Buller XC trail launch - woohoo!

[BLKFOZ]

I posted this in the Mt Buller DH thread originally but think it is probably more suited to the general forum.
Hopefully the Mt Buller people see this;

Nice to hear you're planning ahead. Yes there certainly will be deals on over our summer. More information will come to hand around late August/September as we plan season 2012/13.
In the meantime check out http://www.mtbuller.com.au/Summer/Bike-Buller for some details of what was on offer over the past summer.

Let us know any other info you need.

Time to revive this thread.........
I've searched here and elsewhere but could do with a bit more info from those in the know....

I'm looking at spending 5-7 nights down at Mt Buller early Jan 2013 with my wife.
I've looked through the Bike Buller page on the Mt Buller site but can't find any info regarding accommodation and bikes. I want to be sure the bikes are secure overnight and when not in use - ideally in our room. Looking for maybe a 1 bed appartment/studio/condo - definately something with a kitchen (basic is fine). Don't need anything too fancy but happy to pay a little extra for a bit better than a backpacker/cheap hotel style room.

Any news on these summer deals?

Has anyone stayed down there and can recommend any accommodation in particular for a young couple?

On the biking front; What are some of the must do's? Copperhead, Stonefly are given but what else should I set in stone?
I'm happy to ride to the top to smash it down on the XC based trails and want to wreck myself over the trip (last biking trip I did 200km over 4 half days). My plan would be to get up early before the wife gets up and ride straight from our accommodation on to the trails for some hard out stuff. Then ride some easier stuff later with my wife.
Also would possibly consider a 1-day lift pass for both of us if the XC based descents are serviced by the lift - my wife would much prefer to get a lift up and cruise down.

On the other stuff front; what else is there to do around the area? things like markets, antique shops, usual shops, bush walks and the like would suit my wife while I'm riding. What are the dining options like over summer? Is there much happening in the off season?

Any info would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

 

[Benizmo]

Self contained accom is pretty expensive in general up on the mountain, although it is becoming more popular with riders through the summer so I would expect prices should actually come down. The problem is not much is advertised.

As for riding, you will fit in all the xc trails. The stonefly loop is a decent ride, particularly of you take all the single there and back including gang gangs, corn hill, medusa climb etc. And includes quite a bit of climbing all up.

It's also worth doing the river spur descent. Which finishes in mirambah at the bottom of the mountain. This one is beginner friendly, as it's mostly fireroads, there is a shuttle which runs up the mountain from the store which you will need unless you want to spend over and hour riding back up on the road! Then there is klingsporn which ends in mirimbah as well, but is mostly single track off camber quite technical trails, this one is not beginner friendly.

Copperhead and the DH trails are accessible by the chairlift. Abom is rideable on an xc bike if you take the b lines at the drops, international is not really worth trying on an xc bike. A lift ticket is worth it for a day riding copperhead, you can ride up the road which is easier than slugging up the steep fireroads back to the top, but it's 3k of pretty steep climbing!

There is not too much on the mountain, a walk up to the summit is worth the trip at sunset.

 

[BullerSkiLifts]

Accommodation

We have many different options for accommodation at Mt Buller. The Mt Buller Chalet Hotel offers some fantastic options with secure bike lock up and we are currently developing a bike cleaning area as well. For all the information you need on rates and reservations head to

http://www.mtbullerchalet.com.au/Chalet/

There are some more affordable options that have great services too. Andy's Fat Tyre Bike Lodge is a new service that is becoming very popular in the lead up to Summer. You can check out his facebook page where all the contact information is available.

https://www.facebook.com/AndysFatTyreBikeLodgeMtBuller?ref=ts&fref=ts

Andy is also our resort photographer and works with the Mountain Bike Patrol to keep everyone safe. When it comes to knowing the trails, the area and the best options he is a fantastic resource.

The trails will be open for public use from December 1st with the Northside Express Chairlift operating between December 26 and January 27.
Ticket prices are available here: http://www.mtbuller.com.au/Summer/Bike-Buller/Lift-Ticket-Prices

 

[rhyno]

Last summer I went up with my wife during the week and also on a weekend (the bike buller w/end). During the week we were a bit disappointed by the lack of anything other than trails; the supermarket is only open a few hours per day(and had very little fresh produce), there is one maybe two food outlets open and that's about it. Definitely plan ahead food wise (you will need a kitchen). That said, Cattlemans (which was open) made some awesome food and the price wasn't totally gouging.
On the weekend there was heaps open, but you would expect that on a major event weekend.
I think there are more places open on the 'normal' weekends, than during the week.

As for things to do, there are plenty of nature things to do, but as far as shops, antiques, etc, go, you would need to drive down to Mansfield for that.

It really is a shame that there isn't much going on but it's completely understandable given that the trade would be so low during the week. Chicken and egg thing really: do the shops open up and make a loss for a while until people hear that Buller is good week-round, or do the people go there and starve for a while before the retailers realise there is a market?

