Victorian High Country - Beautiful But Intimidating

A 4 Day Adventure Bike Ride in the Victorian High Country. We ended up getting a pretty tough lesson in respect from the Mountains.

[@superwag634]

Far out, when you mentioned those track names, I was like, these guys must be experts. Because I spent my teenage and 20s years in those hills with my triple locked landcruiser with front and rear winches and snow/mud chains. And a few times my friends had to abandon their trucks in that wilderness until it dried out for a week or two. It is hard diff busting country where even four wheel drives struggle. I tried a few of those tracks back when I used to ride enduros, but you guys are not in your 20s. It takes hard work and fitness even when young. Thanks for bringing back some of those memories. I still have the landcruiser and she still has many scars from those tracks

[@Kelly-oq9nh]

That up and down riding is what we have here in the Pacific NW USA. I feel blessed to have been trained by it. 64 and still doing it on my 701. I always carry over night gear in my Mosko Moto just in case. What an age we live in where we can enjoy Gods creation on such capable machines. Winter here… love your videos keeping me sane.

[@brentbat]

Yes, it sounds like we are both very lucky to have such wonderful terrain in our backyard. Often I've got camping gear with me, but I think I'm going to throw a bivvy sack into my gear even when I'm staying pubs... just for situations like this you might get caught out. Luckily in the Victorian High Country there are a lot of huts for hikers that find themselves in exactly this situation, so if did have to stay the night we would have been dry and warm (they have wood burning stoves in them).

[@MrKdr500]

"mother natures creation"

[@brennoj79]

Mate the amount of effort you put into these vids is unreal! Keep up the good work. Well appreciated

[@JustMe-dv5ix]

At the age of 70, I carry a NIFTY LIFT block and tackle to get my bike upright again and have used it on an ocaision to move trees out of the path way. Very good video, look forward to watching more. Best Wishes.............Ken

[@savage22bolt32]

That's what I do, but when I got stuck under my bike, I was in a bit of trouble...

[@CyberEditing]

Superb filming & post production editing. Excellent story telling as well. Recon 101: Never assume anything. 😁

[@brentbat]

Yup.... I learned that the hard way... at least we got out eventually... and before the storm hit. That would have been ugly.

[@billhill4479]

Great video. We have ridden those tracks quite a bit on our enduro bikes. We have also got into adventure bikes recently so we ride them up around there as well. l'm riding a 701. We are all in the 50-65 age range. There is no doubt confidence is a big factor and once you start thinking about how steep the next hill is it gets in your head and makes it much harder. One thing l have observed is how well adventure bikes go up those hills. The adventure bikes seem to hook up much better than the enduro bikes because of their weight and their grunt. My riding mates agree. They will go up just about anything and are surprisingly stable. You don't need to go fast like the little bikes but you just need a steady pace with a bit of clutch slipping every now and then. lt is well worth reflecting after you've got up a tricky bit so that you can call on that memory next time you doubt yourself. Something else l do is take my big bike on local tracks that l've ridden on my enduro bike a hundred times before for a bit of practice. That way you know for sure you can get up a particular hill and there's very little risk. lt's really good for your confidence because you can safely have a bit of a crack and see what the 701 can do. They are very very capable when you let them off the chain. A bit of confidence goes a long way. No doubt you've noticed after one of those multi day rides is how well you are riding on day 3 as compared to day 1. Things that you baulked at on day 1 you don't even think about on day 3. That's the confidence and practice kicking in.

[@philgoogle1535]

I'm only a few years into this and you are right, confidence is a big part of riding the steeps. I’ve only just discovered clutch control and now I need to learn how to use it.

[@billhill4479]

The clutch is your friend on all dirt bikes and especially on big heavy adventure bikes in loose/slippery stuff. Best to practice when you don't really need it rather than wait till you really do need it. Eventually it becomes second nature just like the brakes and the throttle. lt's much better than factory traction control in many circumstances.@@philgoogle1535

[@D9VO]

Totally agree... sometimes even hour 3 can feel like a significant step forward from hour 1!! ha ha

[@FirstLightAdv]

The problem with adv bikes is when you drop it once or twice, you are already spent. I took a klr650 to the VHC once and what a mistake that was. Now just riding on 250. Or better yet, my landcruiser ha..ha..

[@colinsmith2005]

I left Syd in 88 heading to a 21st in N.Z, I’m still here lol, I’d never been to N.Z prior to that but the fishing and occasional ride had me hooked, beautiful people and cooler climate than Western Sydney made me a fan. I lived in Jindabyne for a year or two and worked in Thredbo for a season but never really missed Aus until watching your video. I’m nearly 60 and I still dream of rounding Aus on a bike some day, by the pain I see on the faces when laying next to a downed bike I may have to make that trip sooner rather than later lol. I’m bloody home sick……bastards. Well done.

