Road Cycling around Bright
In summer the alpine High Country is a magnet for road cyclists seeking a challenge and the cool mountain air, and Bright makes a great base for taking it on.
Breathtaking scenery, quiet country roads, alpine ascents, happy-to-help locals and an action-packed events calendar makes Bright a road-riding paradise. With such a wide range of riding options, this part of the world is the ideal holiday destination for avid road cyclists.
Ride in any season
Enjoy the mountains in summer where the air is so much cooler and soak up the sun’s warmth during blue sky days in winter.
Ride with the locals
Every ride you choose will reward you with bucket-full of crisp clean air, long-reaching vista, challenge (in just the right proportions) and best of all, the chance to really experience why the locals who ride choose to call this part of the world home. They will share their secrets with enthusiasm, and invite you to experience their treats with open arms making you an honorary part of their world within days of arriving- up-scaling your cycling experience to one that is truly unforgettable!
Amazing food & wine along the way
To cap it all off, a road riding escapade to the High Country will satisfy your craving for hearty, wholesome food, with gorgeous cafes, wineries and restaurants along most routes and in every town. With over 270 operators tipping their cap to you, the cyclist, you can be sure they will entice you to come back for more.
Road Cycling Trails from Bright
Wandiligong & Back
Distance: 14 km return
Grade: Easy (Green)
This is an easy 16 km return trip from Bright to Wandiligong alongside Morses Creek. It’s a family friendly ride and the Wandiligong Maze is magic for the kids.
Directions:
Starting in the centre of Bright, ride up to the roundabout at the corner of Ireland Street and Cobden Street and turn left into Cobden Street.
- Follow it as it weaves then take the right fork into Coronation Avenue. Stay on Coronation Avenue as it veers left past the cemetery.
- Follow this south out of town and onto Morses Creek Road and head out to heritage listed Wandiligong.
- Ride on out to the end of the tar seal on Morses Creek Road, then turn around and ride back the way you came – through Wandiligong, and back into Bright.
Buckland Valley Out & Back
Distance: 38 km return
Grade: Intermediate (Blue)
This ride is suitable for beginners if you begin the ride at Porepunkah. It’s a spectacular ride through vineyards and apple orchards with the raw rock of Mount Buffalo as a backdrop.
Directions:
- Head out of Bright on Gavan Street/Great Alpine Road towards Porepunkah
- Turn left at the big roundabout and follow the Buckland Valley Road
- Ride to the end of the tar seal, or turn back at Buckland Junction Bridge
- Check out the magnificent views of Mount Buffalo before heading back into town for a feed
Harrietville & Back
Distance: 48 km return
Grade: Intermediate (Blue)
This trail consists of highway riding up the Great Alpine Road and back. It’s a scenic ride uphill from Bright to Harrietville and a very pleasant descent back.
Check out the spectacular views of Mount Feathertop at the Germantown lookout just east of the Tawonga Gap turnoff. There are plenty of places for a meal, or maybe a coffee in Harrietville.
Mount Buffalo
Distance: 84 km return
Grade: Advanced (Black)
This is a classic Bright ride. This ride has the most amazing views of all the surrounding mountains and is a challenge for even the fittest riders.
Directions:
- Start at the roundabout in Bright and head along Gavan Street/Great Alpine Road towards Porepunkah
- Go straight at the roundabout towards Mount Buffalo
- Enjoy the views as you climb to the top
Make sure you get your 7 Peaks Passport stamped at the cafe (or Ranger Station) before flying down and back into Bright for a well-deserved coffee.
Bright to Falls Creek
Distance: 125 km return
Grade: Expert (Double Black)
Three tough climbs and over 125km of challenging riding make this one of the North East’s classic rides. With 2,700 metres of climbing, this ride is not one for the faint hearted.
Directions:
- Head east out of Bright (towards Harrietville) and turn left at the Tawonga Gap Road – and begin your climb
- Take in the magnificent views of Mount Bogong from Tawonga Gap before riding down and into Mount Beauty
- Ride on up to Falls Creek and get your 7 Peaks Passport stamped at the Visitor Centre before heading back toward Bright via the Tawonga Gap again
Alpine Classic
Distance: 210 km return
Grade: Expert (Double Black)
The Alpine Classic has the four ascents of Tawonga Gap, Falls Creek, Tawonga Gap again and Mount Buffalo.
They say it’s the mother of all rides. The ride difficulty is not just due to the degree of climbing, but also because of the variations in the Alpine climate.
The route commences in Bright and travels through Germantown, Tawonga, Mount Beauty, and Falls Creek, before returning to Bright along the same route. The route then continues to Porepunkah and onto Mount Buffalo – and once again returns to Bright.
Road Cycling Events in Bright
JANUARY
Audax Alpine Classic
The Audax Alpine Classic is a week of cycling, culminating in a series of challenging alpine rides. What will it be – Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Buffalo or Tawonga Gap? Entrants can choose to climb as many (or as few) mountains as they choose. The distance and the number of climbs are up to you. Choose from 8 one-day rides (60 – 320 km) or take a 2-day ride to complete a 250 km loop.
www.alpineclassic.com.au
MARCH
Audax Hotham Challenge
Cyclists come together to enjoy a series of challenging mountain rides over the Victorian Labour Day long weekend. The challenge of Audax is all about personal achievement in non-competitive long distance rides with fellow cyclists. Try the 200 km Dinner Plain to Mount Buffalo ride, the 135 km Dinner Plain to Bright challenge or the 71.4 km Bright to Mount Buffalo climb.
www.hothamchallenge.com.au
OCTOBER
Tour of Bright
The largest club-based road stage race in the Southern Hemisphere, encapsulating stages across the renowned terrain of North East Victoria including the infamous Mount Hotham ascent. There are three stages across three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With a capped number of riders, it’s important to enter the ballot early..
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www.tourofbright.com.au
DECEMBER
The Tour Fondo
The Tour Fondo is your chance to test yourself against the pros. This is a classic road groupe sportif, mirroring two stages of the Tour of Bright; the iconic Gaps Loop and the daunting Mount Hotham ascent..
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www.thetourfondo.com.au
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