Cycling around the North East
Riding through the North East
North East Victoria is fast becoming a favourite for cycling. There are road races for those wanting to really push themselves, mountain bike trails for the adventurous, and paved trails for families and anyone wanting to enjoy beautiful scenery while riding.
Murray to Mountain Rail Trail
The Murray to Mountain Rail trail is a paved path along where the old railway tracks once laid. This path which can be used for either walking or cycling begins in Bright near the old railway station which is now a museum and travels all the way to Beechworth and Wangaratta. With many wonderful destinations to stop and get a bite to eat or something to drink it is a great way to spend a day. If you do not have bikes to bring to Bright you can hire them from the Cycle Path Bike shop. You can even hire a sun smart cart to put on the back of a bike for children too small to ride.
The Trail has recently been extended to go from Bright to Wandiligong and from Rutherglen to Wagunyah. There are cafes, coffee shops and wonderful wineries to visit along your way and if you do only want to go the one way there are services that can bring you and your bike home.
All details and maps can be found on www.murraytomountains.com.au .
Mountain Bike riding
Beechworth
Located on Alma Road, the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park is an area that is dedicated to Mountain Biking and has Cross Country Single Track, a Jumps Course, a Short Course Downhill and an easy Cross Country Circuit for novices of all ages is nearly completed. There are currently renovations taking place to add variety and length to the tracks, so you are asked to use caution.
Directions to the trailhead are: Follow High Street (behind the old prison) out until you come to a fork in the road. At the fork in the road take Havelock Rd to the right and Alma Road is 50 metres up on you left. Take this for a few kilometres along the dirt road, and you will see the car park for the Beechworth Mountain Bike Park on your left. A map of the Mountain Bike is available from www.beechworthchaingang.com (under Trails section).
Stanley to Beechworth
Stanley (8km up the road from Beechworth) to the Rail Trail at Taylors Gap (6km from Myrtleford). The trail follows Flagstaff Rd all the way from Stanley to the Great Alpine Rd along the ridge overlooking the Murmungee Basin on your right and Mt Buffalo on your left. The trail undulates and you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to tackle this ride. The road is a dirt track the entire way and is only suitable for mountain bikes.
Mt Beauty
Mount Beauty Big Hill Mountain Bike Park
The Big Hill Mountain Bike Park is widely regarded as one of Australia's premier cross country and downhill areas. This challenging park is conveniently located only a few hundred meters from the Mt Beauty shopping centre, cafés and bakery. A number of state and national championships have been held here. There are down hill and cross country courses ranging from easy to hard throughout the area.
Directions: From Mount Beauty Bakery go South 20metres towards the mountains until the intersection with Park Street. Turn right into Park Street for about 50 metres until the end at the steps to the Bogong High Plains Road. Cross the road to the park.
Falls Creek
Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, Falls Creek delivers some of Australia's most inspirational bike riding country. Whether you enjoy cruising with the family, challenging hill climbs or blazing downhill - there's a track to suit all levels of skill and fitness. During the summer holidays from 27th December to the 2nd January, there will be chairlifts operating to help with access to the trails and for sight seeing.
Websites for maps and further details:
www.beechworthchaingang.com
www.gravitysport.com/chaingang/trails.html
www.fallscreek.com.au/MountainBiking
www.cyclepath.com.au
Road Racing and competitions
Bright and the North East play host to a number of road racing and cycling events as well as great roads to train on, with many cyclists riding up and down Mt Hotham, Mt Buffalo and to Falls Creek.
Audax Alpine Classic
The Alpine Classic is held every year over the weekend closest to Australia Day.
Activities are held in town for those there just as support.
Rides on offer:
60km Bright-Mt Beauty-Bright - Two climbs both sides of Tawonga Gap
70km Bright-Mt Buffalo-Bright - One big climb up Mt Buffalo to Dingo Dell
130km Bright-Mt Beauty-Falls Ck-Bright - Three climbs both sides of Tawonga Gap and Falls Creek
140km Bright-Mt Beauty-Bright-Mt Buffalo-Bright. - Three climbs both side of Tawonga Gap and Mt Buffalo
200km Bright-Mt Beauty-Falls Creek-Bright-Mt Buffalo - Four Climbs Both sides of Tawonga Gap, Fall Ck & Mt Buffalo
ACE250* (Alpine Classic Extreme) -Three Climbs , Mt Hotham, Back of Falls Ck, one side of Tawonga Gap (Qualifing rides reqd)
Alpine Raid. A two day ride taking in the ACE Extreme route with limited support. Overnight in Omeo or the Blue Duck Inn
www.alpineclassic.com.au
Tour of Bright
The Tour of Bright is held the first weekend of December, this year being the 4th & 5th December. There are up to 550 entries each year.
There are three different stages with stage 1 having a range of grades.
Stage 1- A Grade – The gaps loop, Bright, Porpunkah, Ovens, Rosewhite, Running Creek, Coral Bank, Towonga, Towonga Gap
Stage 2- Individual Time Trials - Distance for all grades 15.7km - First rider start time 14:00
Stage Three - Mount Hotham Ascent. A total of 55kms, the final 30 kms are all uphill, on an ascent to rival those seen in the French Alps.
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