Falls Creek and Hotham have been wonderful in recent days. Breakout Edu Trapped In The Upside Down Answer. I have modified the Peugeot from a the original 10 speed (50/40 chain ring & 14-28 cluster) to a 15 speed with the addition of a 30 tooth granny gear chain ring. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. , Can be very cold and windy depending on when you do the climb. Albury Airport to Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. We strive to bring you real High Country hospitality matched with a dining experience the equal of any inner city hipster joint. Question for everyone, where to get water at Mt Hotham? - Mount Buffalo (84 km return). Bright, Victoria is central to some of the best road rides that the state (and country) have to offer with aspiring, current and past professionals often seen training on the roads. 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. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. Travelling Australia in my converted Sprinter van.Watch the latest video from Vanlife Shots (@vanlife.shots). Avoid the stress of driving the challenging Alpine Rd and fitting chainsleave it to our experienced alpine drivers. 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. Some of the country's best road riding: gut-busting climbs, thrilling descents, epic scenery, The high country gourmet region (breweries en route in Bright and Bruthen), Gravel bike trails, coffee and bike servicing and shopping at Velo Grammont in Omeo, Mountain bike trails and road cycling side trips in the Bright area. As tough as any of the mythical Tour climbs such as Ventoux . Mont Ventoux soon. If you continue on for about a kilometre slightly downhill youll get to The General, a pub that also has a small shop located inside. To get to the base of the climb, you'll ride from Bright up a . Disclaimer:should you choose to cycle this route, you do so at your own risk. Thanks for your detailed description of the climb, I read it post-hoc, as you can see. Shepparton Alpine Club is a ski lodge offering summer accommodation to cyclists doing altitude training. Im not a bad climber for an old bloke with average fitness but Id never climbed anything bigger than Lavers Hill on the GVBR. (React to signs you read. Cazz Redding, a town . The Bright Rotary Gala Day Market is a part of the Bright Autumn Festival Gala Day activities. The Mt. I rode Buffalo on Wednesday after riding Dinner Plain on Tuesday, and the views on both rides were amazing. The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a. Its nice to Big Dog it through the false Flat too. The views are great and its an epic climb. Welcome to Harrietville and Mt Beauty. 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 Views were stunning and I was lucky with the weather, warm but plenty of cloud cover. These days of course, Bright and the Victorian Alpine region plays host to all manner of cycling events, festivals and cyclists of all varieties. With the school holid, Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Transport Options, www.obee.com.au/theharrietvillesnowlinehotel. On our last visit, we hired bikes from Cycle Path in town ($40 for an adult all day, $35 for a kid's bike, slightly less for half a day's hire) and rode the Rail Trail to Porepunkah in the morning with a leisurely milkshake/coffee stop at the Rail Trail Cafe before riding back to town for lunch. 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. Road cycling enthusiasts love the challenge of the nearby hill climbs like Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. It will take the average rider between two and three hours to ascend. Definitely the toughest Ive done so far. Be aware that it can be cold, wet and windy at any time of year in the high mountains. What was it like for you? Love your site! There are a few pinches before the sight of the CRB opened my eyes thinking wow. 390 km (3.5 hours drive) NE of Melbourne. The CRB Hill is incredibly hard and the final 3kms really challenged my mental fortitude. The joy of riding uphill & a guide to Victoria's best climbs. I did this ride on 27 December 2013. At around 9% this 1.4km section is the final challenge and arguably the toughest section of the climb. But nothing prepared me for that final 5km of climbing. Keep pretty fit though normally but theres nothing like climbing a mountain to sort things out. These were the last two fine days before the weather changed to winter. 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. 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. Please check your email for further instructions. Bright is without question, one of Australias best biking destinations with incredible mountain bike trails, epic road cycling rides, an amazing rail trail & local bike paths. Length: 30.8kmAverage gradient: 4.2%Elevation gain:1,279m. 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. I reckon I saw two cars on the ascent and one on the descent. Thought I was going to die on the final ascent. The Great Valley Trail is a new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. A steady, consistent climb with some stunning views throughout. The roadworks up the Harrietville side of Hotham are ongoing though March 2018 and are easily negotiated, however the sections they have resealed are IMO an utter mess for cyclists. Situated around 19 kilometres from Harrietville, this property has 2 bedrooms and is a hit with guests. 