Essendon to Mount Macedon - best way there + tips

[A-Style]

Hi there,

Me and a few friends are thinking of tackling Mt Macedon in the next week or two and we're wondering from Essendon what is the best way to get there?

From our research we figure we could ride through the back of the Melbourne Airport up Sunbury Rd to Sunbury and then onwards to Gisborne and Mt Macedon from there via Riddel and Dalrymple Rds.

Has anyone ever gone through this route or is it better to take the Calder Hwy.

Also, from all accounts it sounds like a relatively challenging ride? Can anyone give us some insight. We've done Kinglake a few times and I hear its tougher still.

Like to hear people's thoughts.

Thanks

[oldnewby]

I've done Kinglake twice, and Macedon (both sides) once.
I think Kinglake is a bit longer, but there are some very steep pinches on the Macedon side of Mt Macedon. Average gradient from bottom to top wouldn't be higher than kinglake, but I reckon there's bits that are 12-15%. Offset by some false flats, and even downhills near the top.
I found Woodend side not too bad, but Macedon side definitely harder than Kinglake.

[clackers]

The Woodend side is pretty even. You could just go down the other side but the trip into the memorial park to the cafe's worth it.

[Mulger bill]

I'd avoid the Melbs airport to Sunbury section like the plague, the road aint the best and the traffic has that banzai factor that'll want you carrying spare knicks and baby wipes. The climb out of the valley just this side of Bulla hurts your legs and the powered vehicles seem to want to hurt your body.

[saintdarth]

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/co ... to-macedon

Lancefield Road can be a bit hairy with cars passing a high speed

[__PG__]

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/copy-of-essendon-to-macedon

Lancefield Road can be a bit hairy with cars passing a high speed

I went almost the same way on Christmas day, but I took Mascoma Rd around the back of Essendon Airport. Strava link

Kinglake is easier than Macedon.

[A-Style]

I'd avoid the Melbs airport to Sunbury section like the plague, the road aint the best and the traffic has that banzai factor that'll want you carrying spare knicks and baby wipes. The climb out of the valley just this side of Bulla hurts your legs and the powered vehicles seem to want to hurt your body.

Thanks for this feedback. We had planned to go this way but it sounds like it might better to stay off these roads.

I've done Wildwood Rd several times so I am acquainted with those roads although parts of that loop can be a little hairy given the way some idiots drive around there. Somerton Rd is particular dangerous I find with parts with no bitumen bike lanes and only a very narrow shoulder. In some parts the soil has eroded away from where the road starts which makes riding there even more difficult.

What's the Calder Fwy like to ride on?

[Mulger bill]

What's the Calder Fwy like to ride on?

I quite like it, you will get a workout. You'll have to get on at the new Kings Rd interchange and watch where you put your wheels between Thunderdome and south Gisborne, the shoulders collect some serious crap, including a long dead fox I couldn't avoid near the Gap Rd exit northbound

[A-Style]

What's the Calder Fwy like to ride on?

I quite like it, you will get a workout. You'll have to get on at the new Kings Rd interchange and watch where you put your wheels between Thunderdome and south Gisborne, the shoulders collect some serious crap, including a long dead fox I couldn't avoid near the Gap Rd exit northbound

Ok. This might be viable option as well. I would have thought it might be a little daunting just given the fact that cars motor by. What's the road surface like? Is it a rough bitumen or smooth?