Friday, January 13, 2006

Rail Trail imagination


Rail Trail imagination
Originally uploaded by Austories.
Well we did go for a couple of rides on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail - what an inspired idea. Mind you I don't think mid summer is the best time to do it but still we did enjoy it. One day we rode down the old railway line from Bright past Porepunkah and were steaming along quite well on our rented bikes when we espied a vineyard with a cafe open sign strategically placed near the bike trail. Well it wasn't long before we turned around and headed back to said 'cafe' for some refreshment. It was a bit highly priced but we did enjoy a antipasta plate and a very nice cup of coffee and the view out across the grape vines and the valley and bike trail below.

Another day we drove to Everton Station and tackled the hill to Beechworth. They've done the old station up a treat. Notice the 'storybook train engine' bike preparation shed, the water tank just where a trains water tank should be and the conveniences following along in the 'goods carriage' behind. Nice architectural design.

And if you have to ride 16kms up a long hill to Beechworth in the middle of summer then the rail trail certainly provides steady grades the whole way, a fair amount of shade, the odd wallaby and bird life and the thought that here was a train line that Ned Kelly that great romantic rebel of the Australian bush once worked on.

The ride down the hill was pretty cool as well.

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