Alpine Assault

he Alpine Assault course can be best described in three parts. The first begins in the classically European ski village of Falls Creek and culminates 67Km later at the nationally famous Big Hill MTB Park in Mount Beauty. The second is a 20Km loop out of Mount Beauty and the third is another loop of 13Km out of Mount Beauty. Maps of the three sections and a course profile are included as PDF files below.

From the crack of the start gun riders will roll out of the Windy Corner car park and climb through the village getting the heart rate up nice and early in the ride. At the top of the village a gentle aqueduct track will link riders to the first climb of the day out towards Mount McKay on n evenly graded fire road maxing out at 1781mts ASL and 7.7Kms. There are great views of Rocky Valley Lake along the way. After the initial climb you are quickly rewarded with a 10Km descent to Howmans Gap and 550mts of elevation loss. With some rough and rocky sections, some smooth and fast sections and again more stunning views of the Kiewa Valley to the North you will already have a Cheshire cat grin on your face.

Scientists will tell you that what goes up must come down. At the Alpine Assault however, the opposite applies and what goes down must go up. So it’s back into climbing mode on the bitumen to Falls Creek. Passing by the base of the village riders then head out onto the Bogong High Plains via the Rocky Valley Dam wall and contouring around the spectacular Rocky Valley Lake. A left turn takes riders out of the Falls Creek resort boundary and into the stunning natural environment of the Alpine National Park. You are now heading towards Mount Nelse along a rarely used fire trail. In winter it’s a X/C Ski trail known as the “Paralyzer” but don’t let the name frighten you. Skirting just below the summit of Mount Nelse on your right you have reached the highest point on the ride at 1871 mts ASL and 33km covered. Once again the Alpine Vistas here are jaw dropping and you really should take a moment to enjoy the views before descending down Timms Spur into the Big River Valley, which separates Mount Bogong from the High Plains. Yet again another ripping descent which is rough and rocky. No time to get complacent here. Bottoming out at the Big River crossing you will get wet feet as you tackle the first river crossing. Cool down at the crossing because there is a short and punchy climb out of the valley floor before descending again and then some contouring trail for about 3.5Kms. Another sharp descent to the East Kiewa River crossing and a steep climb out will bring riders onto the Bogong High Plains Rd for a short trip along the black stuff to the first section of single track of the day. A 4+ KM section of sweat flowing singletrack will spit you out at Mount Beauty and the finish of the 67Km ride.

For the 100km riders business is not over yet but the good news is there is food and drink at the feed station so get those carbs into you for the next big climb ahead. A steady tempo climb out of Mount Beauty will take you to a clearing known to locals as Bench 5. This is the starting point of the famous Big Hill Down Hill course but don’t panic, you will be side stepping the insanely gnarly and technical sections via a fire road. Even without the technical sections it’s still a very fast, steep and rough descent until you hook into some cool x/c single track about halfway back down to the Mount Beauty staging area. There is still more to go as this is just the 87Km point but once again the feed station will still be open for business. Just one last climb to get over and your screaming legs can look forward to another of the famous Mount Beauty singletrack descents back to the finish line to wrap up proceedings for the day.

Congratulations, you have just completed what could arguably be the toughest MTB Marathon course in Australia and ridden you Mountain Bike through some amazing Alpine scenery along the way. Give yourself a pat on the back and go tell your mates who didn’t come how hardcore you are.

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