Brompton goes to the Great Victorian Rail Trail (the Goulburn Valley rail trail)

Last Saturday Brompton and I went out for a long ride to the Great Victorian Rail Trail which follows a trace of the old Goulburn Valley Railway track branching from Tallarook toward Mansfield via Yea.

Great Victorian Rail - Australia's Longest Rail Trail

The main northeast line from Melbourne reached Tallarook in November 1872. Ten years later, in 1882, a rail line was surveyed as far as Yea and the construction contract awarded. The route followed the curves and undulations of the Goulburn Valley, hugging the steep walls on the south side of the river. The terrain was not easy. In the first 11.2 kilometres to Trawool there were 17 curves and 68 changes of grade. The first train from Tallarook to Yea arrived on Tuesday 20th Nov 1883. Initially the return Tallarook to Yea train service was a daily Goods and Passenger train combined. The track speed was 60 km/hr. After nearly 15 years, work began on the Yea to Mansfield line on 27 April 1887. The first train steamed into Mansfield on 6th October 1891. In 1977, Tallarook to Mansfield (via Yea) passenger rail motor service terminated and soon all the services ended.

(source: Great Victorian Rail Trail Official Page http://www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au/）

[Route Data]

Distance 85.9km (return)

Maximum difference in elevation 73m

Average % of slope ascent 2.1% descent 2%

Acquired elevation ascent 444m descent 430m

Early in the morning, Brompton and I were a part of the herd of bikes aboard the V-line trains from Southern Cross Station toward the places where are welcoming bike lovers. 

Arriving in Tallarook Station where the Great Victorian Rail Trail started.

Yea is about 40 km from the station. Mansfield, where the trail ends, is 135 km away.

The trail continues with a dozen of slopes of moderate ascending and descending.

Beautiful meadow!

The brompton encountered a beautiful, gentle horse and greeted to him.

Arriving Yea, a small but cozy town in the mid of the Goulburn Valley.

It already past 4 hours before reaching Yea. 

After a short lunch break at Yea, I carried on my trip for another half hour. However, it was almost time to turn back the way to Tallarook Station in order to catch 4:30 train. I finally decided to end up a today's trip before reaching Cheviot Tunnel situated between the towns of Yea and Molesworth. 

I need to come back here to go further to see a beautiful lake and to visit Mansfield before winter comes.

Updated: Finally I reached famous Cheviot Tunnel on May 17, 2017. A beautiful tunnel.

Related articles:

Brompton goes to Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail

Bromptons went to St. Kilda Pier

Brompton climbs in Victoria

Flying over the Setouchi, the most beautiful inland sea - CYCLING SHIMANAMI 2016

Why don't you join this GREAT CYCLING EVENT "CYCLING SHIMANAMI 2016" held at Japan's most beautiful cycling route over the sea.

http://cycling-shimanami.jp/english/

1. Event: Setouchi Shimanami Kaido International Cycling Event "CYCLING Shinamani 2016"

2. Date:
 [Check-in] Saturday, October 29, 2016
 [Event] Sunday, October 30, 2016

3. Courses: There are five courses to be offered.

Course name		Distance	Capacity	Entry Fee
A	COMPLETE SHIMANAMI 150 Imabari ～ Onomichi <Roundtrip>	about 150 km	500 Participants	13,000 yen
B	ONOMICHI 70 Imabari ～ Onomichi 〈One way〉	about 70 km	1000 Participants	11,000 yen
C	YUMESHIMA 70 Imabari ～ Kamijima 〈Roundtrip〉	about 70 km	300 Participants	11,000 yen
D	OMISHIMA 110 Imabari ～ Omishima 〈Roundtrip〉	about 110 km	1000 Participants	10,000 yen
E	OSHIMA 40 Imabari ～ Oshima 〈Roundtrip〉	about 40km	700 Participants	4,000 yen

click to enlarge

*Entry fee includes handling and entry fee and is non-cancellable and non-refundable.

*Applicants ABCD are required to complete the course within the estimated time. Please be sure to include break times for each aid station.

*Applicants E are required to apply for a bicycle type. Please refer to the guidelines from the Official Home Page.

4. Registration Period:

From noon Monday, May 9 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 22

*A second round of registrations may occur in mid-June.

