46.2021 J NSW Clockwise Unwinding Tour. Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.

Years of talking about riding the Victorian Murray to Mountains Rail Trail came to fruition after Carrol's cousin, Mark, volunteered to deliver us to our start at Beechworth and collect us in four days from Wangaratta, with three nights spent in hotels and a motel, and a distance of about 170kms tackled. 

Victoria is ahead of the rest of Australia in converting disused railway lines into bike tracks, although NSW has considerable plans underway for tracks in many parts of the state. 

Our ride started in mid-May 2021 with a weather forecast for 100% of 20 to 25mm of rain on day one, and an update of 95% of 15 to 20mm rain for day two.  We were well looked after, with each ride being completed in the dry, but downpours once we finished riding and continued overnight.  

Historic Beechworth with the famed bakery in the background. 

Start of the rail trail, following in the tracks of the old steam locomotives. 

Our ride: 
Beechworth, Everton, Myrtleford, Bright, Myrtleford, Wangaratta.  

The last day downhill to Wangaratta was meant to be easiest, but not so due to being hampered by headwinds. 

Riding doesn't get much more scenic than this just out of Beechworth. 

Drinks available with vineyards along the way. 

Food available from olive groves; with the Victorian alps in the distance. 

Homestead which could have been a scene from 100 years ago apart from the flouro clothing on the verandah. 

Setting a wonderful example of getting out and about, we met the following old timer along the track downhill from Beechworth, after having stopped to ensure he was alright, he thanked us for stopping as no one else had done so, however, he had all under control. 

His journey had started in Wangaratta, with a distance of 50kms in his mobility scooter before his battery had run flat, hence a stop to pull out the generator he was carrying to charge the battery as he enjoyed a cup of tea, whilst listening to his canopy stereo sound system. 

About 35kms before the battery ran flat.
How many folk would be resourceful enough to travel with a generator?

Unique bicycle letter box near Everton. 

Explorers Hume and Hovell passed this way in 1824, taking sixteen weeks for their return trip south. This same return trip could be done on the Hume Highway in two days now. 
This cairn was built in 1924. 

Threatening clouds didn't deliver until we reached the shelter of our hotel room. 

Iron man cyclist. 

I think I can.. 

Recycling. 

Arrival at Myrtleford twenty minutes before the rain, which continued for the next twelve hours.  

Special permission was granted by the manager of the Railway Hotel for the tandem to share our soon to be renovated room. 

Weather looks good, however, forecast is for 95% chance of 15 to 20mm rain. 

Le Mans start for Don.  

Tobacco kilns replicating collapsed lungs due to years of tobacco abuse.  

Hop supports. 

Kilometre posts along the track showing destination to Bright, along with code to report over phone in case of emergency. 

A saddle before dropping into another valley. 

Bike cam view. 

Considerable care is required on some of the slippery leaf surfaces leading to the expression "fall" for autumn. 

Having watched the Tour de France, we knew how important dietary intake is when cycling.
Hence a stop at a berry farm for some fruit based sustenance. 

A tree tunnel at the end of the light. 

Translation must mean 8kms to Bright. 

The Ovens River, which flows into the Murray River 

Feeling bright and chirpy for our arrival at the top end of our trail, meaning apart from the uphill, it is all downhill from here.  

Track alternative to main roads entering into the main shopping precinct of Bright.  

Bright railway shed. 

Horses are also catered for. 

It was surprising how the leaf colours changed, even over short distances. 

Looking up to surrounding hills to see the timber industry is in full swing. 

Bright before the crowds.  Nothing much happens before 10am. 

Carrol's favorite avenue from her childhood. 

Fawlty Towers sign supplier also works in Bright. 

Carrol agreeing that it is alright to sometimes just sit and forget about the sweeping.  

Not leaf litter, but leaf art.

Leaf blowers have certainly made life easier for gardeners in these parts. 

Leaving Myrtleford we passed the Phoenix Tree sculpture, carved out of the trunk of a huge River Red Gum. 

The Phoenix tree of Myrtleford. 

It's not where's Wally, but where's the Phoenix!

The mythical Phoenix rising from the ashes.  

A perfect day to visit the high country.  

Log Tobacco kiln built in 1957 and typical of kilns built during the 1930s through to the the 1960s.
Tobacco has been kil'n for centuries. 

Early morning out of Myrtleford. 

Crimson Rosellas

Magic!!

Yep, they're real!  Not just in story books.

Cutting through the trees. 

Seeing red!

A digger especially for our two year old grandson, Isaac. 

Mohawk tree felling. 

M6 post on the left indicating 6kms to our destination at Myrtleford. 

The last 25kms to Wangaratta was gently downhill through strands of trees separating farmland, should have been a walk in the park, however, a howling westerly wind made it feel more like uphill. 
Any stronger and it would have been a walk. 

Our tandem has served us admirably for 26 years and has never let us down. 

The finish in Wangaratta after about 170kms in the saddle.  Another tick, for the ride having been on our bucket list for years. 

The main observation we made during our four days on the bike was that most of the riders we met were older than us; almost all on e-bikes.  The distances were not so much, however, almost all we spoke to said that due to knee, hips and general fitness, without the aid of an electric motor, they wouldn't be out enjoying the great outdoors the way they were. 

Hence, get an ebike and give it a go. 

Keep in mind that life is like a bicycle. 

"To keep your balance, you must keep moving!"

Cheers, Don and Carrol. 

Footnote. We have seen the dark side and have left the tandem in Albury at the mate of Carrol's cousin who is converting it into an e-bike along with new wheels and disc brakes.  We will be right for our future older age!!