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Trail recommendations please - for Hunter Valley
Hi All
As per my other post Im up in the Hunter area soon for work. I'm planning on riding the James Estate Winery and probably will ride the Singleton trails as they are close to where I'm staying. Thats going to be Day 1 .. I'm trying to work out Day 2.
I will be on my Dually XC but might take the AM.
I'm tossing up a few options, I'm keen for any feedback.
- If I can get a shuttle up Putty Rd I was thinking of doing Old Bulga Rd.
- Dungog Common
- Awaba
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I would choose between Awaba or Dungog. Both are good tracks. I probably would pick Dungog although others may disagree. The tracks at Dungog are rockier than Awaba but the descent are quite good. There is more of a variety of tracks at Dungog that range in dificulty from easy (4km loop) to hard (12km loop with Jacks Black and Mother of Goats or the Orange and White loops). You can't really get lost there and the tracks are fairly well sign posted. I ride my xc hardtail there so a xc dually would be fine. Awaba is still a good track though but there are only three loops and they all ride the same tracks (one shorter than the other though). Either way you won't be disappointed.
The all mountain bike would be overkill if you are going to be riding at Singleton because it is very flat and smooth. There are just about no rocks there also. The only techy features are a few log jumps which can also be rolled over. Singleton is also quite a fast track because of its flat and smooth nature.
I don't think there are any trails at Old Bulga Rd. I'm pretty sure it is just a fire trail. I haven't ever heard anything about it.
Thanks for that about Dungog, I like the rocky trails so thats great info to know.
Yeah Old Bulga would be a Fire Trail descent odyssey.
If you like rocky trails then make sure you ride 'Jacks Black' and also 'Mother of Goats' at Dungog. Also if you get up to Singleton checkout the track at Heuston Lookout. It's a smooth DH track that loops around to a road and you can ride back to the top again. It's within 1km of the trailhead of the main Singleton trails. Although it is short it can be pretty good fun.
http://www.strava.com/segments/4722544
http://www.strava.com/segments/1243669
Dungog is my favourite track. Bit of every thing rocky sections to nice flow sections. Great scenery as well. Check out the pies at Dungog bakery and the counter meals at the Royal. As for Awaba great track as well, being the home of HMBA I have raced and ridden here a lot. James estate definitely worth the drive, tracks and wine doesn't get better than that. Then for Singleton my home track, completely different to the above tracks, not a rock in site, not technical at all( perhaps dogging the odd cow or roo), no climbs. Had more crashes here than any where else, why because you just want to go fast, it is that sort of track.
Being a northern beach person fire trails might be your go. Not my first choice with so much single track around. Old Bulga road good for training, reminds be of Andos climb. If you want some good fire trail, plenty around Mt Royal NP, Chichester SF, up at the Tops. Bit far out. Worth the drive at this time of the year if you want to ride in snow.
Hunters got it all enjoy.
thanks for the info. Dungog definitely sounds like my sort of trail. Ill get more chances to ride Awaba so I think Ill definitely ride Dungog.
I don't mind an epic fire trail but Single track is definitely my thing.
If everything goes to plan I will be enjoying a schnitzel at the Royal on Saturday waiting for my hosts to come home. I swear they spend more time at the Royal than at home
That first climb / last descent is Epic. It's a good ride for a fire trail.
http://nobmob.com/node/33912
+1 for Dungog
Great tracks - its a place i would love to go back too
Old Bulga Rd will be completely dependant on my mate being happy to drop me at the top. Theres no way I'm climbing it
Dungog sounds great from the recommendations, does anyone have any videos of Jacks Black and Mother of Goats specifically (not finding any on Youtube as yet)?