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Region:

Yarra Ranges 

Length:

22 kms 

Duration:

18 mins 

Submitted By:

Motorcycle Rides 

Ride Summary

The Black Spur is 11 kilometers long with a corner ratio of 80%. Corners should be taken at a slow speed. You are likely to encounter cars at a rate of 2 to 5 per minute on this ride. The bitumen grip is excellent thanks to recent resurfacing, although there are a few bumps here and there.

Ride Description

This route is superb for motorcycle ride enthusiast, being made up of a long series of S-curves with only a sporadic straightaway to give you a moment’s respite. Because it has been widened and resurfaced very recently, this road is both spacious and offers a magnificent bitumen surface that grips your tires well and keeps you firmly in control regardless of swerves and turns. There is a high amount of traffic on this road even on weekdays, however, and on weekends the traffic flow intensifies to the point where the ride is no longer enjoyable.

There are many large ferns, tree ferns, and rainforest trees flanking the road, giving it a woodland character. Many of these plants are beautiful and striking, providing you with a very attractive backdrop for your ride. Reaching the area from Melbourne involves following the Eastern Arterial to its end, turning right at Springvale Road, then left on Maroondah Highway to Healesville.

Directions

The Black Spur branches off from the Maroondah Highway between Healesville and Narbethong, while Healesville – the usual starting place – is 60 kilometers east-northeast of Melbourne.


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Best Thing About This Ride

Excellent road surface quality really lets you enjoy the constant S-curves of the Black Spur, and the forest scenery is a pleasant backdrop to your ride. Such notable birds as king parrots, crimson rosellas, and rainbow lorikeets frequent the bird feeder at the gas station adjacent to the Black Spur Motel, 4 kilometers from the Marysville turnoff, and can be seen and photographed by visitors.

What Else To Look Out For

Shed bark and dampness are frequent road surface features thanks to the temperate rainforest surroundings, and are something you should keep a watch for. On weekends, and especially on Sunday afternoons, the Black Spur usually has heavy traffic which spoils the ride, so weekdays are usually preferred for motorcycling along this route.