Overall though, it's a gruelling section, so allow plenty of time and take lots of water and snacks. Gradients and cycling: How much harder are steeper climbs? After a pleasantly pedestrian false-flat section, Mt. The Meg, CRB Hill and Diamantina Hill were nasty, but the rest of the climb was quite manageable. Buffalo Chalet, marked by the entrance to the Gorge Day Car Park. After 6.2km youll face another steep and very tight left-hand hairpin after which the road continues to follow the ridge line with breathtaking views possible to the right of the road. Mystic Mountain Bike Park Mystic Park is located in Bright in North Eastern Victoria approx. Its certainly controllable so dont worry about that. All my life I have been a cycle tourer (with panniers), usually in France, but after moving to NE Victoria I have been cycling up some of the local climbs, Buffalo being my favourite. The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Buffalo was surprising hard, I have done it before and did not give it the mental respect it required. Also, I could not find a sandwich on the mountain! V-lineruns three train services a day between Melbourne and Albury (which stops at Wangaratta) and three services a day between Bairnsdale and Melbourne. It was just as much a battle of will power as it was physical. Rode up Hotham for the first time in over a year doing the 3 Peaks event and I have to agree with ANTO the new road surface is rough, lumpy, bumpy and dead. Hiking and Biking transfers. Link into the 7 peaks ride. The Mt. Hi Matt FYI your JPG and google maps linked arent loading. From Mackeys Lookout the road flattens out a fraction and remains that way for the rest of the climb. If on reading this post cyclists feel that by reaching the Chalet theyre done for the day and have seen it all then really theyre missing out. They produce wine varieties including Fiano and Saperavi, as well as classic styles such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. Hoys only book clean, well maintained, professional coaches & taxis with expert, friendly, hazardous endorsed licenced drivers that know the Mt Hotham road. Typically two buses run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. There are a few pinches before the sight of the CRB opened my eyes thinking wow. For more about the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, read Kerri's article about the section between Beechworth and Everton. I highly recommend this place. The Mt. Connecting with the Murray to Mountain Rail Trail, this scenic shared path provides a safe and sealed ride for over 150km between Harrietville, Bright, Myrtleford, Beechworth and Wangaratta. These were the last two fine days before the weather changed to winter. With stunning views of the valley below this is a great place for a brief rest should you feel the need. The views are great and its an epic climb. Roads like the East Ovens River Track, or Wet Gully Track between Freeburgh and Harrietville, provide rewarding but challenging adventure and gravel bike rides. ACV thanks its current patrons: Antonio Lima, Saul Culican, Adrian Muller, Tanya Bosch, Jeremy, Kim Delbridge, Phil Yardy, Leigh Esposito, Margery Smith, Stephanie Quinceton, Ivor Guest and Robert Potocnik. Very cyclist friendly with bike racks and plenty of room to relax in comfort with a great coffee and some reasonably priced food. Adventure Cycling Victoria and its contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals following this route. Rest assured that completing this climb is a significant achievement and will give you confidence to complete the 7 peak challenge. Its hard to say for certain, but I reckon the road surface on Hotham has progressively deteriorated. Give it the respect and enjoy it all. Thanks for subscribing! The Great Valley Trail project is brand new - 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extending the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Not to much further and their I was at the saddle my goal, I rested for a little then rugged up to start the decent to Dingos. I found the climb reasonable until the MEG. Yarck to Molesworth. After winding gently for another 2.6km the false-flat turns into a brief downhill before flattening out once more. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. The greatest cycling event in Australia, the Audax Alpine Classic week at end Jan 2014, will have a range of the 200km riders leave Bright at 4am to climb The Buff before going onto Tawonga, Falls and back over Tawonga for the Classic 200km. Everything you need to explore beautiful Bright. Harrietville marks the start of the Mount Hotham 7 Peaks ascent the most spectacular of all mountain road rides. What is it like to ride it with cars on the road? Length: 30.8kmAverage gradient: 4.2%Elevation gain:1,279m. Phone Hoys on 1800 467 669 or 03 5759 2589 OR email - info@hoysskis.com.au. They must have started pretty early I thought. But, at a touch under 21km, the climb still demands strength and fitness of riders who are keen to partake in the breathtaking summit views. Science of climbing: Why power-to-weight ratios matter, Riding the 7 Peaks in one go: part one | CyclingTips, The Audax Alpine Classic | Beyond the Call, An Alpine Cycling Adventure | Beyond the Call, A slow and snowy ascent, without embro, on a set of fast Roval wheels | not-so-zen and the art of pink bicycles, Mt Buffalo for 7 Peaks 2011/2012 Ride Life [Get a Mountain Bike]. Bright to Harrietville Return (Flat) via bike path Cycling Route Save Share Details 59.0 km 262 m A very scenic and generally flat ride via a bitumen sealed bike path with many new sections. We acknowledge the Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the Alpine Shire, which encompasses the land, water and sky of Bright & Surrounds. The food we had on both of the nights we stayed was of exceptional quality for this type of establishmentthe trout we ordered from the specials board wouldnt have been out of place in a 1-hat restaurant. The Great Valley Trail proposed alignment (Bright to Harrietville) is out for public comment. Covers the whole ride. Your email address will not be published. Harrietville to the Razorback(Dimatina Hut) for Mount Feathertop walks. I did this ride on 27 December 2013. It is one of the best mountain bike parks in Australia with over 50 kms of trails for all levels (beginner to double-black diamond) with a massive vertical drop of 800 m. The trails comprise of hand-built, The Murray to Mountains rail trails are located in North Eastern Victoria (250 km from Melbourne) and consist of 3 sections with a total distance of 116 km. Science of climbing: Why power-to-weight ratios matter, Discovering new rides: Mt Hotham the hard way CyclingTips, Gradients and cycling: an introduction | The Climbing Cyclist, 12th November 2016 Bendigo Cycling Network Weekly Update | bendigo cycling network, Everesting: climbing 8,848 metres in a single ride | CyclingTips, Discovering new rides: Mt Hotham the hard way - Cycling Feeds, Discovering new rides: Mt Hotham the hard way | Ella, The Audax Alpine Classic | Beyond the Call, Behind the scenes of Drapacs big step up | Cycling Tips, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life | Beyond the Call, Training Log Tour Of Bright (and some reflecting) | Riding For David, The Route Alpine Annihilation | desblogs. The trails are generally well-developed with all surfaces being sealed and most sections are quite flat with the exception of Everton Station to Beechworth. Havent riden hills like that for a few years, in fact probably BC, BM (before children, before marriage) 25 years ago. Harrietville Cycling (Victorian Alps) . There is a good selection of motels, holiday / camping parks, private holiday homes and bed n breakfasts to choose from. It certainly draws the crowds. Melbourne to Harrietville/Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. Its a rewarding ride but if your not used to how quickly the weather can change in the mountains like you can get caught out like I was. I dont really have a problem with this but it seems to consistently catch people out. Hotham is brutal but very rewarding. (React to signs you read. Another great option is "Roses On The River - Bright", which is around 21 kilometres from Harrietville. . Great website! The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. From the Chalet its only a short flat section to Lake Catani before it keeps climbing all the way to the Cathedral, then its only another 1km+ until the end of the sealed road at the Horn. Beast of a climb. Is it controllable? Proudly powered by WordPress. Its probably 2kms towards Dinnerplain past the bridge. We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of these Countries. Can be done comfortably on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. Accommodation of various sorts is available in many of the nearby towns including Bright, Porepunkah, Freeburgh, Germantown and Wandiligong. Door to door service for family groups staying on Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain. Hey, Im very familiar with driving the Mount Hotham roads but have not ridden them before. Buffalo is located roughly 350km north-east of Melbourne and 35km west of the nearest regional centre, Bright. Road riding around Bright is just a matter of picking a road and heading off, but some of the recognised ride loops include: Avoid the stress of driving the challenging Alpine Rd and fitting chainsleave it to our experienced alpine drivers. I reckon I saw two cars on the ascent and one on the descent. Immerse yourself in the history and vibrant hues of Walhalla. Coasting down to dinner plains before the rest at the aid station before the return back to Bright. The surface is mainly gravel and a bit patchy but can be done on a road bike. Located in Harrietville, this apartment is 16 mi from Bright. Murray to Mountains Rail Trail map (free), Alpine National Park map-includes locations of some camping spots (free, click on the park notes link at the bottom of the page), Where:Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, east of Melbourne, Surface:about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. Harrietville/Bright to Dinner Plain. In the colder months there's plenty of snow in the alps, so only go then if you're well-prepared and hardy. At the 21.4km mark the road emerges from the tree line and Mt. Thanks once again for a great site, No, I was too focused on doing the climb from Bright 3 times in the day and missed the photo opportunities. Buffalo begins at the Mt. Had to walk a couple of hundred meters before Renes lookout (?) Ill be interested to hear how much easier you find it on fresher legs! Generous covered luggage storage perfect for large groups with all provisions and ski gear. Whats come over me ! Ill have a friend following me 45mins later in a car for support btw which will be my return ride (icy roads and decent = bad idea). Why stop there? 