The climate is ideal and you get great scenery as you go. Avoid the stress of driving the challenging Alpine Rd and fitting chainsleave it to our experienced alpine drivers. After a sharp 600m descent the road heads skyward again, snaking its way majestically along the ridge line for 700m. Surely the finish of any climb is the top where you cant climb any more. A theme by CSSIgniter.com - Powered by WordPress, Large, clean rooms, a nice big radiator to dry your wet gear and a pub thats easy to get comfortable in. For those who like to relax, there is a good variety of touristy shops, cafes, restaurants, a local brewery and several wineries in the area. 320 km or 3.5 hours drive from Melbourne. Website Well done! The village rests at the far end of a 150km sealed bike-path network that stretches to Bright, Beechworth and beyond. Road riding around Bright is just a matter of picking a road and heading off, but some of the recognised ride loops include: 5km in at the park entrance as expected, the gradient tilted up and up I went. Length: 20.9kmAverage gradient: 4.8%Elevation gain:1,013m. In addition to its local MTB trails Bright is within reach of other fabulous MTB parks located Falls Creek, Dinner Plain, Mt Beauty, Beechworth & Yackandandah. If you continue on for about a kilometre slightly downhill youll get to The General, a pub that also has a small shop located inside. The Mt. If you are driving to the high country from Melbourne you can expect a four hour drive with the best option being to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta and then the Great Alpine Road (B500) toward Bright. Alps Link is a PTV service operated by the Dyson Group. The first 10 kms are quite challenging at 6% for the first 5 kms and 7% for the second; The Meg is particularly steep and challenging and will surely get you out of the saddle. From Bright there are dozens of great day-trips to places like Beechworth, Harrietville, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek & Dinner Plain just to mention a few. No better in many ways (do Stronglight chainwheels ever wear out), but stops in half the time. The 200 km route takes the rider to Falls Creek and back and then a return trip to Mount Buffalo . Wouldnt have thought I could. The town has an Australian Rules football team competing in the Ovens & King Football League. Picture: Visit Victoria. They have a great range of recreational bikes ideal for those wanting to ride the rail trails or other, Bright Riverside Holiday Park features river views, free WiFi and free private parking, located in Bright. Reading though it with a mate challenged us to have a crack at a few of these bigger climbs. St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church 1 Churches & Cathedrals By Oldjack St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church was originally located in the Buckland Valley and was moved to Harrietville in. Yarck to Molesworth. Bright to Wandiligong 5.5km. The Mt. Your email address will not be published. Not gonna lie, it was agony. It was absolutely stunning, but hard work. The last leg from CRB Hill to the summit is the toughest but doable for any cyclist who has done a little preparation. Ill have a friend following me 45mins later in a car for support btw which will be my return ride (icy roads and decent = bad idea). Its hard to say for certain, but I reckon the road surface on Hotham has progressively deteriorated. The Great Valley Trail project will deliver 16 kilometres of family friendly shared trail, completing a. Show more 10 Exceptional 1 reviews Check availability Hotham 3 Bedroom Apt - 24 Lawlers Mount Hotham (Near Harrietville) Hotham 3 Bedroom Apt - 24 Lawlers is located in Mount Hotham. The events begin in January with the Audax Alpine Classic and wrap up with the Tour Fondo in December. If you need assistance with transporting your bike to the start of your ride and/or pickup at the end of the day, the Bike Hire . Hi David, I cant speak with any authority here but I think you should be fine. WebAbout Key Breakout Edu Zombie Answer. Some sections of the route are on the main road so please use caution with passing traffic. Hoys only book clean, well maintained, professional coaches & taxis with expert, friendly, hazardous endorsed licenced drivers that know the Mt Hotham road. Door to door service for family groups staying on Mt Hotham or Dinner Plain. . The new road is pretty rough and seems to take a lot of speed off your tyres making it a touch harder to keep moving. Just FYI they are resurfacing the road on Hotham at the moment. I must say Hotham makes Lake Mountain seem like a mole hill. The views are great and its an epic climb. Mt. Proudly powered by WordPress. Harrietville Cycling (Victorian Alps) . If the weather is good the descent is fine, if there is wind, you want