MTM: Bright To Harrietville Return

Bright To Harrietville Return 55klms

What a difference a purpose built, fully sealed bike path makes, especially when it doesn't run beside the highway. We were just two kms out of Bright, when we realised we were not too ... as we had left our water bottles in the hotel room. 

Ray reckoned we could just scoop up water from the Ovens River if we became desperate, as the path ran mostly beside it. Fortunately a caravan park appeared in the forest about ten kms along, where we could buy a couple of bottles, and circumvent any snake bites or drownings.

As we were nearing the township, an elderly couple who were conveniently standing in the middle of the path, asked us where the shops were. "What shops?" I replied. I knew there was a bakery that does not open on Wednesdays, but was not expecting anything else to be there. And I was pretty much correct. A cafe and a small shop were also closed, but I was surprised to find a tavern that was actually going to open an hour later.

Harrietville was a centre for gold mining, and there were plenty of nature walks up hills to do if so inclined. We were not. We had quite a quick trip back to Bright as it was mostly down hill. It was 33 degrees today, but is now threatening to storm. 

On to Beechworth tomorrow where we might take a day off from riding. Maybe we will visit the courthouse where Ned Kelly was tried.

Pics

Another in the Promenade of Trees series

A regular companion on the road to Harrietville, The River Ovens.

A Big Tin Trout

This is what we have had to put up with

Old time technology lends itself to public displays to admire their ingenuity. In a hundred years time they will have a smart phone projected by hologram being projected in a virtual park

Not quite the same as the catholic churches we encountered in Umbria 12 months ago

No, not a gnarly tree, a knobbly tree. (Why isn't it a gnobbly tree?)

Here we have one of a series of trees with the head cut out of them to make way for power lines. There's a whole row of them, but we could not get a decent photo.

More trimmed trees

Ride Notes

• A really pleasant ride along a dedicated bike path (not a rail trail), fully sealed.
• It follows the contours of the land as it winds its way beside the the River Ovens and through the adjoining forest.
• Not particularly challenging, but you would probably be taking the mountain bike trail if you wanted adventure