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. By this time all of the hard work is done and you can roll down to the Hull Skier Bridge and the end of the Mt. Link into the 7 peaks ride. After a pleasantly pedestrian false-flat section, Mt. Hotham Alpine Resort is located approximately 350km north east of Melbourne and around 50km south east of the township of Bright. All trails lead to a climbing trail that loops back to the top. The lovely lady at the Cafe even gave me the local news to put under my jersey for extra wind protection, I gladly accepted and was off. There is a visitor center there with cafe and toilet facilities, although I cant speak for the opening hours. Fine mild weather is always ideal for this climb but start early before the heat. To book email or phone 03 5759 2524 or 0402 377 101 I mean, the roads are not really cyclist AND car friendly Thanks much, 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. If you need assistance with transporting your bike to the start of your ride and/or pickup at the end of the day, the Bike Hire . The information published is meant as a guide only, and should be combined with your own due diligence and planning. In addition to its local MTB trails Bright is within reach of other fabulous MTB parks located Falls Creek, Dinner Plain, Mt Beauty, Beechworth & Yackandandah. Hey Alexandra. . Unsealed surfaces are well made and can be ridden on a road bike. 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 Harrietville - Great Valley Trail. Save money on resort entry/chains and leave your vehicle in secure off mountain car parking. Hotham without a proper warm-up is not advisable. The top section is very exposed and would be extremely unpleasant/dangerous in bad weather. Bright is a small rural town located in North Eastern Victoria approximately 320 kms (3.5 hours drive) from Melbourne. Cycle the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in Bright, Victoria RAIL TRAIL & BIKE PATHS A RIDE ON THE MURRAY TO MOUNTAINS You're a convert. 1.5km after leaving the alpine forest behind, the road flattens out briefly before it plunges toward the valley. 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. Picture: Visit Victoria. The 200 km route takes the rider to Falls Creek and back and then a return trip to Mount Buffalo . I stopped a few time to take photos but rode continuously from the 11k mark (Mackey Lockout) to the Chalet. I reached Harrietville at about 5AM and started climbing. cycling bright to harrietville He then attended KCC and began his college baseball career as a pitcher for the Cavaliers in 1988. Will I be allowed to ride up if cars are forced to fit chains and would I even be able to get traction to ride up? Note to anyone taking it on for the first time use a compact a 53/39 like Im running is just brutal. Over 100kms of sealed off road trail links the popular towns of Wangaratta, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Bright, Myrtleford and Yackandandah. Hope that helps! ), I had a great time. St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church 1 Churches & Cathedrals By Oldjack St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was originally located in the Buckland Valley and was moved to Harrietville in. and: CRB Hill at 23.5km (1.1km at 10%) and Diamantina at 28.3km (1.4km at 9%). Although I am 68 this modified gearing has allowed me to climb almost anything without stopping, albiet very slow at times. The last leg from CRB Hill to the summit is the toughest but doable for any cyclist who has done a little preparation. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. Immerse yourself in the history and vibrant hues of Walhalla. 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. Hothams moon-like terrain. There are many dirt roads and 4WD tracks that cut their way through the rugged bush-clad mountains around Harrietville. What:pastoral land, bushland, rural idyll, local produce, wineries, small towns, moderate climbing/descending. The descent off Hotham isnt dangerously fast. At the 21.4km mark the road emerges from the tree line and Mt. Flexible pick up & return times for your group. The 30km ride along the Great Alpine Road (60km return) cranks its way up a 1,321m climb with an average 4% grade, of which the steepest section tops out at 18%. What:stunning coastal scenery, surfing, beaches, seaside towns, temperate rainforest, local produce, food & wine, Where:Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Length:187km OR 134km (two route options). Buffalo is amazingly picturesque for most of the time not least of all due to a series of hairpin bends that cling to the mountains ridge line. Snowball Express. Like Chamitha points out, having to climb your way down this hill was for me the hardest of the tasks. The market has loads of stalls, food vendors and live music. Note on the new surface, mainly on the top 10km, its a bit oily and rough on the descent, so on wet/icy days I would exercise caution. Beast of a climb. 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). 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]. It is popular with families with kids of all ages, people looking for a romantic escape, sporting enthusiasts and pretty much anyone really. - The Mountain Fresh Trout and Salmon Farm, 5km from Harrietville village Then it was over and the real climbing had resumed. var today = new Date() Pick a perfect weather day, get up early and do it. Cyclists coming from Melbourne are best advised to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta before turning east onto the Great Alpine Road (B500). The second section is a long false-flat from 11km to 19.7km with only minimal climbing. Yarck to Molesworth. What Hotels used to be like. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6edaf848e6a4f7b6fdbe7f5b63f6934" );document.getElementById("dbaaa3f9ae").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . On the Audax Alpine Classic yesterday they had to alter the route due to the bushfires, and the ACE 250 riders went another 6km past Dingo Dell to Cresta Valley, which adds another ~160m of climbing (and ~5km distance) compared to the route that stops at the Chalet. It took me 3 hours to lug the 20 kilos of my spare tire up this hill. Door to door service for family groups staying on Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain. Roads like the East Ovens River Track, or Wet Gully Track between Freeburgh and Harrietville, provide rewarding but challenging adventure and gravel bike rides. Mystic Bike Park is becoming recognised as one of the best mountain bike parks in Victoria. Buffalo is located roughly 350km north-east of Melbourne and 35km west of the nearest regional centre, Bright. Twenty Seventeen theme modified by Matt de Neef. Thankfully the last little bit is downhill. The trip was organised by one of the guys who I've met through Croydon Cycleworks and they have been going for a few years now. It was absolutely stunning, but hard work. A further 400m up the road and the breathtaking views are put on hold momentarily as you get to the climbs first major challenge: The Meg. We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of these Countries. Both these ascents of Mount Hotham were from Harrietville without a warm up. Overcast and muggy on way up arriving at summit just as rain started to set in. 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. Yes we stayed there at the Shepparton Alpine Club over Easter was fantastic. goumet delights (wineries, breweries, cheeseries, etc). After 800m and a sharp right-hand bend, the road starts to flatten out as lush alpine forest surrounds the road. Havent riden hills like that for a few years, in fact probably BC, BM (before children, before marriage) 25 years ago. I climbed Mt Hotham for the first time on Sunday. Not counting an abortive attempt on Baw Baw!). 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. - Buckland Valley (38 km return) Length: 20.9kmAverage gradient: 4.8%Elevation gain:1,013m. Melbourne to Harrietville/Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. There are many pleasant and easy grade bike rides around Harrietville within an easy 22km ride into Bright. The lake provides an awesome backdrop and its a fast sweeping bit of road. See you next yearReviewed by Misster_Nice, Tripadvisor Nov 2017. A good question, but Ive never had any problems up there. A more moderate gradient returns 400m later and, for the most part, the road climbs quite gently for the next couple kilometres. Something went wrong. Proudly powered by WordPress. Great place well located. Alps Link is a PTV service operated by the Dyson Group. Ride or Walk the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. Rode BawBaw with you and Hells 500 last year, and love your work. Thanks for your site, I am reading this looking forward to returning to Hotham soon, thanks for the inspiration. Please adjust your search criteria and try again. Arrived in Harrietville hands aching from modulating the brakes all of the way down and shaking from the wind chill but warmed up again returning back to Bright. Mystic Mountain Bike Park Mystic Park is located in Bright in North Eastern Victoria approx. Bright OnBike, Melbourne. We reached the tree line at sunrise. 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. Read More. The whole network of trails stretch more than 100km from Wangaratta to Bright, with a couple of extensions connecting the trail to Beechworth, Milawa, and Harrietville. Hotham without a proper warm-up is not advisable. * In 1863 alluvial mining began between Bright and Harrietville with 98% of the miners being of Chinese descent. The Great Alpine road is a well known tourist road so it's pretty busy in the summer holiday period. Myrtleford to Dinner Plain (snow season only) Via Bright, Harrietville, Hotham. If you are driving to the high country from Melbourne you can expect a four hour drive with the best option being to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta and then the Great Alpine Road (B500) toward Bright. Albury Airport to Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. One of Australia's highest roads, and an iconic Victorian ride, the Great Alpine Road is a challenge for anyone, but will reward you with some sensational high mountain scenery and a solid sense of accomplishment. The property is modern and the beds very comfortable. Its probably 2kms towards Dinnerplain past the bridge. While the climbing doesnt start immediately after the School Bridge, it doesnt take long for the Great Alpine Road to ramp up. 220g Wa, See you at The Snowline for TUESDAY TRIVIA Make use of handy extras like free WiFi and a smart TV at "The Evening Star Bright, Luxury". Any tips regarding it? Its certainly controllable so dont worry about that. In one place about a third of the way up. A wide selection of drinks, roaring fire and friendly locals who are more than happy to share their stories and info of the area make this joint hard to beat. Very cyclist friendly with bike racks and plenty of room to relax in comfort with a great coffee and some reasonably priced food. Hotham climb starts at the School Bridge in the alpine village of Harrietville. The climb ends at the Mt. - Alpine Perennials, Harrietville. 