[@jobta]

I loved your editing skills. The story telling and all the awesome map visualisations are really good. It was for sure quite an adventure!

[@smled9256]

Intimidating and commitment are certainly two words that describe riding in the high country. Very rewarding if you can overcome the former and embrace the latter. You captured it well Brent.

[@powertrip1050]

Good on ya, Brent. I was raised riding dirt bikes in the VHC -I know your pain. My teenage years were spent in horror at the hills my older brother made my ride up and down. 😀And that was in the 80s, so I am also no longer 25. And ever since, the steepness of hills I come across are all compared to the monsters I rode in the high country back home. (I am in Europe now.) ...It was an entertaining video (as usual) and I do hope you choose more carefully in the future. You really can end up in trouble our in the scrub. EXCELLENT JOB !

[@stevenbrant2311]

You said it would be good Brent and you weren't kidding. Congrats on a great video and clever graphics - oh and for getting out alive!

[@rd2957]

The High Country is a whole other beast at times. Adv or 4x4 it can be beautiful and intimidating all at the same time. It's an amazing back yard to some of us lucky Victorians. Lovely bit of Video. Thanks for the content.

[@d4a]

What a joy to watch! Thanks for putting this together

[@Uliio]

Fantastic video! Very well made. As a Belgian I can only dream of such rides - Great stuff.

[@jamesphillips7602]

We’ve all been there. Sitting back looking at a video never does it justice! Some of those hills can be very deceiving. If those bikes are struggling I’m glad I’m not there on a bigger bike (mine)!!! Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@franknunez7204]

A long climb at 38% grade is legit for loaded bikes and worn out riders, especially of course if the traction is iffy. What a beautiful place. Thanks for making the video.

[@galaxy.at.youtube]

Thanks for the video: great editing and narrative. I am just starting my journey into adv riding and this is inspiring!

[@AlgeriaRiderdz]

The quality of your videos, the story telling and the narrative are spot on. Amazing video.

[@ShivanshuSJC]

That build-up and the heart beat score in the background was awesome !

[@BigDaveTALKS]

Man that had my heart pumping. I can only imagine how yall felt. I sure would love to come out and ride Australia some day but honestly after watching your Iceland video, that looks to be the place for a once in a life time ride. Well for me anyway.

[@philgoogle1535]

What a wonderful ride and story to boot. 17 & 1/2 minutes just flew by. You're very good at these Brent. Thanks for sharing and keep them coming👍

[@veedub1762]

great video, well-shot, good narration and plenty of humility. loved it!

[@bentravis99]

What a well produced video, thank you. I had a dirtbike as a kid and loved riding bush tracks. Your video is very inspiring!

[@MissionMitchAdventures]

mate fantastic video! love the map editing, really helps to tell the story

[@NotShookADV]

Great video, and Im glad you guys got out of there unscathed. I know the feeling of that situation very well, the VHC always makes for a great adventure.

[@seanb1081]

Holy "F" ! Thank the stars above you were able to find a way to the dirt road. Some of those "Fun" tracks needs a sign. If your bike weighs more than 100Kg and your over 25 years old, Don't Do It unless you have a lifetime of experience! It was "heart pumping" just to watch this fantastically filmed and edit video! Hats and Helmets off to all of you for even getting as far as you did. The elevation charts/graphics really rammed home just how crazy steep the ride was! 😮 I'm also planning a trip to Dargo from way up north (near the NSW/QLD border on my way through to the Great Ocean Road) but will be sticking to the "Dargo High Plains Road ". More than enough for me at 60 years of age and on a 200 Kg + Honda CB500X

[@SuperJEEP1979]

Looked bloody awesome …glad you got home to tell the story

[@kingdaniel69]

Another cracking video, mate. I loved your Iceland video and this one is spectacular too. Thanks.

[@alessandroclarke7300]

Amazing footage, narration, and everything else mate. Awesome!

[@simovision5894]

Great work as usual Brent. Love the high country. I dont think you can even explane how steep the tracks get there. You really need to experience it yourself. Glad you made it out on a sneaky off track.

[@nathanwillemsen5671]

Again loved watching your cinematic work. Keep up the excellent stuff mate. Hope I bump into you one day in the VHC

[@tassieadventurerider4815]

Another great video Brent. Thank you. 🎥🏍

[@AndrewMoss-sk9wn]

Mate, I've only just seen this clip, I only just came across your videos this weekend. All I can say is, awesome 👌 Great footage and really detailed commentary. Great work. I appreciate the time and effort you put into this. Keep them coming.

