The Girls are taking over!! Ride Djuwang Baring - Creswick 25 spots in the Bus 17 spots on the trailor for Bikes Bookings Essential Non-refundable booking fee applies Join us as we explore the incredible trails of the new Creswick Trails. We will split into groups: Gravity Gal's XC Gal's Green Trail Gal's We will be meeting up with the Ballarat Dirt Girls & Red Hill Riders to fully take over. Pick Up: Bendigo Cycles 8am Castlemaine Train Station 8.45am Arrive Creswisk approx 10-10.15am Ride 10.30am - 12.30pm Depart Creswick 1pm All riders must have mtb in good working order & will be required to sign a waiver on departure. It's recommended but not required that riders have bicycle insurance whether it be AusCycling OR Bicycle Network. We invite ladies from far & wide to come and join us. Those that have their own transport please select the ride only option. www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1285475  

Our monthly social ride will be held on Saturday 26 October to precede our Club AGM and will feature the best bits of the Baco trails.  The ride will commence at 2pm. The layout of the Baco trails should enable us to cater for both beginner and intermediate level riders.  The focus will be on more flowy terrain, with fewer technical sections. We will ride for around two hours so a reasonable level of fitness will be required. The ride will commence at 2pm at the Walmer Forest Trailhead. There is plenty of parking, toilets and barbecues on site. The Annual General Meeting will be conducted at the conclusion of the ride at 4pm. Refreshments will be provided for those attending the AGM. Map reference (type into Google Maps): X56W+GF, Muckleford VIC 3451 All riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares.  A well maintained/working mountain bike and helmet which meets Australian standards are required.  In order for us to manage riders to ride leader ratios please register through the AusCycling events portal. Please note: AusCycling membership is REQUIRED to cover you for insurance.  AusCycling has 4 week free trial memberships and monthly lifestyle memberships as options.  Anyone coming to social rides without active membership will have to sign up on the day to one of the AusCycling membership options described above (or full membership) https://rockyriders.com/membership/

Our summer Dirt Crits season opener is less than a month away! On Sunday 13 October we will be hosting a “Come and Try” Ride for any junior riders who want to see what it’s all about, or just want to inspect the course (a new course for Dirt Masters!). We will meet at the Walmer Trail Head, at 9am. After a short briefing about this year’s Dirt Crits series, a guided ride of both the Dirt Cubs and Dirt Masters courses will be given, before riders (and their families!) will then be free to ride as many laps as they want (the courses will be marked and we’ll have a rider on hand to sweep). We expect to wrap things up by 11am. Look forward to seeing you there! 

The Women’s Social Ride on Sunday 22 September will be led by CRR’s Mandy Chilcott and Chris Fagan, and will take riders through a range of intermediate trails in Castlemaine on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. The ride will venture through Kalimna Park to the Pineys, where we will ascend and descend some fun technical trails. It’s then onto fire trails that will take us through to the Goldfields Track, where we make our way back to Castlemaine along single track and fire trail. Riders will need to be confident riding technical single track and have a reasonable level of fitness for this approximately 2 – 2.5 hrs ride, of 20 km distance, 490 m elevation. We will meet at Theatre Royal, 30 Hargraves Street at 9:15 am and roll out shortly afterwards. In order for us to manage riders to ride leaders ratios please purchase a free ticket via the AusCycling events portal. A Rocky Riders (or other AusCycling) membership is required so you are covered by insurance while riding. Riders not holding a current membership need to sign up on the day. If you are not in a position to sign up for a full membership you can sign up for the AusCycling 4 Week Free Trial or Lifestyle monthly Membership for $9.00.   

Our monthly social ride will be held on Sunday 15 September and will journey south to explore the recently opened trail network in Creswick (Djuwang Baring). This new network of around 70km of mountain bike trails was due to host the MTB events at the Commonwealth Games in 2026, but now provides us with another outstanding regional MTB destination.  The trails at Djuwang Baring provide a range of skill-rated riding experiences across a diverse landscape. To get maximum appreciation of the network some friendly members of the local VOGA club will be showing us the highlights. The ride will be at a good intermediate level, with some climbing, some gravity descents and some technical features. We will ride for around two hours so a reasonable level of fitness will be required. All riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares. A well maintained/working mountain bike and helmet which meets Australian standards are required. The ride will commence at 09:30am at Hammon Park in Water Street, Creswick and will venture into the forest to the north of St Georges Lake. In order for us to manage riders to ride leader ratios please register through the AusCycling events portal. Please note: AusCycling membership is REQUIRED to cover you for insurance. AusCycling has 4 week free trial memberships and monthly lifestyle memberships as options. Anyone coming to social rides without active membership will have to sign up on the day to one of the AusCycling membership options described above (or full membership) https://rockyriders.com/membership

