First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
- ComradeSpear
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First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Mon Sep 04, 2017 11:59 am
I’m bikepacking from Bairnsdale to Wangaratta 28 Sep to 30 Sep along the Great Alpine Road. I was in the Omeo area during Easter but didn’t get to ride from Omeo to Mt Hotham; however, I’ve ridden Mt Hotham and Mt Buffalo from Bright.
Advice needed:
1- Weather: I note that there’s still snow on the mountains. What’s the recommendation to ride up Mt Hotham/Buffalo late Sep?
2- Clothes: Any recommendations? Pack less or more? ...... Details below
3- Safety: anything else I should factor in?
4- Pre-ride: I was thinking of fitting everything for a long ride to test the setup. Thoughts?
5- Anything else?
Route Details:
• Bairnsdale-Omeo (via Cassilis) ~128km (1,850m) @20km/h: starting 11:45am & aiming to finish 630pm
• Omeo-Bright (via Mt Hotham) ~108km (1,850m) @22km/h (downhill to Bright after Mt Hotham): starting 10am & finish 3pm
• Bright-Wangaratta (via Mt Buffalo) ~130km (1,700m)@25km/h (downhill from Mt Buffalo): starting 9am
Packing Details:
I’ll be riding a steel bike fitted with compact cranks & 11-32 cassette and:
• Large saddle bag(8.5L): change clothes for 1 day ride (shorts/Long bibs/jacket/thermal/socks/small bag of toiletry – planning to wash clothes at Bright to wear for the last leg)
• Frame bag (3L): x2 spare tube/x4 CO2/large pump/patches/levers/Topeak Alien compact toolset/food/rain jacket/thick gloves/spring gloves
• Toptube bag (0.75L): phone/powerpack/wallet/ride food
• x2bottle cages x750ml bidons + Electrolytes
• Garmin 520 + Stages powermeter for pacing
• Front lights Lezyne 400 Lumens & Lezyne 100 Lumens (Flashing)
• Rear lights: Lezyne 80 Lumens / Specialized rear helmet light
• Small first aid kit
• x2 Phones: main phone & emergency
I’ll be wearing MTB shoes + Booties with SPD-MTB pedals. I’ll use the MTB shoes for walking in towns... Main meals/breakfast will be in the main towns too.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby Hildalgo » Mon Sep 04, 2017 4:07 pm
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/climate/s ... e&lc=83085
If you look at the averages, maximum averages at Mount Hotham in September is 3.4 degrees. They get quite a bit of rain so you'd want to have some good wet weather kit just in case.
A number of roads around there are open and exposed to the elements so you'd want to bring as much is comfortable to carry in some pretty cold weather/wind.
Keep an eye on the weather closer to the date, particularly with the winds as you can really get pushed around on a windy day up there.
Roads are pretty quiet around there, and good visibility on many of the roads. Just long distances in-between where you can buy food/drink. Definately agree that you should test the bike with the full weight, particularly on climbs as guessing you'll have quite a bit of climbing on this adventure.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby dalai47 » Mon Sep 04, 2017 4:47 pm
Have a plan B ready as the road can be closed to all traffic like it has been today from Mt Hotham to Harrietville due to conditions!
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby madmacca » Tue Sep 05, 2017 3:42 pm
2. Given snow conditions at the moment, it is likely that the ski resorts will still be in operation that weekend. So there will be plenty of traffic about, but they will NOT be expecting to see a cyclist. Be visible!! On the plus side, this means that services will still be available at Dinner Plain, Hotham and Buffalo.
3. While it is not steep, the long exposed uphill drag to Mt Hotham can be quite slow into the prevailing westerly headwind. I'd allow extra extra time by a 9.00 or 9.30 start out of Omeo.
Of course, having preached doom and gloom, you'll probably be riding in beautiful spring sunshine through the snow, and having an awesome time!
- ComradeSpear
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:31 pm
I've got some good cycling gear but I've never tried them in trying conditions. Nevertheless, I am still seeking an adventure with limits of course
I'll derive a Plan B and keep monitoring the weather closer to the dates to make a call on the final route.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby Hildalgo » Wed Sep 06, 2017 2:14 pm
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby lone rider » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:03 am
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby madmacca » Thu Sep 07, 2017 1:19 pm
That's got me thinking.Hildalgo wrote:Have you got an alternative route you could do instead?
Day 1 Tallarook to Eildon
Day 2 Eildon to Mansfield via Jamieson
Day 3 Mansfield to Wangaratta via Tolmie and the King Valley
Similar distances, all sealed roads (although option for rail trail for part of it), services at towns, rail station to rail station, but tops out at about 1200m in altitude.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby Hildalgo » Thu Sep 07, 2017 3:38 pm
http://www.thedandenongranges.com/touri ... ail-trail/
I found most of the rail trail quiet and peaceful, but not a flat trail. There's a bit of loose gravel, and you'd want to be running at least a 28 mm tire. Fair bit of undulating climbing. Would highly recommend to do the Cheviot tunnel near Yea, and the crossing at the Bonnie Doon Bridge though if you just do short sections of the trail.
