Cycling Round the Bay Lite, with overnights in Ocean Grove

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Enjoy a “Round The Bay Lite” scenic tour from Geelong to Frankston, with an overnight stay in Ocean Grove. ** Limit of 10 riders **

GRADE | TYPE | LENGTH: Hard 129 km point-to-point cycling (Day 1: Hard 51 km | Day 2: Ride or Rest day in Ocean Grove| Day 3: Hard 78 km). The route has on-road sections as well as both sealed and unsealed cycling trails, and very limited early exit options (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines. The official Round The Bay ride of more than 210 km in a single day is totally off the Nomad’s grading scale)! There are some sections on busy roads.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This is a three day cycling weekend with Fri/Sat overnight stay in a private house in Ocean Grove. 

• Friday: we'll travel via V/Line train to Lara, then cycle to Ocean Grove via Corio Bay and the Bellarine Rail Trail. Night in Ocean Grove house.
• Saturday: An optional ride, walk or rest day. Options are to walk along some of the rugged Bass Strait beaches, around Lake Connewarre, or a ride towards Torquay. Dependent on weather and inclination. Night in Ocean Grove house.
• Sunday: we'll cycle to Queenscliff to catch the ferry across to Sorrento. From there we'll cycle via the Bay Trail to Safety Beach after which we'll head inland. First through some quiet, scenic suburban streets, Bruce Rd and the Nepean Hwy to The Briars Community Forest. We'll cycle/walk through the wetlands then some quiet suburban streets to Old Moorooduc Rd, which takes us on a wide shoulder to the start of the Peninsula Link Trail. From there it's an excellent, wide path all the way to the Baxter Trail for the final 4 km descent to Frankston Station.

Notes:

• You will need a sleeping bag (or similar), pillow slip and towel. There will be a car at Lara train station to deposit them in, and they will be transported to Ocean Grove for you.
• We will abort the Sorrento to Frankston ride on Sunday if any of the following occur: a threat of bad rain, a forecast for hot temperature, trains cancelled on the Frankston line, or the likelihood of a strong headwind. If that happens the options are 1) ride to Portarlington and catch the ferry to Southbank, or 2) cycle back to Geelong via another route, then catch a V/Line train back to Melbourne.

BOOKING: By Monday 9th December or ASAP. To register, click on Get Tickets. Limit of 10 participants. If sold out, email LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au to see if any other arrangements are possible.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=139

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Friday approximately 9am at Southern Cross Station to catch the train to Waurn Ponds (though we will get off at Lara Station). It is prudent to arrive early to ensure we get all our bikes on the train.  Final train times will be advised closer to the date depending on any late timetable changes.

MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1E grid A9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/WUzR7kSmTVzW3yjx6. 

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: around 80 km to Lara Station, 54 minutes by train from Southern Cross Station.

ACCOMMODATION: basic, but comfortable accommodation will be provided in a private house in Ocean Grove. Only 10 beds are available. We will buy in food to cook each night, or eat out.  Bring your own cereals for breakfast, and any special food for lunch. Staples will all be available in Ocean Grove.  Bring a sleeping bag and towel and pillow slip.

COST:

• Ferry: $19 full fare or $17 concession. Bikes are carried at no additional charge.
• Lunches: can be made before we leave, or purchased individually en route each day.
• Accommodation & Meals: a small contribution is suggested to contribute to breakfast and accommodation expenses. At night we might go out for dinner, or buy ingredients for a BBQ at the Ocean Grove house.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Travel to and from this event is via public transport. 

• Fri 16 Dec: meet at Southern Cross Station about 9 am train to Geelong.
• Sun 18 Dec: trains depart Frankston every 10 minutes for Flinders Street.

FOOD: Carry 2 litres of water. We will purchase lunch along the way, though there will be long stretches with no food options, so it would be advisable to bring some snacks.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR:

• A hybrid bike is best due to the diversity in tracks. Quite a lot of the route will be on sealed trails or roads, but some of the tracks, including the sealed sections, can be quite rough. Bring clothing based on the weather forecast, but be prepared for changeable conditions.  
• You will need a sleeping bag (or similar), pillow slip and towel (drop off into car at Lara Station. 

LEADER: Roger H. | Email LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

 

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