Paul Baker has cycled over 2,400 kilometers since the start of January. The 47-year-old set himself the goal of riding all 43 rail trails around Victoria within 12-months – and he’s nearly there.
He wouldn’t describe himself as an athlete. “I’m not an elite athlete whatsoever” he joked. “I’m a 140kg dad of two kids who just loves getting out there”. Paul rekindled his love of cycling during the Melbourne lockdown. Paul decided to tackle Victoria’s rail trails after seeing a post on social media. “Someone had ridden all the bike paths in metropolitan Melbourne” he said. “That looked cool, but also a little boring. So, I thought I’d do rail trails instead”.
He arrived in Mansfield on Thursday September 14 after finishing the full length of the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) – meant to be his final hurrah. Day 1 saw Paul ride from Yea to Tallarook and back to Cathkin, while Day 2 he rode from Alexandra via Cathkin to Mansfield and back. On his arrival in Mansfield, he was met by members of the ‘Friends of the GVRT’ who congratulated Paul on his 1-man effort to tackle all of Victoria’s rail trails.
Despite the enormity of his mission, Paul seems unfazed. “Overall, it’s a pretty easy challenge for most riders,” he says. Paul attributes much of his renewed love of riding to the capabilities of the modern eBike. “It allows you to keep riding and dialing down the assistance as you progress,” he explained. “There are people who are using them as a bridge to come back to cycling from minimal or no fitness, or a torn ACL” (in Paul’s case).
He won’t pick a favorite. “I don’t think its fair to compare trails” he said. “It’s a fruit salad out there; there are so many different trails that suit different types of riders.”
Baker hopes that by taking on this challenge and sharing the journey on social media, he can help spread the word about Victoria’s rail trails and inspire others to explore this far-reaching network.
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
It’s only been open for a year, but the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has exceeded expectations. Dra...
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Register for news updatesThis week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
It’s only been open for a year, but the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has exceeded expectations. Dra...