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GFoz
Posts: 17
Trail Riders Fellowship
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« on: January 09, 2009, 03,42:07 AM » |
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Hi Everyone, Thought I would introduce myself... I live in the Uk and have been Trail Riding for about Five years now and I am a member of the Trail Riders Fellowship http://www.trf.org.uk in the Manchester group http://www.manchestertrf.comI have just started the Australian Visa application process and I'm hoping to move to Melbourne at some point in the future. I am applying for a last remaining relative visa as my parents have lived in Noosa, Queensland for 10 years and my twin brother has lived in Sydney for the past 11 years. I have been to Australia many times and love it. I needed to know that Trail Riding is still legal over there before I applied for my visa so I had a search on the net and found your website. I was also very pleased to see the Trail Bike initiative scheme with the Department of Sustainability and Enviroment dept. Over in the Uk we have lost many lanes due to the Nerc Bill and ANTI groups like the Ramblers Association. It is great that the Australian goverment seem to be so Pro Bikes!  (Q&A) Where are the best suberbs to live if you want to be close to the city but close to the trails also? How often do you guys Trail Ride? What areas are the best trails located in? Do you ride to the first trail or are trailers and/or vans required? How long are your rides? Are you out in all weather? Do many of you race? Joining club info etc? Cheers, Glenn |
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« Last Edit: January 09, 2009, 04,23:53 AM by GFoz »
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sjkermode
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 112
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« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2009, 07,38:22 AM » |
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G'Day
Great to hear that you are trying to move to the right side of the world. I am relatively new to Melbourne moving here about five years ago so by no means am I an expert to the area but I can give you a relatively newcomers perspective.
I live on the Eastern side of Melbourne (Blackburn) and have found it is both close to the city for work and still allows me access to a lot of the club rides on the weekends. The ride I mostly go on is in the Marysville state forest. Takes about an hour and a half to get there. This is held monthly come rain hail or shine (I have been in the worst dust on this ride in summer as well as encountering snow in winter)
In Victoria we are allowed to ride in the State Forests of which there are a lot out the eastern side. I think we can access some areas of National Parks but not sure (one of the older members will know)
SInce I joined there have been rides in the calender probably three out of every four weekends (sometimes multiple rides on the same day).
Pretty well everyone trailers their bike to the starting point. It is then common to do 120k's plus for the day.
Out in all weather.
Some of the guys race I believe, but AMTRA is not a club that runs races. There are other clubs that do this that are based in the east though.
Joining is pretty easy, can do it through the web or once you get here come to a meeting which is heald once a month.
I've been with the club for about two years now and really enjoy the rides I have been on. Everyone is friendly and helps out and in most cases the ride leader knows the area really well so you can just enjoy the day and not worry about navigating etc.
We have a couple of members who have also seen the light and moved over from Old Blighty so that may be able to give you a few tips.
Regards
Simon
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Mat R
Treasurer
Committee 2013/2014
Posts: 1775
Treasurer
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« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2009, 09,20:14 AM » |
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What areas are the best trails located in?
Australia.
Think you will find it very different here for trailbikes. Did some MTBiking in UK and was always amazed at how many other people doing other things I always came across.
Here you can go 60 miles on a ride and not meet anyone else on the trails.
I live west side of Melbourne and still only hour and a half across to good trails in the east, and only an hour to good riding areas to the west and north. Gets a bit wet down south though (Bass Strait).
Hope you get your vise soon and can come join us for a ride.
Mat.
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When is the next ride?
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GFoz
Posts: 17
Trail Riders Fellowship
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« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2009, 12,28:40 AM » |
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Thanks for the information it is really helpful. Are there any suberbs to really avoid moving to around melbourne? Are there any really good trendy suberbs with lots of cafe's etc. ont want to live in the City but dont want to be too cut off either. I am really looking forward to joining you guys on a ride. May take some time though as just started application process and got property to sell. Something to look forward too as its minus four here at the moment  |
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Eric L
Posts: 167
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« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2009, 09,51:15 AM » |
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Lucky you its going to 37 here on tuesday Ha HA He He Ho Ho |
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Brad
Guest
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« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2009, 05,43:35 AM » |
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Hi, Like all cities Melbourne has it's fair variation of suburbs. Mostly, these streach out to about a 40KM radius from CBD. Most of the trendy Cafe's are in or around the CBD within 5Kms of the GPO. Docklands, Brunswick and Carlton are a few. Some suburbs have there own cafe area's especially along the beach edge of the Port Phillip bay that Melbourne is situated on. Many other suburbs also have their own cafe and resturant area's. Picking a place to live will depend if you are single or have a family, there are lots of variables. A big consideration is the public transport availability and traffic on roads between where you live, work and ride etc.. Ride areas vary alot here is a quick snapshot of places. Lorne in the SW, Avoca and deserts in the NWW, Strathbogies, Yea, Eildon and lots of places in the High Country in the NE, Marysville, Rubicon and Woods point to the NNE and Tanjil, Erica and Wallhalla to the E of Melbourne. Try this web site for info www.weekendwarriors.com.auBrad |
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« Last Edit: January 11, 2009, 05,52:12 AM by Brad »
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Fred Flintstone
Posts: 40
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« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2009, 07,09:40 AM » |
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Welcome Gfoz,
I'm a fellow pomme now living in the Melbourne northern suburb of Epping.
