AndrewJ said:Any suggestions for the best route to ride from Albury to Merimbula?
I'm not in a hurry, prefer quiet roads to highways. Have studied all
the maps I can, and it seems I have to go either a long way North or a
long way South.
From Albury there is a great route towards Corryong following the Murray.
Head out of Albury towards the Hume Weir on the NSW side and cross the lake
via the Bethanga Bridge into Victoria, then turn left on the Talgarno Rd
towards Granya. For a very quiet route on gravel there is a vehicle ferry at
Wymah that takes you back into NSW where you ride via Jingellic to
Tintaldra, but here will be very few supplies along this road - a pub at
Jingellic I think. Otherwise stay in Victoria. turn into Granya wher there
is very basic camping at the footy ground. Follow the Murray River Rd along
the lake and river to Walwa ( a lovely little town) and on past Pine
Mountain to Tintaldra. When we were here the camping ground was closed due
to some business dispute, but there is a lovely B&B at the old post office.
From here take the main road to Towong, turn left towards the river then
right before the bridge on the Towong Hill Rd. This road actually avoids
most of a pretty large hill. Cottyong is a side route from here but nothing
special really, you should be able to get food and supplies at Khancoban.
Whatever you do, do not take the road from Tintaldra on the NSW side to
Khancoban. It is all open pasture country with three big mothers of hills!!
From Khancoban you can either go through Thredbo to Jindabyne - very steep
climbing up Dead Horse Gap, but at least it's all sealed now, (take the Back
Creek Rd from near Murray 2 power station , over the Geehi Wallsto Geehi if
you like a rough bush forest road). Or elase go via Cabramurra, Kiandra,
Adaminaby to Cooma. This involves a similar height to climb, but not quite
as steep, and you could include a visit to Yarrangobilly Caves. I don't know
much about the area beyond Cooma, but when you are descending the ranges
through Bemboka consider turning right through Candelo rather than going to
Bega. This little town is a real historic village a la Maldon, Hill End.
Whichever route you choose, have a great trip. There is plenty of good
cycling country in this area