Riding a long trail while stopping to take in the scenery, enjoy the sights and sample the food and wine for many is the perfect holiday.
Now, a local project is looking to add the Goulburn Valley to the itinerary of cyclists, with the arrival of the Yellowbelly Track.
Created by Nick Hansen, the 200km route, with road and river trail options for cycling, walking and running, follows the Goulburn River from Echuca to Tallarook.
With a V/Line station at either end, the track is planned for easy access and to create an adventure for those who love the great outdoors.
“It's something I have been working for a while,” Mr Hansen said.
“I've been lucky to have been on a number of tracks like this and see how enjoyable taking part in it is. I had the time during the lockdowns from COVID-19 to really sit down and get this right and I think we've got something very special on our hands now.
“We have such a beautiful area locally, there is so much to see and no better way to experience that than on a bike, and I wanted to be able to share that experience with others.”
Named after the native fish in the river, Mr Hansen said it was a perfect metaphor for the track.
“Following the slow, winding river, chatting with friends, looking for good things to eat,” he said.
“This is not a ride where you gasp your way up steep hills, staring at someone’s butt, cringing as cars speed passed.”
As the ride regularly sits outside phone reception, riders currently will need to download gpx files, and will need to bring enough food and water and be equipped to deal with mechanical issues and other potential problems.
While the track has the potential to bring riders to the area from outside the Goulburn Valley, Mr Hansen hopes to see more locals on the track.
“I’m very pleased it’s already a working route at no extra cost to anyone. Riders were travelling to this region specifically to ride the Yellowbelly Track over Easter and the school holidays. It’s ironic that these same gravel roads and river tracks are largely overlooked by local riders.”
Active Transport Echuca and Moama's Jodi Ujimoto said the group was fully behind the track.
“ATEAM supports any new tracks to benefit locals and tourists alike,” she said.
"We know that touring cyclists typically travel from 60km to 100km a day and we have many experiences and attractions in towns well within these distances across the Campaspe.
"If we can connect cycling pathways across Campaspe, we have a massive opportunity to attract additional tourism dollars.
"Cycle tourists typically stay longer, spend more and engage in a broader range of experiences than the average visitor. ”
● More information on the track is available at nixtrader.wordpress.com/the-yellowbelly-track/
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