Events

- Note: Our current reserve accom is currently full. We are negotiating further accom at the Le Cochon Rose. Please put yourself down as Might be Going / interested and we will get back to you once the new room configurations are available.-

Four days of riding exploring old gold towns like Tarnagulla, and beautiful roads including the historic 'Golden Triangle' North East of Bendigo and even into the Wimmera. Highlights include the amazing Stick Shed, some beautiful art silos (including the first ever in Brim), and some eclectic venues along the way (you have to have a beer at the Logan Pub, and we'll work through some prize winning vanilla slices). And a couple of surprises. We'll be mainly off-highway and the ride will be led by PX so it should be good for most. We've structured the four days of riding, but there's opportunity for you to break out and choose your own adventure.

Accommodation:La Cochon Rose, St Arnaud. It's a long weekend and accom is in short supply around Vic so we'll use the town of St Arnaud  >MAP< as our base, staying at one venue to ride out and return each day. And what a treat. Formerly the Victoria Hotel (1871), La Cochon Rose operates as a boutique hotel, country motel, and art gallery on the main street in the town. They don't serve food, there isn't a bar, and there's no late night music. So it's a quiet peaceful place to rest after a ride. We've booked out the whole venue, so it's excusively ours for the three days - and this means we have negotiated some excellent prices for you.  We can take up to 25 people here and there are various configurations and prices. Overflow - if we fill all these rooms we may have the option of 3 extra rooms becoming available now under renovation, or we can expand into the old bank over the road. Reserve your room by selecting the one you want and contacting us as a comment below. We'll confirm and give you bank details to pay in advance. Sharing a room makes it even cheaper. Prices below are 'all up' for 3 nights accom - Sat, Sun, & Mon.

La Cochon Rose Rooms- Choose your room and confirm. 

1. 'The Residence' - 6 rooms. Upstairs. Shared bathroom, large shared kitchen & dining. $280 per couple or $150 single occupancy. Prices are 'all up' for the three nights.

2. "Couples Rooms" - 2 rooms. Upstairs. $280 per couple. Prices are 'all up' for the 3 nights.

3. Motel Units. Located Rear. 60's retro. Full ensuite, kettle, microwave, fridge, toaster. $350 all up for the 3 nights.

There's a communal Laundry on site, as well as an antique shop to browse! The rear yard has plenty of space for all to park.(It's the old Cobb and Co depot)

Overflow - if we fill all these rooms we may have the option of 3 extra rooms becoming available now under renovation, or we can expand into the old bank over the road (2 small, 4 double rooms). 

Eating

Like many towns in the region, behind the grand street facades there are tough times. Many hotels have closed, the biggest and most popular only recently. Fotunately a new breed of entrepeneur is hitting the area. The Dancing Kelpie Splendid Restaurant has now expanded into the old Commonwealth Hotel, just a block away from where we are staying. There's a diverse menu, and we've made a booking for 20 for Sartuday and Monday evenings (leaving Sunday for a free evening). Here's a recent photo of the Specials Board. Breakfast will be based at the Shire Cafe (menu). All ride-outs will leave from here after breakfast.

Ride Information

There'll be many nice stops along the way, and hopefully places you've never been before. Being a long weekend we'll be avoiding the heavily touristed towns like Daylesford, Maldon, Castlemaine.

Day 1 - Saturday 1 November. Melbourne to St Arnaud 270 kms

Meeting: Assembly Ground Cafe, 104 Fletcher St, Essendon (Map: Right on the big Essendon roundabout) You'll need to arrive by 8.30 am if you want a coffee before we head off, or earlier if you are thinking of breakfast. (The cafe opens from 7 AM) Departure is at 9.00 am.  Then Kyneton, Malmsbury, Chewton, Vaughan Springs diversion, Newstead, Maldon, Eddie's Garage in Eddington for lunch, Dunnolly, St Arnaud. All backroads. Fuel top ups - Taradale 118 Kms. Maldon 175 Kms - no fuel beyond until St Arnaud 270 kms.

View / Download the Route Map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3020602

Day 2 - Sunday 2 November. Cathedrals of the Wimmera 270 Kms

We're in the wide open Wimmera and that beautiful flat golden wheatscape. (Julie's home territory). The roads are long and straight but the rewards are great. The Murtoa Stick Shed is unforgettable, Rupanyip Art silo, Minyip, Sheep Hill Art Silo, Brim Art Silo. Lunch in Warracknabeal. We're backtracking a bit to keep the kms down to under 300.

View/ Download the Draft Route Map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/3020643

The Murtoa Stick Shed, aka "The Cathedral of the Wimmera. We're booked in, and the entry fee will be paid as 'ride support' compliments of the Club. We also have agreed permission to move our Vespas inside the shed for a photo shoot. Enjoy!

Day 3 - Monday 3 November. David's Golden Discovery

This is David's exploration ride, so you know it will be special. It could include Moliagul, Welome Stranger, Tarnagulla, Bridgewater, Inglewood, Logan... you'll have to wait until he's  posted it up here!

Day 4 - Tuesday 4 November Home Direct

Avoca, Talbot, Creswick

With the usual provisos: 

There will be some long roads, and some long days in the saddle. Rural roads of variable quality. Many roads will be 100 kmh. There won't be a Vespa mechanic within cooee. So this is for experienced riders only. We're happy to talk it over with you, but we'll let you know if we don't think you should do it.

You are an independent rider. Your bike is recently Major serviced, well maintained, and roadworthy. Your tyres have plenty of tread or are new. You carry your own tools and parts to do minor repairs, including tyre puncture.  You are insured, and have emergency roadside assist if you seriously break down and need to leave the ride.