Bicycle Network: Where to Ride
Books and Maps
Where to find cycling books and maps. Please call us if you would like to buy a copy.
VicRoads
VicRoad maps of Cycling Routes
VicRoads has downloadable maps available in PDF format from their website. To access their maps, visit VicRoads
Melways
In Melbourne the Melways shows the off-road trails with a dotted red line. Most of these are usually located along rivers and creeks or through parkland. Sometimes they run alongside busy roads (such as the Footscray Rd path). The arterial network of bike lanes and shared paths are also shown on Map 592.
Free maps
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Bicycle Network Victoria stocks a wide range of cycling maps and information brochures. Contact us to find out what is available in your area of interest. We have produced a map of the Capital City Trail that you can find here. A good map of the City of Melbourne is the Melbourne Travelsmart Map (6MB) which shows bike routes as well as tram, bus and train lines. We still have some Taster maps available. See below.
Books and Maps for sale through the Bicycle Network Victoria shop
Bike Bible
By Simon Vincett
Book $33.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
Cycling is a passion for many in the community and its popularity is growing every day. The planning, acceptance and proliferation of bike paths everywhere you go is testimony to the growing popularity of cycling.
The ‘Bike Bible’ brings you the joy of cycling whether you are a first timer, getting back on a bike, or are an avid rider discovering new pleasures and challenges.
Whatever the type of cyclist you are or would like to be, the ‘Bike Bible’ is packed full of information on everything you need to know.
It’s all in the ‘Bike Bible’;
- Fitness and weight loss for all ages
- Easy to demanding bike rides
- Bike setup
- Choosing the right bike for you
- The bits and pieces required
- Keeping your bike in top shape
- The price of cycling
- and much more
Contents include:
- Why Ride?
- How to setup your bike as a roadie, recreational or mountain bike rider
- Where to ride for a holiday, as a challenge or at events
- Skill Up, teaching someone how to ride
- Diet and Nutrition
- Maintenance
As indispensable as a bike tyre pump the ‘Bike Bible’ is a reference you will keep returning to. Written and compiled by bike enthusiasts from across Australia who share the fun and fitness with you. Endorsed by Bicycle Network Victoria, Australia’s largest bike member organisation.
Little Bike Bible: 365 tips
Book $13.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
Presented as concise tips, the Little Bike Bible covers every stage of riding, from buying a bike to taking it out on to the paths and roads, understanding your bike and perhaps maintaining it yourself, riding to work and finding more people to ride with socially. Assuming no prior expertise, there is valuable information in here for every rider, of every age and every ability.
Bike Paths and Rail Trails - 8th edition
Book $23.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
If you are forever seeking new places to explore and excite your senses, then the hundreds of destination ideas in this new guide will surely motivate you to swing a leg over the saddle and inspire you to go touring to get some 'air through your hair'!
Why should I buy Bike Paths and Rail Trails?
- It has over 70 more pages than the last edition
- Features a new Ride2Work chapter highlighting cafes on route, as well as the new 2Wheel Touring chapter including cafes, wineries and accommodation.
- Has more than 185 new cafes for you to ride to or past
- All new Rail Trails, bike paths and trails across the state are featured
- Features 12 pages on the best bike riding and pram walk parks
- We celebrate this totally revised new 'safe escapes' edition by adding by popular demand two new sections - Ride2Work and 2Wheel Touring along Victoria's famous Rail Trails. This chapter is certain to take 'middle of the road' cycling to a new, never experienced exciting level of 'European style' touring in this country!
We also proudly introduce an all new country Sip n Cycle section that reveals the best country cafe stops most recommended by fellow cyclists where you will discover an amazing array of gourmet offerings in Victoria's north eastern High Country and the fabulous Yarra River Valley and beyond.
Where to Ride - Melbourne
by David Russell
Book $34.00 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
Where to Ride Melbourne features 40 fabulous rides to inspire and motivate you to get out and ride:
- Fun and exciting rides
- Tips for beginners
- Ride ratings make choosing simple
- Bike paths, quiet roads, easy off-road
- Clear, concise directions
- GPS generated mapping
- Elevations profiles
- Brilliant colour photography
Bike Riding in Victoria - 6 pack
Maps $36.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
Bike riding in Victoria is a handy pack containing six fantastic bike rides around the state. There’s something for everyone here, from skirting Port Philip Bay to traversing East Gippsland, and each map is filled with information about the route, possible itineraries, history, and information on preparing to ride; detailed maps and elevation profiles complete the picture.
- Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail
- Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
- East Gippsland Rail Trail
- Great Southern Rail Trail
- Main Yarra Trail
- Bay Trail
Features:
- Six maps offering six different riding experiences
- Up-to-date GPS collected data
- Detailed maps showing distances and facilities
- Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
- Information on where to stop along the way
- Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
- This series replaces inferior, existing maps of these popular trails
- Ideal activity for summer and the holiday season
- Ties in with the ‘be active’ health push
- Bike riding is a family oriented, environmentally friendly activity
- All routes have been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
- Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way
- Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
- Handy size so you can take it with you
Bike Rides Around Melbourne (3rd edition)
by Julia Blunden
Book $33.00 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
"This is an excellent guide to the joys of riding around Melbourne. Julia Blunden's rides are always a great day out and they are presented here supported by clear maps and easy to follow descriptions."
Simon Vincett
Editor, Ride On Magazine
Bike Tours Around Victoria
by Julia Blunden
Book $34.00 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
Victoria's varied landscapes, quiet country roads and unique rail trails, have much to offer the bicycle tourer. Historic towns, comfortable B&Bs, gourmet dining and acclaimed wine regions are just some of the many attractions to be found along the way.
Featuring:
- 62 Riding days
- 15 multi-day tours
- 19 day rides
- 35 colour maps
- 50 colour photographs
- Ride descriptions
- Detailed towns guide
- Bicycle hints & tips
- Train information
Bay Trail Map
Map $7.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
The Bay Trail (60km) skirts Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay from Carrum on the eastern shore to Altona on the west. It is one of two great bike journeys of Melbourne (along with the Main Yarra Trail), taking in beaches, wetlands and the bustling centres of St Kilda and Williamstown. This relatively short trail is packed with attractions all the way along and is guaranteed to entertain you on countless trips. The trail is sealed for the most part and suitable for all bikes. There are some missing links requiring on-road riding and some short, steep inclines along the way.
Featuring:
• Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
• Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way
• Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
• Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
• Handy size so you can take it with you
• Route has been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
Great Southern Rail Trail Map
Map $7.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
With its downhill start and finish, spectacular scenery and interesting towns, the Great Southern Rail Trail (49km) is a favourite Victorian rail trail. The hard-packed gravel surface means that any type of bicycle can be used. From Leongatha the trail traverses large expanses of dairy country, before passing through varied native bush alternating with open farmland on the way to Foster. The high point of the ride offers stunning views of Wilson’s Promontory and Corner Inlet. The trail travels on the South Gippsland Hwy for 3km, which may be unsuitable for children and those not confident riding on the road.
Featuring:
- Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
- Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
- Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
- Handy size so you can take it with you
- Route has been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
Rail trails are immensely popular with bike riders for the unique experience of the landscape they provide. In addition, they offer gentle gradients and no motor vehicle traffic.
Map - East Gippsland Rail Trail
Map $7.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
The East Gippsland Rail Trail (102km) travels through some of Victoria’s most rugged and stunningly beautiful native bushland. A feature of this ride is the remains of historic trestle bridges originally built to carry trains over the many creeks and river valleys of the region. Riders of this trail must be self-sufficient as there are long stretches between towns where there are no shops, water or toilets available. Mountain bikes are recommended for the 38 km section from Nowa Nowa to Orbost.
* Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
* Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way
* Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
* Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
* Handy size so you can take it with you
* Route has been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
Rail trails are immensely popular with bike riders for the unique experience of the landscape they provide. In addition, they offer gentle gradients and no motor vehicle traffic.
Map - Lilydale - Warburton Rail Trail
Map $7.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
The Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail (38km) is one of the most popular bike riding destinations in Victoria, with its lovely Yarra Valley setting so close to Melbourne. The trail starts in the outer eastern suburb of Lilydale at the end of the metropolitan train line. It then passes through a variety of native bush as well as open farmland, with the Yarra Ranges forming a glorious backdrop along the way.
* Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
* Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way
* Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
* Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
* Handy size so you can take it with you
* Route has been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
Rail trails are immensely popular with bike riders for the unique experience of the landscape they provide. In addition, they offer gentle gradients and no motor vehicle traffic.
Map - Main Yarra Trail
Map $7.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
The Main Yarra Trail (40km) closely follows the iconic Yarra River for most of its length and passes by or near some of Melbourne’s top tourist attractions, including Southbank, the MCG, the Botanic Gardens, Como House and Gardens, The Abbotsford Convent, Collingwood Children’s Farm, Fairfield Boathouse, the Heidelberg School Artists Trail and more. This sealed trail is suitable for all bikes. It runs through a ribbon of parkland and it’s easy to forget you are so close to the heart of Melbourne. The trail has a few steep hills and one section of 41 steps at Collins Bridge, Abbotsford.
* Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
* Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way
* Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
* Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
* Handy size so you can take it with you
* Route has been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
Map - Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
Map $7.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail (101km) is by far the most popular of Victoria’s regional rail trails. It’s suitable for all bikes because it is a sealed surface all the way. It begins in Wangaratta in the state’s north-east and heads along the Ovens Valley to Bright, nestled at the foot of the Victorian Alps. There is also a branch of the rail trail for a side trip to Beechworth.
* Perfect for first-time as well as experienced bike riders
* Includes details of all facilities and services that are available along the way
* Elevation profiles to indicate terrain grading
* Printed on durable, tear-resistant, water-proof paper
* Handy size so you can take it with you
* Route has been selected and checked by Bicycle Network Victoria
Rail trails are immensely popular with bike riders for the unique experience of the landscape they provide. In addition, they offer gentle gradients and no motor vehicle traffic.
Rail Trails Of Tasmania
Book $27.95 Pricing in Australian Dollars, including shipping
Tasmania has great rail trails ready for you to explore - and they are easier to find than a thylacine!
This book describes what you'll see along the way and reveals some of the trails' history too. Exploring these trails, which follow the paths of former railways, will take you to interesting places all over the state.
You'll see Tasmania's rich railway, mining and logging history first hand. Whether it's the old branch line to Sheffield, the tramway to the Magnet Mine, or the heritage tourist railway at Ida Bay, you'll find walks and rides for everyone in this book. From urban to remote and short to long - there's plenty of variety in Tasmanian rail trails.
This guide includes detailed descriptions easy-to-follow maps and colour photos to help you plan your trip.
Like the popular guidebook Rail Trails of Victorian and South Australia, this book is an essential companion on your touring holiday or weekend away from home..
Ride On Subscription
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$60 for a one year subscription
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Want to catch up on the latest riding news?
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