Rapha Bright Escape

More About Our Day:

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for, it’s the second climb of our Bright Escape – Falls Creek.

This morning after a hearty breakfast, you’ll head out straight from our hotel by bike, or if you’d like a slightly shorter/easier ride you’ll depart via vehicle. First up this morning en route to Mt Beauty, we crest Tawonga Gap you’ll be greeted by superb views into the Kiewa Valley.

Once you arrive in Mt Beauty, it may be a good chance to pause and re-energise with a coffee and snack in one of Mt Beauty’s quaint stores, cafe’s or bakery prior to ascending the slopes of Falls Creek.

On the return run to Bright, we suggest stopping in at Mt Beauty for lunch and or coffee, your contributions to these smaller towns and stores will be well received by the local communities.

Our Ride:

Ride Distances & Climbing: 60km-990m / 90km-2500m / 125km-3200m

Today is your chance to ride some beautiful parts of the Alpine Region, first up out of Bright is the 10km/500m climb to the top of Tawonga Gap.

A lovely descent and valley ride will have you in Mt Beauty, followed by the undulating climb up from Mt Beauty to Falls Creek, it’s approximately 30km/1500m of climbing. A real test for riders of all calibres and fitness.

Please take care on the fast bumpy descent off Falls Creek, many of the turns double back on themselves, go cautiously on the turns you can’t see around. After the beautiful descent off Falls Creek, as we mentioned above stop in at Mt Beauty for a rider revivor stop, it’s a lovely little town.

It’s best to save some energy for Tawonga Gap on your run back to home base, it’s approximately 7.5km /550m of climbing. If time permits we highly recommend stopping in at the river in Bright to cool off, the cooling waters of the river are famed for their healing properties, especially for fatigued cycling legs.

Non-cycling options:

Plenty of options today based on your personal interests, or preferences.

Explore the local town of Bright some more, it’s shops, cafe’s or additional options for active off-bike activities include walks – hikes etc, or swim in the local river ask us how.

Alternatively, join us to explore the Alpine region in our vehicle, you’ll see Tawonga Gap, Mt Beauty & Falls Creek, you’ll intercept and join up with the cycling group on occasion.

Après Bike:

Once back in Bright head to our hotel, and we’ll give your bike a freshen up, so it’s ready for tomorrow morning, pre-dinner if time permits it’s a free program to explore our town, it’s shops and natural beauty.

Drop-in your cycling kit and we’ll launder it so it’s fresh.

Suggested Post Ride rehydration: Australian Prosecco, sparkling white wine grapes are grown in the Victorian Alpine region, there are some lovely examples of this Italian classic, rumour has it the bubbles help reoxygenate tired cycling legs.

Dinner: 7.30pm in-house

Meet in the Hotel dining area, tonight is our second and final sitting, a nice chance to experience more of the fine local fare. Tonight’s meal again includes a specially selected local wine, beer or cool drink, additional drinks as always are available on a non-inclusion basis.

 Accommodation:

Our Cycling Friendly Team Hotel, Bright, Victoria. 2 of 2 Nights

More About Our Day:

Today is our final climb for our weekend, we’ve saved the biggest and best til last – Mt Hotham.

Once at the top of Mt Hotham, we will have a simple lunch prepared for you, there’s generally not a lot open at the top of Mt Hotham, so after a few selfies at the iconic tunnel and signs at the top of Mt Hotham, we’ll be able to keep you moving along swiftly, with a quick and simple fuel stop for your lunch.

We’ve organised a 3pm – late check out from our hotel, so you can freshen up with a shower when you return from the Mt Hotham ride.

If you need to pack a bike to travel we can assist in packing your bike up.

Our Rides:

55km/400m – 75km/1300m – 110km/2400m (to Omeo return Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham, Bright adds an additional 110km/2150m) 220km/4550m

From our team hotel we have a nice warm up out of town toward the base of the Mt Hotham climb, once on the climb it’s approximately 30km /1600m climbing. The climb is broken up into three distinct parts, the first sector is a hard 10km/700m climbing, there’s a nice reprieve in the middle 10km sector, it’s a much steady – easier climb, then the final 10km collects an additional 600m of climbing up to around 1835m above sea level.

If time permits in your schedule, and you are keen to bank some big k’s and vert, we have an unsupported option on offer to head down to Omeo and then complete your 4th Peak of the weekend, the climb back up to Dinner Plain is on the 7Peaks Passport.

For everyone else we make our way gently back down off Mt Hotham to Bright. We’ll hit the showers at our hotel, and pack for onward travel.

Non-cycling options:

Join the group on a stunning drive into the Victorian Alpine region high above the tree line. Lunch will be at the top of Mt Hotham.

Alternatively, if you haven’t already explored the local town and surrounds of Bright, today could be a good day to see some more of its shops, cafe’s, or additional options for active off-bike activities can include suggested walks – hikes etc, or swim in the local river ask us how.

Après Bike:

If time permits, head into Bright for a cool refreshing swim in the local swimming hole at the river.

Hotel Checkout: 3pm. Time to head home, thank you for joining us in Bright for our long weekend escape.