Mixed Terrain Randonnées

As many know already where the bitumen ends is where the real fun begins. Forget the stress of dealing with unsympathetic traffic, exhaust fumes and noise, and discover the roads less traveled as you venture into the new territory of the net work of unsealed roads.It may all sound a overly poetic but the truth is there is real satisfaction to be gained by leaving the behind the tarmac. No longer limited by retracing the same routes and free to find out what lies beyond the bitumen.Although its possible to discover a plethora of new routes and roads, riding unsealed roads also becomes a challenge in its self. Wet greasy conditions, rough ungraded stretches, ruts and corrugations. If the scenery doesn't distract you the road will. At times its eyes down, especially for a fast descent. Not such a problem on the climbs thought with eyes free to scan the scenery and soak up the view. The pace is slower than the road, tyres don't roll as fast on gravel as they do on tarmac. Not such a bad thing to slow down and increase the duration.Whatever your goal, avoiding traffic, discovering new routes, enjoy riding off road, the rewards are great. So why not set your self a new challenge and try a bit of rough (stuff).Mixed Terrain Randonnées organised by the Audax Australia Cycling Club:November Grand Rideg Road Randonnée - A very rewarding ride through some very spectacular scenery traveling through some very remote areas of the Strzelecki Hills on the Grand Ridge Road.

December Jam For Jamieson - get a taste of the rough side of the Victorian Alps, follow the majestic Macalister River and summit Mount Skene.

March Gippsland Gold - Starting from Yarragon this ride uses unsealed, low traffic roads as it attempts to follow the most scenic route through the Strzelecki Hills to Foster and back.

Any time Donna's Alpine Adventure - Be it the 100km, 200km, or 300km, this is a ride to challenge anyone. Each option has its own little bonus. Whether its "back dooring" Mount Donna, taking on Lake Mountain or getting lost in the pine plantations on the way to Noojee, its a ride each route provides its own little extra.

Mixed Terrain Cycling

Wikipedia presents a good summary of the origins of Mixed Terrain Cycling Touring and provides some useful references.

The history of mixed terrain bicycle travel begins with the bicycle itself. Early roads were rarely paved. In fact, the popularity of bicycle riding may have encouraged the paving of roads.