The Great Ocean Rode

Book your Ride Now!

Warrnambool to Williamstown

Wednesday 15th October - Friday 17th October 2008

Book now for this great ride and support the MS Society!

PLUS - Enjoy free ferry trip up Yarra River to Southbank!

Day 1: Train from Melb 7.47am – Warrnambool 11.06am.

Ride from Warrnambool to Port Campbell 65km

Day 2: Port Campbell – Lorne 145 km (riding up the challenging Lavers Hill)

Day 3: Lorne – Williamstown 130km then boat cruise into heart of Melbourne to Southbank.

A Day in the Ride 
Imagine  waking up in the early daylight and looking around a comfortable motel room and wondering where you are.  Is it Port Campbell or Lorne?  What the heck! You  want to get up, and start another day in The AllTrails Warrnambool to Melbourne Challenge, cycling through some of the most beautiful parts of Victoria.
After a quick shower it's down to the breakfast area for you and your room mate. 

Other cyclists are around the tables greeting each other and talking generally about today's ride.
Some bring their maps with them showing the profile and route intended and talk about the world renowned coastline, the hills up and down, or the ports and harbours at the seaside.  Discussion is keen, with tactics thoroughly explored.

The big breaky of muesli, scrambled eggs on toast, fruit juice, raisin bread, fresh fruit, yoghurt and coffee gets you up and at it.
You leave your luggage in the motel foyer and once again mount your faithful treadly and head off early with your friends.
A steady flow of cyclists chatting away to each other, see the directional signs by the roadside and know they are on the right track to morning tea break.

The back of the bus displays CAUTION CYCLISTS AHEAD, and it makes you feel safer and proud to be part of our organised bike ride.  You know you are amongst friends, all with the same aim and similar interests, and you know that the hard work of many k's along the flat or of climbing and the exhilaration of decending is all part of the package.  A very satisfying and rewarding package.

The quiet road winds its way through magnificent scenery that slowly passes you by. 
Perhaps you've spotted a kangaroo, wombat, fox, echidna, lizard, rabbit, or perhaps you are amused by the curious looks the sheep and cattle give you as you ride quietly past their enclosed paddock.
You are all riding at your own comfortable pace, checking out the many magnificent viewing decks of this surging shipwreck coast. Don't forget the cut off times for that cuppa. Before long you see the AllTrails truck, stacked with luggage, and nearby is the welcome morning tea and muffins.

Everyone exchanges stories about what they saw, how fast they rode and how good they feel.
It's time to leave the jacket in the truck and be off on the second leg of the day.  The riders are very friendly, sharing  their excitement and enthusiasm.  Some prefer riding in a group keeping themselves alert and focused and working together to reduce headwinds.  This ride takes you through magnificent lakes area and overlooking untamed surf, and in spring the colours are magnificient.

The food breaks, morning tea, lunch and afternoon snack are set times enabling all riders, whatever ability, to plan their day and the amount of time required to enjoy the sights and attractions along the way.
Lunch is a great time to relax, re fuel your body and chat to your friends, be it in a famous bakery, a country pub, down by the sea or a mountain stream.
Cyclists move off at their own time and pace, knowing the distance and terrain ahead and aiming to arrive at the overnight stop around mid afternoon.  If the bike breaks down, or the body gets a bit weary it’s comforting to know the bus is behind, ready to greet you and take you to the next stop.

Your accommodation is excellent, the best available.  You check in then a cuppa and snack and shower or soak in the bath, or perhaps a spa or sauna, till you wrinkle.  Explore the surroundings, go for a walk, share a cool drink with friends or simply relax.  It is your life, it's your ride, enjoy it.

A briefing for all cyclists at 6pm before the evening meal is always interesting, finding out what happened that day, and a run down on the sights and special attractions to look out for the next day.
Lots of laughs and stories are shared before we settle down to a good healthy meal and a few drinks.

Bedtime is not far away, where you put your head down in salubrious surroundings, remembering the day and dreaming of tomorrow.

The camaraderie developed on a bike ride like this lasts a lifetime.

Download the booking form (pdf) or click the images below for a large version: