The Big Bay Ride – Frankston to Portsea

This ride is held in conjunction with the ATB (Around the Bay) ride, usually in October each year. We have found it offers an enjoyable and FREE alternative to the official ATB ride.

Riders can start at any point along Beach Rd, but the elevation profile shown below shows the section from Frankston to Portsea. The ride begins with the sharp climb up Olivers Hill then rolls over a series of gentle climbs and descents to the main climb at Mt Martha. Then you have a fast descent and a flattish section to Dromana. From Dromana to Sorrento the ride follows the coastline and is almost dead flat. The coastal towns can be very busy and great care should be taken when passing through the crowded shopping centres.

Between Sorrento and Portsea there are a few rolling hills, but nothing too long or unduly steep. We usually then continue to the end of the highway at the entrance to Point Nepean before turning back for morning tea in Portsea. There is a reasonable General Store that sells take away coffee, cakes and other hot food. The distance from Frankston to Portsea is a little under 60 km.

After morning tea we follow the same route back to the start. Longer lunch stops could be had at either Dromana or Mornington on the return ride. The ride takes place entirely on bitumen and is best suited to road bikes. The Google Earth overlay can be found here.

Since the total distance of the return ride is almost 120 km it is not recommended for beginners.

If you want to lengthen the ride you could start at North Rd instead of Frankston. For details on this section see the separate entry here.