History: Violet Town has a wonderful history of cycling, the town once having its own velodrome and a very strong cycling club. In 1938 the Aldridge family played a big part in a Violet Town Cycling Club\'s four-mile road race. Joe filled first place, George was second, Roy third and Arthur fourth. This was claimed as a record for a cycling family in Australia, if not in the world.

The track at the Recreation Reserve was in use in 1939 and the first professional bike race was held there in January 1940:

The track, used for open professional cycling for the first time, was safe except for a flat bend, where all the crashes took place. The organising committee spent considerable time and money making the circuit suitable for racing, and, after Saturday\'s experience, the bad bend will be banked. It should be perfect for the next carnival, and attract a record entry for a country carnival.

The club went into abeyance for five years during WWII but resumed in 1946. In August 1946, there was a move to extend and enlarge the cycle track and by November 1948 a 25 foot track had been erected which was used at the opening meeting in December that year. The local RSL ran an Easter cycling carnival in the 1950s.

Now: There are many flat rides in and around Violet Town. For example, children can safely cycle the Honeysuckle Creek walking path and many of them ride their bikes to school. There are rides of varying distances that lead out of Violet Town. There are many on sealed roads but there is also the opportunity for riding on some rougher and more challenging dirt roads. To ride to Euroa, one option is to take the Murchison Road and turn left into Moglonemby Road (North) until you reach Euroa.

Hill climbs abound with the Strathbogie Ranges offering a huge variety of steep climbs up on the tableland. Once up there, again there are more easy rides as the area is relatively flat! Roads leading towards Strathbogie from Violet Town include Harrys Creek Road or going via Boho.

Maps and profiles

Map My Ride - Euroa & Violet Town Loop - 68km
A hill climb up Harrys Creek Rd, descent and down Kelvins View to Euroa and flat return to Violet Town.

Map My Ride - Euroa to Violet Town - 55km 
Hill and bushland ride that goes through Mount Wombat-Garden Range Nature Conservation Reserve.

Violet Town & Boho loop 
Straightforward hill climb from Violet Town to Boho South and return totalling 53 km 

Violet Town & Boho loop - Short
Straightforward shorter ride of 23km

Ride Map - Seymour to Violet Town
Scenic ride visiting; Seymour, Ruffy Highlands, Strathbogie Tablelands, Longwood, Euroa and Violet Town - 157 km 

Ride Map - 85km Loop - (Mobile Only)
Dookie, Violet Town, Caniambo loop - 85km 

Cycling in the Shire

Strathbogie Cyling

The Strathbogie Shire has wonderful scenery throughout which can be enjoyed from your bike. Whatever your preference and abilities are, there are many routes to enjoy whether it be meandering through the wineries along the Goulburn River or through the hills of Strathbogie. Here is a map of routes you might like to use: Cycling Routes Strathbogie

Organised Rides

Ride The Ranges
For those who like joining an organised ride, ‘Ride the Ranges’ is an annual event organised by the Rotary Club of Euroa. It has 30 km, 85 km or 130 km rides, several of which go through Violet Town.

The Greater Shepparton Bicycle Users Group 
Often run rides out of Violet Town, usually starting at the old Violet Town Hotel at 51 Cowslip St.  There are many progams which include Violet Town - Boho Church Road loop and Nalinga - and return; which can be found on their website.