Personally I will go back a few times this year to keep the numbers up as I want Buller to succeed and become a season round mecca for MTB, and I'm not afraid of doing a little preparation food wise.

Here's something I posted after getting back last season: http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/sho...hem)-weekend&p=2490776&viewfull=1#post2490776

 

[BLKFOZ]

Thanks for the info guys.
I did read through that Rhyno - good info, was just wondering if anything had changed in the last year.
I think I'll need to look further into accommodation, not paying $300+ per night. Will contact the fat tyre dudes and see what they offer.

 

[Dazzo]

Thanks for the info guys.
I did read through that Rhyno - good info, was just wondering if anything had changed in the last year.
I think I'll need to look further into accommodation, not paying $300+ per night. Will contact the fat tyre dudes and see what they offer.

Easy solution - Stay in Mansfield. Its only a 30 minute drive to buller, there are plenty of shops open including half a dozen cafes and restaurants and there is a nice little trail network just outside of town (its an official trail, so the folk in the bike store will point it out for you). Accom costs are very reasonable. Myself and 3 mates stayed in a small 2 bdr cottage for about $30/night each.

 

[mirimbah]

other options are to stay off mountain rent a house down in sawmill alpine ridge have a look at stayz.com for a house for the weekend. ring the guys up at mtbuller also at the resort management board 57776077 they should be able to point you in the direction of lodges that were opening up for the summer.
Shuttles will be running this weekend but be aware that the trails are not 100% ready for the summer
regards Stuart
www.mirimbah.com.au

 

[retroenduro]

the big plus about renting off-mountain is you end with a descent practically to your door (Sawmill Settlement) and a cold beer.....

On mountain you have to catch the bus back up at the end of the day.

Not saying on mtn is bad its just some people prefer to end on a descent.

 

[BLKFOZ]

Just got back from Buller amoungst other places and have a bit of info that might be helpful for some.......

- The XC tracks are quite steep, technical and definately not for beginners or even slightly better than beginners. Too advanced for my wife who rides most XC tracks such as Yellomundee, Awaba etc.
- There are huge amounts of climbing involved - 17-1800m in 40km is average. The climbing switchbacks are really tight and steep.
- There are babyhead rocks everywhere. I loved it. But, it wasn't at all what I expected.
- Flow is a word you would never hear in the same sentence as the majority of the XC trails. If you aren't fit, you will hate Buller XC. The start of Mysty Twist has some flow and the last 2 or so km of stonelfy but other than that anything going downhill is tight switchbacks that require brakes.

- Copperhead was rough, slippery and already pretty smashed up and rutted (was graded 4 weeks before I was there). I have 160mm forks and I was rattled to bits. Still loved it though (and held the KOM on strava for a couple of days). My wife hated it and only rode it once. I rode back up the tar after each run (maybe 2.5km climb?) but would recommend a lift pass if you plan on doing multiple runs. I personally think a DH bike is needed to really ride it properly but you could ride it on anything.
- Delatite river run was probably my highlight (and I normally hate fireroads). It was just a huge descent that kept going and going all the way to Mirimbah. There were probably a dozen log bridges over the river which just added to the track. Most sections were rocky and pretty loose but a bit in the middle was so flowy you could maintain near 50km/hr flying round corners.

Overall........
Well worth a visit, but I wouldn't travel too far just to ride Buller - we stopped in for 4 nights as part of a 10 night trip and rode other places as well.
We stayed in the village and it was an absolute ghost town after 6pm (and we were there over New Years!) but I'm glad we didn't have to drive up the hill everyday. Only 2 places were open for dinner and one was really expensive!!! The other was good. I only had pizza but it was great, hopefully you like Calton Draught cause its the only beer on tap.
Hope this helps some people....

 

[Bigskiddy]

Thanks for that info BLKFOZ, I now don't feel so bummed for cancelling my trip down there this week.

 

[Big JD]

Yulli is still there - Bike Related Industries and has ski lodge accom available. We stayed with Andy @ Gliss - they all work together - $45 per night.
MT BUller corporation have stopped others using the term - "Bike Buller" hence why you struggle to find accom. The Specialised bike branding is alittle painful - IMO.
The trails need maintanance and many are getting trashed. Misty needs work as does the Corn Hill DH. Copperhead was getting very rough as it is so dry up there. We did Gangs, Corn Hill, Stonefly, Misty and return trails first afternoon and it was a serious workout - I was shattered - just not fit enough and dont have my climbing legs. Delatite River Trail and shuttle back was the stand out for me - included a swim in the river and coffee at the cafe. We also did two runs of - start ABOM and cross over to Copperhead - it was fast, lots of brake ruts but lots of fun - even on XC bikes.

Food is expensive - stop and shop in Mansfield and have a BBQ each evening.

Well worth the trip - had a great time.

 

[creaky]

The wife and I stopped at Buller (stayed at Merrijig) for 3 days during our 4wd / camping trip through the high country in November / early December. Got 2 days of riding in at Buller (sort of).

