Riding the High Country in summer: Are you up to it?
In Australia, Victoria has launched its summer of cycling with the 7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Challenge, an at-your-own pace challenge tackling the seven peaks of Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buffalo, Mt Buller, Dinner Plain, Lake Mountain, Falls Creek and Hotham.
The challenge can be taken anytime until March 31, 2013.
Participants apply for the 7 Peaks Passport which gives information on the routes and spectacular views to the top of Victoria’s Alpine Resorts where each conquest is validated.
Victoria’s High Country has a range of new cycling tour packages to help international visitors explore more than 250km of safe, off-road Rail Trail network and quiet country roads.
Operators High Country Bike Adventures, All Terrain Cycles, and new operator Riding High Cycling Tours, provide a range of options from day tours to multi-day tours specialising in different parts of the region.
Options include transfers, accommodation, specialty tours and add-ons – such as the Bike and Brewery Tour on mountain bikes or a private cooking class in the King Valley region as part of a gourmet cycling tour.
In Victoria’s High Country, the Dirty Dozen is a collection of the best mountain bike trails in Mount Buller, Falls Creek, Beechworth, Bright and Mount Beauty.
For lovers of the tarmac, the sealing of the Bogong High Plains Road between Falls Creek and the Omeo Highway means that cyclists can now ride along the spectacular Alpine Loop from Falls Creek, through Omeo, Mt Hotham, and then back to Falls Creek via Mt Beauty.
The High Country Cycle Guide has been released to help visitors research the options on offer.
Ian Jarrett
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