Alpine Gravity Elevation Enduro 3

A different kind of start gate with an urban feel, as riders departed through Mt. Buller Village before dropping into the lush wilderness.

The forested areas made for an excellent shady retreat with awesome riding, solid berms and great scenery.

The 3rd round of the Alpine Gravity All Mountain Series had us arriving at Mt Buller, a venue that has had its fair share of mountain biking events over the years. The weather was looking fantastic for the weekend, and as we arrived there was a small sense of delight as there was small patches of snow hidden in the shadows, and while there wasn’t any to ride through, it was a lot of fun to throw at passing riders (Media is allowed to have some fun right?!).

Karl Peel shows us that just because there is no berm doesn't mean a corner cannot be slayed! — Karl Peel shows us that just because there is no berm doesn’t mean a corner cannot be slayed!

One of the more picturesque crossings, this time theres no getting wet while crossing one of many bridges on the Delatite River trail.

As riders started flowing past and we made our way down track, we realised we were infact making our way up track, with the first section of the track being a slow, but steady climb, out of the village and along the ridge of Mt. Buller, slowly snaking our way towards the Delatite river and the aptly named Delatite River trail. After a leg burning climb, the trail slowly started dipping downwards again into a nice flowy section with berms and a traverse along the hillside. It then hit some very fast and loose fire road sections, though just a fire road, your amount of dedication would make or lose time here; if you were confident to let go of the brakes and put full trust in the bike there were valuable seconds to be made up.

More amazing views along the trail, it hard to keep the concentration on the track with views like these.

The fireroads opened up onto a valley with the Delatite River at its base, as we traversed along the walls of the valley we began getting closer and closer to the river, and then started snaking across it over some awesome bridge crossings, and occasionally we got wet, crossing a small tributary feeding the river. These small river crossings were much welcomed as by this time most riders where pooped, with this being a very long track, taking it out of alot of riders, and also the media crew.

This time its full scale wetness... — This time its full scale wetness…

...not just for the cyclist. — …not just for the cyclist.

And then we decided to get a little bit arty... — And then we decided to get a little bit arty.

Just when you thought the track was done there are also two pinch climbs to push you over some small but tough hills and then eventually to the base of Mount Buller and the finish. Queensland’s Michael Ronning took the Elite Men’s title, while Victorian Jo Wall claimed the Elite Women’s podium.

Photos & Words: Jason Stevens – www.jasonstevensimagery.com

Keep up with the latest from Downhill247 on Facebook & Instagram:

FB: www.facebook.com/downhill247com
Instagram: @downhill247