Entry fee: $30 Registration and Start Times: Registration will open at 8:00am. The first race will begin at 9:00am, detailed schedule to come. Round four of the Victorian Schools MTB series will be run on the Castlemaine Secondary College grounds and surrounding bush land. A shorter course will be provided for the younger categories. Parking is available on site. Riders are expected to race on a roadworthy bike, we will have a bike mechanic on hand performing bike checks. Riders can choose to enter one of two categories in their chosen age category: Novice category is suitable for a rider who is new to MTB racing, or has limited experience racing before. Racing category is suitable for a rider who is experienced and raced at either Club, State or National levels. Age categories and intended race distance for the series (individual courses will determine actual race distance): U9 - approx 2.2kms U11 - approx 5kms U13 - approx 7kms U15 - approx 12kms U17 - approx 15kms U19 - approx 20kms Parking Entry There are 2 options for parking. Blakeley rd car park and Lawson Pde. Please obey parking signs. Coffee Van and BBQ will be on site Course maps available soon. Approx course length 3kms Race start time schedule (Subject to change): Presentations will be held after each race if at all possible 8:00am – 8:55am Official Course Practice. (Unofficial Practice outside this time is available at riders own risk ) 9:00am: Under 9 Boys 9:30am Under 11 Boys Race & Novice divisions. 10:15am Under 9 and Under 11 Girls Race and Novice divisions. 11:00am: U13 Boys Race and Novice divisions. 12.00pm: Under 15 Boys Race and Novice division 1.00pm: Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 Girls, Race & Novice divisions. 2:00pm: Under 17 and Under 19 Boys Race and Novice division. Photos / images video footage will be taken at this event, please reach out to the club if there are any issues : events@lysterfieldmtb.com The event will be supported by the Castlemaine Rocky Riders MTB club. For further information about the event, club or to volunteer to help out on the day please contact info@rockyriders.com Contact for any Round 4 Schools MTB Series - Victoria entry queries: hayden.beelitz@auscycling.org.au The 2024 Schools MTB Series Guide which contains important information including race distances and series results, is available on the AusCycling website: click here www.auscycling.org.au

Our women’s social ride on Sunday 25th August will explore the recently repaired and reopened trails at La Larr Ba Gauwa Mountain Bike Park in Harcourt, on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. LLBG MTB Park has purpose built trails with stunning scenery and terrain. We will meet at the mountain bike park car park, 60 High Street Harcourt (opposite the CFA ) at 8:45am for a 9am roll out. Ride leader will be Chris. We will ride to the trailhead along the Picnic Gully Road path, then onto Barramul (track 6), Wanyarra (track 1) and the intermediate option of Girra (track 2) to take you back to the trailhead. For those who choose not to ascend and descend the Girra trail, you will stay on the Wanyarra trail to take you back to the trailhead. If time and fitness allows we might also ride track #3 Wilkerr or #4 Murnong Our final leg will take us back to our cars in the Harcourt Township.  A medium to intermediate level of fitness is required. An intermediate level of skill is required for Girra (track 2) and Barramul (track 6).  If you don’t feel confident riding over technical features on Barramul (track 6), there will be plenty of time to walk your bike over or around them. In addition, there will be time for breaks, chats and laughs.  All riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares. A well maintained mountain bike and helmet, which meets Australian standards, are required. We have a no-drop policy to ensure no one is left behind. Meet the trails:  Barramul (track 6) is rated as a More Difficult Blue Intermediate that starts with a gradual, undulating climb through rocky outcrops. This track has a fast and flowy decent with berms, rollers and rock features.  Wanyarra (track 1) is rated as an Easy Green with smooth trails and gentle slopes suited to beginner riders. The scenic ride takes you through open woodland, large pines, and the Oak Forest.  Girra (track 2) is rated as a More Difficult Blue Intermediate. Girra begins with gentle berms before entering switchbacks to gain elevation, taking  you over some tricky rock features but worth it for the view. The downhill back to the trailhead is a big descent with berms, rock drops, jumps, tabletops and rock features. Keep your hands on the brakes if you want to keep your wheels on the ground. In order for us to manage riders to ride leaders ratios please purchase a free ticket via the AusCycling events portal. A Rocky Riders (or other AusCycling) membership is required so you are covered by insurance while riding. Riders not holding a current membership need to sign up on the day. If you are not in a position to sign up for a full membership you can sign up for the AusCycling 4 Week Free Trial or Lifestyle monthly Membership for $9.00.   

