This ride is now closed
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. (Happy Hour 4-6 PM)
Day 2 - Sunday 2 November. Cathedrals of the Wimmera 230 Kms
Suggested breakfast at The Shire Cafe- opens late from 8 AM on a Sunday. This puts pressure on the cafe so they have asked that we pre-order so that they can prepare. Julie has organised a pre order list Make sure she has it before Saturday.
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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The IGA supermarket (snacks and liquor) closes at 6.00 PM on Sundays.
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...
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
Dinner. We are booked in again 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. (Happy Hour 4-6 PM)
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 - 9 AM (Bewley St, opposite number 11) 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) - TBC
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
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'. |
Comments
Final Itinerary Day 2 - Wimmera
Suggested breakfast at The Shire Cafe- opens from 6 AM
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.
_____________________________________________
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...
Yes, I would be happy with Newstead also.
Pat - Newstead would be a good option. The Daylesford-Newatead Road is good, open, not too much in the way of too windy or likely to be bad if it's wet, or frosty. Let's chat. Sheryl are you riding up from Geelong?
day 4 - 7AM but guessing people wprked that out
Final Itinerary Day 4 - 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
Route map for St Arnaud To Melbourne Day 4 by Vespa Club Melbourne on plotaroute.com
G'day, it would probably better, coming from Geelong to meet you at either Kyneton or Maldon. That would ve my plan anyway!
Final Itinerary Day 1
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.
_______________________________________
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.
I've started to make changes to the ride to address the ride size. First up, I have set a new Meeting Point for Saturday morning.
New Meeting Point: IGA Liberty Greenvale. (825 Mickleham Rd >MAP< ) Adjacent to the airport. There's coffee, fast food, and groceries here. We recommend that you have a full breakfast at home before you arrive. You'll need to arrive by 8.30 AM if you want a coffee before we head off. Everyone fills up here and has afull tank for departure. This location gives a large ride a quick and seamless (no traffic light) exit from the city.
Departure is at 9.00 am.
Hi all looking at this ride for the first time. We are sorry but this ride is now closed. We began planning this ride early this year, and it was put up way back in June for registrations. We didn't widely promote it, and it just filled by word of mouth. We take the keen interest in the ride as a compliment and a recognition that members want rides to be well organized, informative, and safe. It's now at the stage where this has reached a maximum size for the number of bikes that I am prepared to safely organize and lead for that distance.
So, thanks to those who have signed up. I'll be in touch soon about sharing some of the ride responsibilities. For those who have missed out, keep watching the events on this website.
Greg
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