100km loops in the dandenongs?

[iaintas]

Is there any good loops around the Dandenongs that would come out to about 100km, I rode to Monbulk via Olinda from Nunawading the other day and return that worked out to be 60km, but i wasn't sure where to go from Monbulk so just turned around and back over Olinda and The Basin. Are there Roads to avoid?

[il padrone]

From where you are*, The Crucifix would come out to about 100kms, and the 1700m of climbing is bound to give you a great work-out (or leave you in a shattered heap )

*Not too far from me at all.

[danny the boy]

Emerald Bakery Loop.

http://www.kaoscustombikes.com.au/custo ... -ride.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[djw47]

Is there any good loops around the Dandenongs that would come out to about 100km, I rode to Monbulk via Olinda from Nunawading the other day and return that worked out to be 60km, but i wasn't sure where to go from Monbulk so just turned around and back over Olinda and The Basin. Are there Roads to avoid?

As above, the Crucifix would do most of the job.
The Wall is about 6km
The Basin to Olinda is about 10km
Montrose to Olinda is about 11km
The Devil's Elbow to Olinda (via One Tree Hill) is about 12km

If you do up and down on all of those you'd be looking at about 78km - a circuit round Monbulk/The Patch/Kallista and back to Monbulk for the ascent of the Wall would probably add on another 10-15km which is not a kick in the arse off 100km.

[kb]

This is probably my favourite close to 100km. It's tough though, so you probably don't want to start off pushing too hard.

http://www.strava.com/routes/59781" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[adrian_d]

I wonder if there are any pathed bicycle tracks up in the Dandenongs? I couldn't ever ride up there since cars just fly through those cars.

[iaintas]

Awesome day out today, didn't get 100km in but 85km or so. 1500m of climbing and some great back roads. Caught a bloke going up the 1in20 who showed me some roads between Monbulk and Emerald. Cheers Sam P.

6months off the bike basically and just starting to get my climbing legs back, got 20.1km/h up the 1in20, with my aim to get in the top 500 on Strava. Hill repeats here we come!!! motivation has returned and maybe back to Racing at the Hawthorn crits in the coming months.

Thanks Melbourne

[djw47]

I wonder if there are any pathed bicycle tracks up in the Dandenongs? I couldn't ever ride up there since cars just fly through those cars.

Unless you fancy mountain biking, you'll not find any bike tracks in the Dandenongs, it's roads all the way, although many are very quiet. There's a thread in this forum somewhere down below about safe riding in the Dandenongs and the consensus was that it's generally perfectly safe. The cars generally don't/can't fly (other than the very occasional one that flies over the edge into the ferns) because the winding roads make it all but impossible to drive too fast. Try it, you'd be pleasantly surprised.

[djw47]

Awesome day out today, didn't get 100km in but 85km or so. 1500m of climbing and some great back roads. Caught a bloke going up the 1in20 who showed me some roads between Monbulk and Emerald. Cheers Sam P.

6months off the bike basically and just starting to get my climbing legs back, got 20.1km/h up the 1in20, with my aim to get in the top 500 on Strava. Hill repeats here we come!!! motivation has returned and maybe back to Racing at the Hawthorn crits in the coming months.

Thanks Melbourne

There are heaps of great roads in the area between Kallista, Monbulk, Emerald, Woori Yallock and Seville/Wandin, there's loads of climbs/descents which are not as long as the Dandenongs proper and the roads are rarely busy. You seldom encounter any other cyclists which is odd given how good it is for riding.

[il padrone]

I wonder if there are any pathed bicycle tracks up in the Dandenongs? I couldn't ever ride up there since cars just fly through those cars.

The only one is the Railway shared trail to Belgrave, but it doesn't really go right onto the mountain. Don't plan on riding it on your skinny tyred roadie though, it's not too smooth, nor fast.

[Uncle Just]

If looking for some dirt rides on quiet roads this one may appeal...about 70kms in the nongs.
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/domestique-dirty-dandys/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We did part of their course coming up the Basin Olinda road, then a loop via Falls road, Doughty's road and Barbers road to Olinda Creek Road and back up to Olinda via Silvan road. It is steep in places particularly going down Barbers road and ideally wider tyres with a bit of tread will be better for the rougher gravel road surfaces. A nice ride though through tall forest in an area where you'll see few cars.

