Hunt Bikes, Tom Groggin (2026)

23/08/2026

The reward at the end of a long day.

16/08/2026

Davies Plain, Victoria. Even in late spring there’s still a good chance of snow up high. Come prepared.

2026 Hunt 1000 registrations are currently open.

13/08/2026

Route planning for the 2026 Hunt is underway.

It’s an El Niño year and the spring outlook is dry. Low rivers and firm tracks by November put a few options back on the table that have been off the cards through the wet years. Nothing locked in yet but as always, this year’s route will see a new combination trails.

01/12/2025

HUNT 1000 — Final Wrap-Up

The 2025 Hunt 1000 has now come to a close.

Most of the remaining riders reached Melbourne on Saturday for the grand finish at Edinburgh Gardens, with the final two riders arriving yesterday to close out the event. Some had been out in the mountains for close to two weeks, others for only five days, but by Saturday afternoon most had ridden those last few kilometres into the park, muddy, tired, relieved, and smiling.

Melbourne delivered one last challenge in the morning. Rain flooded parts of the bike paths and turned some of the Yarra tracks to mud. Riders rolled in dirty head-to-toe, looking every bit like people who’d just crossed 1,000 km of mountains, storms, mud and river crossings.

Through the afternoon the gardens filled with riders and friends. Dots became faces. People who had only crossed paths in huts, on ridgelines, or in the cold finally came together on the grass sharing stories, comparing setups and cheering others in. Later, the crowd drifted over to Rocky Ridge Brewery in Brunswick for food, b**rs and a slow exhale before peeling off for the first proper sleep in days.

A massive congratulations to everyone who took on this year’s Hunt. The commitment begins long before the start line: finding the time, sorting life around it, travelling to Canberra, trusting the route and trusting yourself. Simply starting is something to be proud of. Finishing it is another level entirely.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared the trail, looked out for each other, and carried the spirit that makes the Hunt what it is. The goal has always been the same: a real adventure, deep days in big country, and memories that stay with you. This year delivered once again.

Rest well. Take it in. Planning for next year begins now.

28/11/2025

HUNT 1000 — Friday Update 28th November

The riders are firmly on the home stretch now. Most are within striking distance of Melbourne, with many sitting inside 100–200 km of the finish. A handful have already decided to push through and wrap it up today, while the bulk are lining themselves up for the grand finish tomorrow at Edinburgh Gardens.

The weather has been far kinder — cool, cloudy, a bit of wind, but far more settled than earlier in the week. There are still a few showers floating around tonight and possibly tomorrow morning, but with a bit of luck the afternoon will open up for a relaxed finish, riders gathering in the park to cheer each other in, crack a b**r and celebrate the week behind them.

Even with Melbourne in reach, the ride isn’t done just yet. From Noojee, riders roll onto the big gravel climb up through the Ada Forest, before dropping into Warburton. From there it’s the Lilydale–Warburton Rail Trail, then up through the Dandenong Ranges, before joining the Mullum Mullum Trail and finally following the Yarra Trail all the way into Fitzroy. After the brutality of the High Country and huge hike-a-bike sections, this final approach feels quick and almost gentle by comparison.

Finishes are streaming into the group chat, smiling faces, dirty bikes, pub meals and riders helping each other find bike-friendly places to stay.

At the back of the field, the late starters continue to impress. Josh Street has been relentless, and others including Ashley Goewie, Josh Botti-Anderson, Greg Ritchie, and Jeff Collier are all pushing long days to hit Melbourne by tomorrow. And right at the tail, Beau Proctor is on the charge — 210 km yesterday and 228 km today by mid-afternoon. If he keeps that pace, he might just roll into Melbourne tomorrow for what would be a remarkable finish time.

A few more scratches today as the accumulated fatigue takes hold, but the majority are moving well, past the big obstacles and onto fast-rolling trail. Spirits are high, legs are tired but tuned, and the end is finally close.

One big push left.
Melbourne is near.
The Hunt rolls on.

27/11/2025

HUNT 1000 — Thursday Update 27th November

Yesterday’s weather hit hard. Those fast-moving storm bands that rolled across the High Country brought bursts of hail, freezing wind, and sudden rain, especially brutal on the exposed tops near Billy Goat Bluff and the Dargo High Plains. Riders pushed through with numb hands, wet gear and slow going, but today things eased slightly with clearer breaks and scattered showers instead of full storm cells.

At the back of the field, Josh Street, who left Canberra on the 25th, has already put down around 540 km, an enormous effort in just over two days. Beau Proctor, who departed in the early hours of the 26th, is somewhere around the Tom Groggin region based on last message, though his tracker is still not updating, meaning he’s already smashed out more than 350 km in a day and a half.

Further up the route, most riders have now pushed through Licola and over the next major obstacle: the Cheyne Bridge Track climb. It starts near sea-level, around 120 m, and tops out above 1,110 m — roughly a 990 m vertical gain over about 15 km. Normally this would be a defining suffer-fest, but after the Billy Goat track, riders seem to be taking it in stride. What would usually be a monstrous hike-a-bike has become “just another wall” on the way south.

