RideGuide ROAD / GRAVEL / MOUNTAIN AVENUE OF HONOUR Welcome to Contents the Macedon PAGE Experience the region 4 Ranges Be Safe 6 ROAD RIDES DISTANCE DIFFICULTY 8 This guide showcases rides for all ages and The Hanging Rock Cruiser 27km Easy 10 abilities. There are easy options for folks just Historic Village Loop 27km Easy 12 starting out or looking for a leisurely weekend The Reservoir Rippa 29km Medium 14 activity, and plenty of challenging road and Straws Lane Thriller 40km Medium 16 gravel rides to excite the fittest cyclist. Barringo Beauty 48km Medium 18 The quiet country roads, naturally cool Mountain Climb Challenge 42km Hard 20 climate, gorgeous landscapes and proximity Backcountry Explorer 74km Hard 22 to Melbourne make the Macedon Ranges a The Ring of Kerrie 54km Hard 24 ripper riding destination. You can pedal for The Cross and the Rock 63km Advanced 26 miles and hardly encounter a car, although Ultimate Endurance Loop 117km Advanced 28 you’ll see plenty of wildlife and farm animals along the way. And when you’re done for the GRAVEL RIDES 30 day and want to chill, there’s an abundance The Federation Trail 16km Easy 32 of cellar doors, rustic bakeries, cafés and pubs in our historic villages to enjoy. Wombat Wanderer 25km Easy 34 Cobaws Joyride 32km Medium 36 If flowing single-track is more your thing, Plantation Prowl 56km Hard 38 there’s the brilliant Wombat Loop, that weaves Riddells Revenge 57km Hard 40 its way through the Wombat State Forest. Malmsbury Mixer 87km Advanced 42 It’s more than just ‘a ride’ in the Macedon Ranges, it’s an experience. MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES 44 Wombat Loop 17km Medium 46 Go Bush MTB Explorer 37km Medium 48 Region fold out map 50 Help? 53 www.strava.com/clubs/ridemacedonranges WoodendExperience to Hanging the Region Rock 5 Experience the region “The Macedon Ranges offers something for cyclists of all The Macedon Ranges is home to nine distinct and charismatic villages, from small and ages, abilities and interests” sleepy to country-cosmopolitan. Linking these historic villages and tiny hamlets are stunning, seasonally changing rural landscapes, eucalyptus and pine forests, and boutique vineyards. For more about where to eat, drink, stay and explore go to visitmacedonranges.com or follow us on: @macedonrangesnaturallycool @visitmacedonranges Why not plan a The Macedon Ranges is less than an hour’s riding holiday? drive from Melbourne. You’ll also find many rides conveniently start and finish at our village railway stations (we recommend travelling during off-peak times as bike spaces are limited). Whatever your preferred mode of transport, you’ll be clipping into your pedals in not time. There’s also a variety of overnight accommodation options to create a fantastic biking getaway, from boutique guesthouses to caravan parks. Get inspired for a cycling holiday: visitmacedonranges.com/where-to-stay ROAD RIDE WoodendRatings, Strava to Hanging and Safety Rock 7 Ride Guide Safety Here are some tips and hints Be aware of your surroundings Easy to keeping safe when you ride and ride to the conditions. Watch in the Macedon Ranges. for hazards and obstacles on the road or trails. Look carefully Medium Carry sufficient water as for vehicles and pedestrians potable water may not be readily entering and exiting driveways and available along a ride route. Hard pathways. Obey the road rules. Most of the Know the weather conditions. roads used in these rides are very Advanced During summer be aware of fire quiet and you may not encounter warnings. Do not ride on Code any car traffic, but you should Red days. Monitor cfa.vic.gov.au This Guide uses a colour coded obey the Victorian Road Rules at for updated fire information. grading system to help you all times. Mobile blackspots. Don’t get lost. identify which rides are suited to Make yourself visible. Always We recommend downloading our your fitness level, skill and ability. carry working lights and reflective rides (particularly gravel and MTB These classifications are based on gear where possible. routes) to a GPS device, as mobile a combination of ride distance, Respect the local area. Take devices may be impacted by black elevation and bike type. It’s all rubbish with you and do spots. expected riders are of reasonable not enter any private property, Ride times have been suggested fitness and assess their ability including farmland. before selecting and embarking by Strava and will vary depending on a ride. on rider ability. Join the Ride Macedon Ranges community. Strava is a free, online GPS mapping tool that allows you to discover rides, monitor