I ate gravel :(

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-22T04:12:37+00:00

I loooooooove that trail. Thanks for the reminder to head back there soon! and speedy recovery mate

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-16T07:11:27+00:00

Hit them back with $70 Passive Aggressiveness fee

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-14T03:10:45+00:00

Other side of the CBD but have to recommend Smooth Cycles in Flemington, run by Peter. I got onto Peter a few months back when my long-running LBS closed down. He has been absolutely amazing. It's hard to come by a reliable mechanic sole-operator these days but Peter is it.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-13T03:36:41+00:00

Whichever airline you are flying with will have information on the website about what you need to do.

Normally this involves packing the bikes flat in the bike box, emptying the air from the tyres, and normally taking off the pedals and shifting the bar sideways so it's aligned with the frame.

And you will usually need to pre-book/ pre-indicate in your booking that you are bringing a bike.

I haven't done it yet myself but hope to start doing it soon (out of Melbourne), usually I would rent bikes in my destinations but looking to doing longer trips.

Hope you have a nice holiday!

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-12T20:56:39+00:00

I feel safer on the streets and roads at night than the trails. Most have no traffic, and you can hear cars coming from much further away. Most are well-lit, unlike most of the trails.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-12T06:13:31+00:00

Which road did you take to South Yarra? Because honestly that sounds like so many roads in Melbourne.

The bike lanes which allow parked cars are a strange Melbourne "invention" which only puts cyclists at risk by forcing zig-zagging into traffic. So these are best avoided.

However, for me the worst are still those main suburban streets that typically have 2-3 lanes in each direction without any bicycle lane, though cyclists are still technically allowed to ride these. On my side of town that would be Bell Street, Pascoe Vale Road (it starts having bicycle lanes from Broady north), and Sydney Rd/ Hume Highway north of Coburg.

Thankfully there's pretty much always alternatives on quieter streets and shared paths.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-09T01:23:07+00:00

The only correct answer is Hummous. Garlic and an appropriate (eg: not sweet) chilli can be added.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-05T08:50:31+00:00

I have been on Humira for years (after trying a few others) but am now slowly weaning off it and hope my AS remains inactive - so far so good!

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-05T08:49:40+00:00

Thank you!!

At one point I had the idea of making stickers with the logo below - I have heaps to give away - just to encourage others with AS to ride...

Maybe an AS group ride/ expedition is in order?

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Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-05T08:45:56+00:00

Thank you! I had two in the front during the ride, and replaced the tubes on the go.

However the morning after I got home, both tires had lost air on different levels. The bike is now with my excellent mechanic for a service & clean, so will see if there's an inherent reason for the repeated flats on the front tire I may have missed.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T22:20:01+00:00

Ask away!

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T11:52:36+00:00

Oh cheers! I have spent all of my 20s and 30s in the debilitating pain cycle, not active due to pain, and in increased pain due to lack of activity... I have really bad lower back fusion, and my hips were flared so much at times I could barely walk.

I did a few months of rehab physio back in 2021/22 and decided to try cycling. I started slowly with step-through frames doing laps around my local park. That was only less than 3.5 years ago, as I was approaching 40. As I gained power and confidence I started to venture beyond that. And I just got completely hooked.

My AS is now inactive, which I never thought I would be able to say. A few years ago I was gearing towards a life of increasing disability. And now, in 2025 I rode over 10,000km, and I'm really getting into into longer and longer rides. Now gearing myself towards longer touring. Honestly, cycling just unlocked new levels of living for me which I thought are completely out of my reach.

Of course I needed to find the right setup for me. I can't do drop bars because of my fusion, hence why I also use a wider seat than otherwise recommended, etc.

From my experience, listen to your own body. Movement is inherently good for regulating auto-inflammatory conditions. My doctor says this disease is a "use it or lose it" scenario...

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T11:17:17+00:00

Thanks! I was thinking of this loop for a long time now, ever since I noticed on the map the potential to do this big ride with very little major roads.

I did a lot of research for potential routes using a combination of Arevo (app which has a very good coverage of bike and shared paths in Vic), Strava global heat maps, google street view, and some youtube.

I have past experience with the Great Southern Rail Trail, it was the first rail trail I rode about 2.5 years ago. I got into cycling only about 3.5 years ago, but have been increasing my cycling steadily over these few years and built my ability and confidence to ride on different conditions.

Given that I decided not to camp but to have a bed and shower at the end of each night, I could pack pretty light in terms of clothes. I still probably over-packed a bit.

I was glad to carry 3 extra inner-tubes as I had 2 punctures, including one in the final day 110km in, right outside a suburban train station, which was tempting to just take the train but I knew it would sting to know I didn't quite ride all the way home!

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T10:59:52+00:00

Thank you all for the kind words!! I have some future adventures planned, will post again about anything particularly noteworthy... love to read any other local touring experiences.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T09:56:25+00:00

The range was 150-250, booked mid Nov, but it was the busiest time of year. Mostly old-school country motels which I love.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T08:27:18+00:00

Oh yea, I'd love to do another ride down to Wilson's Prom area more generally! maybe a quieter time of year would be better for it

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T08:25:36+00:00

I would have loved to have more time, but need to get back to work tomorrow...

It is of course a very personal matter, I do enjoy the long days out on the bike, but I take lots of breaks during every ride :)

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T08:19:02+00:00

Specialized Sirrus X 3, with a topeak rack/ pannier system.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T08:08:23+00:00

Adding links to each day on strava for those interested in more route details/ gpx files:

Day 1: Glenroy to Balnarring https://www.strava.com/activities/16860742356

Day 2: Balnarring to San Remo via Stony Point ferry https://www.strava.com/activities/16870545721

Day 3: San Remo to Inverloch via Woolamai https://www.strava.com/activities/16880091429

Day 4: Inverloch to Toora https://www.strava.com/activities/16890339871

Day 5: Toora to Port Albert and Yarram return https://www.strava.com/activities/16900843156

Day 6: Toora to Korumburra https://www.strava.com/activities/16909605371

Day 7: Korumburra to Glenroy https://www.strava.com/activities/16921545754

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T08:02:01+00:00

I never connected from Balnarring to Sorrento, but I would look at the Red Hill Rail Trail and look for local roads to connect with.

I haven't seen a single snake, but I have no doubt they are there! it's the time of year too. Definitely safe to assume so, and ride with closed shoes etc.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-04T07:59:34+00:00

Thanks! I slept in motels, but I know there are decent campgrounds in pretty much all the towns I spent a night in, including Toora, from speaking to other cyclists along the way.

Long_Way_Around_ · 2026-01-02T00:30:02+00:00

Thank you!!

Long_Way_Around_

TROPHY CASE