Riding the Rail Line ~ AUS Post #40

June 3-4

Skipton-Ballarat Rail Trail

To say we were excited to ride a rail trail end-to-end for the first time, covering over 55 km, would be an understatement. It was indeed a welcome change. No surprise grades or vehicles - just cruising on a ribbon of gravel between paddocks and sections of woodland without a care in the world except where to camp mid-way to Ballarat.

As we gradually ascended into the hills between Pittong and Linton, a narrow stretch of woodland lined both sides of the trail, creating a buffer between us and the surrounding farms. Every so often the rail line cut through a sizable mound that created a shelf of woodland well above our heads. Realizing this might provide us just enough cover to camp off the trail for the night, we began to scan for a denser section with enough flat open ground to pitch our tent. After some scouting, we found a spot next to a vacant paddock where we could just get a view of the valley we had crossed.

Stealth Camp Angst

From the moment we turned on to the trail 17 kms ago, we had it all to ourselves, that is, until we setup our tent, hoping not to be discovered. First, a cyclist rode up the trail, seemingly giving us no notice. But next, what we never expected to see, just before dusk, were headlights coming towards us on the trail. A moment of hesitation, “were we discovered/reported by the cyclist?” We waited…Awhile later, the truck passed us again, slowly the tail lights disappeared around the corner. Hoping that was the last of traffic on the trail, we assumed farmers must have access rights from the trail to a road we had crossed a couple kilometers back, named Jack Road. Could of been Jack - we will never know…

After watching a thin veil of fog stretched out across the valley over breakfast we looked both ways before starting up the trail again - no farm trucks in sight.

We passed through historic railway stations and a bird sanctuary before arriving at Nimons bridge, the longest timber trestle in Victoria. It seemed no matter which back road, track or trail we chose in Victoria each one gave us a glimpse back in time.

Linton Station

Happy Valley Station, Bird Sanctuary, Rainbow Bird Trail & Captain Moonlite

Nimons Bridge

And more Rail stations

End of the Line

This cyclist fueled by Peanut MnMs (hoping for his first sponsor…)

When we finally reached the outskirts of Ballarat, the MnM factory was there to welcome us.

Considering the countless number of bags of peanut MnMs we have consumed across Australia, I would expect the company’s stock is doing quite well this year.

We would certainly welcome Mars Wrigley as our first sponsor…Never too old for bikes, peanuts and chocolate or trains!