It really should be that easy, shouldn't it?
Did the trail from Moore to Blackbutt a couple of weekends ago. we got a little off track.
There are some easy route and advanced route options along the way. sometimes the signage at the other end could use some assistance. There are also pony trails with what look like BVRT markings on them. Perhaps they are one BVT images (no R).
The weekend we did the trail there were also some big laminated arrows plastered up, probably not taken down from some event weeks before.
In any case we were plodding along the track and found some single track off to the right.. BVRT Black diamond... cool we headed along that for a little difference. I came across a downed tree. felt aprehensive about continuing so turned around, the others had caught up and they wanted to push on. I thought it better to head back to the main trail.
We would have been close to where the trail goes under the highway and then goes on to Benarkin SOUTH of the highway. Our single track popped us out still north where we climbed a 10% grade for just over 1.5 km. We suspected something wrong but we were still seing signs and arrows.. we can't be wrong was the decision.
Not so soon, at the top, we were looking at a fire tower so we scooted down the fire road still heading north west. This led us onto a fire management break, again with my GPS I stopped and felt we were wrong. We popped out at a saw mill with an historic coach house display outside. This convinced my travelling conterparts we were on the right path, even though one of them had done the trail 2 years ago ( he can get lost in Daisy stil after 6 years riding there). We continued along that road with the guys convinced we were right and the path would soon veer a little left.
About 6 km along the road I stopped and made the others come back to me. With the GPS I showed them we needed to be about 9 km LEFT (or due south) of where we were to find Benarkin. They ummed and ahhed before saying we're right and we will veer soon.
3 km more and a rode was maked on the GPS that did not exist, then suddenly a pony trail thing darted off into the bush where the road should be. I called the others and we took off down that way. at least it was headed the right way-ish.
It popped out to another bush track and that turned into a road. 3 km on we turned left along another road and passed the golf club, North Blackbutt and then into blackbutt itself. 37 + km later.
long lunch etc and some punture repairs we continued.
On the ride to Yarraman there was another option, straight ahead was a black diamond ON the trail under the highway, to the right the 'easy' option. I wanted to stay on the know trail this time. they wanted the easy option.. this popped us up onto a road where they found trail signs. I rode with them for about 2 km then stopped and wailed that I didn't want to go that way.. it didn't feel 'right'.
We were heading due north and again were north of the highway when the trail should be on the southside of the highway. They said we were right and stop whinging.. so off we went down the 3 km dirt road where we were sitting on about 60kmh. At the bottom of the long descent we crossed a cattle grid and little kid on a bike called out asking us where we were going. I said "Yarraman, looking for the rail trail" He shook his head " wrong way, need to go back and ride along the road."
I wasn't the happiest of riding buddies. back up that hill... I choose NOW to tell you I was riding the singlespeed because it's more comfortable than our Dually.
We went back to the track divergence and took the train tracked black diamond section. not really technical just some gullies where they bridges are gone.
I think we added about 8 km out and back due North from the trail.
To top things off, the car drop off in the morning could not find the Yarraman station, so they parked outside the police station.. at the TOP of the hill in town.
Yarraman station is a good few km from the town itself. we reached the staion and they decided the town would be straight ahead, along that track up there.....
I stayed at the information awning looking at the map there showing they were off on a 5km walking loop trail. I read the board for hints as to where town was then consulted my GPS. hmmm gotta head westish I reckon.. about 4 km. When they saw I was not moving to join them they relented and came back.. showed them the map on GPS and they agreed had to head the other way..
No-one died, no one was injured too much, we all survived.
HOWEVER ! ! ! I had stashed some Heinikens in an esky to be in the collection vehicle for the end of the ride. when they dropped off the car and trailer, they decided to SWAP cars meaning the beer was now back at the START ! ! ! !. never twigged of it till lunchtime.
our map here:
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