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The Alpine Weekend is nearly here and the weather, depending on which long range forecast you believe, looks like it will be ok.
Below is a detailed outline of the weekend’s activities. Payment is now due and if you can advise the other details as requested below then that will help to finalise planning. Note we still have some spare spots, and good support if you only want to ride some sections. Mark B will be riding up Hotham and back on Saturday before driving over to Anglers Rest for dinner. Mark, Helen and others will be driving up back of Falls Sunday, so we have sag wagon support. So, pass the word around – it is not too late to join in!Before Sunday 04 Feb:
1. Complete the ride preferences survey – one per person (rider or support personnel):https://s.surveyplanet.com/zf8adteq
2. Please make your payment of $85 for the weekend (see below for details).
Friday 9th Feb.
Helen and I will head up Friday morning and I will be dropped off at Porepunkah (just past the roundabout leading to C535 and Mt Buffalo) around 1:15pm to ride up Mt Buffalo if anyone else wants to join. Helen usually drives up to the top for a walk (and backup). Cycle back to Bright arriving around 5pm. Others are heading up earlier, so we usually cross paths somewhere on Buffalo.For those who are in Bright early enough, we are having a drink and meal at The Bright Brewery at 5.45pm. I have booked an outside area at the front in my name/ARC for 25 from 5.45pm in anticipation. Everyone is usually off to bed by 8pm (!)
Saturday 10th Feb.
Bright to Anglers Rest (via Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain) – 139km, 2500vm, approx 6.30hr ride time.Two groups (with the aim of coming together at Dinner Plain), both departing from the car park next to the roundabout on Cobden St across from Ireland St, Bright. Be self-sufficient for breakfast. Cars can be left in that carpark.
Departure times are 6.30am & 7:00am sharp. Arrive early and allow extra time for bag drop, photos, socialising etc.
I’ll be in the carpark with a car available for bag drop from 6.15am. Please keep bag size to a minimum, leave the rest in your car. A small esky will be available at the same time to transport any personal perishable breakfast items to Anglers Rest.
Water and food available (every 30 or 40km).
Water available at Harrietville (toilet block in carpark LHS just prior to the General Store, (I suggest leaving with 2 full bidons for a 2 hr climb), Mt Hotham (General Store, opposite the Police Station), Dinner Plain (DP Hut LHS in main Carpark), and Omeo Crazy Cow Bakery Cafe (& public toilet block, RHS opposite The Golden Age Hotel).
Food available at Harrietville General Store, Hotham General Store, The Hub Dinner Plain, Omeo Crazy Cow Bakery and Cafe.HARRIETVILLE – ETA 7:30am – stopping at carpark toilet block for water stop and climb prep. Sometimes a coffee van is across the road.
DINNER PLAIN – ETA 10:30am – Stopping at The Hub Dinner Plain (left at the main roundabout, vehicle parking still outside the closed Mountain Kitchen) for coffee/morning tea and regroup. We need to pre order food to make sure they have enough stock so please complete the survey form. For things like muffins, they will order an assortment so it will be bit of a lucky dip. Remember to nominate any dietary requirements on the survey so that we can cater for you.
OMEO – ETA 12.45pm – Stopping at the Crazy Cow Café & Bakery for lunch and regroup. Dean and Debbie will have some premade rolls as well as all the usual things. They can cater for various dietary needs, and I will give them a call ahead of time to give them an idea of any special needs. There is also a park further down the road with water as well as a couple of other food spots – the Olde Country Kitchen Café (takeaway) and Pippas Bakery.
The notorious bike-eating wooden bridge across Bingo Munjie Creek, in the valley halfway between Omeo and Anglers Rest, has been removed but as always be a little cautious in case road works have sprung up somewhere else.
ANGLERS REST – ETA 2.30-3pm. Time for a nice cool swim in the river, a relax, and a few drinks before dinner. Helen has offered to supply drinks and snacks in the undercover BBQ area opposite our cabins from 4pm, beer/wine/mineral waters/chips/dips and snacks – $20pp to assist with costs – the increased cost of beer and wine has hit the Alpine Weekend budget this year 🙁
If anyone has the energy, assistance with prep always appreciated.Cabins $65 per person – Lana from the Blue Duck has advised me that she requires accommodation payment upfront. To this end, I will be paying a lump sum and asking for your payments to me via internet banking with details below.