Ken’s Track is an absolute ripper. Custom made singletrack that goes on and on, using the undulating topography of the Walmer State Forest. It’s a great mix of old school cross country, with a generous smattering of technical trail features, pinch climbs, drops, and switchbacks. Our club social ride on Sunday 17 August will take about 3 hours, with a good level of technical skill and cardio fitness required. While we won’t be racing for sheep stations. It is a substantial undertaking. Bring water, snacks, and basic tools. We’ll aim to pedal off at 9:00 am, meeting at the Walmer Day Visitor Area. The What3Words link is: ///damp.carpal.ringleader Riders not holding a current membership need to sign up on the day. If you are not in a position to sign up for a full membership you can sign up for the AusCycling 4 Week Free Trial or Auscycling Lifestyle Membership for the month for $9.00. In order for us to manage riders to ride leaders ratios please purchase a free ticket via the AusCycling events portal. If you have any questions regarding the ride get in touch via info@rockyriders.com

Our monthly social ride will be held on Sunday 28 May and will preview the course for the Shifty Fifty event to be staged in the Walmer State Forest on the first weekend of June.  The course is around 25kms and features some of the best sections of the famed Baco trails.   Riders with intermediate skills are welcome but must have a reasonable level of fitness and all riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares.  A well maintained/working mountain bike and helmet which meets Australian standards are required.  We encourage our Two-Wheel Academy riders and our junior riders with intermediate skills (confident with riding off-road technical single track with good fitness) to join us.  Ride leaders have Working with Children Checks and must abide  to our child safety code of conduct. The meeting point will be at the new Walmer Forest trailhead at the day visitor area off Daltons Road (up the hill from the Castlemaine Pony Club), with the ride commencing at 9am.  Please note: AusCycling membership is REQUIRED to cover you for insurance.  AusCycling has 4 week free trial memberships and monthly lifestyle memberships as options.  Anyone coming to social rides without active membership will have to sign up on the day to one of the AusCycling membership options described above (or full membership) https://rockyriders.com/membership/

New Committee member Huw Vellacott will be leading a gravel ride in the Fryers Ranges area on Sunday 2 April.  The route of 40km contains a couple of decent climbs, so a moderate fitness level is required.  A hardtail mountain bike, or gravel bike, will be perfect for the mostly unsealed roads.  Bring water, some snacks and spares for the 2-3 hour loop.  The ride will depart from the Theatre Royal at 8am. Pace - Moderate;  Skill level - Beginner Please note this is not a skills clinic and riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares. You must have a well maintained bike and well fitted helmet that meets Australian standards. A Rocky Riders (or other AusCycling) membership is recommended so you are covered by insurance while riding. Riders without an Auscycling membership, do so at their own discretion. If you are not in a position to sign up for a full membership the AusCycling 4 Week Free Trial could be an alternative option to cover you. In order for us to manage riders to ride leaders ratios please purchase a free ticket below. If you have any questions regarding the ride get in touch via info@rockyriders.com

The Women's social ride focuses on creating a supportive, inclusive and encouraging environment, connecting with other women and spending time in our beautiful local surrounds. This intermediate ride is on on Sunday 26th March and will sample a range of local trails in Castlemaine on Djarra Country. Meet at 8:45am the Theatre Royal for a 9am sharp ride through Kalimna Park, to the Pineys, to the Goldfields Track and then back along Forest Creek to the Theatre Royal. Riders will need to be confident riding technical single track and have a reasonable amount of fitness for this approximately 2.5 hour ride, of 22 km distance. There will be a “no drop” policy – no one will be left behind. Women with advanced mountain biking experience are welcome to come along to contribute to the supportive environment.  Please note this is not a skills clinic and riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares. You must have a well maintained mountain bike and well fitted helmet that meets Australian standards. A Rocky Riders (or other AusCycling) membership is recommended so you are covered by insurance while riding. Riders without an Auscycling membership, do so at their own discretion. If you are not in a position to sign up for a full membership the AusCycling 4 Week Free Trial could be an alternative option to cover you. In order for us to manage riders to ride leaders ratios please purchase a free ticket below. If you have any questions regarding the ride get in touch via info@rockyriders.com  

The trails in this network are generally flowing and less technical in nature, with only a few short climbs;  some newer trails have exploited local geological and Goldfields features.  This ride will introduce some new trails through the forest. We are planning a ride of approximately 22 km that should take around 2.5 hours.  We will likely split into two groups to offer both a medium-paced and a more social-paced journey.  Riders with beginner to intermediate skills are welcome but must have a reasonable level of fitness and all riders must be self-sufficient with food, water and spares. The ride will commence at 09:30am at the historic Red White and Blue poppet head on Bells Lane Track.  Head west on the Muckleford School Road, past Jeralee Boarding Kennels and continue on Bells Lane Track to the intersection with Red White and Blue Track.  There is plenty of parking (but no coffee van).   Either way you can expect a ride of 20 plus kms over some classic singletrack in varied terrain, with a duration of around two and a half hours.  We have a no-drop policy; no one will be left behind. A Rocky Riders (or other AusCycling) membership is recommended so you are covered by insurance while riding. Riders without an Auscycling membership, do so at their own discretion. If you are not in a position to sign up for a full membership the AusCycling 4 Week Free Trial could be an alternative option to cover you or you can take out a Auscycling Lifestyle Membership for the month for $9.00. In order for us to manage riders to ride leaders ratios please purchase a free ticket.  Online registration closes on the morning of the event.  Late registration accepted on day but please arrive early to complete.  If you have any questions regarding the ride get in touch via info@rockyriders.com