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. Hi Mike, Needless to say there really is something suitable for every ability and style of bike rider. Wind your way through eucalypts, along the river and through the spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. Buffalo Chalet, 20.9km from the tollbooth. Cycling events. The Climbing Cyclist website has a detailed breakdown of the climb. You can take a long-weekend or more to, Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park is located at Falls Creek ski resort in the Victorian Alps approx. Another 2.8km further up the road 11km from the start of the climb the road flattens out dramatically, signalling the start of the climbs second section a 9km false-flat. 600m later the gradient increases again, with the road cutting through Mt. Hotham Bus. As I ascended my legs quickly remembered the previous 3 days of solid mountain biking I had undergone competing in the bright national champs. Ive done a fair bit of climbing this year (AGF Gran Fondo, Whittlesea Challenge, etc) but would wouldnt say Im a super-strong climber. Bright (and district) maintains a full road cycling events calendar for road riders of all levels from novice to professional. 73 Followers. It certainly draws the crowds. 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. As of 21/2/2018, almost the entire false flat section has been resurfaced with what I can only assume is the finished seal given the bright new alpine orange line markings. The ascent of Mt. Still struggling to warm up, on I climbed and before I new it I found my self topping out, decending onto the plateu landing me pretty quickly at the turn to the chalet, the first mile stone was met. Its a beast no doubt about it, the final ks are just so tough particularly with the extreme uv sun beating down on you! 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. William in the Grampians) but its not scary or dangerous. For a full guide of road rides, maps and events in and around Bright, pick up a Cycle Guide at the Bright Tourist Information Centre or visit the Ride High Country website. Buffalo Road (C535) and the Great Alpine Road (B500). They reopened the road to Hotham for this Easter weekend. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. 5km in at the park entrance as expected, the gradient tilted up and up I went. In the colder months there's plenty of snow in the alps, so only go then if you're well-prepared and hardy. Bright to Harrietville by bus The bus journey time between Bright and Harrietville is around 25 min and covers a distance of around 24 km. STRAVA. 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. The first 10 kms are quite challenging at 6% for the first 5 kms and 7% for the second; The Meg is particularly steep and challenging and will surely get you out of the saddle. It will challenge you to the edge of your ability and then instantly reward you with breathtaking views that will be etched into your mind forever. While shorter ride options are available, climbing Mt. Harrietville/Bright to Falls Creek. Avoid a long car shuffle by having us drop you at the trail head. The diversion to Bright was not without its benefits - there are a lot of choices of places . Road riding around Bright is just a matter of picking a road and heading off, but some of the recognised ride loops include: 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? 9. Having had the pleasure of riding both Mt Hotham (Fri Nov 15) and Mt Ventoux in France (Sept 23 & 24) I have to say that although challenging, Hotham is nowhere near the difficulty of Ventoux from either Bedoin or Malaucene. A guide to the best bikepacking and bicycle-touring routes in Victoria. They also have electric mountain bikes also suited to rail trails and beginner mountain bike trails with a range of around, Cyclepath Bike Hire Bright If you are looking for bike hire in Bright, Cyclepath in Bright has a fabulous range of bikes for families and fanatics. 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. Buffalo Chalet, marked by the entrance to the Gorge Day Car Park. Ten years behind you in age, but my first climb of Hotham was on my 1975 Peugot PX10LE about 5 years ago. The Great Valley Trail isa new family friendly shared cycle trail between Bright and Harrietville. Had fabulous weather all weekend, sunny & clear, not much wind. Hiking and Biking transfers. GREAT VICTORIAN RAIL TRAIL After a sharp 600m descent the road heads skyward again, snaking its way majestically along the ridge line for 700m. Try the 200 km Dinner Plain to Mount Buffalo ride, the 135 km Dinner Plain to Bright challenge or the 71.4 km Bright to Mount Buffalo climb. I also second the comment made above about finishing the climb at the Horn. 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. 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. If you are driving to the high country from Melbourne you can expect a four hour drive with the best option being to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta and then the Great Alpine Road (B500) toward Bright. So remember to save up some legs for the return back.