featured rides

Rides
The Great Central Gravel Grind
gravel, moderate-hard, iconic
The Great Central Gravel Grind
gravel, moderate-hard, iconic

Where: Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Lake Eildon, Goulburn Valley, Ruffy Highlands—Central Victoria

Length: 316km

Difficulty: moderate/hard

Terrain: some flat riding, some quite hilly riding. Most of the climbing is not terribly steep.

Surface: mostly well made gravel, some chunky gravel, some sealed roads. Can be done on a standard gravel bike.

What: pretty rural areas, temperate rainforest, rail trail riding, quiet back roads, lakeside riding, eucalyptus woodland.

gravel, moderate-hard, iconic
Le Tour de 'Nong
easy, gravel, mountain bike
Le Tour de 'Nong
easy, gravel, mountain bike

Where: Dandenong Ranges, just outside of Melbourne

Length: 36km

Difficulty: easy

Terrain: hilly, but no huge climbs

Surface: well made gravel, some rougher tracks. One steep rocky downhill which can be easily avoided. Recommended XC mountain bike or gravel bike with wide tyres.

What: picturesque rainforest, fun tracks and descents, cafes and eateries

easy, gravel, mountain bike
Snowy River Rover
hard, gravel
Snowy River Rover
hard, gravel

Where: East Gippsland

Length: 422km (elevation gain 5500m)

Difficulty: hard

Terrain: mix of flat and hilly terrain. Some steep hills.

Surface: sealed and unsealed roads, rail trail. Some rough and corrugated parts. Can be done on a gravel bike.

What: rail trail, rugged remote gravel roads, wilderness, breweries

hard, gravel

all rides

Click through to rides on the maps below, or browse rides by category and tag on the rides page

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How does this work?

Every month I set aside half of the income I receive—from Patreon patrons and one-off donations—to fund new ride guides. This money accumulates until I receive a submission that I want to publish, whereupon the contributor will receive whatever is in the fund. For more details go to the submissions portal. To help fund more content you can become a patron.



bicycle maintenance classes

Hi, I’m Peter. I run this website and I also teach bicycle maintenance classes at my home workshop in Millgrove in the beautiful Yarra Valley, just east of Melbourne. I enjoy creating a welcoming and supportive learning environment where anyone can feel empowered to look after their own bike. Based upon ten years of experience in the bike industry, I have created a number of original courses that aim to help you:

  • Look after your own bike at home

  • Effectively deal with mechanical mishaps on the road or trail

  • Save time, money and frustration by preventing mechanical issues and unnecessary wear to components

  • Ride safer

  • Know when you should take your bike to a professional mechanic

  • Gain the confidence to take on your next great adventure, whatever that may be

Click here to learn more or make a booking


ebook


Pete’s quick and dirty guide to adventure bike riding ebook (pdf + epub)
Pete’s quick and dirty guide to adventure bike riding ebook (pdf + epub)
A$20.00

Want to get into bikepacking but not sure where to start?

I’ve condensed the knowledge gained from two decades of adventure cycling, and a decade of working in the bike industry, into a one-hour primer to one of the most rewarding pass times you’ll ever do.

For more info and a preview, click here.






featured blog posts



Featured
A budget gravel drivetrain
A budget gravel drivetrain

How to get the gears ratios you want on the cheap.

Wraptie multi-purpose straps: first look
Wraptie multi-purpose straps: first look

This Australian company is making versatile luggage straps that are useful on and off the bike. And they’re offering an exclusive discount to ACV readers.

Five of the best victorian cycling roads you probably haven't heard of
Five of the best victorian cycling roads you probably haven't heard of

Looking for a new adventure? These little known roads will have you grinning.

Cheap (OR FREE) gear substitutes for bikepacking and touring—a somewhat comprehensive guide
Cheap (OR FREE) gear substitutes for bikepacking and touring—a somewhat comprehensive guide

Bikepacking gear is expensive. But getting out on your bike doesn’t have to bankrupt you. This list of cheaper gear alternatives will get you rolling, without the eye-watering price tag.

The Great Bike Rides of Victoria
The Great Bike Rides of Victoria

If you only had a month to explore Victoria by bike, where would you go? These are the Great Rides of Victoria.

Five of the best bits of camping equipment for bikepacking and touring
Five of the best bits of camping equipment for bikepacking and touring

I’ve been bikepacking and touring for over a decade. The right equipment can make a world of difference when you’re on the road. Here are the best bits of camping equipment I’ve used in that time.

The best touring bikes for sale in Australia in 2023
The best touring bikes for sale in Australia in 2023

Get the lowdown on the best touring bikes available in Australia in 2023. Learn all the features, pros and cons of different brands to help you buy the right bike.

Why the Victorian train network is great for cyclists
Why the Victorian train network is great for cyclists

Victoria's train network is a great way to get around the state with your bike. Here's why:

published stories

 

Featured
A ride of loss, love and longing among the mountain ash
A ride of loss, love and longing among the mountain ash

Among the quiet tracks of the Dandenongs, I reflect on life, loss, and a world bumped off its axis.

The Bike Doctors
The Bike Doctors

After starting small at a local school, Dr Cranky’s is spreading its bike-fixing, community-building initiative around Australia. I find out what’s needed to get kids riding. Published in Renew Magazine.

Cold and Alone: the beauty of winter bikepacking
Cold and Alone: the beauty of winter bikepacking

Over three foggy days and frigid nights, I experience the beauty of the Grampians—and ponder the direction of my life. Published on Cycling Tips.

Climate Cycle: Riding for Change
Climate Cycle: Riding for Change

The story of Climate Cycle 2018, a ‘non-charity’ bike ride between Melbourne and Canberra in aid of climate action. Published on bikepacking.com.

A Little Ride In The Mountains
A Little Ride In The Mountains

The story of a ride over the Victorian high country on back roads and trails, following ACV’s Dargo High Plains route. Published in Wild Magazine Issue 164 March/April 2018 (Please note that this is an affiliate link, meaning that if you buy a subscription to Wild—or any other magazine—through this link, you will be supporting ACV, plus getting a great mag!)

Wrong side of the track
Wrong side of the track

Getting stuck in a flood was the last thing I expected when I cycled outback South Australia. Published in Ride On magazine, Winter 2016.

Good beer and mountain bikes
Good beer and mountain bikes

I have a few too many in Victoria's high country...the story of a mountain biking and brewery road trip. Published in Ride On magazine summer 2016/17.

Greasing the wheels
Greasing the wheels

I talk to the people behind some of Australia's great bike-related social enterprises. Published in Ride On magazine sping 2016.

E-biking the outback
E-biking the outback

I chat with Sam Mitchell—adventurer and E-bike pioneer—who tackled Australia's toughest ride whilst towing an old trampoline. Published in Ride On magazine Autumn 2017.

The Old Beechy
The Old Beechy

The story of riding the Old Beechy Rail Trail in the Otways, and the desperate search for a chicken parma. Published in Ride On magazine, Autumn 2016.