Golden Triangle Epic

There's less than a week until the 2016 Golden Triangle Epic kicks off, and entries are filling up fast for what is one of Victoria’s biggest marathon events.

Scheduled for Saturday the 16^th of April, the 11^th edition of the Golden Triangle Epic will form Round #3 of the Australian National XCM Series, and will see some of the country’s fastest mountain bikers take to the singletracks around Bendigo.

This is one of the largest club run events in the country and any profits from race entries go straight back into trail development and maintenance. The City of Greater Bendigo has now come on board as a supporter, having recognised the growing popularity of mountain biking in the region.

Located 1.5 hours drive north of Melbourne (and just 1 hour from the airport), Bendigo is the regional centre of the Goldfields region. Well known for its historical significance during the Goldrush era, Bendigo is now attracting visitors for its burgeoning arts scene and food culture.

Bendigo is also home to a thriving cycling community, a growing network of mountain bike trails, and a reputation for producing elite athletes across all disciplines of cycling.One of those athletes is gravity enduro specialist Dan MacMunn, who has risen to fame as one of Australia’s best mountain bikers.

“The riding in Bendigo is awesome”, says MacMunn, who cites the variety and technicality of the local trails as being a contributing factor to the quality of riders coming out of Bendigo. “You’ve got old-school tech trails that are super rowdy to blast down on, and then you’ve got the newer smooth stuff that’s fast and flowy, and that’s getting a lot of new riders into the sport too”.

After travelling the world and racing mountain bikes, MacMunn and his partner Jo Wall moved to Bendigo to build their own house and start a family. “Bendigo has an amazing cycling culture”, says Wall, who states the country town charm and the strong cycling scene as key factors in their decision to settle down in Bendigo.

Outside of the racing, there’s plenty on offer in Bendigo. For those wanting a cultural tour, the magnificent Marilyn Monroe exhibition is on display at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Visitors can take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens at Rosalind Park or check out some Gold Rush history at the Chinese Museum.

For the families, the Science Discovery Centre is a must, and you can even take the kids for a ride on one of Bendigo’s historic trams before touring the Central Deborah Goldmine.

Of course Bendigo is well known for its foodie culture too, with a growing array of craft beer pubs, fine dining venues, and bustling cafes. Here’s a quick overview:

Cambrian Hotel offers exceptional pub food with a range of craft beers on tap. The Goldmines Hotel is another craft beer-focussed venue, and is famous for being one of the oldest pubs in Bendigo with a beautiful beer garden that has been voted as one of the top-10 beer gardens in Australia.

For American-style cuisine, make sure you also check out the epic burgers at Boris Murgers, and the classic live music venue institution that is the Golden Vine.

Though if you and your partner are looking for more of a fine-dining experience, make a booking for Masons of Bendigo—it’s one of the only hatted restaurants in Bendigo. Rocks on Rosalind and The Dispensary are two other must-visit for those who appreciate fine drinks and fine food.

For a top notch caffeine fix, check out Get Naked Espresso. There’s also the Old Green Bean Café; they roast their own coffee onsite and also offer an inventive menu for breakfast and brunch. Known as one of the best bakeries in town, The Good Loaf bakes award-winning bread and delicious pastries for those looking for some picnic fodder.

For something a little closer to the trails, the recently renovated Spring Gully General Store offers superb food and coffee for the hundreds of road and mountain bikers that pass by everyday, while the One Tree Hill pub offers an outdoor beer garden within a stone’s throw of the Spring Gully trailhead.

There are plenty of late-night venues including the newly established Handle Bar, which will serve as the official venue for the Golden Triangle Epic after-party. With an impressive selection of craft beer and a casual family-friendly beer garden, Handle Bar is the place to be for winding down after a long day in the saddle.

To find information on accommodation and what’s on offer in Bendigo during the weekend of the Golden Triangle Epic, head to the Bendigo Tourism website. And make sure you sign up to the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club Facebook page for regular news updates. 

Event Details:

•          Date:               Saturday 16^th of April 2015
•          Location:        Spring Gully, Bendigo, Victoria
•          Distances:       15km Pioneer, 30km Miner *NEW*, 50km Shorty, 100km Epic, 150km Ultimate Enduro
•          Entries:           www.mtbbendigo.com