Woodend Gravel Loop

Notes:

– Woodend is around an 1hr drive north of Melbourne’s CBD following the Calder Fwy

– The ride begins at Woodend train station which is about an 1hr journey from Southern Cross Station

– Your best bet for lunch is to stop in at Blackwood at the 42km mark of the ride (Karen’s Kitchen is cute but only open on weekends) . There is also the Radio Springs Hotel in Lyonville at 60km or you can stop in at Trentham at 66km.  

– A whopping 82% of this route is gravel which is mostly non-technical however in winter and immediately after rain there were quite a few puddles and wet sections of the course with two very small water crossings. Expect to get wet feet outside of the summer months.

– There is a few single track sections outside of Woodened. If it’s not your thing, you can follow the main gravel road around back to the route pretty easily. 

– This route takes you through The Wombat State Forest  onto the Lerderderg Track and a small stint on the Domino Trail passing through the alleged Centre of the Universe. You’ll also pass through the cute, small towns of Blackwood, Lyonville and Trentham.

– Once you hit The Domino Trail (just after Lyonville) you’ll almost immediately be greeted by a closed bridge. The only way around without having to backtrack is to take a right before you hit the bridge and follow along where there is (at the time of riding), a small water crossing. The detour will only take you a few minutes.