CyclingGravel

Just go cycling. Preferably on gravel.

Murray to Mountains is a high quality sealed rail trail that is also one of Australia’s longest. The challenge CyclingGravel considered was: where best to stay so as to cycle significant parts, whilst also enjoying some quiet backroads. We chose Myrtleford, and this proved to be an excellent base – not only for these rides but also for a cycle up the valley to Lake Buffalo one quiet afternoon.

The routes and recommendations below are based upon a trip in February 2022. I have cycled to and from Bright as part of a bikepacking trip – that trip included cycling from Omeo to Hotham to Bright and then to Mount Beauty – areas that are well worth exploring if you have time (and the desire for some climbing!).

Other recommendations to go with the cycling

Brewery – Bridge Road Brewers

Hidden behind an on-street facade, Bridge Road Brewers offers a peaceful courtyard for a lunch stop. Focussing on one food offering pays dividends: the pizzas are great. Of course there are plenty of beers for all tastes (make sure you can carry some away!), and the brewery also offers some neat cycling kit – road and MTB style!

Restaurant – Tu Vietnamese Street Food

Offering a tremendous selection of food, Tu Vietnamese is a great lunch or dinner stop. Tasty Banh Mi and Pho as well as excellent other options make this place stand out. And yes, I also have a soft spot for places that have Dr Pepper….

Treat – Buffalo Berry Farm

There is nothing like an excellent sweet treat whilst cycling, and Buffalo Berry Farm does excellent pies and berry “sundaes” – as well as coffee. Well worth a stop and relax in the garden midway between Myrtleford and Bright.

Brewery – Bright Brewery

Offering a food menu that is a cut above most breweries as well as heaps of outside seating, Bright Brewery is one of my favourite larger-scale independent Australian breweries.

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Epic gravel weekend (Moss Vale - Taralga) day 2 took in Swallow Tail Pass and Canyonleigh Road. Fire track style pass could be a bit gnarly for gravel bikes in wet, but rest of route is vintage gravel. Just lovely. Back in Oz, took sneaky flash bikepacking weekend Moss Vale - Taralga return. One of the great gravel weekends of NSW. Day 1 took Wombeyan Caves Road. Great views and a mix of smooth and more fire-track style gravel. Finished with great pub stay @thetaralgahotel Took the #wodtrail and headed out for some epic Virginia gravel cycling. Thanks to @gravelcyclist for the inspiration - this is gravel paradise, and metro back a great option. @lostbarrelbrew was also fantastic for lunch. I know my Epic Evo wasn’t primarily designed for bikepacking, but it did great over 1,200km and 16,000m of climbing through the mountain backroads Canberra to Melbourne. One of the most epic gravel roads, capped off with stunning sealed descent to quintessential pub! Big climbs, amazing gravel, but chunky rocks and lots of dust The right kind of river cruise How amazing is the gravel on the Monaro? Topped off @dalgetybrewingco Time to head into the hills Farmland, valleys, gravel & beer @kr.brewing Off-beach short cut Farm, fog & beach Bike, river, beach & mountains. Storm brewing Big sky, summer field, pipeline track. In the middle of the capital. Magic. Sometimes, it is just time to mountain bike. Don’t forget your pass! Thanks @mysticmtb Epic climb, ending in gravel. How good? Single-tracking Boxing Day. Summer is finally here. Traffic, gravel style. “A towel, is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.” And a bikepacker….