HUNT500
Day 1 - Omeo to Benambra (100km, 1977el)
The morning was crisp in Omeo as nerves bubbled under the surface. Final checks, buckles fastened and straps tightened one final time.
We started the morning with a coffee at the local spot and chatted with a few of the guys we met the night before at the hilltop hotel - a known haunt for HUNT riders around halfway through the HUNT 1000.
We left town and began a lovely 50km of gentle road climbing through farmlands as we left the valley and climbed towards the hills. After 2hrs we reached Glen Wills where we stayed a little long at the wilderness retreat chatting with Dan Hunt (race organiser) and other riders - Gwin, Baz, Rob, Peter, and Scott the Englishman again.
Leaving Glen Wills confident we began a decent forestry climb which we slowly ground up until we reached some extremely sketchy descents with deep ruts, and very slippery dry gravel. A small crash caused my handlebars to tip forward, unbeknownst to me until the base of the descent. I knew something felt off.
Feeling pretty broken and my groin causing a lot of pain we pushed on. A lovely suspension bridge crossing the Mitta Mitta River and some gravelly hot climbing out of the riverbed. Cracked.
A gentle 20km on road to town feeling tired and lightheaded. So this is the Hunt.
Arrived at the Benambra hotel to the three girls, the older guys, and a smattering of others enjoying some drinks and food. We camped in the grass carpark while others took rooms. Rain was predicted but stayed away.
Day 2 - Benambra to Geehi hi Flats (103.2km, 2167el)
We were the last out of camp today. Sorry, Matt!
Overall a really lovely day. Some good road miles to knock the ks down. Starting with a climb out of Gee-hi Flats and headed along fairly gentle undulating trails for the majority of the day.
Small glimpses of snow-capped mountains taunted us in the distance all day with the promise of Mt Kosciuszko National Park ahead.
We followed a stunning red road that cut through the burned valleys of dead trees as we wound up the valleys until we reached a lunch stop, high amongst the logging camps. Peanut butter smashed sandwich with a protein bar and lollies. Grim.
Some gentle flats and rolling hills through the logging roads and camps before dropping down to Tom Groggin. Saw a small family of three emus in the field.
We took a lovely suspension bridge to cross the border into NSW and finally Mt Kosciuszko National Park ahead.
A gradual but decent climb up Alpine Way to make camp at Gee-hi flats. Worth it. Lovely spot with kangaroos and a lovely river just outside the tent.
Have seen many lovely birds the last few days - rosellas, cockatoos and blue-faced finches however Brumbies have still evaded us.
Gee-hi Flats to Bradley and Obrien’s Hut (76.1km 2394el)
We broke camp early but frustratingly couldn’t dry our tents and were forced to pack them damp and heavy. Lots of climbing ahead, it’s going to be a tough day.
We left camp and started a gentle climb through a lovely valley. At the top of this valley, we had a long and fast descent to the river below. What goes down must go up and an extremely long, hot and beautiful climb awaited on the other side of the valley. This section went for hours but was less than 20km.
We then dropped down the range to Major Clews, unfortunately missing the hut which is famed to be lovely.
Today’s ride saw us pass a lot of Snowy Hydro pipes coming down into Khancoban, as wide as houses, two at a time. It’s incredible to see the potential and volume of the water.
A small cafe/general store awaited us in Khancoban - Amazing. Had coffee, crackers, salsa, and beans on bread. Washed off Zinc and sunscreen everywhere. Reapplied.
We then began climbing, through fern gullies at first. This went on for hours. The roads all cut into the mountains long ago to transport workers to snowy, what an incredibly large and intensive project.
We started to see the ferns turn to tall gums, 20m++. As we reached the peaks the gums were spindly, burned and wind smashed. So many alpine flowers and lovely streams.
Final push to camp up 300m elevation as the rain started and the black clouds closed in. Luckily the rain never eventuated and we ate with the largest group yet, high amongst Kosciuszko National Park at the highest point of our adventure.
My tent was wet from this morning still which panicked me but it dried out quickly near the fire.
Stunning sunset, great chat with Dom and Sarah. They’re planning to go to the same town as everyone else tomorrow then on to “Jack and Jill” just leaving a 77km day for Sat. At least the bulk of elevation is behind us now.
Day 4 - Bradley and Obrien’s Hut to Adaminaby (73.5km, 1466el)
We woke to a very cold morning on top of Kosciuszko and a lot of activity at camp but the promise of a shorter and easier day than those before.
On the bikes the day started with a small climb up to the highest point of the ride, just above camp, before a long winding descent to a Tumut Pond Reservoir (part of Snowy Hydro) and then a long but beautiful climb up the other side - what took less than 15 minutes to descend was over an hour to climb back out of.
Passing Cabramurra (closed to the public - Snowy Hydro employees only) we rode some undulating descents to Sawyers Hut in the middle of a beautiful valley. A slow lunch at the hut with a toilet and water was very civilized.
Following lunch, we did some busy highway riding with many Snowy Hydro 2.0 trucks. Luckily only 1.5 hours to Adaminaby. Cows gave way to sheep and trucks gave way to tradies in high-vis and pints at the local pub. We ate dinner at the pub as a rainstorm came in. Everyone hid in their tents and called it an early night.
Day 5 - Adaminaby to Tharwa
Woke up in the morning to see that Adrian had rolled in late last night, 10 pm he said. Still smiling and lovely. His fat bike must be slow but it didn’t seem to dampen his spirits, what a lovely guy.
Rolling farmlands climbed the valley out of Adaminaby before gravel quickly took hold.
Lots of sandy muddy marshlands and woodland trails, really differing but meant slow progress. Tired legs, slow sand, and heat.
Frank and Jill hut for lunch beautiful. Somewhat creepy and desolate but others showed up including Drew which was awesome to see - his knee was still intact!
We pushed on after some lunch and it was long before we hit the road where a trail angel had left us a can of coke which we shared. Some small road climbs and long descents and we were in farmlands full of sheep and cows including highland cows. So many flocks of Cockatoos, Galahs, Corellas, and King Parrot’s. Still no Brumbies but we did see Alpacas.
The campsite was nice with big showers and toilets as well as a smalll kitchenette in a shipping container. Another early night - so tired.
Day 6 - Canberra
An easy road roll into the outskirts of Canberra. Lots of lovely birds this morning - Rosellas, Correllas and Galahs as well as big flocks of Cockatoos.
The route then guided us through Canberra’s suburbs on predominantly single-track and horse trails. A warm morning meant a push for the city before it got too hot.
As we came closer to the city we could see Parliament House and popped out at the famous Lake Burnley Griffin track for a quick victory lap of the capital before finishing at Capital Brewing in Fishwyck.
