Log One Hundred and Fifteen – The Adventures Continue

19 March 2025

Having completed the ‘big’ ride today was a rest day. Our day of rest was in fact a 13 km walk to the top of Mount Kosciusko, Australia’s highest peak. Fortunately the ski lift was open and we enjoyed a chair lift ride to the top of the ridge line above the village of Thredbo.

The high country is renowned for changeable weather including freezing temperatures, wind and rain. On this day however the weather could only be described as perfect. Clear blue skies, a slight breeze and comfortable temperatures made for a very pleasant rest day.

We enjoyed lunch on the peak and were back down the chair lift and into the village by early afternoon.

Thredbo has become a mecca for downhill mountain bike riders which meant the village offered amenities like a bike cleaning stand. We were very happy to wash down our bikes, lubricate the running gear and be primed, ready for the next day’s ride.

The next day we were on the Thredbo Valley Trail by 8:00am, ready for the challenge of the 40km ride to Jindabyne. This trail is purpose built for mountain bikes and as such was wide enough for one bike and in places for a second rider heading in the opposite direction. There were lots of large granite boulders close enough for a rider to question whether their pedals would scrape through the gap. My pedals are now complete with many gashes and scrapes.

Many of the downhill bends were built up for fast descents and the creek crossings were covered by steel bridges. In many instances it was with profound joy that the bridge came with railings and in some cases steel mesh so one didn’t fall off the bridge and into the creek below.

We did manage a coffee at the Crackenback resort before crossing back over the river and continuing on our way. Not long after the coffee our guide offered the insight that at this stage there was only one way out of this ride and that was to finish it. There was no escape back to any road.

Now the body is starting to tire. The shoulders are feeling a bit stiff and the legs are sending messages to the brain suggesting some flat open country would be a good idea. The rest of the body was insisting there be no bleeding or broken bones. The eyes are focussed on the track ahead and the next twist or turn. The hands have a firm grip bordering on cramping on the brake levers. Now would be a good time to stand on the pedals to lift the centre of gravity and to use the body to absorb the shocks of the rough track. Unfortunately the legs are unwilling to be part of this strategy. Did I mention I am riding an e-bike which makes those steep climbs manageable but there is the added challenge of range anxiety and the question of whether the battery will last.

We rode on, watching for large rocks with drop offs out of sight. The trail was covered in rocks, tree roots, loose gravel and deeply rutted sections. Our group only scored one fall that fortunately did not result in a serious injury. Needless to say we had come equipped with first aid kits and even a personal locator beacon just in case.

Finally through the trees I could see the track flatten out on to flat grassy fields. This ride must be coming to an end. I was so wrong.

The ride continued past the trout hatchery and on a short section of sealed road. We crossed the highway and continued on a gravel bike path around the shoreline of Lake Jindabyne. In the distance we could see the town of Jindabyne. Our destination must be close, wrong. This trail went on for maybe another 10kms until we reached the pub and the end of our ride.

The guide book suggested this ride could take up to 9 hours, we completed the 40kms in 6. Now it was time for a well earned beer and some lunch before we were driven back to Thredbo. The battery on the e-bike had plenty of power left and could have gone on for another 40kms. I was not however prepared to ride back.

A great week with some ‘heart in the throat’ moments. We saw some amazing country. While on the bikes we enjoyed the wilderness largely to ourselves. On reflection it would be nice to be a little younger with greater flexibility, with no sense of personal risk and maybe a dual suspension mountain bike.