Day 2 - Friday 6th November - Anglers Rest to Thredbo

On the road by 8.30am on a beautiful morning in the Snowy Mountains, temperatures were cool due to the altitude but it was a blue sky day with the sun slowly coming up over the mountains, just right for another spirited ride through the mountains to Thredbo.

First leg out along the Omeo Highway towards Tallangatta to the recently sealed Bogong High Plains Road, the first section is a continuation of the tight and twisty road between Omeo and Anglers Rest, a great way to get into to the grove. Then a sharp left turn and a step climb up the Bogong High Plains Road through to Mount Beauty via Falls Creek. Pity the Omeo Highway is not sealed all the way through to Tallangatta, may happen in the near future.

The Bogong High Plains Road is a good road which will only get better the more use it gets. At present there is quite a bit of loose stone chips especially on the corners but nothing to deter a reasonable pace. The road can only get better. Remember there are no road markings or signs so you have to keep alert through twisty section as you climb up out of the tree line. On the top of the mountain the views are fantastic with the road winding along the banks of bright blue lakes.

A quick stop to take in the views and a smoke for Bugger then down the well worn road from Falls Creek to Mount Beauty for a well earned late breakfast or brunch. The run down the mountain is yet another fantastic road, tight and twisty all the way down.

Quick breakfast then a blast up the Kiewa Valley long the Redbank Road, runs parallel to the main highway but is much more interesting and less likely to be patrolled by the boys in blue. Just watch it in the wet as the many cattle crossings are hard to see and tend to be like ice. This is a fast section of road with good visibility and long sweepers. Stop at Tallangatta for fuel and Bugger’s obligatory cigarette, whilst re-fuelling advised the police were patrolling the Murray Valley Highway between Tallangatta and Corryong.

The run up to Corryong was at the first sedate pace of the ride, don’t want demerit points or fines to spoil the weekend. Another petrol stop at Corryong for Bugger with a quick cigarette to make sure he had enough fuel to get up to Thredbo and on to Jindabyne the following day. Once over the state border to pace lifted again before a stop at Kancoban to re-muster before the ride up the mountain to Thredbo.

Again this section tends to be policed on the Friday and Sunday of the Snowy Ride so we stayed within 10klm/hr of the posted speed limit. Even at these speeds it is an enjoyable ride up the mountain, twisty all the way, opening out to long sweepers above the tree line. You do realize how hot it was in the valley until you get up into the mountains, only a few degree drop but a welcome relief.

In to Thredbo village and to the River Inn hotel, a bike friendly hotel, very comfortable catering for all of our needs. 

Quick shower, change and down to the bar to finish of another fantastic day. The beer flowed freely although on the pricey side. Then dinner at the hotel, basic pub style menu to good prices, a few bottles of wine to accompany the food then back on to the beer for the remainder of the night. Well that was the plan until somebody bought a round of Schnapps, then it was full on gain until we had all bought a round. Finished up with a trip down to the bottle shop for slab and kicking on in one of the rooms until the early hours. Unfortunately for Ken and Dicko who had turned in earlier in the evening the party ended up in their rooms.  

Day 2 - Friday 6th November - Anglers Rest to Thredbo