to have good control of your bike and either way you want brakes that are working well . As one of Victoria's many rail trails, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is one of the most popular things to do in Bright. Hotham is a hard enough climb without having 120km including Mt Buffalo in your legs! A-grade riders in the Tour of Bright will complete the climb in under 80 minutes but anything under two hours is a commendable effort. On this quiet brisk morning in porepunkah off I headed, giving me a rolling 5km warm up and leading me into the start of the climb. The good news is that you'll be treated to some amazing views, and once you reach Hotham Village there is a fair bit of downhill to the town of Omeo. By the time the road is climbing again, 9.8km from the tollbooth, the valley views are now possible on the left-hand side of the road. With stunning views of the valley below this is a great place for a brief rest should you feel the need. Mt. For those who want to hit the incredible cross-country and downhill mountain bike trails in Bright, the offer high-performance dual suspension MTBs for those who want to ride like a pro. Share by Email. Follow the rail trail from the center of Bright towards the Tawonga Gap turnoff andt then wind your way through eucalypts and our spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. best climb in Aus in my books, you will love it! - Buckland Valley (38 km return) On the Audax Alpine Classic yesterday they had to alter the route due to the bushfires, and the ACE 250 riders went another 6km past Dingo Dell to Cresta Valley, which adds another ~160m of climbing (and ~5km distance) compared to the route that stops at the Chalet. Ive done Arthurs Seat, all major climbs around Canberra and Mt Buffalo, and this climb far exceeded all of these climbs. Your email address will not be published. Situated around 19 kilometres from Harrietville, this property has 2 bedrooms and is a hit with guests. After 800m and a sharp right-hand bend, the road starts to flatten out as lush alpine forest surrounds the road. The range includes electric bikes ideal for rail trail riding with ranges of 90 120 kms on a single battery. document.write(year) Please check your email for further instructions. Conversation flowed easily in the darkness. I found the climb reasonable until the MEG. For more info please see our website. What Hotels used to be like. I reached Harrietville at about 5AM and started climbing. Beast of a climb. Hotham compares? It was just as much a battle of will power as it was physical. I had an off when I hit a bump and got thrown off my line after racing up it at ToB. Ventoux from Bedoin has a section of just under 10kms at an average of almost 10% with not a flat ramp to be seen, brutal! The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. Relax with a full flavoured craft beer, either outside on the Hop Terrace looking over the riverside parkland or, Alpine Classic Bright (Victoria, Australia). 1.5km after leaving the alpine forest behind, the road flattens out briefly before it plunges toward the valley. Dysons Wangaratta. Hothams moon-like terrain. Not content to Finnish at the chalet, onwards I went towards my pre determined goal of the saddle.Up past Dingos I rode, this was where it realy started to get cold and it was where I began to feel the effects of limited oxygen from the altitude (somthing not so noticeable on Buller). The road also leaves the ridge line as it winds around a series of hairpins like the tight right-hand bend at the 17.8km mark. Delays, semi-sealed sections, gravel. I have driven those roads a lot before and I noticed it would be difficult/dangerous for a cyclist to attempt to ride it. After another steep left-hand hairpin and around 7.6km of climbing the road flattens out considerably into a false flat. Had to walk a couple of hundred meters before Renes lookout (?) Mont Ventoux soon. Operated by Public Transport Victoria, the Bright to Harrietville bus service departs from Alpine Hotel/Anderson St and arrives in Pioneer Park/Great Alpine Rd. Sights to visit along the way include: Gunadoo Berries The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. Buffalo is located roughly 350km north-east of Melbourne and 35km west of the nearest regional centre, Bright. There are many bush camping opportunities, with some particularly nice spots on the banks of the Tambo River between Ensay and Bruthen. Beechworth to Everton Station Cycling Trail. Buffalo plateau take a left-hand turn and climb the last couple kilometres to the Mt. Thankfully the last little bit is downhill. Not counting an abortive attempt on Baw Baw!). Road up on Jan 9th 2017. Mystic Mountain Bike Park Mystic Park is located in Bright in North Eastern Victoria approx. From the end of the false-flat at the Buckland Gate the road kicks to around 7-8% as it passes a rather accurate sign: Steep Climb Engage Low Gear. Over 100kms of sealed off road trail links the popular towns of Wangaratta, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Bright, Myrtleford and Yackandandah. It will take the average rider between two and three hours to ascend. Needless to say there really is something suitable for every ability and style of bike rider. Hi Mike, We recognise the ancient and continuing presence of the First Peoples on these lands and their important role as caretakers of these Countries. 