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. 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 in the double commercial style kitchen.

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. We are not running this tour in 2009.

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. We are resting this tour in 2009.

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. $100 covers the ride, lunch and a t shirt. We provide sweep riders and back up vehicles. All proceeds go to charity, we make zero from the event.  In 2009, we raised over 16 grand for Yackandandah and Dederang primary schools.   Numbers are limited to 150 riders.   The tracks are renowned as being unreal, with a wide variety of track types and surfaces.   It can be wet and slippery some years however and to ensure you make it to the top of Heartbreak Hill, we recommend you arrive with a new back tyre and be prepared to perhaps let some air out if you struggle for tractions.   Bookings for 2009 are now open.  Get in early to secure a spot for you and your mates. Bookings are essential with Don McInnes at donaldmcinnes@bigpond.com.   The 2009 event will again be covered by Trailrider Magazine.   We are assisted greatly by the DSE each year, who allow us to use tracks that would normally be off limits to riders.   In return, we happily submit ourselves to noise testing on the day for the benefit of the sport.   If your bike is really loud, fix it before you turn up to avoid disappointment.   Contact us if you are unsure about this.   The 2009 event was a blinder and raised $19,000 net for the local primary school.

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.   We are not running this tour in 2009.

Tom Groggin
This tour is legendary. We start at Corryong, which is around an hour and 20 minutes from Wodonga. 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.   

Harrietville

This is a new advanced tour, taking in a very wide collection of variable tracks, with very little really easy stuff.   Some optional advanced stuff, like hill climbs from hell.   Wild views of the high country and in May you should be seeing but hopefully not riding in plenty of snow.   A fresh set of mountains see us riding new tracks to get back.   Great accommodation at the Snowline Hotel at Harrietville.  A real adventure ride this one.   You don't have to be a mega star, but no beginners here please.    This tour was very successful in 2009 with awesome tracks.

Porepunkah

This tour uses the Porepunkah hotel as a base and takes in a variety of really cool tracks around Mt Buffalo and Wandiligong.   There may be snow and it may be cold in mid June.   At least the dust should be low on this new ride.   You'll come across some of the best spoonies you've ever seen and if you like to jump, this may be the ride for you.   This tour went down really well in 2009 with great tracks catering for every level of rider.   Some hill climbs challenged everyone, but we were able to find others just around the corner to have a crack at.

 Yackandandah to Bright

Similar to Yackandandah to Harrietville, but taking in plenty of different tracks and obviously with different accommodation.   Another one probably not for beginners, but the start of Spring at Bright is looming as great fun.   Very wide variety of quality tracks.   

DSE Events

The Department of Sustainability and Environment have joined forces with us to promote sustainable off road motorcycle use.   What this means is that they are prepared to fully subsidise the cost of a one day tour with us, so a few lucky riders get to ride at no cost!   There was some delay in the launch of these events, however I can now confirm the 2009 dates of 6th September and 4th October.   

The tours will both be held in the Stanley forest, which has great riding.   Lunch is included as well as fuel after the first tank.   Bookings are now open, with only 16 spots available per event.   

Blast to the beach

An exclusive dirt bike adventure trip is being offered to 12 lucky customers by Online Off Road Tours in May 2010.   If you fancy four days riding sublime high country tracks pre ridden and hand picked by experts, with a break in the middle so you can indulge in some deep sea charter fishing at Lakes Entrance, then this adventure is for you.   Starting at Yackandandah, Rod Lay and his professional guides will show you some of the hidden treasures of the high country in style, with overnight stops at icons like The Blue Duck at Anglers Rest.    

You’ll encounter a wide variety of quality terrain from leaf littered loam, high country rocky twin track to Gippsland sand, including some of Online’s secret trails, like the infamous ‘Kokoda’.   Inclusions such as quality Metzeler tyres and tubes fitted to each customer’s bike prior to the ride, Scott goggles, Castrol lubricants, tour DVD, Honda merchandise and more set this adventure apart from all others.   The ride is advanced and not suitable for beginners, with some challenging terrain, but with four expert guides, back up four wheel drives, quality accommodation and catering, a good rider on a well set up bike could experience the ride of a lifetime.   Numbers are strictly limited to 12 on a first in best dressed basis.  All inclusive cost $2500 pp, which compares very well with something like a Cape York trip.   We think our tour will have better terrain variety along with superior accommodation and added bling.   If you want to live the dream, give Rod a call.   

At this stage, the 2010 Blast to the Beach is full, however if you're keen, give me a call and I can place you on an emergency list.