A cabin allocation list will be provided to assist with check-in.
Dinner at The Blue Duck is from 6pm and must ordered by 7.30pm. We will take pre orders at afternoon drinks to take to the kitchen at 5pm.
Payment options for dinner will be either cash or EFTPOS, with the backup of leaving card details for later debit. EFTPOS sometimes, but rarely, fails. Just remember to settle up before retiring to bed.Sunday breakfast packs are not available this year, so you will need be self-sufficient with the esky option from Bright available. Gas powered fridges and cook tops in the rooms.
Limited power outlets in the rooms, plenty of outlets in the pub for recharging.
No mobile reception, public phone in the pub.
For those not cycling, the pub is not open until 11.30 Sunday morning, so you will need to be self-sufficient.Sunday 11th Feb.
Anglers Rest to Bright (returning via Falls) 111km, 2000vm’s, approx 5:00hr ride time.
Again, two start groups, 6.30 & 7am, the aim to arrive at Falls Creek at a similar time.Falls Creek – ETA 9:00am Stopping at the Village Bike Café in the carpark RHS opposite Foodworks, open from 8am (hopefully faster service this year).
Mt Beauty ETA 11:00am – stopping at The Mt Beauty Bakery for regroup and lunch. (right at the roundabout, second street on the right, Kiewa Cres)
Bright ETA 2pm – The toilet block near the river in Mountbatten St, (RHS before crossing Morses Creek) will be the initial drop off point for the bags. Nice to have a swim in the river on a hot day. Join us for a drink or two at The Brewery, area for 20 booked from 3.15pm, to celebrate a great ride before heading home.
Monday 12th Feb.
Perry has offered to organise a Monday recovery ride following the Tawonga Gap and Damms loop route. Meet outside the CyclePath bike shop at 07:00. Over Tawonga Gap and down to Tawonga; loop around Mountain Creek and Damms roads and back over Tawonga Gap. Approximately 4 hours, 70km and 1250m vertical from Bright. Coffee somewhere. From there it is time to head home :(.Logistics:
I’ll bring a floor pump and a few spares, tyres, tubes, tools. Bring anything else you think prudent, but there is limited space available for transport. Helen (0424 034 916) will be driving as Mark B and Libby. Their role is to help transport our gear and most likely they will meet us at various spots along the way for lunch etc. Unlike the Tour de France it is not intended that they follow behind to provide wheel changes and mechanical support (we wish!).By Sunday 04 Feb could you please complete the survey form (see link at top of post).
The survey covers preferences for start time, food, cabin etc – one form per person.I’ll be providing The Blue Duck with a cabin list on Wednesday 7th Feb to assist our check-in on the Saturday and will post this on the forum.
Payments of $85 per person, covering accommodation and Saturday afternoon snacks/drinks, can be made to my PayID, which is my phone number 0438568029, please include your name. Text me if BSB & Account details required. No refunds or withdrawals after Monday 5th Feb.At the moment we have 21 participants.
Current List 30 January 2024
———————-
Brad Phillips, Helen Beggs
Richard Hedding
Russell Ives
James Johnston, Libby Johnstone
Stephen Garland
Gary Appleby
Elaine Shallue
Richard Eustace
Frank Niglio, Barbara Niglio
Lynton Williams
Gordon Alexander, Marg Yeoman
Perry Brown
Gavin Rossetti
Mark Bradley
Ken Bartlett
Trev Sharrock
Nathan AlexanderWait List:
———-
None. 4-5 spots available!Please check the above and get back to me with any corrections.
It’s getting exciting. Fingers crossed for the weather. Ensure your bike is in good order.
If for any reason you think your fitness is not as you had hoped, it is not an issue to withdraw, or to drive, cycle only part of the way, offer support, or just enjoy the social aspects of the weekend. Partners are very welcome. We have well above the minimum required to cover accommodation assurances.
Give me a call if you have any questions.