4.4km into the climb the road gets noticeably steeper as it bends around sharply to the left. Unsealed surfaces are well made and can be ridden on a road bike. The gently undulating trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. Ride or Walk the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail. At around 9% this 1.4km section is the final challenge and arguably the toughest section of the climb. Buffalo begins at the Mt. The 27-kilometre trail extends the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail to the base of the Alps. 220g Wa, See you at The Snowline for TUESDAY TRIVIA Having had the pleasure of riding both Mt Hotham (Fri Nov 15) and Mt Ventoux in France (Sept 23 & 24) I have to say that although challenging, Hotham is nowhere near the difficulty of Ventoux from either Bedoin or Malaucene. All trails lead to a climbing trail that loops back to the top. [8] Im thinking of doing this climb in July in the middle of the snow season. CYCLING IN HARRIETVILLE Whether you're after a relaxing ride on the bike path or a challenging mountain road climb, Harrietville has the best of both. Why stop there? We strive to bring you real High Country hospitality matched with a dining experience the equal of any inner city hipster joint. Its definitely a must do climb for anyone who enjoys climbing to experience the challenges they present. 8 hours there and back for me including walking across to the West Peak above Mt Beauty. 8. Like Chamitha points out, having to climb your way down this hill was for me the hardest of the tasks. What:stunning coastal scenery, surfing, beaches, seaside towns, temperate rainforest, local produce, food & wine, Where:Melbourne, Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, Length:187km OR 134km (two route options). Thought I was going to die on the final ascent. Melbourne to Harrietville/Mount Hotham/Falls Creek. The views were great and the climb was as you described it many thanks for inspiring me to take the first steps in training for this climb, I am now going on to my next challenge any ideas for the next one? Since 2014, I have ridden up twice more, 2015 and 2016, loved it each time and my times are getting faster too despite me getting older. Taking the rail trail cuts out a couple of climbs and avoids traffic-this last section to Bairnsdale is the busiest of the whole ride. 2. Give it a shot! Complete and utter pain. Cycle the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail in Bright, Victoria RAIL TRAIL & BIKE PATHS A RIDE ON THE MURRAY TO MOUNTAINS You're a convert. Want to see how your time up Mt. Buffalo can be attempted from Bright for a 70km return trip or, for a more serious days climbing, nearby climbs like the Tawonga Gap can be added. Thanks for subscribing! Science of climbing: Why power-to-weight ratios matter, Riding the 7 Peaks in one go: part one | CyclingTips, The Audax Alpine Classic | Beyond the Call, An Alpine Cycling Adventure | Beyond the Call, A slow and snowy ascent, without embro, on a set of fast Roval wheels | not-so-zen and the art of pink bicycles, Mt Buffalo for 7 Peaks 2011/2012 Ride Life [Get a Mountain Bike]. Ok, I get that the seal is probably the best outcome for mitigating black ice etc., and that it may take some time to bed-in, but I have to question whether VicRoads did any consultation with local cycling groups or stakeholders given the importance of Hotham as a cycling destination. , Can be very cold and windy depending on when you do the climb. Hotham climb. A good question, but Ive never had any problems up there. Bright to Harrietville Return (Flat) via bike path Cycling Route Save Share Details 59.0 km 262 m A very scenic and generally flat ride via a bitumen sealed bike path with many new sections. Read More. The ski bridge was a welcome sight as I turned the corner. Scenery was great, but a cafe at the top would have been a real bonus. I rode Buffalo on Wednesday after riding Dinner Plain on Tuesday, and the views on both rides were amazing. The Mt. Last year I climbed all 7 peaks and so far this year I have climbed the 7 peaks twice with the exception of Dinner Plain and Mount Baw Baw. For all bus and taxi bookings or information on chains, resort entry, and security car parking off mountain -. 