Rushworth Ironbark Forest Loop, 203 kms (Intermediate grade)

An extended weekend tour for three days through the warmer, drier lands of the box-ironbark forests in north-central Victoria. We will commence from Seymour, and return here at the end, enabling riders to choose to take the train or come up by car. The first day includes Tahbilk Winery, Kirwan's Bridge (but we do not cross it) and Longleat Winery, before camping at Murchison Riverside Caravan Park. The second day is a gold-era trek, visiting Rushworth, the Balaclava Hills mine at Whroo, then traversing the extensive box-ironbark forest through to Heathcote. Here we will camp at Queen Meadow Caravan Park. Next morning we can do morning coffee in Heathcote, which has two very good bakeries. We then take a back-road to Tooborac with its popular hotel-brewery, then follow the sealed road to the ride conclusion at Seymour.

At Murchison we can cook dinner in a good camp-kitchen. The nearest hotel at Murchison is a long (3km) ride away at Murchison East. The second night will be in town with a good camp kitchen or a pub dinner possible.

Fri. am trains depart Southern Cross at 7:07am, 8:10am and 10:36 am, arriving at Seymour at 8:24am, 9:48am and 12:01pm respectively.
Sun. return trains are approximately hourly from 1:15pm onwards.

Route for the tour.

ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning headlight & tail light
Spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, food/snacks, etc

WATER
It's your responsibility to check the temperature and distance for the day and carry an appropriate amount of water. When riding outside suburbia remember that carrying too much water is better than not enough as the distances between water availability may vary greatly from the planned route due to road closures or other unforeseen circumstances.

Check your app for any changes the day before a the ride, as the ride may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

If you cannot make it to the ride please change your RSVP to 'NO' at least one day before the ride day.

This ride is for MBTC club members, or those who have not yet done 3 days riding with us. To join our club check out https://www.mbtc.org.au/membership

When I RSVP for this event/activity I acknowledge that the activity of bicycle riding can be dangerous and that I may suffer loss or injury or death and I agree that in consideration of my participation in any event conducted by the MBTC that I will absolve from liability the MBTC, its officers, and any event organiser from all claims, demands, or suits whether for personal injury or property loss suffered whether by negligence or breach of contract or otherwise, save for any right I may have pursuant to the Australian Consumer law. I acknowledge that photos may be taken of me during MBTC rides and social events, and that it is club practice that these photos will be published on Meetup, Facebook, and the club website. I will notify the ride leader and other riders if I wish to not be photographed. MBTC cannot guarantee that my photo will not be published and will promptly honour requests to be removed from MBTC controlled sites.