Goldfields
If you’ve ever frequented a smorgasbord, hungry as anything, and seen so much food, it’s simply impossible to know where to start? That’s this episode, the Goldfields region of Victoria right there. It has simply so much going for it. It’s impossible to do it justice on a half-hour episode. Firstly, it's just so close to Melbourne. Secondly, the entire region can be reached in an easy day trip, making our adventure simple to slice and dice into the places that spin your wheels.
Vandy's mates Tas and Russ, Bendigo locals, take the guys on a tour of the best MTB trails in Bendigo.
Bendigo local and Olympic Gold Medalist Scott McGory challenges Vandy to a race at the Bendigo Velodrome.
The history of the region is probably the best way to understand why it's so significant. The mighty gold rush, which started in 1851 in NSW, began in this region, just outside Bendigo roughly about then. It transformed the country, the people, and so much of what can be seen today. Remnants of the rush are everywhere. In the countryside, on the side of single track as water races and eroded diggings, and in the towns, with magnificent Georgian and Victorian architecture, paid by the taxes on the gold discovered and mined. And on a bike, you get to see it with so much more intimacy. Whether it's riding the gravel around Macedon (and climbing the brutal Mount Macedon — it nearly killed me!), tasting the incredible Shiraz from Heathcote, rolling along the serene and relaxing O’Keefe Rail Trail and discovering 160-year old pubs, or experiencing Bendigo by bike as it is today, which is a foodie capital with rides right throughout the town. One of my favourite day rides is the Dry Digging track from Hepburn Springs to Castlemaine and Vandy with Chloe ride it and see why it’s so cool.
Local endurance rider Tiff takes Deetz and Vandy on a challenging road ride up Mount Macedon.
Deetz and Vandy sample the food and wine of Heathcote with Kate, owner of Heathcote Wine Hub.
The Goldfields region of Victoria is bike heaven, with heaps of MTB options, numerous rail trails fanning out from Bendigo and beyond, gravel riding right throughout the area, and when the riding is done, literally hundreds of places to stay, eat and play. We did it over five days, and I reckon you won't get a better five-day bike road trip adventure anywhere!
