Holiday Ride Report, October 2007
by Kyle Bawden
I had planned to compete in the Scott 24hr MTB race in Canberra again as its a fantastic event and experience. However, with a few work & health issues my fitness had deserted me so I decided instead to just take a break and ride some trails at my own pace. The weather was perfect every day, I didn't injure myself, a had a great time...so it was a great trip. Thanks...bye!
You're still reading so I assume you want more details? Okay...
Got into Canberra Friday lunchtime, put the bike together and rode straight to Mt Majura. As always the actual MTB area has great trails through pine trees, lots of elevation, XC and downhill trails, smooth hardpack with great traction, jumps, G-outs, berms, everything! The only thing it didn't have enough of was daylight as I got lost and ended up shortcutting across private farmland and riding back to the motel in pitch darkness!
Saturday morning I rode into Canberra via the walking/horse MTB trails around Mt Majura and Mt Ainslie. The tracks around Mt Ainslie surf the contour lines through native bush and are brilliant, I followed them right up to the War Memorial then headed into the city for some coffee. After wasting a few hours in bike shops and cafes I headed back out to the motel this time going for more elevation on Mt Ainslie before a quick downhill run on the black diamond trail at Majura.
Sunday my father drove up from Wodonga so we went out to Sparrow Hill but there was a car rally and they wouldn't let us in! Sparrow Hill still rates as some of the best trails I've ever seen! Instead we went back to Wodonga via Cooma where I rode some nice trails along a ridge just 5 minutes from the visitors centre. Nice XC and a scary DH track where I lowered my seat and still had to bail three times! Then we hightailed it across the mountains to Kancoban skipping Jindabyne and Thredbo (I'm saving them for next year!). It's mostly downhill from Thredbo to Kancoban so when I saw a road sign saying "Steep descents next 8km, trucks use low gear" I jumped out and rode down! Dad clocked me at 80kmh on one section and I reckon I went faster still...awesome!!!
Tuesday I headed down to Beechworth; home of the Kelly Gang, a MTB park and the famous Beechworth Bakery! First stop was the bakery for some breakfast, then a mower/chainsaw/bike shop for a new rear tyre! I didn't realise but I'd been doing 90 down the Alpine Highway on a tyre with a large chunk of rubber missing from the centre!!! Then off to the MTB park on Alma Rd just 5 minutes from the bakery...sweeeeeeeet! The park is great, a XC loop that takes between 45-70 minutes depending on fitness and whether you include the black diamond loop over the creek (which I did). There are different sections of trail including a jump park, a short DH run and a small but intimidating freeride area! As I was on my own I didn't do the freeride stuff even though the wooden bridges, gaps and drops looked do-able (Next year!). I did do the short DH run a couple of times and it was bloody fun...although probably not real smart as I was hitting drops and jumps at speed with no one around to call an ambulance! After a couple of hours I hit the bakery again for another pie and a milkshake (hey, I'm tough). Finally back to the MTB park for one more XC lap then home to Wodonga just 45 minutes up the road.
Wednesday was a hot day and even this born and bred Territory boy was feeling the heat on the Nail Can Hill above Albury's War Memorial. I still managed nearly 3 hours on some really well made and thought out MTB trails that followed the contour lines for the most part with some steeper gradients thrown in. I did see some nice DH trails but with the high temperatures and my low energy levels I didn't explore them. There were still more trails but I'd had enough by this stage, I'd recommend the Albury trails to everyone.
I had a great time riding some excellent trails with a wide variety of surfaces, gradients and technical challenges. Next year after racing the Scott 24hr I'll do it again, this time spending some time at Jindabyne and Thredbo before heading down to Albury, Beechworth and perhaps Mt Beauty. If you're interested in joining me for a week of great riding just let me know.
