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Mt Buller
This tour is a little different from our others. It starts at Merrijig at a
great ski lodge that we use as a base, which is closer to Melbourne than the
other tour starting points. The terrain is varied, ranging from loamy low
altitude forest tracks, to some granatic sand and then the famous high country
rock infested tracks. Our last trip suffered 11 flat tyres, due to riders
ignoring the request for ultra heavy duty tubes. Their use is now mandatory. A
fair bit of time is usually spent up in the snow gums and the riding up there
can be inspiring but challenging. This is not a ride for absolute beginners. If
it’s wet, even harder, so make sure you turn up with fresh tyres. Though it is
challenging, rewards are high and past trips have been memorable. The views are
sensational from places like atop Mt Stirling. This year may be very different
after the fires that devastated the area. Expect views you’ve never seen. The
caterers’ favourite trip, they really excel here.
Benambra
This is an ‘A to B’ ride where we transport your overnight gear to the Benambra
hotel from our starting point at Eskdale. Eskdale is about fifty minutes from
Wodonga. Benambra is in the middle of nowhere. To get there we visit the far
side of Pluto. Tracks vary and include some snow gums up high and loamy valley
tracks covered in piles of brumby poo. We visit some real out of the way places
on this trip on the far side of lake Dartmouth. Ever heard of Zulu, Wild Boar or
Piss and Kick Hill? Expect to see emus and perhaps a wild dog or a brumby. We’ve
moved the date to the start of May to try to miss the foul weather that nearly
froze and drowned us to death a few Augusts ago. A real adventure. Monty likes
this trip.
Yackandandah to Eskdale
Another ‘A to B’, which starts five minutes from Yackandandah, which is only 20
minutes from Albury/Wodonga. Much of the trip is run in my backyard and our
intimate knowledge of the area has unearthed an awesome collection of fantastic
tracks. We utilise four or five private properties to allow access to tracks off
limits to others. Every type of track is represented with plenty of leaf
littered loamy numbers. All except snow gums and this tour has less rocks than
most. One track we call the Kokoda trail is perhaps without peer. Overnight
venue is the rider friendly Eskdale Hotel. We ride a different route home and we
can shorten or lengthen the entire trip to suit each tour. Rods’ favourite trip.

Yackandandah Charity Bash
This is a one day charity ride that we run on a local mountain. This place
suffers little vehicle pressure and the tracks are as good as they get. $80
covers the ride and lunch. We provide sweep riders and back up vehicles.
Proceeds go to the Yackandandah primary school. In 2006, our first year saw us
limit numbers to about 50. It was an incredible day that everyone loved. Many of
the riders had never ridden tracks so good. This year we plan to allow 100
riders to start. Get in early to secure a spot for you and your mates. Bookings
are essential with Don McInnes at
donm@jimstestandtag.com.au.
Eskdale
We use the Eskdale hotel as a base. We start via private property only a few
hundred metres from the pub, launching into great tracks immediately. There is
some single trail on private property, linking ‘seldom used track’ to ‘never
used track’. We lunch by the picturesque Snowy Creek. There may be access to
snow. A few parts are short gnarly rocky sections. This is a fabulous place to
ride, locally famous for its’ great riding.
Tom Groggin
This tour is legendary. We start at Corryong, which is around an hour and 20
minutes from Wodonga. This is Rowan and Harros’ backyard and they use their
intimate knowledge of the tracks to have you all grinning in no time. All types
of tracks appear including some special ones, such as the climb up and down Mt
Pinnibar. We actually stay overnight at the station which in itself makes this
tour special. On the second day, you can take in some more riding, perhaps do a
spot of fishing, maybe some four wheel driving or just rest. Also setting this
tour apart from the others is the catering. Chef Cheryl and her gang transport
all your gear and all the foodstuffs to Groggin, then put together some mouth
watering meals at the station. You will overeat. The third day sees us riding
fresh and exciting tracks back to Corryong. Rowan and Harro can alter this route
to suit any requirement. Rowans’ favourite trip. |