73 Followers. Thanks for your web site Matt. The decent is fun, not to quick, but you still Need to check your speed coming into the corners also keeping a keen eye out for rough patches of Rd & wild life. For those that know this absolute legend of a bloke - Mr Zac Rockstar James, he has been a great addition to the Snowline Team for the past few months. ), I had a great time. Myrtleford to Porepunkah 24km. The road narrows to a single lane controlled by traffic lights! Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of writing, Adventure Cycling Victoria cannot guarantee that the information herein is 100%correct. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AERIAL VIEW OVENS VALLEY BETWEEN HARRIETVILLE & BRIGHT VIC. After 18.4km of climbing your efforts will be rewarded with a downhill section 700m in length. I dont really have a problem with this but it seems to consistently catch people out. This afternoon Paul and I hired eBikes and took the 16 km Great Valley Trail that completes a 27 kilometre link between Harrietville and Bright, and extendin. There is a good selection of motels, holiday / camping parks, private holiday homes and bed n breakfasts to choose from. Theres hardly any car traffic up there and what little cars there are give you plenty of room. ACV thanks its current patrons: Antonio Lima, Saul Culican, Adrian Muller, Tanya Bosch, Jeremy, Kim Delbridge, Phil Yardy, Leigh Esposito, Margery Smith, Stephanie Quinceton, Ivor Guest and Robert Potocnik. What:attractive pastoral areas, fresh produce, wineries, Yarra River, tall mountain ash forest, rainforest, challenging climbs, fast descents, historical mining settlement, Victoria's tallest tree! Its a 1400 m climb, so quite hard. They have a variety of mens & ladys hybrid e-bikes of various sizes ideal for rail-trails. Free shipping for many products! the start of The Meg, which is a steep RHer and if you enter too fast, you cant do much about it. Being a fairly cool day, the game I ended up playing as I went was a balance of adding just enough effort to keep warm vs recovering. After a further 300m the road bends around into a sweeping left-hand hairpin before straighening slightly. It is popular with families with kids of all ages, people looking for a romantic escape, sporting enthusiasts and pretty much anyone really. Is hotham an incrediably fats descent. Located just past Mount Hotham, the MTB park is open in summer and has a range of professionally built beginner, intermediate and advanced flow and cross-country trails that are easily accessed from the village centre. As for it being open: it is probably the most exposed climb Ive done (behind maybe Mt. Lake Mountain is next but not until my muscles recover from walking up Mt Bogong yesterday now that makes cycling feel easy. To book a stay at Bright OnBike, please visit our Bookings page.All other enquiries to Bright OnBike can be made below. Please check your entries and try again. The joy of riding uphill & a guide to Victoria's best climbs. Anyone know? Read More. There are a few pinches before the sight of the CRB opened my eyes thinking wow. This steeper grade is maintaned for ar0und 400m before things flatten out to a comparatively pleasant 6%. The trail follows the Ovens River and explores the beautiful valley between Bright and Harrietville. See more information about bike riding in Bright here. Do with that what you will. Harrietville is a peaceful mountain village which offers hiking, cycling, swimming, short and easy walking trails, family fun and an abundance of local produce and delicious food. Another enjoyable rail trail nearby is the High Country Rail Trail.. Whether it be Mountain Bikes, Recreational Bikes or Road Bikes Cyclepath have you covered. Read More. Did it yesterdayit was glorious with birdies and mist and stuff. TikTok video from Vanlife Shots (@vanlife.shots): "Cycling Bright to Harrietville #cycle #travelaustralia #explore #dailyvlog #vanlifetravel #bikelife #travelvlog". Road cycling enthusiasts love the challenge of the nearby hill climbs like Mt Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buffalo. Hi Matt FYI your JPG and google maps linked arent loading. The property is modern and the beds very comfortable. The unit is very clean, has everything you need for a short stay and a great location to discover Bright and surroundings. Bright is a small rural town located in North Eastern Victoria approximately 320 kms (3.5 hours drive) from Melbourne. Super glad Ive done it, though. Bright to Harrietville Cycle Trail - YouTube 0:00 / 2:20 Bright to Harrietville Cycle Trail 17 views May 29, 2022 1 Dislike Michael Ylias 4 subscribers Cycling the Bright to. 900m into the climb the gradient increases slightly for several hundred metres before flattening out somewhat. Something