Events

We've arranged some new space on this ride - contact us now in the comments below and we will call you to settle the accommodation.

Four days of riding exploring old gold towns, beautiful roads including the historic 'Golden Triangle' North East of Bendigo, and even into the Wimmera. Highlights include the amazing Stick Shed, beautiful art silos, 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.

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 Mtg point to St Arnaud 240 kms

1. Meet at Greenvale Liberty IGA. Everybody full tank from this point. Depart at 9.00 AM

Kerrie, Hanging Rock.

2. Kyneton. Toilet stop and stretch.

Malmsbury, Elphinston.

3. Chewton Fuel Servo (after 107 Kms). Everybody full tank from this point. 138 KMs to St Arnaud.

4. Guildford Big Tree General Store. Lunch stop.

Newstead, Maldon.

5. Dunnolly. Toilet stop and stretch: Rene Fox Memorial Gardens.

Bealiba, St Peter's Pebble Church.

6. Arrive St Arnaud 246 Kms from Greenvale.

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Check in, and supplies. Note that the IGA supermarket (snacks and liquor) closes at 6.00 PM on Saturdays.

Dinner. We are booked for 28 people at The Dancing Kelpie - Commonwealth Hotel from 6.30 PM. However we're sure that some may be there for drinks beforehand. The venue opens at 5 PM

View / Download the Day 1 Route Map on Plotaroute

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

Suggested breakfast at The Shire Cafe- opens from 8 AM on a Sunday.

If you are coming on the ride today please fill your tank before you arrive for breakfast. The ride departs The Shire Cafe at 9.30 AM

1. Rupanyup Art Silo. Refreshed and newly painted with a completely new image.

2. Murtoa Stick Shed. Unfortunately due to some repair work being undertaken we are not sure we can now park Vespas inside. We're still checking, but it is a very dramatic place nevertheless. We are using club Ride Support funds to cover the entrance fee here.

Minyip

3. Sheep Hills Art Silo. One of the most dramatic, but with one of the faces now painted out. Wow. Read about that here.

4. Warracknabeal. Rural town. (After 134 kms) There's not a lot of cafe options in the country on a Sunday ("That's golf day mate!") but we have managed to book The Local 165 Cafe Bar in the centre of town, and they are excited to have us. There are two servos at the same intersection so we ask that you also fill up during lunch as well. Everybody Full Tank from this point.

5. Option to consider:  Ride up to Brim Art Silo. The first Victorian art silo that started it all. It's a 40 km roundtrip back to Warrack, then back to St Arnaud OR

6. Ride back to St Arnaud direct.

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Evening dinner. Nothing has been formally organised, so the evening is 'free' to see what develops. It's been a big two days of riding so rest up. You can try another venue in town, or grab a take-away and sit in the rear yard of La Cochon Rose and just chill...

View/ Download the Day 2 Route on Plotaroute

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. 

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

Day 4 - Tuesday 4 November Home Direct

Please fill up at the BP servo immediately prior to breakfast, so that you leave Noelene's Sister's house with a full tank.

1. Breakfast is at Noelene's Sister's House from 7 AM  (Bewley St, opposite number 11) Depart 9 AM

A big thank you to Lyn for the breakfast as, being a public holiday, everything else in town is shut. She'll provide a choice of scrambled eggs, bacon, sauasages, avocado, toast, cereal, coffee & tea. And the price is $15. Please try and have that in correct cash on the morning.

Navarre, Avoca, Talbot

2. Stop Clunes. Brunch, stretch and refuel. (After 125 kms) Everybody full tank from this point

Creswick, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh.

3. Arrive Laverton North / Brooklyn

View / Download the Day 4 Route Map on Plotaroute

 With the usual provisos: 

There will be some long roads, and some long stretches 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.

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 (The Royal) 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 Saturday 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). 

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. In addition we've reserved the Old Bank building just across the road. 

La Cochon Rose Rooms 

 = Paid Confirmation

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.

B1	Queen	$280 $150	Jodie Lake
B2	Queen	$280 or $150	Patricia Clark
B3	Queen	$280 or $150	Gary Bell
B4	Queen + Single	$280 or $150	Matt Thomson  & Philip McMullan
B5	Single	$150	David Atkinson
B6	Queen	$280 or $150	Anthony Cusinato

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

F1	Queen with ensuite	$280	Julie Pond   & Greg Pond
F2	Queen with kitchenette, shared bathroom	$280	Suzette Cameron  & Ray Cassar

2. More Upstairs. Shared bathrooms. Prices are 'all up' for the three nights.

F3	Queen	$280 or $150	Paul Jones
F4	Queen	$280 or $150	John Reed
F5	Queen	$280 or $150	Peter Zetzmann
F6	Queen	$280 or $150	NA. Currently under renovation but may become available.

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

U1	King	$350	Mark Agar
U3	Queen + Single	$350	Sheryl Towsnend  & Maria Todaro
U4	Queen + Single	$350	Leo Wings  & Anthony Bottegal
U5	Queen + Single	$350	Athena Katopodis  & Chris Katopodis

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)

4. The 'Old Bank'. Beautiful old building across the road. Shared bathroom, kitchen facilities. $280- $300 per couple or $150-$170 single occupancy.

OB1	Queen upstairs balcony	$300 or $170	Tufan Chakir
OB2	Queen upstairs balcony	$300 or $170	Lisa Laidlaw
OB3	Queen upstairs rear	$280 or $150	Raewyn Mackie
OB4	Queen upstairs rear	$280 or $150
OB5	Single downstairs	$150	NA. We're not sure about the standard of the downstairs rooms described as "rustic, servants quarters".
OB6	Single downstairs	$150	NA. 'rustic'.