Serk Cycling Beijing
We are very excited to offer a 10 day trip to our home state of Victoria. Escape Beijing's depressing winter for the sun, surf and nature of Australia. In 10 days we'll show you the best cycling the state has to offer including the iconic Great Ocean Road and challenging alpine climbs. Along the way you'll sample Australia's renowned fresh culinary delights, amazing coastline, lush rainforest and wildlife. This is the perfect early season trip with an emphasis on eating, drinking and being merry with just the right amount of cycling to burn off the calories you've put on.
Day 1.
Beijing - Melbourne
Depart Beijing late evening and arrive Melbourne the following day early afternoon. Melbourne is often voted 'World's most liveable city' and thanks to its laneways, food, coffee and architecture .
Day 2.
Melbourne - Torquay
Up early for a short drive to the outskirts of the city to glorious Dandenong mountains for some breathtaking riding on one of the cities most popular cycling routes. We'll tackle the 1 in 20 climb through fern lined roads and stop mid ride for some great artisan coffee and local bakery treats. Today is your first taste of the amazing sounds and smells of the Australian bush. Late this afternoon we'll drive out of the city and down to the beach in Torquay. Enjoy an evening beer in the local pub or grab an ice cream and go for a stroll along the foreshore.
Day 3.
Torquay – Skene's Creek
Torquay is best known for surfing as the home of the world famous surf beach - Bells Beach. It is also a great location for cycling as a gateway to the spectacular Great Ocean Road and a stone’s throw away from Geelong which hosted the 2011 World Road Race Championships and the Cadel Evan's Great Ocean Road Race. Cadel - Australia’s most successful cyclist just lives down the road as is regularly seen riding the local routes.
We'll rise early and start riding the iconic Great Ocean Road. The GOR is 243km long and one of the most scenic driving roads anywhere in the world. It hugs the rocky coastline and traverses rainforest, sandstone cliffs and spectacular white beaches. The best time to enjoy the road on a bicycle is in the early morning. Car traffic is reduced and the sun rises across the sea producing stunning vistas. We'll ride the winding road to Lorne passing long empty beaches on one side and green forest on the other. The sound of the waves crashing onto the beach and the surrounding cliffs is ever constant in the background. After a coffee stop at our favourite bakery we'll continue on to Skene's Creek. If the weather is good we'll stop at some secluded beaches along the way for a swim.
Day 4.
skene's creek - 12 apostles - daylesford
This morning we leave the coast behind and start climbing into the rainforest area of Beech Forest. We will stop for a visit to the 'Treetop walk'. The Treetop Walk is a one hour rainforest walk experience, that is approximately two kilometres in total and features a 600 metre long and 30 metre high steel structured treetop canopy walkway, that takes you right into the treetops. It is the longest and tallest walkway of its type in the world and includes a thrilling cantilever.
In the afternoon we visit one of the most well-known highlights of the Great Ocean Road - The Twelve Apostles. Situated in the Port Campbell National Park, the massive limestone structures that tower 45 metres above the tempestuous Southern Ocean, leave its visitors awe-struck in wonder at their size and beauty. Behind the eight remaining stacks (five have fallen since their discovery) are majestic cliffs, around 70 metres high.
Late afternoon we travel by vehicle to our evening's accomodation in Daylesford.
Day 5.
daylesford - beechworth
In the morning we transit to the Victorian Alpine Region for the second half of our trip. After a 3.5 hour drive we'll start riding from Wangaratta to Milawa. Today we'll take things a bit slower and enjoy the culinary delights along the 'The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail'. The Rail Trails are cycling paths built over abandoned railway corridors. This trail is renowned for its natural beauty as much as the famous wines, boutique beers and gourmet food you can consume along the way. We will stop at the Milawa Cheese Factory and Brown Brothers Winery for slow a boozey afternoon. Tonight we stay in the well preserved historic town of Beechworth.
Optional longer ride available.
Day 6.
beechworth - bright
Up early to grab breakfast from the Beechworth Bakery. Sample their famous vanilla slice before getting onto the bikes for the journey to Bright. There are so many places to stop and eat on the 58km route that we guarantee it will take you all day to complete the route and you'll definitely put on my calories than you loose. We'll ride past lush bush, rustic tobacco drying kilns and open farmland areas.
After a few hours of riding in the Australian summer you'll be thirsty. Mid ride you'll pass rows and rows of vines belonging to Gapsed Winery. The temptation to get off the bike for a glass or two of wine will be too much to resist. The winery is open to the public and has a nice outdoor cafe area which is the perfect place to stop for lunch.
Take your time to ride the second half of the route to Bright. Leave time to drop into the Berry Farm, The Butter Factory or one of the many bike friendly establishments along the way.
Our destination is Bright - a picturesque town that is the gateway to the the Victorian Alpine Region. Its almost a ritual that every cyclist that comes through Bright stops in at Bright Velo Cale for a beer or post ride coffee. Bright Velo is a Hotel, retro bike cage and restaurant. It's the perfect place for us to end our journey and stay the night.
Optional longer ride available.
Day 7.
bright - mount hotham
Today is the Queen stage and one of Australia's most famous Alpine climbs - Mount Hotham. It's 30km monster that will challenge even the most seasoned climbers. The road up starts in lush eucalyptus forest forest which slowly gives way to a unique landscape of thousands of bare grey tree trunks creating an eerily moonlike landscape at the top of the mountain.
At the top will visit a pub for a well earned beer, some lunch and vistas of endless mountain peaks and valleys. The descent down with the afternoon light coming through the trees will be a highlight of the trip.
For those that want an extra challenge its possible to climb Mount Buffalo and return (an extra 80km).
Day 8.
Bright - melbourne
If you still have it in your legs up early for a quick local loop before we head back to Melbourne and pack up the bikes. The trip back along the highway takes around 4 hours.
We'll arrive into the city early evening for dinner together before hitting Melbourne's famous laneway bars to celebrate our final night.
