Guest author Kerri Newell writes about her second day on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in March 2017:
We had completed the section from Beechworth to Everton the day before. This time we drove to Everton Station site, a good start point as there is parking and toilets. It’s 27 kilometres from Wangaratta and 26 to Myrtleford.
We left at 9am as we knew it was going to be a long day and the forecast was for a warm one. From experience it’s best to start early as often a cycle trip can take longer than planned!!
It was an easy ten minutes downhill ride to Brookfield Station site which is no more than a sign but a photo stop was warranted just the same!
We rolled on and soon crossed the Great Alpine Road arriving at an old Hume and Hovell monument, laid in 1924. They had passed this way on 24 November 1824. I pondered as to how things had changed since then.
From here we changed direction into a strong crosswind. If you are a cyclist you know what that means… tough pedalling here we come!!!
We met up with another cyclist who had ridden from Wangaratta. He had driven up from Sydney the day before and was going to stay at Bright overnight then head back to Wangaratta the following day. There were a few gates on the trail so we shared the job of opening and closing them for a while, chatting as we rode. It is always enlightening to hear cycling stories from others, but this chap was in much more of a hurry than us and he soon disappeared ahead.
We stopped briefly at Bowman Station site for another photo for our records.
Taylor’s Gap
The countryside was now becoming noticeably greener and hillier!!! Very soon we began the Taylor’s Gap climb. This is steady and relatively steep. I remember having to walk parts of this stretch last time but thanks to my improved fitness it seemed much easier now. There was a little shelter shed at the top. In alpine country the weather can change quickly, so this could be a handy retreat. There was a rainwater tank too if you dared to fill your drink bottle…
From Taylor’s Gap we crossed the main road again with brief views over the Ovens Valley. It was then straight into a very steep descent down past Gapsted. Oops, missed the signage for that site.
Very soon we were rolling along with vineyards either side, ever so pretty with a gentle climb into Myrtleford, although for us the wind was still relentless!!
We followed trail signs on backstreets around town and continued along five kilometres to Ovens. This was green and scenic, alpine mountains in the background but no snow this time. There were even relics of old tobacco drying houses no longer in use.
Myrtleford
Back at Myrtleford, Roger had a break before returning to pick up the car. I found Ruby’s, a great little corner café that is right on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
Once my legs had recovered I did the short Myrtleford Loop trail, a very easy and pleasant track which runs along the Ovens River from the Rotary Park, past the local Apex Park and then back into town.
I was originally going to cycle back to Everton but sometimes the weather is a plan changer… I had pedalled 52 kilometres so I had to be happy with that!!
For more about the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, read Kerri’s article about the section between Beechworth and Everton. Kerri has also recently completed the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail. Another enjoyable rail trail nearby is the High Country Rail Trail.
For an excellent guide to riding the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, have a look at this detailed information provided by Tour de Vines.
