Ride Description
Ride the iconic Mountain Highway to Sassafras, we join the Highway from Dorset Road in Boronia then onto The Basin, then uphill through the Dandenong Ranges National Park where sections are steep and windy, with an approximate 1 in 20 (5%) grade, especially popular with Vespaists and cyclists. The climb is a picturesque and thrilling on this winding road, so enjoy. The Mountain Highway ends at the intersection with Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Sassafras, Victoria, where we turn right.
The village of Sassafras, you might feel a sense of deja vu. That's because it'll either feel just like your hometown, or the quintessential hometown seen on TV. Sassafras is atmospheric and downright cosy.
We ride towards the Sherbrooke Forest and turn left down Sherbrooke Road. We are amongst a wet sclerophyll forest within Dandenong Ranges National Park. It lies within an altitude of 220–500 m asl and is dominated by the tallest flowering plant in the world; mountain ash, tall trees tower over our Vespas. Down to and straight though Kallista, turning right at Grantulla Road, we loop around to Belgrave via the famous Puffing Billy Trestle Bridge at the Monbulk Creek on the Gembrooke - Belgrave Road.
We power up Terrys Avenue at a gradient of over 1 in 5 20% then along the Dandenong Ranges National Park, more tall trees and crazy challenged cyclists. In 3.2km we turn left down the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road negotiating the Devil’s Elbow then down to Upper Ferntree Gully, back to the suburbs and returning back to the Britannia Mall in Mitcham to refresh.
Total distance 65km, lead by Vespa GTS 300. Suitable for all Vespas and riders.
View the route map in Plotaroute
Departure Point and Time
Britannia Mall, 485 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham shopping centre. Pull into the left service road at the start of Mitcham shopping centre before Mitcham Road.
The ride departs at 10:30am sharp so if you need breakfast and coffee beforehand please come earlier. Important: please arrive with a full tank of petrol.
Pete Z
Comments
Thanks Tony and David - weather will be great so I am looking forward to joining you tomorrow morning.
Hi Ahmet, as Tony said a modern 150cc Primavera will have no trouble getting up the hills. Its auto transmission will find the right ratio for the hill. Your scooter has 12.7 horsepower. In the 1960s my 1958 4.5 HP Vespa also had no trouble riding around the Dandenong Ranges. I would just have to change down a gear.
Hi. Ahmet Ali I have the exactly the same bike and it has been up all those hills, without a problem.
Hi David - this sounds very interesting. Can you pls confirm that a 3 yo Vespa Primavera 150cc can handle the hills or call me pls on 0400650770
Hi David Im looking forward to this ride. Its a great scenic route. There is a fantastic Italian bakery in Belgrave that make the best Italian cakes, worth stopping for one or two.
https://www.facebook.com/BelgraveBakery?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Tony Renzella