For the third Sunday in a row I ventured up Mount Buffalo, this time with my trusty bike secured to the back of Suzie.
I completed three different rides, starting with a dirt and gravel track to the Reservoir and continuing along the Rocky Valley Trail.
The track doesn’t appear to have been graded since the fires and was in shocking condition for riding. I carried or walked the bike nearly as much as I rode it. The boggy sections and snow patches were to be expected, but flood scouring and total rock cover caused most of the problems.
The snow has nearly all melted now, but still covered the track in a few places. I found it’s impossible to cycle through soft snow, and again had to push the bike or carry it.
It was very enjoyable though. The snowplain doesn’t attract many visitors at this time of year and I had total solitude in which to appreciate the natural beauty.
I want to fire a broadside at Parks Victoria, however. They still haven’t finished repairing tracks that were damaged by bushfire in January 2002, despite the government pouring millions into rehabilitation.
Their communication of track closures is also ordinary, to say the least. I wanted to try and reach the Rocky Valley camp site today, but the track is closed about 3km from the Reservoir. Likewise, last week I wanted to walk to Andersons Peak, only to find the track closed.
Notices should be placed at the beginning of walks, instead of halfway along them. Newsletter updates should also be given when you pay $9.50 to enter the National Park.
Having cleared the air on that one, I can return to today’s ride. After cycling back to the car I completed two shorter trips on the main road.
Firstly I went to The Chalet, which was about 2.5km from where I had parked, or 5km return. Then I went about 3km in the other direction to Dingo Dell past Lake Catani (6km return).
I’ve only ever driven through this area, so it gave a new insight to see familiar features from the bike instead.
The weather started fairly mild and I abandoned my jumper to soak up the sun. I like to gain a bit of color early in the season.
Later though it turned cold and some light drizzle started. All up, I rode about 26km, which isn’t a lot except when you consider I carried the bike for perhaps two or three of them.
I passed a few road cyclists on the way up, awestruck at their fitness to climb over a 1000 metres. I found the 100 metre climb to Dingo Dell challenging enough.
I guess if I had the right sort of bike I could give the big one a shake. I also have to admire sport cyclists for how they handle the downhill runs. It was scary enough staying in control of my Repco hybrid doing 40kmh around the downhill bends.
