Ever wonder where trail fairies come from? There’s a good chance they’re spawned along Weaving Camels, a magical little MTB trail at Melrose, South Australia. With its lush green carpet, giant gums and babbling brook it’s straight out of a story book. The trail weaves its way through stands of River Red Gums (Camaldulensis) hence its name I guess! (more…)
It’s been a great couple of weeks in Melrose, South Australia. The trails and the setting alone make Melrose a bucket list destination for mountain bikers, but much more than that getting to know the folk that call this little town at the base of Mt Remarkable their home, and seeing the central role bikes play in the community has been a terrific experience. (more…)
Special Melrose treat today – headed out into the back country with Rich from Over the Edge. Great MTB adventure including one of the most fun sustained non MTB trail descents I’ve ridden in a long while that included all the good stuff – risk, speed and difficulty, including big consequences if you have an off. It reminded me of MTB riding in the Victorian High Country in the late 80’s/early 90’s – wild and woolly – before there were MTB specific trails. Look forward to doing that descent again one day without the +10kg of camera junk in my backpack! (more…)
Being in Melrose, South Australia for a couple of weeks over your 45th birthday… that’s one insanely cool prezzie I reckon! The birthday plan: Sun up to sun down MTB love fest 🙂 (more…)
Bartagunyah is a ~2000 acre property on the outskirts of Melrose SA and in addition to sheep, kangaroos and vineyards is home to a bunch of arguably lesser known MTB trails, including one of the local’s favorite MTB rides – the Whiskey Trail. (more…)
Melrose in South Australia is one of those places but when you arrive there for the first time it’s a bit like being a kid in a candy store – all that sweet mountain bike MTB trail but no idea of where to start and how to piece it together. Over the course of this year’s Fat Tire Festival probably the most fun run I found is shown below. Starting from the campground it’s one scenic, enjoyable climb to the highest point on Hellrose followed by a fun descent, 2/3 of which was part of the Mini-D time trial course. (more…)
There were some seriously cool demo bikes available at the Melrose Fat Tire Festival including none other than the Ibis Mojo SL-R, the newer 140mm ‘little brother’ of the Mojo HD. There are relatively few (in any!) chances to demo an SL-R in Victoria, and with Ibis one of the festival sponsors there was nothing else to do but take one for a spin! (more…)
Peace, love and mountain bikes. The Fat Tyre Festival at Melrose has been on my MTB Bucket List for years. FINALLY, AMAZINGLY, UNBELIEVABLY after a wee 12 1/2 hour drive over from Central Victoria I found myself wheeling down Dodging Bullets trail at Melrose late on the Friday afternoon of the festival with Shaz and Steve. WOOHOO! (more…)