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.