Brad 0438 568 029Hi all, for anyone interested, I’ll be doing some gravel riding in Friday 9/3 such as Mt Porepunkah and/or Dungey’s Track if you care to join me. Mark
Hi Brad, thanks for the very very thorough organisation! Surveys completed and funds transferred for both Lib and myself, sir!
I plan to ride Buffalo with you on Friday arvo.
Fingers crossed for awesome weather.Thanks Russell, Lib, James, Gavin and Trev – monies and completed form received.
Please pass the word around this weekend, in case people aren’t across their email, to fill out the form and send payment as this will need to go out on Monday.
thanks to all, Brad
Hi all, I’m aiming to travel to Bright Friday morn, back late Sunday. Happy to take a passenger and bike in my car, or to be a passenger with someone else.
Weather is looking good in Bright – mid 20s Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with low chance of less than 1 mm rain Friday and Saturday, 20% chance of up to 5 mm rain Sunday. Mt Hotham max 15 degrees Saturday, 50% chance of 1-5 mm rain. Falls Creek Sunday max 17 degrees, also 50% chance of 1-5 mm rain. Of course, forecast may well change between now and then!
See you all soon!
NathanTrev, the spot at Bright Velo is still available. Sorry for the slow reply – I haven’t looked at this site since I posted that last message. Please call me on 0401 998 269 to arrange the transfer.
NThanks Steve G, Nathan and Perry – payment received.
Frank and Richard, thanks for the survey form.Everyone else, please complete the forms and payments this weekend.
The weather is looking good and there are still vacancies if
you know of anyone else who may want to come along.cheers, Brad
Thanks everyone, all surveys and payments have been received. Time to start packing and to give your bike that final check. There are a couple of spots left but they will have to be in by today.
ARC Alpine Challenge Blue Duck Inn Cabin List Saturday 10th Feb 2024
Cabin 1
Brad & Helen
Richard H
TrevorCabin 2
James and Lib
Richard Eustace
KenCabin 3
Frank & Barbara
ElaineCabin 4
Stephen G
Lynton
NathanCabin 5
Russell
Perry
GavinCabin 6
Gordon & Marg
Mark B
Garry ALana at The Blue Duck Inn has asked for a cabin list to assist with check-in, you can change if you wish, but stick to the list for check-in purposes.
Saturday
– Bright 14-28 deg, fine, light winds (<18km/h)
– Mt Hotham – 9-20 deg, fine, light winds
– Omeo – 9-23 deg, fine, light winds
Sunday
– Anglers Rest – 11-26 deg, fine, light winds
– Falls Creek – 13-21 deg, fine, light winds
– Bright – 15-27 deg, fine, light windsWon’t get much better weather than this!
As always however, it is the Alps, so be prepared, and consider easy access to pickup/drop off additional layers from vehicles at our Dinner Plain/Falls Creek when packing.
Please allow time for parking cars, bag drop, bike setup, socialising etc on Saturday so we get away on time, just as you would from the station on a local ride.Friday Rides:
Russell is leading a morning ride up Buffalo with Ken, Steve and Gavin (details to be confirmed).
Brad will be meeting at Porepunkah around 1:15pm to do Buffalo with James and Nathan
Lynton will head up mid morning while Mark will be off gravel riding.Monday Ride:
Perry is organising a Monday morning recovery ride with Gavin, Ken, Brad, Stephen and Trev over Tawonga Gap.Wayne, Garry D and Phil S will also be staying in Bright so may be interested in joining one or more of these rides.
See most of you Friday night at The Brewery, the rest Saturday morning.
Safe travels.
Cheers
Brad.Good luck to all of you. Looks like a perfect weather forecast. Will be thinking of you all and look forward to photos and stories.
JJHi Brad,
Congratulation on a fantastic weekend gathering.
For those of us wanting to book accommodation for next year, what dates have you organised?
Cheers TonyHi everyone,
Thanks again for everyone’s’ help this year. Just waiting on final
confirmation from Lana but I have requested 08 Feb 2025 at Anglers Rest.
This makes the Alpine Weekend Dates Friday 07 Feb to Monday 10 Feb 2025.
Note the TDU is nominally 12-19 Jan at present and there is a long
weekend from 25-27 Jan.Will confirm shortly. Cheers, Brad
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