Tumbarumba
By Tim Ross
Riding friends passed on the news of a newly opened (read brand spanking new) MTB Park in Tumbarumba. After a quick location check on Google Maps, we cancelled a planned trip to Thredbo and headed there instead. An hour closer and a much easier drive, I was on a winner before we started.
Tumbarumba is north of Albury, tucked in against the western flank of the Snowy Mountains. The town reminds me a bit of Mansfield but half the size; remote and self-reliant. After being badly affected by the 2019-20 bushfires a small group of committed locals fundraised to purchase Mt Tumbarumba (which overlooks the town) and used a nice fat bushfire grant to build a trail network. See Mt Tumbarumba trail forks map
We spent half a day doing ride-ups (20 to 25 minutes, a nice steady gradient, easy corners) and tried a few of the main runs, Tumba Rumble first, then Cowabunga followed by Cattlepult for our second run. Already the kids had a new “Favourite Run Ever”.
Next day was a full day of shuttles, and we had the good fortune to have the driving force behind the park’s development (who is also the local bike shop owner) as our shuttle driver. He was full of stories and background to the park, as well as information on the various trails. Over the day we managed to ride most of the trails with the exception of a couple of dark blacks runs. Another day, another “Favourite Run Ever” (Send It Express).
The park is well set out with a variety of trail types, from long flowing jump lines, to old-school hand cut tech trails, to steep rock drop-offs. Some of the fastest and funnest green and blue trails we’ve come across. On the downside, not the biggest park around (about 27km of trail), and maybe not enough vertical for the hard-core downhiller.
But wait, there’s more. Tumbarumba also has a older style MTB park in a pine forest close to town (little-used but well maintained and well signposted), a couple more smaller local trails, a sealed pump-track, and 21km of sealed rail trail leading out of the town.
Throw in a gin distillery, nice little coffee shop and plenty of other local attractions and you can see why we’ll be back to Tumbarumba again soon. A great option for your next family riding holiday! See https://mttumbarumba.com.au/ for more info.
Shifty Fifty @ Buxton
By Tim Ross and Bruce Halket
Several MMBCC members journeyed to Buxton on Saturday to take part in a ‘Shifty Fifty’ race.
The event is part of a series of such events held over the cooler months of the year, see more at Big Hill Events.
Riders have the option of the full 50km course or the shorter Shifty Shorty (25 km). The Buxton course was a mixture of single track in the Buxton MTB Park, and gravel roads thru the pine forests adjoining.
Ruby Dobson (1st Open Women) and Damian Grundy (2nd 60+ Men) completed the longer course, while Ben Ross (1st U19 Men) and Cam Dobson (5th Open Men) and Tim Ross (8th Open Men) took on the shorter one.
Ex-Mansfielder Stefan Vaivars travelled across the Tasman to make a cameo appearance, on his brand new Specialized Epic from ATC.
Great racing all - well played!
A relaxed and fun format in which riders find themselves racing alongside all ages and genders. Events scheduled for later in the year include Anglesea and Castlemaine.
Sunday lunch @ Gracebrook
By Bruce Halket
Many thanks to Allan Gerrans for organising lunch at Gracebrook Winery in the King Valley today. A very pleasant Sunday was had by all!.
All the more reason to make sure you’re part of the MMBCC WhatsApp feed…
Let’s do it again soon!
Upcoming Events
Sea Otter Australia, Bateman’s Bay, 22-26 Oct.
The orignal Sea Otter Classic is currently on in California. This will be the same kind of thing with lots of expos, rides and races around Bateman’s Bay and the mountain bike trails at Mogo. It’ll be the biggest mtb event since the World’s.