I like it.
Been here eight months
Amtra is a great club some really sound blokes who run first class rides.
Never did TRF in the UK but I would guess its very different.
Drop me a PM if you need any moving/location advice.
Happy new year.
Steve.
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GFoz
Posts: 17
Trail Riders Fellowship
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« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2009, 01,34:33 PM » |
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Website looks great. I have ordered both books. Cheers Brad  Will drop you a PM Steve Cheers. |
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Eric L
Posts: 167
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« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2009, 10,46:53 PM » |
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Hi Another thing to do if you already havnt is Google/video AMTRA as there are a number of clips to watch from differnt rides. Had a look at your Website and the riding over here looks a lot differnt to what you guys do,( Eg the pubs are never close enough  ) Eric |
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mototrials
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« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2009, 04,13:15 AM » |
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GFoz, You didn't tell me you were trying to move here! Does this mean I will lose the right to claim international support for VTRN  I have to agree with most of the info you have been given so far about riding in the east and north east. I only get over that way when I am going to mototrials events but from what I have seen there is some pretty good country to ride. I would advise subcribing to the Victorian Ambulance services when you get here. That way if you fall off in the middle of nowhere you can get helicoptered out without having to $10,000. You will find these days there is always someone with a GPS and mobile phone on a ride so it makes it a lot safer. Don't be too quick to praise the Trail Bike Initative, all you read on the web may not be as it seems. In some parts of the state it has been a positive thing and provided infrastructure that was sadly needed. Unfortunately, in other areas it is the tool of demise. By the way.... try a search on youtube for hoobz01. That will give you some idea of what the good Victorian trails are about. Not sure if they are always on approved trails but they have fun. Cheers, Bruce |
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GFoz
Posts: 17
Trail Riders Fellowship
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« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2009, 01,23:38 PM » |
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Hi Bruce, Small world Eh... I will join the Air Ambulance scheme when Im over there Thanks for the advice. So the Trail Bike Initiative has its flaws eh? Hope you nver have to go through what the Uk has been through recently with the government introducing the "NERC BILL". This has closed many of our lanes. Bastards! Looking forward to getting out on the lanes in Oz. Just hope my application is accepted. |
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Brad
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« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2009, 07,54:57 PM » |
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Gfoz, Here is where I post my YouTube stuff, when I get around to it. http://www.youtube.com/user/BradAMTRA. Also if you do a search on AMTRA at YouTube there is other stuff to watch form multiple sources. Rgds, Brad |
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GFoz
Posts: 17
Trail Riders Fellowship
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« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2009, 12,38:55 AM » |
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Cheers, Cool videos Brad!
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Tim Dykes
Abbeyard Officer
Administrator
Posts: 1859
Where I want to be...
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« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2009, 05,08:42 AM » |
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I would advise subcribing to the Victorian Ambulance services when you get here. That way if you fall off in the middle of nowhere you can get helicoptered out without having to $10,000. You will find these days there is always someone with a GPS and mobile phone on a ride so it makes it a lot safer.
Bruce
If you come off a bike that has TAC (Transport Accident Commission) registration, full reg and rec reg, the TAC will be the ones paying for your ambulance out of the bush. The TAC cover this as part or your insurance, third party, no blame. As long as your on a registered bike your covered for the ambulance. A few of the members have had a ride in a helicopter and it's been covered. It's a good idea to have Victorian Ambulance services insurance for the times you need an ambulance and your not involved with a motor vehical. |
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I can recall the day Australia went to the dogs...
The day that I had to pay for sauce on my pie.
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