Editor’s note: this guest post is by Malcolm Russell of Ride Guide Blog.
What do you do when you have a partner and children waiting and you are going out on another bloody ride?You need to go into damage control.You need to make those windows of opportunity count when you cannot guarantee when the next bike trip is going to come.
So you go into this with a plan.
The annual Winery Walkabout in North East Victoria has been a regular occurrence in our extended families and friends lives and this year was no exception. Held on a Queens Birthday long weekend, this annual trip has included, in recent years, the addition of a mountain bike ride post-winery visits which can be an effort in itself.
Being passionate about mountain bike riding and knowing the exceptional trails on offer, we needed to implement a plan that would see us riding the best that Beechworth has to offer, whilst appeasing those left behind for the next couple of hours.
With countless rides under our belts, the karma tree was not in our favour. The promise of dinner sans-children and partners the next night, was welcomed and accepted and allowed us to take on the Beechworth mountain bike park and the opportunity to ride the flowing and ever expanding Flame Trees trail, ending our ride at the famed Beechworth Brewery.
That was the plan
The Beechworth mountain bike park is a short and leisurely ride from the town centre and has recently been tweaked and improved by the local club to ensure the trail quality is in top condition. The terrain is predominately hard, rocky granite trails, and hard-packed soil that drains well in the wet. The general overview of the trail could be described as technical with a variety a features built into the 10Km / 6.2 mile cross-country loop, which includes rock gardens, drop offs, kickers, roots, banked corners, and switchback climbs.
Even for our crew of advanced riders, we found some sections tricky and challenging perfect for testing our bike-handling skills. The trail in some sections is a little loamy with many rock gardens and rock features to encounter. Pinch flats are a known hazard and our group was no exception.
The trail builders have skillfully incorporated a number of flowing sections, which in some cases can feel exposed, yet not enough to stop you from going hard into the corners or floating over drop-offs and kickers.
The climbing is minimal with some notable, short pinch climbs to tackle and the final switchback climb to the car park, which again has been well designed by the trail builders and the local club, to be handled by all riding levels.
The Beechworth Mountain bike park and cross country loop makes for an ideal quick morning ride, easily extended to multiple loops to stretch out the 45-minute circuit. The park is well signed and easy to navigate for visitors, although having a rider with local knowledge can get you on some secret sections of built trail.
The potential for increasing and building upon the current trail network is very encouraging, with talks in place with local government authorities to do just that. With a thriving community, passionate mountain bikers, and a shift in the local governments approach to focus on cycle tourism, Beechworth is well placed to become a key mountain bike destination for both Australian and international visitors.
After completing the cross-country loop we headed back into town (a short 3km/1.9miles) for our mid-ride coffee. Beechworth is located in North East Victoria which is a region famed for its produce, in some of Australias most spectacular countryside. Even in small towns throughout Australia you can find independent cafes and restaurants delivering quality food and quality coffee. Think farmers markets, wineries, breweries, cafs, and restaurants youll get the idea.
Our stop at the Cellar Door Wine Store, which stocks the finest bottles of wine and beer from local & global producers, just happens to produce the finest espresso in town! The other significant producer of fine food and beer in Beechworth is Bridge Road Brewers, a craft brewery with excellent pizza, pretzels and beer.
With the intention of riding some of the newer trails in Beechworth, known as Flame Trees, we were ready to go, however a quick call to check in with said wives had us revising our plans. With lunch time fast approaching, babies needing naps, and the risk of depleting our entire karma fund, we made a judgment call on Flame trees to be ridden on our next visit. A perfect excuse to revisit this impressive part of Australia and continue our search for exceptional singletrack.
Sometimes things just dont go to plan at least we got to go riding!
Malcolm Russell is founder of Ride Guide Blog, a mountain biking site dedicated to the Trail and All Mountain rider and the continual search for singletrack. Based in Melbourne, Australia Malcolm covers trail, product, and travel reviews for those who like flowing trails, dual suspension, and inspiring mountain bike destinations.
3 Comments
Jun 22, 2012
You are both right about the better half!
Jun 21, 2012
Jun 21, 2012