[__PG__]

Those roads are why my next bike will be a CX/Commuting/Gravel Grinder/Day touring bike.

[anttismo]

If looking for some dirt rides on quiet roads this one may appeal...about 70kms in the nongs.
http://theclimbingcyclist.com/domestique-dirty-dandys/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We did part of their course coming up the Basin Olinda road, then a loop via Falls road, Doughty's road and Barbers road to Olinda Creek Road and back up to Olinda via Silvan road. It is steep in places particularly going down Barbers road and ideally wider tyres with a bit of tread will be better for the rougher gravel road surfaces. A nice ride though through tall forest in an area where you'll see few cars.

I had my first little play on such roads last saturday. Rode up the basin-olinda road, then down falls/doughty's and past the silvan reservior. I actually headed on to Seville, the warby railtrail, and then took the don road up the dirt way to donna buang. Came back along the rail trail and direct home to oakleigh without the Mt dandy bits, so a pretty solid ~190km day with a fair bit of climbing, lots of dirt.

I've recently bought a new flat bar roadie/trail bike. Got some 32s on it, ride in the dirt and mud, cruises along the road OK. Enjoying something different around mt dandenong

[cerb]

I rode out past emerald and the cardinia reservoir for the first time earlier in the week as a bit of exploration. Thought i'd ride back along Wellington rd. as it's wide, however, I quickly discovered that Wellington Rd. between the reservoir and Rowville is 1 lane each direction, 100kph and no shoulder to speak of... not recommended!

Is the road back through Menzies Creek / Belgrave any better? Was looking for a way to get back across to Sprinvale Rd. and down to the beach at Edithvale..!

[danny the boy]

I rode out past emerald and the cardinia reservoir for the first time earlier in the week as a bit of exploration. Thought i'd ride back along Wellington rd. as it's wide, however, I quickly discovered that Wellington Rd. between the reservoir and Rowville is 1 lane each direction, 100kph and no shoulder to speak of... not recommended!

Is the road back through Menzies Creek / Belgrave any better? Was looking for a way to get back across to Sprinvale Rd. and down to the beach at Edithvale..!

I came back along Emerald-Beaconsfield Rd one day at the roundabout near the Emerald shops and CFA and found it ok. From there on is bit of a gamble though, ending up getting to Thompsons Rd after going past Beacy train station and through some housing estates but Thompsons through to Carrum wasnt anywhere near as good as the ride to Beaconsfield. Not sure about other options from there.

[il padrone]

Is the road back through Menzies Creek / Belgrave any better? Was looking for a way to get back across to Sprinvale Rd. and down to the beach at Edithvale..!

Yes, much better overall. There is a backroad through to Selby from Menzies Ck although even the main Belgrave-Emerald Road is better than Wellington. Then take the main road to FTG, or take the railway bike path. Ferntree Gully Rd is busy but good width overall. At the Eastlink overpass you can get onto the Eastlink Trail to go right through to Carrum.

[cerb]

Cheers - Selby-Aura Rd. looks to be a good way to chop off a good portion of the Belgrave-Gembrook Rd.!

Wonder if my 'directionally challenged' self will get lost...

[il padrone]

Wonder if my 'directionally challenged' self will get lost...

Watch for the right-turn to Selby. You don't want to be going to Aura, unless you like Wellington Rd

[shakes]

Cheers - Selby-Aura Rd. looks to be a good way to chop off a good portion of the Belgrave-Gembrook Rd.!

Wonder if my 'directionally challenged' self will get lost...

Selby-Aura road is one of my favourite paved roads.

[pagey]

Cheers - Selby-Aura Rd. looks to be a good way to chop off a good portion of the Belgrave-Gembrook Rd.!

Wonder if my 'directionally challenged' self will get lost...

Selby-Aura road is one of my favourite paved roads.

Agreed. That's why it's called Silky Selby