Hello Victoria
I'm heading over next week to do the ATB but first I have to do a bit of business the week prior.
This will involve me staying in the following places with my bike
Ballarat, Horsham, Portland and Geelong - (Geelong is the only one I'm sort of familiar with).
So what can you tell me about the others - and if you want to catch up for a ride let me know, I'm sure I could manage to squeeze it in
Rob
So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
- Redbull
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So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby Redbull » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:22 pm
The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass
- Cinder
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Re: So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby Cinder » Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:27 pm
Used to live in Horsham and I think it's boring, but if it was new to you then I reckon some interesting rides could be had. The river has water in it for a change, and there are a few mountains close by that are fun to bash around on/over (road or not).
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- il padrone
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Re: So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby il padrone » Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:57 pm
Ballarat = cold
Horsham = flat
Portland = windy
Geelong = industrial
But seriously, I think Ballarat has plenty of touring opportunities nearby, noth, east, south and southwest (directly west and northwest is flat and boring for 40-50kms until you get to Beaufort). Geelong has the Bellarine Peninsula, the Great Ocean Road and Otways nearby - loverly!. The Barrabool Hills are a nice short day ride. Portland is a bit more remote with western district flatness, but the ride to Cape Bridgewater is nice.
Horsham = flat
Portland = windy
Geelong = industrial
But seriously, I think Ballarat has plenty of touring opportunities nearby, noth, east, south and southwest (directly west and northwest is flat and boring for 40-50kms until you get to Beaufort). Geelong has the Bellarine Peninsula, the Great Ocean Road and Otways nearby - loverly!. The Barrabool Hills are a nice short day ride. Portland is a bit more remote with western district flatness, but the ride to Cape Bridgewater is nice.
Mandatory helmet law?
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- Redbull
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- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:19 pm
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Re: So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby Redbull » Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:56 pm
Sorry I may have misled.
I'm only spending one night in each town (the joy of sales ) so I was just looking to do a bit of a roll out each night/morning of 40-50 kms. It keeps me out of the pub - mind you, if I work really hard then I've "earned" those few beers
I'm only spending one night in each town (the joy of sales ) so I was just looking to do a bit of a roll out each night/morning of 40-50 kms. It keeps me out of the pub - mind you, if I work really hard then I've "earned" those few beers
The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass
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Re: So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby Gunlock » Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:01 pm
I used to live in Ballarat, so i'm pretty familiar with the rides out that way.
You can do the boring laps of the lake if you really want, but i cant recommend it. 10 laps of a muddy lake inst overly fun.
If you get onto Hertford Street in Sebastopol, you can ride straight down onto the highway and just keep going until you feel you've done your time. I spent a fair amount of hours on that road, and it isnt bad.
i did have a favorite ride that was about 48km, but it was a little too complicated to put into words. I'll see if i can get it onto a map for ya.
You can do the boring laps of the lake if you really want, but i cant recommend it. 10 laps of a muddy lake inst overly fun.
If you get onto Hertford Street in Sebastopol, you can ride straight down onto the highway and just keep going until you feel you've done your time. I spent a fair amount of hours on that road, and it isnt bad.
i did have a favorite ride that was about 48km, but it was a little too complicated to put into words. I'll see if i can get it onto a map for ya.
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Re: So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby kibnedyo » Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:27 pm
As a heads up the Sun Tour Road Race runs around Western Vic starting 11-17 Oct. This may affect some plans to a minor extent. It may offer some viewing opportunities too. They have a roadshow each day so you can get to see some of "the latest" as far at Australia is concerned.
Most of the organised rides in Ballarat change the route to suit the wind direction. Check out the bikely website http://www.bikely.com for some ideas.
For a basic pretty safe course around Ballarat, head west along Sturt Street out past the Arch along the old Western Highway. It is pretty exposed as far as wind is concerned, largely straight, slightly rolling flat course on flat open plains, but for most of the trip shoulders are wide and traffic pretty quiet from about 5klms out of town. You can follow the highway out to Lake Burrumbete where it slowly turns North to meet the ring road/freeway where it returns to country highway. Turn around and head back into town along the same route for a round trip pretty close to the 40k mark. There are a number of High Schools along Sturt Street West of CBD so I would avoid 8:30-9:15am and 3:15-4:00pm due to traffic etc, but this route is pretty safe other times. Most common wind ranges from SW to NW at this time of year so this route offers home with the wind, even if you do ride slightly uphill on the way home to the edge of town.
I would tend to try avoid heading South weekdays through Sebastopol and Mt Clear on the main roads as traffic can get pretty busy both AM/PM peaks and another peak around lunchtime and the Highways in this direction tend to have narrow shoulders. I like the hills to the Nth and if you are confident following maps look for Yabbies route skirting White Swan reservoir for a route around 35-40klms on Bikely. It takes you on a few of the quieter country roads avoiding heavy truck routes like the ballarat-Creswick road.
If you are around at the weekend, check out group rides. There are a few in town catering for several ability levels and several welcome casual riders. - Any of the shops sould be able to help out with times/places to meet.
Most of the organised rides in Ballarat change the route to suit the wind direction. Check out the bikely website http://www.bikely.com for some ideas.
For a basic pretty safe course around Ballarat, head west along Sturt Street out past the Arch along the old Western Highway. It is pretty exposed as far as wind is concerned, largely straight, slightly rolling flat course on flat open plains, but for most of the trip shoulders are wide and traffic pretty quiet from about 5klms out of town. You can follow the highway out to Lake Burrumbete where it slowly turns North to meet the ring road/freeway where it returns to country highway. Turn around and head back into town along the same route for a round trip pretty close to the 40k mark. There are a number of High Schools along Sturt Street West of CBD so I would avoid 8:30-9:15am and 3:15-4:00pm due to traffic etc, but this route is pretty safe other times. Most common wind ranges from SW to NW at this time of year so this route offers home with the wind, even if you do ride slightly uphill on the way home to the edge of town.
I would tend to try avoid heading South weekdays through Sebastopol and Mt Clear on the main roads as traffic can get pretty busy both AM/PM peaks and another peak around lunchtime and the Highways in this direction tend to have narrow shoulders. I like the hills to the Nth and if you are confident following maps look for Yabbies route skirting White Swan reservoir for a route around 35-40klms on Bikely. It takes you on a few of the quieter country roads avoiding heavy truck routes like the ballarat-Creswick road.
If you are around at the weekend, check out group rides. There are a few in town catering for several ability levels and several welcome casual riders. - Any of the shops sould be able to help out with times/places to meet.
- Redbull
- Posts: 1946
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:19 pm
- Location: Coogee WA
Re: So whats it like to ride in Ballarat, Horsham, Portland & Ge
Postby Redbull » Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:05 pm
Thanks for this everyone.
I watched the Sun Tour Crit last year in Carlton. I think I maybe able to get to Ballarat on the Sunday to see the preface, maybe the Barwon Heads stage and definitely the finishing crit on Saturday.
I suppose I better do some work as well
I watched the Sun Tour Crit last year in Carlton. I think I maybe able to get to Ballarat on the Sunday to see the preface, maybe the Barwon Heads stage and definitely the finishing crit on Saturday.
I suppose I better do some work as well
The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass
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