Cycling in the Alpine Country

The Alpine High Country offers an ideal climate for cycling with superb scenery and seemingly limitless choice of rides making the area a cycling hot-spot. We have listed a selection of rides for you.

However, for more information pick up a copy of "Ride Guide 2010", a handy pocket guide on cycling in the north east, from the local visitor information.

There are 3 types of cycling, most popular in the Alpine region.

  • Leisure – where holiday makers bring their bikes and ride the rail trail which starts at Bright and goes through to Wangaratta. There are various cafes and wineries along the way where one can whet the whistle and refuel.
  • Mountain bike riding – where you can ride out the front gate and find challenging up hill and downhill rides, or drive up one of the mountains and ride your way down.
  • Road cycling – where cyclists who are serious about their training or just self improvement come and grind up the local mountains, bust their lungs and earn their beer.

Our region is unique to serious road cycle training because the thinner mountain air assists in fitness building along with the muscle burning, pedal crunching uphill climbs.



Cycling Events in Our Region

Tour of Bright Road Bike Race

Held in November or December Phone 5756 2403.

www.tourofbright.com.au

Le Grande Boucle

Le Grand Boucle will be held again over the weekend of December 10th & 11th.

Members of the Alpine Cycling Club are invited to join this supported ride over the majestic course through the Victorian High Country.Riders start at Bright on Saturday morning and ride to the Blue Duck via Tawonga Gap, Mt Beauty, Falls Creek and Anglers Rest.

Sunday is the climb out of Omeo finishing back in Bright riding via Mt Hotham and Harrietville.

For more information on the ride or to register your interest in participating email info@alpinecyclingclub.com.au


Semaine Federale

www.sf2011.com.au


3 Peaks Challenge

YOU: The climbing specialist - king of the mountains. You will be timed while climbing the 3 major ascents, Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham and the new road up Falls Creek.

If you finish the ride you'll get a free 'Finishers' jersey – worn only by those that have conquered Australia's toughest vertical climb – and as seen on the 'Peaks Pro Team' riders.

www.3peaks2011.com.au


AUDAX ALPINE CLASSIC – AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND

Audax Alpine Classic and Bonjour Bright – end January

www.audax.org.au

Audax Road Bike Event also in December. 50,100,200km.

www.200tomorrows.com.au/Booking

GRAVEL ROADS AND TRACKS SUITABLE FOR MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING

You can obtain copies of Bright &/or Wandiligong 1:25000 Vicmaps locally and do some exploring. NB: Our suggested routes list times which are approximate only and will depend on ability of rider.

Back Germantown Rd to Tawonga Gap Rd and return (30mins)flat, river crossings.

Back Porepunkah Rd, Roberts Ck Rd. Quinn's Gap loop (45mins)

Huggins Lookout. (30mins) Go up Bakers Gully Rd. wind round to the left to Huggins Lookout and continue on to Mystic Lane and back to Bright.

Tom Briggs Rd – Quinn's Gap loop. (45mins) Tom Briggs Rd is a gravel track and starts from the Back Porepunkah Rd (about 2km from Bright) Tom Brigg's Rd climbs from the Back Porepunkah Rd to the top of the ridge then doubles back along the ridge to Quinn's Gap. Continue down the Mt Porepunkah Rd into Bright.

Templar Rd. – Oregon Rd. – Quinn's Gap Loop (30mins) Templar Rd. starts off Tom Brigg's Rd about ¾ way up the side of the hill before the ridge. Templar Rd. continues back towards Bright and joins Oregon Rd. which continue to Quinn's Gap. Continue down Mt Porepunkah Rd to Bright.

Mt Porepunkah (4hrs) – Mt Porepunkah Rd to Quinn's Gap, on to Mt Porepunkah itself and continue on. Return via One Mile Creek Rd to Porepunkah town and back to Bright.

Clear Spot & Return (2hrs) Up Bakers Gully Rd. then wind round to the right to Clearspot Lookout and return.


FURTHER AFIELD TRACKS

Check tracks are open, phone Parks Vic on 131 963

The adventurous route to Mt Beauty. Bright, Back Germantown Rd, Snowy Crk Rd, Dungey Track, Simmonds Gap (approximately 20kms) Pyramid Hill Fire Track, Simmonds Crk Rd, Mt Beauty ( a further 15kms) Great Views & Downhill Runs.

Mt St Bernard, - Twins Jeep Trk, Mt Murray Nth Trk, Buckland River Rd, (Alpine National Park – Rd. closed in winter & early Spring) (approx. 24kms), Buckland Bridge (a further 27kms)


During the Summer Heat

Dargo High Plains Rd starting from The Great Alpine Rd (Mt St Bernard) or start from Landey Plain which is down the Dargo High Plains Rd. (closed by snow in winter).


Cycling Tour Operators and Hire Facilities Available

Cyclepath Australia, Phone: 03 5750 1442, Email: info@cyclepath.com.au

Come in and see the experienced team at Cyclepath, we cater for all your cycling needs - bicycle hire, sales, accessories, service and repairs. We have a huge range of quality rental bikes for all levels including recreational, cross country and road bikes. We also offer children's bikes, child tandems and baby trailers for the family.

Take a leisurely ride along the rail trail, feel the thrill of local single tracks or choose a mountain climb for your training. There is no better way to explore our beautiful region than by bike. It is a MECCA for cycling enthusiasts.