1.5km after leaving the alpine forest behind, the road flattens out briefly before it plunges toward the valley. Buffalo plateau. Great description of the climb, it really helps to know what punishment lies ahead. Buffalo climb can be found here. Hotham without a proper warm-up is not advisable. I really hope Im as fit as him when Im his age. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of writing, Adventure Cycling Victoria cannot guarantee that the information herein is 100%correct. The Climbing Cyclist website has a detailed breakdown of the climb. The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. After 19.1km turn left to go to the Mt. Thanks for your web site Matt. Athletics; Diversity & Inclusion; Sustainability; Traditions; About Easton; Admissions & Aid. By the time the road is climbing again, 9.8km from the tollbooth, the valley views are now possible on the left-hand side of the road. Mt Hotham is around a 30 km long climb where you'll gain 1,279m. I find your website very interesting, Matt. It took me 3 hours to lug the 20 kilos of my spare tire up this hill. Im off to do Hotham this Saturday, Have done it a few times now, but it has been about 2 years since last time, A fantastic climb, planning to start from Haritteville @ around 6am and hopefully a nice sunrise on the way up. Please check your email for further instructions. 103 Ford Street, Beechworth, Victoria, 3747 MAP www.kingvalleywinerytours.com.au info@kingvalleywinerytours.com.au 0472 938 000 Cultural and Theme Tours Customised Food and Wine Tours Full Day Sightseeing Tours Customised to your tasting preferences, this tour itinerary follows the wine trail between Beechworth and Milawa. Hopefully it gets better once it has bedded down and the traffic smooths it down but at the moment the new surface is much slower than the old surface. The Alpine Classic isnt just a cycling event in Victorias majestic High Country, its an experience that will stay with you forever. So, take your own supplies for your arrival unless you positively know you can get a feed. This website is collaboration between Bright OnBike and Et Tu Media. Please check your entries and try again. Poor cyclist being loaded into an ambulance on Sat. For more info please see our website. Be aware that it can be cold, wet and windy at any time of year in the high mountains. Each unit comes with a patio, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer. Road cycling enthusiasts love the challenge of the nearby hill climbs like Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. I mean, the roads are not really cyclist AND car friendly Thanks much, The views were great and the climb was as you described it many thanks for inspiring me to take the first steps in training for this climb, I am now going on to my next challenge any ideas for the next one? The first 10k is complete climbing with very little rest. The road also leaves the ridge line as it winds around a series of hairpins like the tight right-hand bend at the 17.8km mark. At the 28.3km mark the going gets a little tougher as you come across another section that is steep enough to warrant its own name: the Diamantina. Ive done Arthurs Seat, all major climbs around Canberra and Mt Buffalo, and this climb far exceeded all of these climbs. Give it a shot! One of my riding mates on the ACE250 was 74 years old. Congrats Chelsea, awesome effort! The good news is that you'll be treated to some amazing views, and once you reach Hotham Village there is a fair bit of downhill to the town of Omeo. Thanks for your site once again. Here's where to hike, eat, and stay in Victoria's Harrietville & Mt Beauty. There is a good variety of restaurants & bars in Bright with cafes, some amazing bakeries/pie shops, pubs & breweries as well as some fabulous wineries in the region. Bright is a popular tourist town so there is a good variety of accommodation options including holiday camping parks, motels, holiday house rentals and bed n breakfasts. Kath's place is perfect for a family or a group of friends, up to 5 people. Can be done on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. Love your site! - Mount Buffalo (84 km return). Harrietville/Bright to Falls Creek. 2. I climbed Mt Hotham in the dark on Australia Day as part of the ACE250. 2.7km from the School Bridge the road flattens off slightly, before a sweeping right-hand bend 300m later. High Country Tours and Mountain transport for large and small groups using our 11 seat bus & 4wd taxi. CYCLING IN HARRIETVILLE Whether you're after a relaxing ride on the bike path or a challenging mountain road climb, Harrietville has the best of both. 5km in at the park entrance as expected, the gradient tilted up and up I went. The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a. Views were stunning and I was lucky with the weather, warm but plenty of cloud cover. What a beast! Always take two bottles up this climb no matter what the weather due to time on the bike(maybe thats just the pace I go anyway) . Time 8km Distance Grade 3 Grade Return Style Nature Walks Type GPX Download Starting at the end of Bon Accord Track, the Bon Accord Spur takes you to Mount Feathertop via the Razorback Walking Track. Created By Cam O I had a weekend cycling around Beechworth and took in Buffalo. By this point you are well and truly into crosswind