Blazing the rail trail path around Victoria
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.
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More News
Rail Trails Australia held a stall at Off-Grid Living Festival last weekend in Chiltern to spread the good word about ra...
In March the East Gippsland Rail Trail volunteer Committee of Management hosted East Gippsland Shire Council councillors...
South Gippsland Shire Council in partnership with Wellington Shire Council and Rail Trails Australia is presenting the G...
Construction is moving forward on the 5.7 km extension to Birdwood of South Australia’s iconic Amy Gillett Pathway...
Pedler Creek Bridge has now reopened after the renewal of the decking and balustrade by the Onkaparinga Council. The 4 k...
Some 126 walkers converged on the Mansfield end of the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) on Saturday 22 March to take pa...
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Construction works on the 1.8 km Beaudesert to Gleneagle section of the Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail, in Queensland...
After years of planning and construction, the newest rail trail in Victoria, Waranga Rail Trail, opens for users on Tues...
We’ve added a bucket hat with the RTA logo and a drawstring for adjustments to our line of Rail Trails Australia b...
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