performance, challenge This guide uses Strava to yourself, friends and others who join map and share rides. the Ride Macedon Ranges Strava Club. www.strava.com/clubs/ridemacedonranges Road Rides Introduction 9 Road Rides This Guide offers ten road rides that take you on a journey across the Macedon Ranges. Many keen cyclists start out tackling the steep climb up Mt Macedon. In summer, the mountain’s high elevation provides a cool respite from the city heat. The photo-worthy views to Hanging Rock also make cycling in the region a unique experience. A cold craft beer at a Woodend pub rounds these rides off nicely too. For adventurers up for a challenge, discover brilliant rides along roads less travelled. Traverse the famous Burke and Wills Track. Cycle alongside the magnificent Cobaw Ranges. And ride through farmland distinguished by amazing granite rock outcrops. For the ultimate training ride in our Guide and excuse for an overnight getaway, check out the 117km Ultimate Endurance Loop. With so many rides to choose from you’ll want to keep coming back again and again. “ Here you have the best of road cycling; quiet tree-lined country roads, plenty of variety, enough climbs to challenge anybody, and towns with a great coffee culture.” Brett Ellis, President, Macedon Ranges Cycling Club ROAD RIDE The Hanging Rock Cruiser 11 d - R d d n l e e i d f o e Anderson Rd o c n W a 20 L C 10 Colwells Rd a ld e A r F r Calder Hwy e e w B a y 15 Coach Rd Boundary Rd South Rock Rd Woodend-Lancefield Rd Romsey Rd Wood WOODEND end-Wallan Rd C 5 FINISH Ln Straws d Mount Macedon Rd acedon R Mt M 25 Mt Macedon Rd START Morris Quarry Rd Road Rd don ce a M Boundary Rd t M Calder Hwy B m The Hanging Rock Cruiser 600 590 A 580 C Rating Easy Beginning your journey from Woodend 570 Railway Station, this low-gradient ride Distance 27km 560 passes through beautiful tree-lined 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 km Elevation 205m residential streets as you exit Woodend. You’ll travel along country roads Places of interest on this ride Start Ride Time 1h05m through open farmland, with many Woodend Train Station views of both Hanging Rock and Mt A Stop and admire the view of Mt Macedon. Macedon as you approach Hanging B Drop by Hanging Rock Reserve for a Rock Reserve. Devonshire tea or lunch at the licensed Finish Hanging Rock Cafe. Woodend Train Station Although rated easy, this ride is not C Finish with a coffee at one of the great suitable for children. local cafés in Woodend. ROAD RIDE Historic Village Loop 13 Mollison StB Malmsbury East Rd MALMSBURY 15 Breakneck Rd Calder Freeway C Daylesford-Malmsbury Rd 10 Breakneck Rd Redesdale Rd Y Kyneton-Metcaffe Rd o Heathcote-Kyneton Rd u n g s R d 20 Lauriston Rd n Rd sto C ri al La u Burton Ave de r F re ew LAURISTON ay Keegan Rd KYNETON 5 Lauriston Reservoir Rd 25 START High St A FINISH m A 540 Historic Village Loop 520 B 500 C 480 Rating Easy Leaving the historic village of Kyneton, 460 this return trip takes you on a scenic Distance 27km 440 journey past farms and along quiet roads 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 km Elevation 333m to tranquil Malmsbury. Both villages offer options for a lazy lunch and Kyneton’s Places of interest on this ride Start Ride Time 1h10m Piper Street is ideal for a post-ride Kyneton Train Station retail fix. Or, pick up local fare from the A Pick up picnic treats from the Kyneton Farmers’ Markets held on second Saturday of the month. Kyneton or Malmsbury Farmers’ Markets and enjoy a picnic in the Malmsbury B Drop by Malmsbury Village Farmers’ Market on Finish Botanic Gardens, overlooking an 1800s third Sunday of the month. Kyneton Train Station bluestone viaduct bridge. C For history buffs, drop by the Malmsbury Cemetery, gazetted in 1861. ROAD RIDE The Reservoir Rippa 15 Ca Drum ld auriston mo e L n Lauriston Rd r F d R re d Burton Av ew 5 A ay Piper St LAURISTON 10 Harts Ln Keegan Rd KYNETON Mollison St FINISH C START Sebastapol Rd Harts Ln LAURISTON 25 Shepherds Hill Rd Kyneton Springhill Rd RESERVOIR Trentham Rd Pleasant Hill Rd Kyneton- Trentham Rd 15 B 20 m Rd rentha n-T d to R e n l il y h K g Kyneton Sprin UPPER COLIBAN RESERVOIR Central Rd Coliban Rd m 600 The Reservoir Rippa B 550 C A Rating Medium Take in the scenery as you cycle 500 through flat, open farmland along Distance 29km 450 Lauriston Road. Test your legs up the 0 5 10 15 20 25 km Elevation 362m tree-sheltered Shepherds Hill Road, then be rewarded with stunning Places of interest on this ride Start Ride Time 1h15m views and a fun descent toward the A Sample the natural mineral water at Kyneton Train Station twin reservoirs.