country and the road ramps upward once again, holding its gradient for the next 1.2km. Situated just 15 minutes from Bright, Harrietville is a great base for your high country retreat without all the hustle and bustle. harrietville cottage; haus on houghs; hidden gem; hidden haven; houghs cabin; hygge; kaighins place; kangaroo lodge; kate's cottage; kilfinan; leader views; lumley abode; mountain haven; mountain thyme; mountbatten retreat; mystic mountain lodge; on the trail; park street retreat; rustic retreat; shine bright; silver birches holiday village . Complete and utter pain. The Mt. Dysons Wangaratta. They have a great range of recreational bikes ideal for those wanting to ride the rail trails or other, Bright Riverside Holiday Park features river views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Bright. Lake Mountain is next but not until my muscles recover from walking up Mt Bogong yesterday now that makes cycling feel easy. To book a stay at Bright OnBike, please visit our Bookings page.All other enquiries to Bright OnBike can be made below. This may seem like stating the very obvious but if you plan to ride back to Harrietville after the climb; the roll downs to the Hull Skier Bridge, the Diamantina and the CRB Hill turn into short but sharp climbs. A theme by CSSIgniter.com - Powered by WordPress, Large, clean rooms, a nice big radiator to dry your wet gear and a pub thats easy to get comfortable in. Grinding away at around 50 55 cadence. Yes we stayed there at the Shepparton Alpine Club over Easter was fantastic. Its a beast no doubt about it, the final ks are just so tough particularly with the extreme uv sun beating down on you! Bright Electric Bikes are located on the main road in Bright and offer a range of electric bikes. Melbourne to Harrietville/Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. Sights to visit along the way include: Gunadoo Berries This section can also be done largely off road by following the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, which roughly parallels the Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Bright. bright to wandiligong rail trail map. The dirt road at the end isnt too bad, and the view from the little car park and lookout is superb! Of the 1800m from the turn-off, the first half is flat before the road climbs again, winding through a series of tight hairpin bends. Share on Twitter Buffalo National Park tollbooth, located around 6km from the intersection of the Mt. Im thinking of doing this climb in July in the middle of the snow season. How long does it take to hike it? I was thinking of riding Harrietville-Mt Hotham return then driving to Dinner Plain and doing Dinner Plain Omeo return in the one day. After a further 300m the road bends around into a sweeping left-hand hairpin before straighening slightly. Im not sure what the opening hours are, but so far its been open every time Ive been there. Situated around 19 kilometres from Harrietville, this property has 2 bedrooms and is a hit with guests. I quickly found a bunch that was doing a nice easy speed. If you have any questions, please call Dysons Bairnsdale during business hours (9am-5pm) on 03 5152 1711 The Audax Alpine Classic, 3 Peaks Challenge,. The Strava segment for the Mt. Thought I was going to die on the final ascent. A key feature is the longest unbroken gravity trail (10 kms) with a whopping 535. Ride or Walk the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. The most famous is the Alpine Classic road bike race which is held on the Australia Day long weekend. It is one of the most affordable ways to get to the Mount Hotham Mountain Resort. The top section is very exposed and would be extremely unpleasant/dangerous in bad weather. What:challenging climbs, fast descents, temperate rainforest, farmland, Yarra River, small towns, gourmet food & wine, Where:Ruffy Highlands, Strathbogie Tablelands, Euroacentral Victoria. The Alpine Classic is including the extra kilometres to Dingo Dell. Im not a bad climber for an old bloke with average fitness but Id never climbed anything bigger than Lavers Hill on the GVBR. Hotham Bus. Gradients and cycling: How much harder are steeper climbs? Lush valleys fuelled by snowmelt and sun. Thank you we will be sending an email with more info very soon! We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of these Countries. and: CRB Hill at 23.5km (1.1km at 10%) and Diamantina at 28.3km (1.4km at 9%). Your descriptions are fantastic and help gauge whether Im up to it. The descent wasnt as terrifying as I thought it would be (being a cowardly descender), but the ride from Harrietville to Brigjht on the way back was a lovely wind down sitting on 32-33 kph and shaking the stiffness out of the limbs. The events begin in January with the Audax Alpine Classic and wrap up with the Tour Fondo in December. Fog was hanging in the valleys. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Shepparton Alpine Club is a ski lodge offering summer accommodation to cyclists doing altitude training. The new surface is very good. I rode Buffalo on Wednesday after riding Dinner Plain on Tuesday, and the views on both rides were amazing. www.hothamchallenge.com.au. A mate had got me riding for the first time in over 20 years, and did the Alpine Classic on the bike, steel pack rack and all. Super glad Ive done it, though. I had enjoyed Hotham the day before and was looking for a relaxing climb, I found it a tough, The worst part of the Mount Hotham climb I have found when there is little or no wind is the flies which can be a real nuisance especially if one happens swallow them. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Having said that, Hotham is amazing and the true climbing highlight (along with the Mt Beauty side of falls) of Australian cycling, iconic, scenic and massive, a cycling must-do for anyone who loves riding their bike. Where the road was not obscured by trees or hills, I could see an endless stream of bicycle tail lights stretching out before me. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Enquire Today info@kingvalleywinerytours.com.au 0472 938 000 Email Phone Date of Tour Pick up Location Number of friends & family on the tour Any other info we need to know I want to subscribe to the newsletter. Harrietville is a peaceful mountain village which offers hiking, cycling, swimming, short and easy walking trails, family fun and an abundance of local produce and delicious food. A guide to some of the best bicycle touring in Victoria, Australia, featuring a wide variety of multi-day bike rides. The Bright Rotary Gala Day Market is a part of the Bright Autumn Festival Gala Day activities. Like Chamitha points out, having to climb your way down this hill was for me the hardest of the tasks. (Lake Mountain and Buller. As stated the 24km from Bright is an excellent warmup with an average +1% gradient before the real climbing starts in earnest from Harrietville. Matt, superb site. Opposite the police station. Delays, semi-sealed sections, gravel. The General Store is normally open and very cyclist friendly The market has loads of stalls, food vendors and live music. All rooms include a private en suite bathroom, TV and continental breakfast. Walk, cycle, ski or snowboard on a holiday in and around Harrietville, the gateway village to the stunning Alpine National Park. I am already planning for my next adventure to the cycling Mecca to endure the epic climbs in some of the most beautiful country on this great continent. Bright to Harrietville - Great Valley Trail. I havent climbed it in winter but I imagine the traffic would be considerably heavier. 4.4km into the climb the road gets noticeably steeper as it bends around sharply to the left. While in Harrietville, riders can also complete the Omeo to Dinner Plain leg of 7 Peaks, which crosses to the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range. These days of course, Bright and the Victorian Alpine region plays host to all manner of cycling events, festivals and cyclists of all varieties. Being a fairly cool day, the game I ended up playing as I went was a balance of adding just enough effort to keep warm vs recovering. Its a great value for money and the small fireplace is very enjoyable and cosy at cold winter nights. Please check your entries and try again. These trails are remote and include steep and difficult sections. In Victoria's high country, more than 225,000 people visit the Great Valley Trail every year, a 27-kilometre path linking Bright to Harrietville that is popular with cyclists. One kilometre later the road bends sharply and very steeply around to the left. The next 1.4 kms had me reaching to the deepest point of mental strength to continue without stopping for a break. Hi, great site and love the reviews of the 3 peaks climbs. 220g Wa, See you at The Snowline for TUESDAY TRIVIA What Hotels used to be like. Buffalo is heaps easier that Hotham or Baw Baw because it doesnt have any nasty steep pinches. At 72 I feel proud to have climbed to the top of CRB hill yesterday. Please check your email for further instructions. With the school holid, Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Transport Options, www.obee.com.au/theharrietvillesnowlinehotel. After a slow grind to the top of the Diamantina the road reaches a crest at the 29.7km mark. Taking the rail trail cuts out a couple of climbs and avoids traffic-this last section to Bairnsdale is the busiest of the whole ride. The best time to go is in the warmer months but outside of school holidays, as the traffic is light during these times. The unit is very clean, has everything you need for a short stay and a great location to discover Bright and surroundings. Day trips from Harrietville or Bright. Ok, I get that the seal is probably the best outcome for mitigating black ice etc., and that it may take some time to bed-in, but I have to question whether VicRoads did any consultation with local cycling groups or stakeholders given the importance of Hotham as a cycling destination. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. After some time I found a rhythm, the false flat was a welcome change hitting speeds in excess of 30km h. Albury Airport to Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. Read More. Also there are 2 corners worth being particularly careful on: 8. Omeo to Bairnsdale (122km)-You'll get some long downhill runs through open farm country before the road joins the Tambo River after Ensay (km233). Looking for something different to do on Valentines Day?, Our favourite local son - @jackraymond.music is ba, Looking for something different to do on Val, Come try the best STEAK in the valley The CRB Hill is incredibly hard and the final 3kms really challenged my mental fortitude. Wangaratta to Milawa via Oxley 18km. Avoid a long car shuffle by having us drop you at the trail head.