General Information

Concept

Peter Harper is a committee member of Albury and District Historical Society. The Society is promoting the ride as an activity for the Hume and Hovell bicentenary. Known throughout the Albury region, over many years, for the management and promotion of many tours and events across long-distance sports for friends and friends of friends, Peter will go public with this latest project - Explorers Bike Ride 2024.  He is confident that the Ride offers lots of back-country cycling challenges, as well as new roads, new vistas, and something extra - the story of the Hume and Hovell journey.

The Ride is free.  A donation to the Albury and District Historical Society can be an option.  See the Registration form question.

Practical Information

Participants will require a good level of fitness to be able to ride over 4-10 days in hilly terrain. Your bicycles should be MTB or a gravel bike  that can be fitted out with saddle bags or panniers to carry gear, water and food. Minimum recommended tyre width is 40 mm.

Camping will be necessary although cabin/motel accommodation is available in some towns. By customising your own stages more bed accommodation can be found. Autumn and Spring would be the best seasons to ride. Winter road closures do occur in the Stanley, Toombullup and Mt Disappointment Forests.

The route is not marked so navigation is important. Follow the route provided through RidewithGPS using your bicycle GPS device, phone or the PDF map provided.

Acknowledgement

The Explorers Bike Ride 2024 acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands its route traverses. It encourages the riders that they respect the traditional owners and learn about their culture and traditions when riding across their land and rivers. As a reminder of this respect, the riders are encouraged to carry a representation of a ceremonial Gum Leaf throughout their journey.

"If the traveller would look after a single leaf on their journey they would also look after the country" Mick Bogle, Wiradjuri 2022.

Footprint

• Respect for the environment is a must, take away your rubbish. Follow the maxim - Take only photos and leave only your tyre tracks.

• Please ‘Shut any gates you pass through'.

• Doing the above will ensure the cooperation of local farmers.

• Remember the traditional owners of the land.

Train Travel

• There is a 20km train journey from Wallen East to Craigieburn. This avoids the busy road options of Hume Highway, Epping Road or Old Sydney Road.

• A Myki card is needed for the trip. Purchase this beforehand or at Wallen during work hours, 9-5

• https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki-and-top-up/where-to-buy-and-top-up/             

• See the link for the timetable. Trains run every hour generally on weekdays. Weekends have less frequent times.  Not all stop at Craigieburn, most stop at Broadmeadows, the next station, which is shown on the map.

• https://www.vline.com.au/getattachment/b1fa0c0d-05f0-40d9-a2e6-d5e00136bbf8/Seymour-Melbourne
  Scroll down to Seymour Line / Seymour to Melbourne section of time table.

• The train times are also embedded in the train symbol on the map. Click on symbol to see the timetable

Safety is about 

• Well maintained bicycle.

• Good maps and planning.

• Taking care whilst riding the sections of Midland and Goulburn Highways.

• Being visible - Have reflective items on bike. Night riding is not recommended.

Wear hi-vis gear. Have front and rear lights.

• Carrying identification.

• Following road rules.

Supported Rides

For Stage riders and Day trippers a support service can be available.

• The support would cater to your needs of either transport, accommodation or food parcels

• Please contact Peter Harper:  humeandhovellride@gmail.com

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Should you choose to cycle this route, you do so at your own risk. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of writing, Explorers Bike Ride 2024 cannot guarantee that the information herein is 100% correct. The information published is meant as a guide only and should be combined with your own due diligence and planning. Neither Explorers Bike Ride 2024 nor its originator Peter Harper nor its sponsor Albury and District Historical Society is in any way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals riding this route.