[@jarofmarmalade]

Amazing work. The video has great narrative, suspense building, video shots and editing. Subscribed!

[@peterhutchinson4292]

Really nicely put together, great storytelling, thanks for sharing your experiences

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! That looked like great fun. Beautiful scenery as well. Best!

[@stephenchampion2439]

That's another brilliant video Brent and a good lesson for everyone 👍👌

[@durtcrutv1296]

Awesome work boys. Sorry I missed this one (sort of) Coco, looks like you found your bike. Well done Nick and Coco on camera one and two. Excellent edit Brent, one of your best. Exposures excellent. Perfect sound Coco!

[@RozalynVeersma]

Just wow….heart stopper hill indeed! So glad you got out of that unscathed & wiser. Your adventures are epic! 😁👍🏁🏍🏍🏍

[@Deano_KTM]

Great vid mate, as always. Well done for sharing. Some amazing tracks up there. Bugger being on those steep ones in the wet.

[@zeplin4078]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Although it was a difficult track, and you had to change course, I am sure if you now look back, it was quite an adventure, one you will remember for a long time. Stay safe.

[@sunsettribegear]

Wow, your videos and channel has just motivated me to become better at what we do. Great content. Well done and thank you.

[@Froff]

Beautiful video from the visuals to your story telling. Nailed it 😊

[@andrewhuntington7599]

great video Brent ..... yet more inspiration

[@user-yc4uo2sb3y]

Another great video. Thank you.

[@MrNick99]

Great storytelling! Beautiful too!

[@TheMr0450]

Wow.. first bike touring vid i see and its a gem..

[@GoldenPAM]

Its very Adventurous. Keep it up Guys. Love from India ❤

[@argentum_on_glass]

Lovely filming , i like the documentation aswell as it' was not only fun. which is important sometimes to be alert for future trips as you mentioned. but hey ... In a few years you will smile about it and remember what a crazy but still lovely trip this was! keep up the good riding . regards from switzerland

[@mandyandmaxbird2780]

Great video! Love the VIC high country. I enjoyed riding Blue Rag! Lucky you got out easily from that last track 😊 thanks for sharing your adventures

[@gordonhan2158]

Awesome edit Brent, thanks as always!

[@SmallBikeADV]

Wow, that was nuts..I’m bloody knackered just watching it!…stunning, but Jeez, those gradients are unreal 😮

[@agro1942]

Kind of assuring to see that you are actually mortal Brent. You always look so effortless on your videos, so its actually nice to see that you do fall over as well like the rest of us (and have seconds thoughts about route choices!). GREAT VIDEO!

[@brentbat]

Oh... I drop the bike quite a bit. I'm a very "average rider".

[@701aroundtheworld]

Excellent Video, thanks for sharing!

[@makkelin]

Great video and commentary again. “Nick’s hair and make up” 🤣 keep it up guys! I would love to do trips like these. Greetings from the (flat) Netherlands.

[@AusMoto]

Excellent stuff Brent, the VHC certainly has some steep tracks but delivers amazing views!

[@Ryanhwelton]

Fantastic video, great job.

[@JF78Reality]

well done fellas - best stories come from most trying times!

[@Itsallabouttheadventure]

Awesome job again. I mentioned you in a previous movie about the Flinders and rated you highly. Justified.

[@zahidkhan04]

That is some serious hard work....❤

[@trevoratwesty]

Great video, an adventure for sure

[@hujeta6851]

Absolutely gorgeous video - both from a filmmaker perspective and a fellow rider. Those mountaneous gravel roads are just perfect, what an adventure. Drone shots with captured audio from the ground is great. Voice over explaining map and the routes are super helpful for us as the audience to get a sense of direction and not just 'roads'. Cheers

[@takezomiyamoto1390]

what a gorgeous place for an adventure bike trip

[@ktm-Triumph]

Hi Brent Thanks for sharing your adventure and the "mistake" . It is so easy to asume something. Also to feel all responsibility to your mates about it.

[@PatchedBandit]

Wow. Your videos are incredible 🤯This is a good yardstick for us newbies how it is supposed to be done!

[@robjones2852]

That was absolutely gripping, thanks for the vicarious anxiety.

[@chriswatts6161]

Incredible filming and editing, should be very proud of yourself with the quality of these videos and shots you have.