went wrong. The roadworks up the Harrietville side of Hotham are ongoing though March 2018 and are easily negotiated, however the sections they have resealed are IMO an utter mess for cyclists. Gradients and cycling: How much harder are steeper climbs? Climbing from Harrietville to the Mt. Remaining almost flat for the best part of 2km the road snakes its way through lush eucalyptus forest and a thick covering of native ferns. If you are driving to the high country from Melbourne you can expect a four hour drive with the best option being to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta and then the Great Alpine Road (B500) toward Bright. As I ascended my legs quickly remembered the previous 3 days of solid mountain biking I had undergone competing in the bright national champs. Something went wrong. Share on Twitter The road is lovely, the views are spectacular, and the descent back down to Lake Catani is superb. Quality bike hire for all ages and stages. 1.3km later the gradient increases marginally but not enough to cause significant discomfort. Wind your way through eucalypts, along the river and through the spectacular valley to arrive in Harrietville where you can find refreshments. Phone Hoys on 1800 467 669 or 03 5759 2589 OR email - info@hoysskis.com.au. Hotham climb starts at the School Bridge in the alpine village of Harrietville. The Bright Rotary Gala Day Market is a part of the Bright Autumn Festival Gala Day activities. The best time to go is in the warmer months but outside of school holidays, as the traffic is light during these times. After 19.1km turn left to go to the Mt. After 6.2km youll face another steep and very tight left-hand hairpin after which the road continues to follow the ridge line with breathtaking views possible to the right of the road. We acknowledge the Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the Alpine Shire, which encompasses the land, water and sky of Bright & Surrounds. At the 14.8km mark, after several kilometres of fairly gradual climbing, the snow gums that were previously visible are now on both sides of the road. Murray to Mountains Rail Trail map (free), Alpine National Park map-includes locations of some camping spots (free, click on the park notes link at the bottom of the page), Where:Yarra Valley, Yarra Ranges, east of Melbourne, Surface:about 50/50 sealed/unsealed. The Meg, CRB Hill and Diamantina Hill were nasty, but the rest of the climb was quite manageable. PS. From Bright there are dozens of great day-trips to places like Beechworth, Harrietville, Mt Hotham, Falls Creek & Dinner Plain just to mention a few. The ascent of Mt. The Climbing Cyclist website has a detailed breakdown of the climb. Required fields are marked *. Love your site! the final corner, another RHer into Harrietville. Bike Riding in Bright Bright is without question, one of Australia's best biking destinations with incredible mountain bike trails, epic road cycling rides, an amazing rail trail & local bike paths. The ride gets easier after 10kms up until the 20kms mark where the gradient increases and remains at a nagging, challenging level. I rode Hotham again last week & it is without doubt a commendable challenge in whatever time. Keep pretty fit though normally but theres nothing like climbing a mountain to sort things out. This was my first Alpine Climb, I loved it! The climb ends at the Mt. Mt Hotham is around a 30 km long climb where you'll gain 1,279m. Having said that, Hotham is amazing and the true climbing highlight (along with the Mt Beauty side of falls) of Australian cycling, iconic, scenic and massive, a cycling must-do for anyone who loves riding their bike. As of 21/2/2018, almost the entire false flat section has been resurfaced with what I can only assume is the finished seal given the bright new alpine orange line markings. Bright is a popular tourist town and gets very busy and booked out during peak holiday periods. (Lake Mountain and Buller. The Alpine Classic is including the extra kilometres to Dingo Dell. Can be done comfortably on a road bike, though some may prefer a gravel bike. The trail is a 26km sealed, family friendly trail that connects Bright to Harrietville. My legs screamed in a world of pain having to be reactivated for a couple of steep sections on the way down. Harrietville Cycling (Victorian Alps) Last weekend i was lucky enough to be invited to go on a cycling trip to the Victorian Alps staying in the small village of Harrietville down the road from the larger town of Bright. Walk, cycle, ski or snowboard on a holiday in and around Harrietville, the gateway village to the stunning Alpine National Park. These were the last two fine days before the weather changed to winter. We acknowledge the Dhudhuroa, Taungurung, Waywurru, Gunaikurnai and Jaithmathang