Bike Buller: Mountain biking on top of the world

Roeland Suys

11 years ago

April McDonough on her way to overall victory. Photo Credit: Mandy Lamont / Rapid Ascent

While many of Australia’s top mountain bikers were over in Bright battling for the green and gold jerseys in Downhill, XCO, XCE and XCM, the more recreational riders were out riding in one of the most spectacular mountain bike destinations in Australia; Mt Buller. Over Victoria’s long labour day weekend, the Mt Buller Alpine Village hosted the Bike Buller MTB Festival presented by Kona. The weather was amazing and with most competitors also staying on the mountain the whole event generated a terrific atmosphere as riders took over the mountain for a massive weekend.

Bike Buller Festival. Photo Credit: Mandy Lamont / Rapid Ascent

The festival is organised by the crew from Rapid Ascent and had plenty on offer for riders of all ages and abilities. Over the three-day weekend, Rapid Ascent organised cross country races on Mt Buller’s signature trails Stonefly, Misty Twisty and Copperhead, and a Super D all the way to the base of the mountain down the Delatite River trail, famous for it’s many river crossings. There were kids races, shorter cross country races and even a pump track pursuit race organised by our friends from Flow Mountain Bike. The ultimate challenge was for riders to enter the Premier category, grouping those who would contest the three major races on the weekend: a 50km XC on the Saturday, the Mavic Crossmax Enduro on Sunday and a 22km XC final stage on Monday. But it wasn’t just about the riding all weekend, with a movie night, the Merrijig Rodeo and the Picnic in the Park Festival, there was plenty of off-bike entertainment.

Will Geor on his way to overall victory. Photo Credit: Mandy Lamont / Rapid Ascent

The trails on Mt Buller are not only among the most spectacular ones but also some of the most unforgiving trails around. These rocky trails leave little or no room for mistakes and are known to be destructive on bike and body, causing plenty of punctures, broken chains and trail-rash. This was amplified by the dry and warm weather that turned the trail surface to dust with very low grip. Many riders and bikes rode away scarred .

Despite the Bike Buller MTB Festival being scheduled on the same weekend as the Bright nationals, there was some great racing on the mountain. In the Premier category the overall men’s race was won by William Geor and his iRide Bikes team mate April McDonough was the fastest woman over the weekend.

The Bike Buller Pump Track. Credit: Mandy Lamont / Rapid Ascent

Results in the Premier Category:

Cat: Male Under 18
1 Bryan Dunkin

Cat: Male Open (18-39)
1William Geor
2Joey Esterhuyzen

3James Burns

Cat: Male Veteran (40-49)
1Tim Jamieson
2Clinton LeMaitre
3Chris Browne

Cat: Male Vintage (50-59)
1Mark Mex
2Steve Mckay
3Anthony Brown

Cat: Male Master (60+)
1Rod Brannock
2Gavin Brown
3Tony HepburnCat: Female Open (18-39)
1April McDonough
2Jody Bush
3Louise Cook

Cat: Female Veteran (40-49)
1Amity McSwan
2Jessica Douglas
3Sarah Bromley

Cat: Female Vintage (50-59)
1Ruth Stewart

Thanks to Rapid Ascent for organising this amazing event! The next Rapid Ascent mountain bike race will be the famous Giant Odyssey in Forrest, Vic on the 27th of April.