Day 1 we did Copperhead (needed maintenance), misty twisty, corn hill, a couple of shorter ones and then the Delatite River trail. My wife doesn't ride nearly as much as me but she did well to struggle through Day 1.

Delatite River trail was the highlight - of course - it's 12km all downhill !!

Day 2 was another story for the wife - she really should have called it quits after Day 1. She puffed through a couple of tracks then bowed out with no legs left. I did Gang Gangs, Picnic, Silk Lane, Stonefly (wow !) then Delatite River trail again.

Stonefly was awesome but after 3 weeks of no riding and boozing every night the climb was tough.

The Buller XC trails are steeper than you get at most areas in Australia and thus more and tigher switchbacks etc. Not as steep as the European alps trails but it is just because of the terrain. I agree with the comments above that to get the most out of the Buller XC trails you need to have a decent level of base fitness and technical ability. They could be shattering for a novice ... saw one lady in tears !!

Glenn Jacobs was actually at Buller when we were there and was talking about maintenance on Copperhead, not sure if that has happened yet.

 

[Big JD]

They could be shattering for a novice ... saw one lady in tears !!

I wanted to cry too -then i engulfed a chicken parma in around 4 minutes

 

[MB]

They could be shattering for a novice ... saw one lady in tears !!

I wanted to cry too -then i engulfed a chicken parma in around 4 minutes

4 minutes? You took your time with that one mate!!

 

[Mywifesirrational]

Spent a full week there over xmas and new years, with the Mrs, left her bike at home, she has a strong dislike of anything lose or steep, which pretty much sums up a lot of Buller.

We went to the 'expensive' restaurant, got in trouble for not having a booking, I politely laughed in their faces. The food was excellent, but small proportions for cycling all day - I could have eaten three mains!

Is Buller becoming a victim of it's on success? Last three years I have spent a 5-7 day holiday up there and each year the trails are getting absolutely hammered - Copperhead was pretty good on boxing day, by new years its a mess in comparison. The XC trails in places need a complete rebuild / redesign to cope with the amount of traffic they are getting (not that I have a clue about trail design / maintenance).

If someone parked a kebab van near the clock tower they'd make a killing in the lunch/evenings - so little options, yet we counted 5 families and 11 couples one evening looking for something to eat in that area.

 

[Bjorn]

I used to do some guiding work on Buller and would make a point of hitting Food Works to buy the makings for dinner each day so I didn't starve or go broke.
I love the Buller trails for precisely the reason that they are challenging and most of them are not suitable for beginners. If you are taking a novice there on a weekend, check in at All Terrain Cycles or the tourism office and they will let you know if the shuttle service from Mirimbah is running. Do the Delatite River Trail and have [a delicious] lunch at the cafe in Mirimbah before shuttling back up. With some guidance and speed regulation from a more experienced rider [you], a novice can enjoy an easy trip down the hill.
The free maps show the trails suitable for novices.

 

[GeurieMTB]

Copperhead - beginners? Really?

Hi guys, a late replay to Bjorn, the maps showe Copperhead as suitable for beginners, and for all styles of bike. My wifes been riding nearly 10 years and couldnt handle any of it, absolutely hated it, was on an xc hardtail (as advertised as suitable)

She made it through Gang Gangs and some of the other xc rated trails happily and absolutely loved the River Trail but Copperheads got to be more than beginner level, intermediate probably and better on something with suspension AM etc

Going back next week and keen as!

 

[Bjorn]

Hi guys, a late replay to Bjorn, the maps showe Copperhead as suitable for beginners, and for all styles of bike. My wifes been riding nearly 10 years and couldnt handle any of it, absolutely hated it, was on an xc hardtail (as advertised as suitable)

She made it through Gang Gangs and some of the other xc rated trails happily and absolutely loved the River Trail but Copperheads got to be more than beginner level, intermediate probably and better on something with suspension AM etc

Going back next week and keen as!

I would call Copperhead suitable for beginners, as long as the speed is low.
I've been up in New South for nearly two years now, so I can't comment on the track surface currently, but I remember there were changes from one week to the next. It may be that the surface is degraded currently, or just doesn't gel well with your wife.
I'm not a huge fan of Copperhead when compared with the other options on the mountain, although that could relate to turning my left knee into hamburger while trying to ride too fast for my abilities.

 

[---Matt---]

Yeah, I know what you're talking about. My wife can comfortably ride ABOM and is pretty good on International (bar the wallride) but absolutely hates Copperhead. The loose surface and flat corners off the side of the fire road just don't gel with her.

I'd be more likely to take beginner riders down ABOM first before Copperhead.

 

[Mywifesirrational]

Spent 6 nights up there again this xmas, the XC side of things completely blows the DH tracks away now.

I wouldn't rate copperhead as beginner friendly, totally shit house surface to be riding on and the tracks getting worse every year, it appears maintenance is simply piling more loose gravel on to it.

It could have been an amazingly fun track, still might be one day, but in it's current state it suits not beginners (to lose + ever second right hander is blown out) or advanced riders (abom or internation, more fun).