** denotes seasonal track closures, unless otherwise specified, these are from June 1 to October 1.
The Tracks
Road Eleven
(Bicentennial National Trail)
Weasel Creek
Track
Lowes Road
Rays Track
Xanthorrea
Track
Monda Track
Scout Track-
Old Chum Creek Road
Sylvia Creek
Rd
My Summary
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1)�Road Eleven (Bicentennial National Trail)- Yarra Ranges National Park, Toolangi, appx 70 km N/E of Melbourne. This track is a complete killer on a rigid frame. We're talking jumping some serious trees and branches and stuff, ohh yeah, I forgot to mention the size of the rocks. Not so bad if you've got at least some front suspension, but on a rigid frame.... hell, but still fun as. Not too many corners at the start, but further down, very windy and fast at the same time. One section up hill on this track, very short tho, only about 400 meters
Max speed 74.6 Km/h. Travelling at these speeds I recommend body armour (from personal experience).
Air Rating 2 Piss poor air on this track, unless you're prepared to deviate from the track slightly, or prefer to jump downed trees and stuff.
Damage Rating 6 Rocks cause the most damage on this track, because they are quite large, sticks also have been known to cause broken spokes.
**2)�Weasel Creek Track- Toolangi State Forest, appx 60 km N/E of Melbourne. This track has the hugest jumps of all time. The blokes from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have done a great job on this one- by accident of course. These jumps are actually big fat gutters, which have been well rounded on both entry and exit. Motor bikes a bit of a problem in this area. SWEAR TO GOD I LOVE THIS TRACK... 10 minutes of travel time, but well worth it...
Max speed 61.2 Km/h. Fast enough for this windy track.
Air Rating 7 Most excellent ride.
Damage Rating 3 I've had minimal damage here, but have heard stories.
3)�Lowes Road- Healesville, appx 55 km N/E of Melbourne. Gateway to all of the afore mentioned tracks. Unfortunately, the gateway is an uphill one. So I recommend travelling to Toolangi then gain entry to Lowes Road through the Institute for Horticultural Development (Spud Farm) by turning right when the Polyhouses appear on the right, then via Spud Track. Large rocks in the road are a problem at the top end of the road. Traffic hazard from the half way point onwards.
Max speed 64.4 Km/h. Only one very fast section, but requires too much effort.
Air Rating 1 Nothing except the big rocks at the beginning.
Damage Rating 0 No probs ever.
**4)�Rays Track- Toolangi, appx 60 km N/E of Melbourne. This track is an absolute bitch. Very straight all the way through, but this track is like nothing else I've ever seen. This has to be the steepest track that I'vew ever had the displeasure of riding on. On numerous occasions, I have had both wheels locked, and I'm sure we all know how difficult it is to keep control of a bike when the front wheel is locked. If it weren't for the rocks over the track this would be a most enjoyable ride, with +70 speeds. Really tough short track, and if I had a fully suspended bike you wouldn't catch me anywhere else. When I finally got to the bottom, the rims were too hot to touch... ouch! I also recommend body armour for the craziest of people.
Max speed 41.3 Km/h. If you were to go any faster, you'd be dead (on a rigid frame- that is).
Air Rating 0 Nothing when you've got the wheels locked.
Damage Rating 2 Has potential to cause MAJOR carnage.
**5)�Xanthorrea Track- Toolangi, appx 60 km N/E of Melbourne. This track isn't too bad, it seems as if the blokes at Department of Conservation and Natural Resources enjoy riding bikes too. I haven't travelled the entirity of this track, but is seems as if the track is in good condition and is very fast in sections. One bitchin 180 corner right at the end, remember this when you take the track, because I ended up ass over tit there, cause I was doing about 50 when I realised this was a corner that you have to slow down for.
Max speed 64.4 Km/h. NO COMMENT- I'm not too sure yet.
Air Rating 3 Not bad for what I saw.
Damage Rating 0 NO COMMENT- I'm not too sure yet.
6)�Monda Track- Yarra Ranges National Park, Toolangi, appx 70 km N/E of Melbourne. Big ride up the hill unless you're lucky enough to have a girlfriend or someone to drive you and your mates to the top of the hill. However, the ride back down is spectacular, and far outweighs the cost of the journey up the hill. For the game ones, you can even tackle Mt. St Leonard. You can't take cars up there, but I have connections, and have been given rides to the top (thanks Glen). Watch out for logging traffic (log trucks, heavy machinery) when you're speeding down the hill, but otherwise the road is well maintained because of this reason.
Max speed 70 (ish) Km/h. I'm not really sure, because my speedo cables snapped on the way up the hill & I haven't been up lately. But... I'd have to say at least this speed. And for the second time, they snapped again! I want a refund.
Air Rating 3 Good air on the rocks stuck in the track- don't attempt to tackle the loose ones.
Damage Rating 2 Not too bad in the damage stakes.
7)�Scout Track- Old Chum Creek Road- Chum Creek, appx 60 km N/E of Melbourne. Easy ride this one. Just up the bitumen road, then down the track at the Red Dirt Corner. Lots of mud in winter, but hey, that's half the fun. Huge puddles down the bottom
Max speed 55 Km/h. Not a really steep ride, therefore, not too fast.
Air Rating 3 Not bad air on the gutters & jumping puddles.
Damage Rating 0 No trouble here.
7)�Slivia Creek Road- Toolangi State Forest, appx 67 km N/E of Melbourne. Great ride up to Murrundindi. This is a tough and punishing one, simply because of the fact that it is up hill for most of the way� I recommend that people travelling this road arrange to have people meet them at the Murrundindi Reserve to fill up on water, and have a bite to eat.� Logging traffic is a problem, but if riders ensure they are visible to the log truck drivers, they will acknowledge you with a wave. Just remember to keep out of their way.� Some really pretty places to visit up there.� Is also a stage in the Rally of Melbourne. My Rally of Melbourne.
Max speed 62.4 Km/h. Not really that quick, but quite windy and fast in sections.
Air Rating 0 No air worthwhile mentioning.
Damage Rating 0 I have had no trouble, but make sure people know your movements in case something happens to you on your trip.
Brakes are overrated- This is a big statement I know. But for speed, you really don't want to be using them, as if this wasn't obvious.
I accept no responsibility for injury- This I'm sure speaks for itself.
Watch out for motorbikers- I know some very crazy people on motorbikes who use these tracks, and trust me when I tell you that they have right of way.
If you disagree with me- Tough... I'm telling it from my point of view. I will be persuaded that you are correct only if I can take your bike for a spin down the track in question.
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Last updated: 12/8/99