Off to northeast Melbourne over Christmas and NY to see family. Lots planned obviously but hoping to be able to squeeze in a day riding whilst I’m out there.
Travel insurance (and common sense) restricts me to signed/designated trails so can anyone recommend anywhere to ride that has some decent trails within maybe a couple of hours drive? Flows trails and some tech would be good.
The other big factor is I’d need to hire a bike. Looks like most ‘trail centres’ nearby don’t have much in the way of facilities so can anyone recommend anywhere that hires decent spec MTBs?
Best combo option I can find is Lake Mountain Resort and the Cascades trail where they have Rocky Mountain full sussers…?
Alternatively, any gravel bike hire and route options in the area??!
Where are you staying?
Westerfolds park is north west, I think that was an Olympic xc track.
I don't MTB (or even ride a bike 😂) any more so can't advise on hiring.
The you yangs has some decent trails but it's over to the north west, you could probably get there in an hour depending where you are.
You'll be within access for mount Dandenong, maybe look on Strava for stuff around there too.
Doing the same just after Christmas to visit friends from when we lived over there (nigh on 15 years ago now). Lysterfield with the Commonwealth games XC track is mentioned above. Fairly flat, mostly flowy and through gum forest. You'd need to lap it a few times to get a decent ride. About an hour by car from the CBD. There is a bike shop on site.
The You Yangs is out West as mentioned. About an hour and a bit from the CBD. Split between flat and flowy trails (even less tech) in gum trees and much more tech and steepness over big boulders (never did get clam rock quite right). No bike shop there from memory.
Many more further away from Melbourne (Firest, Old mining trail, King Lake, etc.).
From what you've described, I'd say Lysterfield and ride it as fast as you can to make up for the lack of tech.
I'm sure things have moved on though.
Also, as the weather will be warm and you'll be in the trees I'd pick up a snake bite bandage if nobody in your group has one. I had an eastern brown dancing around my feet on a site visit a couple of weeks ago, the first aiders always carry bite stuff but it was in the car 1km away, made a good safety moment at work to make sure they're actually carried.
Hi
I'm in the warrandyte mountain bike club (NE melbourne), best places in the area in melbourne are plenty gorge (look up their club page), smiths gully or Hans loop (westerfolds on the yarra in templestowe). Not sure about bike hire, might need to check with a shop, lysterfield and red hill are SE melbourne, buxton and lake mountain further south, there is some stuff on Mt dandenong also. I've got an older scalpel (large) you could borrow and come out for a ride, most of these are very XC-ish
We used to live in Melbourne over 10 years ago so can't give any up to date advice. Lake Mountain is within easy reach for a day trip. I never biked there but we took the kids sledging in winter. That area got badly hit by fires and I dont know what it looks like now but back then it was lovely and a bit different to what you will otherwise see on your visit so perhaps worth the effort. Options for family too with the Koala reserve/ Sanctuary at Healesville. Marysville had cafe's & restraunts.
The Dandenongs are closer and also very nice but I think its more gravel riding than proper mtb.
You Yangs were the go to for mtb when we were there but I never visited.
Agree with the advice above, probably go for Lysterfield for ease, there’s a blue loop which is enjoyable if not that memorable. The commonwealth track is better, more technical but not that long. Plenty gorge is good but not way marked so can be an effort to find your way round the first few visits.
These places are nothing on a par with UK trail centres though. You’ve got to travel much further to get anything as good.
Bike hire? Sorry no idea.
Check the weather a couple of days before, it can get really hot. So on those days go early as you can. In summer I’m usually on my bike by 7am which to be honest is when the woods and wildlife is at it’s best.
need to start carrying the snake-bite bandage also as they are now out, saw a copperhead on one of the local trails yesterday, usually see a few over the summer, mainly browns/tiger snakes, once a red-bellied black also.
There are more sign posted now, think plenty ahs a sign-posted loop, lysterfield definately, lake mountain and buxton (near lake mountain)
NE Melb - head to Silvan Reservoir area near Olinda and Sassafras
Down the coast - Anglesey bike park.
Thanks all, good suggestions.
Staying in Chirnside Park area, so some of those sound like good options.
Totally hadn't even given the risk of snake bites a thought! Looked up briefly on Youtube what do to if you do get bitten...oof...maybe riding on my own wouldn't be a great idea! Cheers for the offer @stevego...I may take you up on that offer.
Otherwise, You Yangs looks good. Think I may have found a bike hire place in Geelong, so could be another option.
Track me down once you get here, best is email (sgoodall2@googlemail.com) or fb (I am in the warrandyte mtb club which is on there also). We are around pre-christmas but heading to Wilson Prom boxing day I think, back early Jan.
Cheers
Track me down once you get here, best is email (sgoodall2@googlemail.com), fb (I am in the warrandyte mtb club which is on there also)oe mobile (0429957101) We are around pre-christmas but heading to Wilson Prom boxing day I think, back early Jan.
Cheers
Thanks @Stevego, will keep you in mind and give you a shout if things work out 🙂