PTR: Big Fella Trail
Have you ever tried to describe riding down a trail but you're still too excited to actually communicate what happened? Caught up in the moment and full of adrenaline, you're trying to tell everyone at the bottom how courageous you were but all you can do is just fire out random words like shotgun pellets chasing a clay pigeon. It's the reaction of others that normally makes you realise that you're talking nonsense, and it's then that all you have to do is crack a rye smile and offer a simple“that was a goodie” to let any mountain biker know that it was a trail they need to ride. It is pretty simple really. So from me to you, regarding Big Fella at Falls Creek -“it's a goodie.”
The trail network at Falls Creek has continued to expand, with gravity fed additions like Flow Town being hugely popular. But the re-birth of an old downhill trail into what is now Big Fella brings something a little more raw and natural – albeit with built berms to maintain your flow.
What was once an original DH tracks in the late 1980s, this trail has since spent a long time back under the feet of hikers with only the occasional tyre mark making an appearance. Early in 2018 saw World Trail give it some love with a machine in the hands of“Lebron”aka Ryhs Atkinson. This has transformed the trail into a banked up yet natural trail. It still follows the same layout, but with a huge fun factor put back in. It has Berms, small jumps or natural hits that follow the contour of the hill. It is surprisingly straight in its layout, which puts control firmly back into the hands of the rider. You are in control of your own speed, which is a refreshing take on machine built trails in Australia, let go of the brakes though and you are at the bottom before you know it.
GETTING THERE
There are now two ways to get to Falls Creek. Follow the Hume Highway from either Melbourne or Sydney and take the turnoff
toward Myrtleford, continue up to Mount Beauty and from there the classic alpine climb delivers you into the resort of Falls Creek. If by chance you are making your way from Lakes Entrance, you can always come through Omeo and up the backside, across the highplains and down into Falls Creek.
TECHNICAL NATURE
Big Fella has an older take on trail design thanks to its history. If you want flat out speed it is there – just release the brakes. If you're a beginner rider be aware that at higher speeds the trail features come up fast. Make sure you know your braking distances and are used to looking further up the trail.
YOU'LL NEED
The trail suits either an open or full-face helmet, if in an open face you will find the brakes get a bit more use than normal. It's a short trail, so no need to take supplies as you will be back in the village in no time. Pack the knee pads though, if you crash you will most likely fall into soft alpine scrub, but there is always the chance you could bulls-eye a rock with your knee, and you will wish you were wearing them. Any dual suspension bike will make the trip down fun but something with 130mm travel or more will make the track come alive.
DISTANCES
It's a short trail, 1.5km in length, but only a couple of pedal strokes are required to get rolling. Big Fella is a trail with a big fun factor for everyone who hates pedalling. Getting there is either a cruisey ride up the fire road from the village, or I'd suggest a day pass with Blue Dirt MTB shuttles which delivers you to the start of the trail, and while there you can spend the day sampling the rest of the trails Falls Creek has to offer.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Falls Creek has 6 shuttle worthy trails, all are Enduro bike specific, with pedalling required on all tracks but plenty of descending on each one. There is plenty on offer for the XC bandit as well, Falls Creek held the final of the Victorian XCO series in 2018, and for anyone who likes to pedal up there are plenty of options. For anyone looking for an adventure grab one of our previous Alpine Issues to get a run down on the day adventures available in the area, you won't be disappointed.
BEST TIME OF YEAR
Summer! If you go in winter you will be disappointed. From mid November to April is the time to ride. Even at the height of summer on a belter of a day the temperature will only get to the mid 20s.
WHILE IN THE AREA
Put the phone down and enjoy what the Victorian High Country is trying to show you. There is plenty to explore that is above the tree line, which will be new to many people who haven't yet been to Falls Creek. Within an hour you have Mount Beauty, the home of mountain bike racing in Australia over the last 20 years, as well Bright, Australia's Boom-town for cycling at the moment, whether you're talking mountain bikes or road.
LOCAL BIKE SHOPS
Blue Dirt have a retrofitted shipping container with a few basic offerings, the container also has a coffee machine and acts as a base for shuttles, so don't count on it if the shuttles are busy. Come prepared. There is a vending machine - but it stocks mostly tubes and the odd chain and chain lube.
LOCAL CONTACTS
Check Falls Creek's website for all track maps and information. Check into the Blue Dirt Shipping container located in the main car park when you arrive for anything on site.
REGULAR EVENTS
Mid-November is the Ignition Festival, which doubles as the opening weekend. This weekend is purely social, with no racing events, but everything from demo bikes to live bands, a beer hall and dinner are included with bulk shuttles on offer. It's a must do event. Find a full event listing online.