5. Application Procedure:

Online registration only. Register via the official website. Results of the lottery will be sent via email in mid-June. Successful applications must make the payment (entry and handling fee) by the specified due date.

6. Capacity: 3,500 people

7. Remarks:
(1) The Shimanami Kaido, often praised as “Holy Land of Cyclists” amongst Japanese cyclists, was selected by CNN as one of the world`s seven most incredible bike routes and also received one star by the Michelin Travel Guide. 

(2) You will enjoy the superb scenery of the Seto Archipelago and its famous tide streams and whirlpools from huge and beautiful bridges which Japan's building technology was poured into. 

(3) The One and Only Cycling Event in Japan on an Expressway. Cyclists can enjoy the openness on the expressway, where usually only vehicles are allowed to run. All courses pass through the expressway including the longest bridge in Japan and tunnels which allow bikes to go without change in elevation.

For your reference, the followings are the movies from the air and on the road when it was held there two years ago. Of course I participated in with my Brompton!

(click to view the movie.)

Brompton goes to Lilydale Warburton Rail Trail

Yesterday, a sunny day, Brompton and I went out for a long ride toward Warburton situated at about 72 km east of Melbourne. 

[data]

Distance 44.5km (Lilydale to Warburton and strolling around)
Max. difference in elevation 138m
Average % of slope total 0.1% ascent 2.1% descent 2%
Acquired elevation ascent 250m descent 214m

It was just an hour train trip to Lilyndale Station, a gate of the rail trail.

There were a lot of cyclists with their own bikes in the train.

The trail continued with its gravel surface which was good for a nature ride with Brompton. A lot of people enjoyed the trail ride.

There is a lovely carriage cafe on the mid of the trail.

I met some horse riders during my trail ride.

Woori Yallock Station. I took a short break here.

Finally I arrived at Warburton Station.

Autumn foliage in the town has contrasted its yellow with sky blue. 

Lunch time! Let's have fish and chips.

Then strolled around the town. There was a lovely trail just beside Upper Yarra River. Quiet and clean.

I wish to revisit and stay here for a Brompton ride to Lala Falls or up Mt Donna Buang. I might need a pair of stud tyres for Mt Donna Buang though....

Brompton goes goldmining

If you love gold, Ballarat is a good place to visit. Ballarat has also a history to learn. A part of the history in Australia started from the town. I wanted to confirm that the town still left its glitter of the glorious days.

(The above is one of the gold displayed at Gold Museum.)

During holidays, Brompton and I went to Ballarat, a town of gold mining, by V/Line.

[data]
distance: 7.3km 
max. difference of elevation: 89m
average % of slope: total 0.5% ascent 5.3% descent 4%
acquired elevation: ascent 120m descent 80m



The historic buildings in Ballarat are well preserved and maintained. 

We were following the Canadian River toward Sovereign Hill.

Arriving in the nineteenth century grand old town of Sovereign Hill.  

And finally reached the gold mining site. Unfortunately gold mining had ceased for long time.

Instead of gold mining, I enjoyed a show of GOLD POUR.

To make up for a large gold nugget, I acquired a dozen of gold chocolates for my friends and family. 

Bromptons went to St. Kilda Pier

I joined a group of local Brompton riders in Melbourne to go for a ride. 

[data]
Route: Federation Square - Sandridge Rail Trail - Bayside Trail - St. Kilda Pier (return trip)
Distance: 21.3km

Six Bromptons and one Dahon met up at Fed Square. Dyna and others already started a ride earlier and arrived from Brunswick.  

We started a ride to the bayside trail via Sandridge Rail Trail.

After arriving the seashore, we took east to St. Kilda. A tail wind accelerated our speed to the pier.

Reaching the pier to end up today's ride. 

Finally we arrived at the pier. 

When Dyna proposed to take a photo of Brompton bikes in front of the pier building, I understood that the cult of Brompton bikes had spread globally. What I mean is that Brompton owners love to take a shot of bikes in a row when gathered or visited somewhere. I am quite familiar with this view. Yes, this is what Japanese Bromptonians are doing every another month in the park of Imperial Palace in Tokyo. I am interested in this similarity seen anywhere Bromptons exist in the world.

I really enjoyed the ride and chat with Bromptonians in Melbourne. Dyna, thanks for organising today's ride. Derek, Erwin, Monica, Khoa, thanks for letting me join the group.