as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of the Alpine Shire, which encompasses the land, water and sky of Bright & Surrounds. The Mt. Bright is without question, one of Australias best biking destinations with incredible mountain bike trails, epic road cycling rides, an amazing rail trail & local bike paths. After some time I found a rhythm, the false flat was a welcome change hitting speeds in excess of 30km h. A key feature is the longest unbroken gravity trail (10 kms) with a whopping 535. Hotham is among Victorias most iconic cycling climbs. Just completed this ride and can confirm it is by far the most difficult ride I have ever done. Buffalo Chalet, marked by the entrance to the Gorge Day Car Park. What was it like for you? All the very best with Lake Mountain! Vanlife Shots (@vanlife.shots) on TikTok | 268 Likes. Harrietville marks the start of the Mount Hotham 7 Peaks ascent the most spectacular of all mountain road rides. Completed Hotham over Easter for the first time. We will generally respond to your enquiry within 12 hours. Both these ascents of Mount Hotham were from Harrietville without a warm up. It certainly draws the crowds. The full length of the Great Valley Trail from Bright to Harrietville is now open and has been getting plenty of use over the holidays! One last super fantastic burrito at the Rail Trail Cafe in porepunkah and onwards over the pass towards falls Creek I went. Harrietville/Bright to Falls Creek. The centre pull breaks on the Peugeot are not the best for decending compared to the modern canterliver setup, but I have managed to descend each time without mishap. Arrived in Harrietville hands aching from modulating the brakes all of the way down and shaking from the wind chill but warmed up again returning back to Bright. Hope that helps! Can recommend it. I quickly found a bunch that was doing a nice easy speed. Hotham Alpine Resort. If you are on here researchin and toying with the idea climbing Mt hotham, do it!!! Cyclists coming from Melbourne are best advised to take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta before turning east onto the Great Alpine Road (B500). At 72 I feel proud to have climbed to the top of CRB hill yesterday. The joy of riding uphill & a guide to Victoria's best climbs. The first 10k is complete climbing with very little rest. They dont seem to charge entry for cyclists (http://www.mthotham.com.au/travel/entry/) and its an open road so I think it should be fine. Proudly powered by WordPress. Note to anyone taking it on for the first time use a compact a 53/39 like Im running is just brutal. Grinding away at around 50 55 cadence. Had fabulous weather all weekend, sunny & clear, not much wind. Omeo to Bairnsdale (122km)-You'll get some long downhill runs through open farm country before the road joins the Tambo River after Ensay (km233). Read More. Buffalo ends at the now-closed Mt. The trail is flat and fully sealed, suitable for both road bikes and mountain bikes. Note that there is a fairly long stretch between Swifts Creek (km215) and Bruthen (km284) where no supplies are available. The information published is meant as a guide only, and should be combined with your own due diligence and planning. Breakout Edu Trapped In The Upside Down Answer. The Climbing Cyclist website has a detailed breakdown of the climb. From the Chalet its only a short flat section to Lake Catani before it keeps climbing all the way to the Cathedral, then its only another 1km+ until the end of the sealed road at the Horn. After descending sharply for 600m you will come face-to-face with one of the most iconic sections of the Mt. While shorter ride options are available, climbing Mt. President Franklin D. Apr 5, 2017 - This 30-minute intense team building escape room is specifically designed to thoroughly engage students in an activity that will build strong team bonds while breaking down other identity barriers. But your website encouraged me at 63 at long last to get a road bike this spring. Another great ride report and of one of my favourite climbs did this one twice in the week before the ACE. Unfortunately I had a different experience to Jules. Harrietville to Omeo (86km)-The road up Mt Hotham is one of Australia's hardest and most iconic climbs, so be prepared for pain. Would i be absolutely terrified of the open spaces? Matt, superb site. You dont need to do the ACE250 to climb Hotham before sunrise. Pick a perfect weather day, get up early and do it. While in Harrietville, riders can also complete the Omeo to Dinner Plain leg of 7 Peaks, which crosses to the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range. The ride can be divided roughly into three sections: Wangaratta to Harrietville (102km)-this mainly flat ride takes you through the Ovens Valley, past the towns of Myrtleford, Bright and Harrietville.