The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail

What happens when you combine a gravel bike, the Dandenong Ranges and a steam train covered in colourful lights? You get this night ride chasing the Puffing Billy Train of Lights, and mate...it was magic!

I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to ride in the cold dark night and survive the slippery corners. But thankfully, the legends at Knog sent me their Blinder 1300 and Blinder R-150 light combo. They told me the Blinder 1300 would be up to the task and it did not disappoint, chapeau! Without these lights, I wouldn’t have felt safe or had the confidence to ride through the pitch-black Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail.

The annual Train of Lights event is a winter tradition, turning the Dandenongs into a light-filled wonderland. Starting near Belgrave at Menzies Creek Railway Station, I pedalled through Mountain Ash and other eucalypts like Messmate and Manna Gum plus various natives and exotic species between Lakeside and Gembrook.

Thousands of people try (and fail) to grab tickets. They sell out faster than hot jam donuts at the footy. So I did what any curious cyclist would do, I rode beside it.

This ride gave front row views of Resolution X’s light show, glowing trees, neon tunnels and the full Puffing Billy experience, without being onboard. Should this be a yearly nocturnal gravel event?
If you’ve wondered what the Train of Lights looks like from outside the carriages, this video’s for you.

Lights: https://www.knog.com/products/blinder...
Puffing Billy: https://puffingbillyrailway.org.au/ev...
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51444409
Bike:    • Cannondale Gravel Bike - SuperSix Evo SE  
Instagram:   / 11thwombat  

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