Gembrook Explorer "Audax"

The Dandenongs is one of the finest metro-fringe areas for riding bikes in all of Melbourne.

This ride put together by @simlovescycling, is part of an Audax event of the same name, held every year around April. You can find the event here.

Famous for the 1 in 20 climb, The Basin is the destination for hundreds of riders every weekend looking to tackle a collection of amazing hill climbs through vast hinterland and sleepy tourist towns.
Popular amongst roadies, there’s also plenty of sweet gravel on offer.

Much like its bitumen cousin, this route also starts at the base of 1 in 20 although rather than heading up the Mountain Highway, you’ll take a different exit at the roundabout and find yourself riding The Gravel 1 in 20, 6km at 6% average up Basin – Olinda Rd and let me tell you, you are in for a treat.

After the Gravel 1 in 20 you’ll pop out on a main road albeit briefly, before hitting Mathais Rd or Mathais Walking Track which is a stunning track through Dandenong Ranges National Park with views over The Dandenongs. Make it up there quick enough and you’ll snag yourself a view of the sunrise.

The route carries on with smooth gravel roads and intense hinterland, weaving in and out through quiet residential areas before you pass through the township of Monbulk and then Emerald.

The Emerald Village Bakery and Cafe is a sight for sore eyes and should be where you stop for lunch on this route. All the treats are stunning.

Following lunch, you’ll find yourself on Emerald Lake walking track passing through Emerald Lake Park and then following The Puffing Bill Rail & The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail before lassoing around Gembrook and heading back through more remote sections of the route.

While still in outer suburbia, the roads start to get a little bit steeper though still nice and smooth, you’ll find yourself weaving in and out countless times before passing through the township of Kallista and then Sassafras where you’ll descend down the actual 1 in 20 (road version) towards the end of the route.

Audax Australia Cycling Club is a non-profit national cycling organisation specialising in non-competitive long-distance bicycle rides from 50 to 1200 km. You can find more events on their event calendar.

Terms of use: Cycle this route at your own risk. Check local weather, conditions and closures before departure. Adhere to land use rules, carry provisions, safety gear and respect the trail. This information is intended to be used as a planning resource; accuracy is not guaranteed. BIKEROUTES.com.au are not liable for any incidents during or following this route.