Clusters of riders are now settling into the rhythm of the final stretch, moving through Walhalla, Noojee, and on towards Warburton, where cafés, bakeries and warm meals are replacing the storm shelters and cold hut nights of earlier in the ride. A few have pushed all the way into Melbourne already, finishing early after big efforts.

With the toughest sections now behind most of the field, there’s a noticeable shift in mood. Riders are starting to feel the finish becoming real. Small groups are forming, sharing campsites, swapping stories from the high mountains, and planning out the final two days into the city.

Weather remains unsettled in the mountains, some showers, stubborn winds on the high points, but far calmer than yesterday. A good window for progress, and riders are making the most of it.

26/11/2025

HUNT 1000 — Wednesday Update 26th November

The ride is deep into the Victorian High Country and beyond now. The effort of the past few days is showing, a few more scratches today with the usual mix of battered bodies and mechanicals, but most are still turning the pedals south, settling into that long-distance rhythm.

Many started early this morning to get onto Billy Goat Bluff before the weather shifted. They climbed in calm, steady conditions, but it didn’t last. A couple of fast-moving rain bands pushed through the region, and anyone above Billy Goat, on the Dargo Plains or the exposed ridgelines found themselves in sudden wind, cold rain and dropping temperatures. Unpredictable, sharp changes, typical alpine weather.

A big portion of the field has now made it over Billy Goat, and that brings a noticeable change in mindset. With the steepest and most unforgiving section behind them, riders can finally look ahead with a bit more confidence. There’s still a tough hike-a-bike after Licola and plenty of work to come, but the major obstacle is now behind most.

Further along the route, riders approaching Walhalla have settled into a different pace — smoother gravel and some breathing room to enjoy a proper lunch or even a cold b**r before rolling out again. Bodies are tired, but minds are clearer, the ride takes on a different shape once you’re this far in.

Back in the High Country, riders are still working through shifting weather, heavy climbs and the mix of solitude and shared effort that defines these long days. Small groups continue to form and split, each rider working through their own story on the way to Melbourne.

Another day down.
The miles keep ticking over.
The Hunt rolls on.

25/11/2025

HUNT 1000 — Tuesday Update 25th November

Another clear day on the route, and riders made the most of the weather. Dry, light winds and sun gave everyone a much-needed lift after a rough night in the mountains. Anyone camped high and exposed got hammered.

The wind tore through the saddles, pulling tent pegs loose and pushing shelters sideways. Not much sleep for anyone caught out in the open. Many riders ducked into huts along the route, taking refuge from the gusts.

Most of the field is now deep into the Victorian High Country, and a steady flow of riders have already taken on Billy Goat Bluff. One summed it up in the group chat: “worst experience of my life, haha… good luck.”
Classic Billy Goat.

More scratches today as the long days add up, sore knees, blown feet, saddle sores and mechanicals. One rider is dealing with a stomach that won’t hold down food, a common issue in ultras where stress, dehydration and constant effort shut the gut down. When you can’t take on calories, everything gets harder very quickly.

But there’s plenty of good happening out there too. Small groups naturally forming. Riders sharing kilometres, huts, and the daily ups and downs. Some caught a beautiful cloud inversion around the Hotham ridgelines before the wind picked up again.

Others made camp early, found a fire, and spent the night with new friends. Riders continue pushing south.

The rhythm is set now.
The Hunt rolls on.

24/11/2025

HUNT 1000 — Monday 24th November Update

The Hunt is really stretching out now. Riders are scattered from Thredbo through to Licola, with a few late starters rolling out today and over the next two days.

Big milestone already: Vincent Cover has finished in a very impressive 6 days 23hrs on a single-speed!

Last night the Murray River crossing near Tom Groggin was running high — thigh-deep for most, waist-deep for some. Slow, cold and committing, but still passable. The clay hike-a-bike out of Tom Groggin turned into a real fight: slick, greasy, and hard to hold any foothold. Even once riders topped out, the track felt soft and slow, almost like riding in sand.

Today, the weather finally turned it on. Sun around Hotham and Dinner Plain, lighter winds, and trails starting to dry. Riders used the window to bank kilometres before more rain forecast later in the week.

Most of the field is now managing the usual mix of fatigue, saddle sores, wet-weather blisters from the hike-a-bike, and a handful of mechanicals — but spirits are still good. This is the part of the Hunt where everyone settles into their own rhythm.

Plenty are looking ahead to Billy Goat Bluff, trying to time their ascent before the next weather system arrives.

We’ve also got two true late starters: Josh Street leaves tomorrow (25th), and Beau Proctor departs on the 26th — both with a tight window to make Melbourne for the grand finish on Saturday the 29th. Their dots will be worth watching.

Clear skies today. A big push ahead. The Hunt rolls on.

Hunt Bikes

23/08/2026

16/08/2026

13/08/2026

01/12/2025

28/11/2025

27/11/2025

26/11/2025

25/11/2025

24/11/2025

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