Rougher Ruffy Rider
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Where: Ruffy Highlands, Strathbogie Tablelands, Euroa—Central Victoria
Length: 148km
Difficulty: moderate
Terrain: hilly
Surface: about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Some rough parts. Gravel-type bike recommended.
What: state forest, rolling pastures, pretty rural areas, local produce, quiet roads, small towns
THE RIDE
This region is hugely underrated, a real hidden gem in my opinion. It's not really on the tourist radar, so the roads are pretty quiet, and the scenery is beautiful and unique, with rolling pastoral land, distinctive granite outcrops, attractive bushland and some rivers and streams. You'll cycle through the Strathbogie State Forest, the Strathbogie Tablelands, the Ruffy Highlands and along the lovely Hughes Creek. You'll pass the tiny town of Strathbogie (km71) and the locality of Ruffy (km105), where you'll find the excellent Ruffy Produce Store. There's a good amount of gravel for those who like that kind of thing, and a couple of steep climbs to test the legs. There's some lovely free camping at James Reserve (about km43), and if you don't want to camp there are various B&B style places and wineries dotted through the region-check out the tourist info links at the bottom of this page. The ride can be done in either direction-I prefer ending in Seymour because trains leave every hour from there to Melbourne rather than three times a day from Benalla. This direction also gives you an extended downhill run along the Hughes Creek, a highlight of the ride.
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ATTRACTIONS
Ruffy Produce Store (km105)-local food, wine, etc in a gorgeuos setting
Gooram Falls Reserve (km83-a few km south on Euroa Mansfield Rd from the intersection with Galls Gap Rd)-scenic falls and a nice spot for a swim in the river
Polly Mcquinns Reserve (km76)-beautiful wetlands and swimming spot
Strathbogie State Forest-various walks, picnic spots, etc.
WHEN
Summer can get very hot and winter is very brisk in this region. Strathbogie often records the state's lowest temperature outside the alps in winter. Spring and autumn are usually the best times.
GETTING THERE
V-line runs services every hour between Seymour and Melbourne, and three times a day between Benalla and Melbourne.
MAPS
Download GPX Track file of this route
Strathbogie State Forest (free)
Strathbogie.org map eastern sheet (free)-a good overview of the ride
Strathbogie.org map western sheet (free)-a good overview of the ride
LINKS
OTHER RIDES LIKE THIS ONE
Disclaimer: should you choose to cycle this route, you do so at your own risk. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of writing, Adventure Cycling Victoria cannot guarantee that the information herein is 100% correct. The information published is meant as a guide only, and should be combined with your own due diligence and planning. Adventure Cycling Victoria and its contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals following this route.
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.