May 20 – 22, MBUG Weekend Away riding the Old Beechy Rail Trail

HI to all MBUG members and guests. It is that time of year for another weekend away on the bikes.  This year we will ride The Old Beechy Rail Trail in the Otways using the same out and back day format we had on our successful Gippsland Plains Rail Trail weekend away last year.
The weekend is the 21st and 22nd of May, and we will be staying in the small and quaint town of Gellibrand, 2hrs 42min from Kilmore via M1.

Hybrid or mountain bike preferred as some sections are a bit rough.

Friday 20th May: Travel to Gellibrand to stay at the Otways Tourist Park where a variety of accommodation styles are available, from Motel to Cabin types, or camping/caravan. Booking is the individuals’ responsibility. See link below for details of the park and booking.
Book early as the place seems popular.

Bring BBQ tea to cook that night and your breakfasts etc. (although there is a BYO Bistro available in the Tourist Park – see link below for the menu)
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Saturday 21st May: 9am start.

Ride to Colac for lunch and coffee and return on the rail trail. 54kms return.

Suggested Cafe in Colac:

Saturday Night Pub meal suggestion:

The Otway Tourist Park has its own BYO Bistro – open from 6 – 8pm. This would be ideal for Saturday night’s tea:
https://www.otwaystouristpark.com/bistro

Alternatively drive to Beechy Pub at Beech Forest (20 min each way)
or  self cater at the Tourist Park camp kitchen. (The local Pub in Gellibrand is closed).

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Sunday 22nd May:  9am start.Shorter ride today. Ride to Beech Forest along the rail trail (a small section of back road as the OBRT is closed there) for a coffee and toasted sandwich lunch at the Art Reach Gallery Cafe. Some uphill pedalling here. Return via Furguson on the Colac-Lavers Hill Rd for a speedy return downhill to Gellibrand on Bitumen.
Approximately 39km return.

I hope you can all make it. Don’t forget to register if you are coming.
Cheers,

Tony Cuthbert.