington, 60km return
“Follow the foreshore through Pt Lonsdale, Queenscliff, St Leonards, Indented Head to Portarlington and back to Ocean Grove. This ride has hills, coast, flats. I love it.” There are supplies, water and toilets at all the settlements along this route.
Bellarine Peninsula: Variation of previous route, starting from Geelong,100km loop
Ride through Drysdale and on to Portarlington to do the lovely waterfront ride to Ocean Grove. From Ocean Grove take the Wallington – Ocean Grove Rd and the Bellarine Hwy to return to Geelong.
Mount Baw Baw National Park: Noojee to Mount Baw Baw, 55km one way
“Start in Noojee, follow Willow Grove Rd through Hill End to Tanjil South, then turn left onto Moe–Rawson Road. Beyond Rawson this becomes Thompson Valley Rd, which leads to the Mt Erica car park. For the full experience take on the Baw Baw climb, or save the pain and stop at the entrance gate. Spectacularly beautiful riding, sensational roads, and challenging terrain.”
Inverloch: 40km loop
“Start at Inverloch doing a loop through Wattle Bank, Wonthaggi, Cape Paterson around the coast road back to Inverloch. Quiet country roads with easy riding.”
All over the Dandenongs: 20km one way
The Basin to “Sassafras via Mountain Hwy (5% ascent for 7km) then onto Olinda (Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd) (5% ascent 2km). Down ‘the Wall’ to Monbulk on Monbulk–Olinda Rd (7% descent 11km). Along Belgrave–Monbulk Rd to Kallista (5% ascent 5km). Up Sherbrooke Rd to Ferny Creek (11% ascent 2km, undulating 4km). Back onto Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, down Devil’s Elbow to Ferntree Gully (undulating 4km then 8% descent 3km) and onto Mountain Hwy back.”
Whittlesea–Broadford: 108km loop
“Whittlesea – Wandong – Broadford (backroad) – Strath Creek – Flowerdale – Kinglake West – Whittlesea finish. Extra 40kms if you go Kinglake West – Kinglake – St.Andrews – Arthurs Creek – Whittlesea.”
Belgrave to Pakenham: 50km one way
“Catch the train to Belgrave, ride from Belgrave to Gembrook, roughly following the route of Puffing Billy, but along the main roads (through Emerald), then riding from Gembrook to Pakenham, and then catching the train back from Pakenham.”
Yarra Valley: 100km return
“Start on the corner of Green St and Maroondah Hwy, Healesville. Proceed along Crowley Rd, Maroondah Hwy to Healesville – Koo Wee Rup Road. Follow this to Dalry Rd, then via Don Valley to Launching Place. Follow Warburton Hwy a short way to Corduroy Rd on the left, then Settlement Rd, Railway Rd and Station Rd to Wesburn. (Alternatively, Launching Place to Warburton can be done on the Warburton Railtrail using an unsealed surface.) Follow Warburton Hwy through Warburton to the Cement Creek turn-off (Donna Buang Rd). It is then approximately 17km to the Mt Donna Buang summit. Return by the same route.”
Inner North East Foot Hills Loop: just under 50km
“Picturesque short, sharp hills, lots of quiet streets, a touch of country whilst never being too far from the inner suburbs. A great training ride with fantastic coffee at the end. Start at Bikes De Ver, 412 Heidelberg Rd, Fairfield. Head east along Heidelberg Rd, Alphington and turn right onto The Boulevard, left onto Warncliffe Rd, first right onto Charteris Drv, first right onto McArthur Rd, right onto Burke Rd, left at the traffic lights onto The Boulevard, left onto Bulleen Rd, right onto Thompsons Rd. After crossing Manningham Rd, take the fourth right onto Feathertop Ave–Kanooka Ave, left into Gidgee Ave, right into Verene Ave, cross High St at the traffic lights onto Lynwood Pde, left onto Williamsons Rd, continue straight ahead along Fitzsimmons Lane, right onto Main St, Eltham, right onto Mt Pleasant Rd, left onto Reynolds Rd, left onto Main Rd, right onto Bridge St, left onto Susan St, left onto Withers Way, right onto Bell St, right onto Ely St, left onto Porter St, right onto Kerby St, left onto Bolton St, right onto Old Eltham Rd, Lower Plenty, left onto Bonds Rd, right at the roundabout onto Cleveland Ave, Henty Rd, Banyule Rd, Viewbank, left onto Beverley Rd, right onto ‘Col du’ Burgundy St, left onto Upper Heidelberg Rd, left onto Carn Avenue, right onto Studley Rd, left into Marshall St, right onto Lower Heidelberg Rd, continue onto Heidelberg Rd, finishing back at Apte Café, 538 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington, cnr Yarraford Avenue.”
Yarra Glen: 125km one way
“Meet at Fitzimmons Lane roundabout then head out along Main Rd to Kangaroo Ground then go to Yarra Glen (King of the Mountain* (KOM) at Skyline Rd, Christmas Hills) snack at Healesville then climb Chum Creek Rd to Toolangi (KOM at Myers Creek Rd intersection) then cross the Melba Hwy and go up Mt Slide Rd (KOM at the 80km speed sign after the wall) then back down to St Andrews, Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek, Greensborough.”