[@oriolsabater1524]

Great editing and superb story telling. Thanks for the effort from… the flat UK!!… From today, VHC is definitely in my list…

[@kanehartcher5996]

Great video mate . That’s why we call it adventure riding. Or that’s what I tell my riding mate when we are doing tracks we shouldn’t be doing on adventure bikes . Excellent editing. Very high quality work 👍🏻

[@bradhaynes6066]

Another great video Brent! i know that feeling of descending, and you are not sure how you are going to get back to civilization 😳

[@thecorporategypsy]

Wow! When a hill looks steep on a GoPro, thats seriously steep! Well done!

[@radadventure2606]

Great video! Your footage and drama (via music and narration) is first rate!

[@anthonya7066]

Another cinematic production! The audio was perfect for the tension and anxiety. Glad you found a way out.

[@brentbat]

Yes, Coco did a great job with the audio post production. Takes my videos to a whole new level.

[@alansmith3220]

Fantastic video and commentary, that's certainly adventure riding well done.

[@eyeon9331]

What a great vid, loved it great work👍🏻

[@flatgrindrides]

Great adventure. The drone footage starting at 08:40 is spectacular. Oh, and Loren does amazing work!

[@brentbat]

Yes, Loren does amazing work... she hasn't got much to work with!!!

[@bikergobrrr]

a few mates and me did a kinda similar trip last year, Idea was to ride from Melbourne to Canberra and back on as much dirt as possible. I thought it would be a good idea to Ride a Grom with knobbies on it. Did pretty well but we stayed a night in Dargo but it wasn't planned. one bike fried a regulator rectifier so we were stuck there while he took another bike to go get parts for the day. Seeing the pub gave me flash backs again haha

[@harleyjetdriver1957]

I see you have upgraded to the new Skydio. Looking forward to the comparison. Another awesome video!

[@sumitmuladventures]

Thank you for sharing!

[@montrussell]

Excellent video!

[@jacquipryor9285]

I really want to do some dirt bike riding, I never knew that it wasn't so straightforward. Especially needing to be fit to do it!!

[@Rsbangera]

Another amazing video....

[@CraigShawCraigShaw]

Another great video, Brent. I see many riders challenging themselves on some very technical tracks that in all honesty, don't look like a lot of fun. And after all, that's why many of us ride... to escape and have a little fun. Your mate who gave you the track should have made it known that he had not ridden it. Still, an enjoyable watch! Cheers

[@davidwood974]

What a great adventure with important lessons learned. Glad you made it out safe. This is my fear as I almost always ride alone, I've been lucky so far (while also have an InReach for emergencies)

[@brentbat]

At least you have an inreach on you. If I was riding solo, I would NOT have dropped into Storer track... No way.

[@orpaztron]

Brent! you become the most talented adventure rider in video storytelling. great footage as usual. looking for you map route editing tips right now.

[@TwoUpTourer]

Excellent video! Was in the high country 2 weeks ago, but not quite as remote as you. Glad we didn't encounter some of that terrain!

[@ShonkyProductions]

Great video Brent. Some amazing scenery there, plus you really captured the feeling of anxiety as things start to go down hill... pardon the pun!

[@stevedurig9768]

Nice video. Shows the fun and frustration of the sport. Desperation at times.

[@Speedytrip]

Wow what a ride! Nice footage too!

[@dakkalawler7978]

Awesome, love it 👍

[@PETERFRITZPHOTO]

Brilliant work. And boy, it was a LOT of work to film script, and edit this! Bravo.

[@timchilman]

That was a bloody awesome vid. Nerve wracking times but all in the name of adventure hey?!

[@catmate8358]

Great video Brent. Beautiful landscapes, albeit somewhat sinister looking at times with all the dead trees. Those trails sure look scary, you are very brave people. BTW I'd always thought it never rains in kangaroostan 😁😁

[@gadgetbass9175]

Looks like a blast to ride.

[@simonward9077]

Well done...Great footage...more please...

[@mikeross7725]

Great work. Looks like a type of ‘fun’.

[@gabrielbattika]

Well that's a first Lauren the hair & makeup artist gets a start as well in a motorbike adventure gig . Go Lauren go !

[@b-radsadventures6846]

Love your videos. Thanks for taking us with you on your trips! So...have you found two more guys who will still ride with you? :) Seriously...excellent mates. Love the graphics too.

[@Terran_tino]

Thx for sharing!

[@CarlHorn]

Great story Brent! I sure know the feeling of picking a route, leading a group, in my case less experienced riders, and thinking 'oh shit', I hope this doesn't get worse! 😅 I've had to just turn around a few times. There's only so many time you can ride all their bikes over the challenges. 701 rider 😁