A little history. The Blue Lake area just north of Greensborough runs through the Plenty Gorge for about 10kms. The council owns it all and in the middle of it all is a massive big hole - the Blue Lake. It used to be a mine digging up shale or something like that. Then about 30 years ago they went too deep and hit an underwater river and the whole thing filled up. That really stuffed them. The thing is, the subterranean stream goes through blue coloured rock so the water in the Blue Lake is a crazy blue colour. Anyway, enough of that crap - what about the ride?.

The ride starts from Kariboo Gv (Melway Map ref. 10 - H10) in the Bura. Park your car there and head through the gates and the end of the dead end Street. You'll see the single track straight away and follow that. It goes through some dense bush for about 500 metres and then opens up to a field. Once you get to the fence line, go across to the next fence (20m away) and down a bit and you'll see the next single track. This is a fast sweeping trail on a slight downhill pitch. You can really hammer through this. After about 500 metres there's an intersection. There are heaps of trails coming off here. If you go straight ahead you'll see a trail heading up the valley. Take this. If you have time, do a bit of exploring around here. Lots of little single track that doesn't really go anywhere but is fun to check out.

Head up the valley and you'll eventually come to the Plenty River crossing. This has a fast, technical and rocky single track leading down to it. Cross the river (usually not much water and stepping stones thoughtfully put in by the Bura XC crew) and go up the tiny trail in the riverbank wall. This leads to the trail that takes you to the Blue Lake. It's a good climb from here to the top of the gorge - just keep following the trail up - you'll eventually get to the top. Not granny, but with some tough little pinches to test you out. Once at the top, head straight along for about 200m and off the left you'll see a single track. Take this and whatever you do go as fast as possible. It's not that long, but very cool as it zig zags between trees and off camber corners. This trail leads to the single track that traverses the gorge cliff face. Keep going along this. Whilst I don't think this trail is too hard, the almost sheer cliff on your left-hand side can tend to be a little un-nerving. I know this 'cause I once took a chick out on our first date for a ride along here. Ilke, was one of the most beautiful chicks I had ever seen, and she reckoned she rode MTBs all the time, so I thought she might like a little cruise up to the Blue Lake. Sounded good on paper. By the time we got through this bit, she was shaking and demanded to never see me again. So perhaps take some care on this bit and definitely never take a hot chick on a first date through there - It'll go pear shaped for sure.

At the end of the traverse, you'll get to the Blue Lake area. The best thing to do now is just explore. Lots of little trails heading off in all directions. Once you get to the lake, you'll see a massive cliff face across the water. Believe it or not, I have seen some people jump off this into the water. Not smart. Don't do it. Head up the hill and after a fairly easy climb you'll get to a gate. Go left here and follow the road for about 400m. There you'll see another gate with a dirt road off to the left. Take this for about 400m and and keep going. Turn rightish up the road. About 600m you'll see a little track off to the left - quite hard to see, but easy enough to find. It is about 50m from a big gate. Go up this and it hooks back right at the top of a small climb. Follow this trail - pretty overgrown - to the fence line and jump the fence. You'll then be on River Ave. River Ave is dirt and climbs up a long hill to the intersection of River and Memorial. This hill we call 'The Jennifer' named after Dallas's (Ex VICMTB professional) crazy ex girlfriend. It's a ball breaker. Once at the top go straight ahead down Memorial and take the first right at Oatland Rd. Go along Oatland and turn right back into the Blue Lake Park at the intersection of Mackelroy. Follow this trail down and after a small climb you'll get to a fence line on the left. Follow the fence for about 300m and you'll see a small single track take off to the left. Go down this until you see a small track off to the right. This leads to a highly technical climb back up the to the other side of the small valley. This is called wasp hill, and if you can climb this, you're doing well. It is climbable, but requires aggression and skill. It's called wasp hill because I once got attacked by 50 or so European wasps after stepping on a wasp nest off to the side of the trail whilst trying to help Dallas climb it. My tip here. If you walk it - stay on the track!

At the top, follow the trail left and you'll eventually get back to the top of the long climb from the Plenty River crossing. Then it's just a matter of going back the way you came and you'll eventually reach your car.
One thing to note here is that you are allowed to ride here but please stick to the tracks! If a section is fenced off that is meant to keep you out, not the animals in. Depends how you view yourself I guess!

The whole ride, taking into account a bit of ginning around takes about 2 hours. It is great fun and close to Melbourne. Give the team at VICMB a call for more details.

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