On Sunday 16th October, 90 adventurous trail riders boarded the buses in Tallangatta that would deliver them to Corryong to begin their ride in the 10th annual Tall Trestle Treadle.

The ride is comprised of four sections. Corryong to Colac Colac was an easy ride on the sealed trail to the caravan park. On arrival bikes were loaded onto one of four large bike trailers, whilst the riders enjoyed a light morning tea of scones jam and cream, fruit, tea and coffee.

Shelley station to Darbyshire on the High Country Rail Trail was a rougher ride on graded and ungraded sections as the trail traversed native forest and pine plantation. 

Lunch, a BBQ at the Koetong Hotel, provided time to discuss the adventures of the ride just competed.

After lunch, riders continued their ride from Koetong station on the trail to the bottom of the Darbyshire hill. Bikes were again loaded onto the trailers and transported to the Old Tallangatta wayside stop.

The final easy ride on the sealed section of the trail was made more challenging as the wind picked up, and riders were glad to sit and enjoy the afternoon tea provided at the Tallangatta Goods Shed.

This event has now enjoyed 10 years of success and continues to grow. This year’s riders included a few Tallangatta riders, many riders from the greater Albury/Wodonga area, and an increasing number, from Melbourne, Swan Hill, Bendigo and Sydney.

As sections of the trail have been cleared and bridges constructed, the route of the ride has changed. Shelley to Darbyshire is almost complete and as the trail moves beyond Old Tallangatta, the ride will in the future be completed on the High Country Rail Trail without the need to transport riders between sections.

The success of the event is dependent on the time and effort of the volunteers of the Tallangatta and Bonegilla Rail Trail groups along with the support of local volunteers, local bus companies; Cavanagh and Phil Gigliotti, Koetong Hotel, Colac Colac Caravan Park and staff at Parklands Albury Wodonga. This generous support of is appreciated by the rail trail groups. The support of such a large group means that the workload can be shared.

If you are interested in joining the volunteers, our monthly meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Tallangatta Goods Shed. Contact info@parklands-alburywodonga.org.au

Next event – Whistle Stop High Tea, Saturday 13th May, 2017