What we’re about
We ride all over Victoria and sometimes beyond, on trips ranging from a few hours to multiple days and covering all kinds of surfaces, levels and places.
Our club has a proud fifty year history.
You can take part in three riding days (RSVP via MeetUp) before deciding to become a full member for $25 per year.
- Read more on our website: www.mbtc.org.au
- Follow us on Facebook or Instagram
What is the Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club?
MBTC brings together like-minded people keen to share their experience. We’re a great club for anyone interested in exploring longer-distance bike travel, including camping and overnighters.
What is bicycle touring?
Bicycle touring (some might call it bikepacking) is all about experiencing the world on two wheels. Scenery, sightseeing and socialising are an integral part of our rides, and we love a good bakery (or cafe or market or pub).
Please be aware that everyone is riding at their own risk and the club does not take responsibility for any injuries or accidents you may have on any of our rides.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Winter by the Sea Hard Experienced 80kmCow Up A Tree Sculpture, Melbourne
Forecast sunny and light winds makes for a perfect seaside cycling day. This is a ride for MBTC club members.
We’ll board the 1040 Ferry to Portarlington - coffee and second breakfast on board
We’ll ride along a mix of quiet and less quiet country roads enjoying seaside scenery: to St Leonard’s for morning tea Thence via Queenscliffe and Ket Baker where there’ll be an opportunity to purchase lunch supplies
Lunch will be BYO seaside picnic lunch stop to enjoy the outdoors and sunshine remember to byo camp chair #coffeeoutside
We will train from Marshall to Sunshine where The ride will end at Sunshine from there you will Need to navigate your way home by bike - be sure to have working lights and navigation NB Trains not running between Sunshine and North Melbourne
Grade: Hard - Experienced
76km
Paved 63.2 unpaved 16.7kmRoute https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51491823?privacy_code=Ik2GTqkhbXMYzxYPmY10lTxvF9SRNPZu
Mix of quiet and less quiet country roads mostly paved. A short section of rough gravel a section of unpaved rail trail
You need to book your ferry ticket plus bike space MYKI for train to Sunshine
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/portphillipferries/items/85727/calendar/2025/07/?ga=UA-77654302-1,1512922109.1751239785;&ref=https://www.portphillipferries.com.au&back=https://www.portphillipferries.com.au/tickets-times/%23timetable&gclid=CjwKCAjwmenCBhA4EiwAtVjzmmTloZ25iSkiV4DBpocfhEoGerNb30aTH6r2De7dycwTADouDjjDdhoCpLYQAvD_BwE&g4=yes
23kph on the flat, this is an undulating ride would suit an audax, road or touring bike 32mm tyres as a guide. You should carry your gear and supplies ON your bike NOT in a backpack You should be confident riding in traffic and on mixed road surfaces. You should be capable of riding 20km continuous.
RIDE REGISTRATION FORM This is to be completed when you RSVP and can be found at: www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS
LIGHTS
Functioning headlight that enables you to See the road ahead & 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. 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.
- Wandong - Blairs Hut- Merdna, 52 kms, Intermediate/Hardwandong station, Melbourne
MBTC financial members welcome!
Why would you like to come on this ride in the middle of winter?
Well, it's to gain a small insight of what the Hume & Howell expedition achieved, some 200 years ago, with rudimentary equipment and no roads, to summit Mount Disappointment.
At the top of Mt. Disappointment we'll rest for a while at Blairs Hut ( a basic camping area) the prepare for a quick descent to Whittlesea (40 k mark) where we'll have lunch at the bakery.
After lunch we ride along quiet roads skirting Yan Yean Reservoir, where we can have great vistas across the valley, continuing on we arrive at Merdna train station, for the train home
We recommend that you bring your own food, drinks and plenty of water for the day.
Ride end time is a guesstimate only, so plan your day activities accordingly.
Check route here (give or take a couple of wrong turns): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51368116
The route is 37 % paved, so there is plenty of gravel to contend with.
So bring your in good condition bike, we suggest 32+ mm tires, also bring warm clothing as temperatures could be low.
We'll keep a steady pace, stopping often to regroup.
No one left behind policy applies, but you need to keep yourself properly fueled and hydrated through the ride. A healthy breakfast will also help you to keep up with the riding group.
Vline train from Southern Cross departs at 9.16 am, trains from Merdna every 20 minutes or so.RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This is to be completed when you RSVP and can be found at:
www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning front & tail light, spare tube and a puncture kit
MYKI card, ATM card/cash, basic tools, rain gear, etc.
Suncream; sunglasses; lip balm; hat brim; etc.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 can not make it to the ride, please change your RSVP to 'NO' at your earliest opportunity.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.
- Geelong River Ride, 45 kms (easy, beginner)Geelong South Railway Station, Geelong South
A gentle bike ride along the Barwon River and Waurn Ponds Creek, starting from and ending at South Geelong Station. The route follows the Barwon River upstream on the northside to Fyansford, downstream on the southside to pick up the Waurn Ponds Creek track (loop to Waurn Ponds).
Coffee stop at Sweet Adeline (4km mark), view points at the Paper Mill and Buckley Falls, lunch at Waurn Ponds shopping centre (30 km mark).
This ride is suitable for beginners as it is mainly on sealed bike tracks with short sections on suburban streets.
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51190766
Take the 8.50 am train from Southern Cross to South Geelong. I will meet everyone at South Geelong Station.
I have limited the attendees to 10 due to bike capacity on V-Line trains. Please let me know if you're driving so that I can increase attendees if there is a waitlist.
RIDE REGISTRATION FORM
This will be available within a day of the ride being announced. Preferably it is to be completed when you RSVP, but no later than the day before the ride. It can be found at
https://www.mbtc.org.au/registration-forms-rider.
ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Functioning headlight & taillight
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. There are drinking fountains along the way for topping up.
Check Meetup for any changes the day before 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.