If you get up north, can recommend a 25km loop to the west of Glenrowan (near the King Valley) through Taminick Gap that is a gem to do:
http://www.thedandenongranges.com/touring/taminick-gap/
- cyclotaur
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby cyclotaur » Thu Sep 07, 2017 4:55 pm
Tallarook>Alexandra>Warburton(via Acheron Way)>Melbourne(Balwyn)
Wangaratta>Whitfield>Mansfield(viaTolmie)>WoodsPt(Via Jamieson)>Marysville>Lilydale
Benalla>Tatong>Mansfield>Alexandra(via BonnieDoon/ColesRd/SpringCkRd)>ReeftonPub(via ReeftonSpur)>Lilydale
Lilydale>ReeftonPub>WoodsPt>Jamieson>Eildon>Warburton>Lilydale
These all included some gravel trails and/or roads, with the two WoodsPt rides being pretty epic but there are doable routes from anywhere on the NE railway line to/from Melbourne or, indeed. out and back from Lilydale. We've stayed in pubs, motels, cabins - no camping. All good fun.
Hoping to squeeze in another trip later this year from the NE down to Gippsland via Omeo/Hotham/Dargo or similar.
My old blog - A bit of fun
"Riding, not racing...completing, not competing"
- ComradeSpear
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:31 pm
My friend just got back from Mt Hotham and it's packed with snow and unlikely to melt in 3 weeks!
Wang has to be a stop for me. I don't mind gravel and climbing but can't fit 28s on my bike... I've got 25s.
- ComradeSpear
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:35 pm
This one sounds interesting. I need to research it.madmacca wrote:That's got me thinking.Hildalgo wrote:Have you got an alternative route you could do instead?
Day 1 Tallarook to Eildon
Day 2 Eildon to Mansfield via Jamieson
Day 3 Mansfield to Wangaratta via Tolmie and the King Valley
- ComradeSpear
- Posts: 194
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:49 pm
Some good ones here but I only have 3 days. I allowing 120-150 km/daycyclotaur wrote:Along with Uncle Just, I've done:
Tallarook>Alexandra>Warburton(via Acheron Way)>Melbourne(Balwyn)
Wangaratta>Whitfield>Mansfield(viaTolmie)>WoodsPt(Via Jamieson)>Marysville>Lilydale
Benalla>Tatong>Mansfield>Alexandra(via BonnieDoon/ColesRd/SpringCkRd)>ReeftonPub(via ReeftonSpur)>Lilydale
Lilydale>ReeftonPub>WoodsPt>Jamieson>Eildon>Warburton>Lilydale
- ComradeSpear
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:50 pm
I had a look and here are the routes:madmacca wrote:That's got me thinking.Hildalgo wrote:Have you got an alternative route you could do instead?
Day 1 Tallarook to Eildon
Day 2 Eildon to Mansfield via Jamieson
Day 3 Mansfield to Wangaratta via Tolmie and the King Valley
Similar distances, all sealed roads (although option for rail trail for part of it), services at towns, rail station to rail station, but tops out at about 1200m in altitude.
D1: Base-Alexandra @130km/1300m
D2: Alexandra-Mansfield via Jamieson@120km/2200m
D3: Mansfield-Wangaratta @100km/900m
In terms of gear & clothing, what is the advice to pack for this route if riding end of Sep? I'll stop at towns to refuel.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby Hildalgo » Mon Sep 11, 2017 10:32 am
If you do the rail trail, you can get food in most of the towns along the way.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby dalai47 » Mon Sep 11, 2017 3:48 pm
I was skinning up the lake side downhill runs skiing on my Alpine Touring gear late October last year. Expecting similar this year with snow falls still continuing!lone rider wrote:Last year i was at Falls Creek late November and there was snow
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby lone rider » Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:22 am
- ComradeSpear
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:15 pm
.... And I have a Fluro helmet!lone rider wrote:One thing thats been missed here as well. I spent last week up near the Murray, the magpies are completely feral compared to the city ones. Be prepared.
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Re: First time bikepacker: Bairnsdale to Wangaratta
Postby ComradeSpear » Sun Oct 01, 2017 10:32 pm
Three stages but I think I could've pushed the km/day a bit more:
- Melbourne-Alexandra: https://www.strava.com/activities/12052 ... 1506677786
- Alexandra-Mansfield via Jamieson: https://www.strava.com/activities/12082 ... 1506766981
- Mansfield-Wangaratta: https://www.strava.com/activities/12079 ... 1506813015
I used everything I packed but next time I'll pack a rechargeable power bank for the phone and electronic devices. I think better tracking is also a better option of traveling solo. Thanks again for the tips and ideas.
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