COURSE DESIGNERS NOTES
Please note the the course is subject to change.
DAY 1 – SUNDAY MARCH 29, 2009
FALLS CREEK LOOP
“The first day gets riders to the highest point of all the 7 days riding but don’t stress...the ride already starts up high from Falls Creek Alpine Village. Along the edge of the spectacular Rocky Valley Dam and skirting below the peak of Mt Nelse then down Timms Spur to cross the Big River. You WILL get wet feet here (sorry). Cool down at the river crossing because it’s uphill towards Clover Dam and back into Falls Creek. A nice warm up and taste of things to come for the inaugural Terra Australis”.
DAY 2 – MONDAY MARCH 30, 2009
FALLS CREEK – DINNER PLAIN
“They say what comes up must come down and this Day 2 ride sums that up perfectly. Starting at an elevation of 1550m in the Falls Creek Village and finishing many kilometres later at Dinner Plain Village, also at an altitude of 1550m. You could be forgiven for assuming that the ride is flat but there’d be no challenge in that now would there ? In between the two alpine villages riders descend off the Bogong High Plains via a management vehicle track into Shannonvale and past the classic and remote Anglers Rest Pub (drop in for a beer if you are up for it !). It’s mostly uphill riding now (with a few downs thrown in for good measure) through Cobungra and high into the alpine snowgums to Dinner Plain Village”.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY MARCH 31, 2009
DINNER PLAIN - BRIGHT
“If you are entering the Terra Australis in a team of 3 you don’t want to draw the short straw and miss out on riding today’s section. This is classic riding amongst the Victorian Alps with view across to the imposing alpine peak of Mt Feathertop (weather permitting of course!) and a magic descent to the valley below via sweet singletrack through the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park (Mt Beauty). A punchy climb leads you out of the Kiewa Valley and into the Ovens Valley, coasting via some riverside singletrack into Bright”.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY APRIL 1, 2009
MT BUFFALO PLATEAU
“Todays ride is the reverse of the past 3 days riding....yeah that’s right....straight back up those bloody hills to the Victorian Alps. APRIL FOOLS !! Just kidding...now a complete circumnavigation of the mighty Mt Buffalo Plateau won’t seem so bad !”
DAY 5 – THURSDAY APRIL 2, 2009
BRIGHT-BEECHWORTH
“Like every other day riding the Terra Australis there will be highs and lows. It’s not nicknamed the Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic for nothing ! The highlights of this days riding will be the super sweet singletrack of the Gravity 12 Hour course at Rosewhite and the descent of the lower section of the Mt Stanley Downhill trail (you might want to drop your seat down a little for this bit!)”.
DAY 6 – FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2009
BEECHWORTH LOOP
You can assured of some sweet riding in the hills around Beechworth. The days riding will include a section of the fabled Mountain Bike Gold Rush course towards Yackandandah and some other secret little gems...a mix of singletrack and narrow fire trails.
DAY 7 – SATURDAY APRIL 4, 2009
BEECHWORTH – WANGARATTA
“The final day and it’s a ride out of the mountains from Beechworth and down to the plains. A great mix of singletrack, fire trails and old rail trail via the historic village of Eldorado and the finish line in Wangaratta ! The Terra Australis - Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic comes to an end. A personal challenge through some amazing terrain, towns and villages. Better start training again for next years event !”.
