RIDING WITH GARRY MILLBURN
Photography by Riley MatthewsWhen he’s not working with numbers or talking with clients as a financial advisor, you’ll usually find Garry Millburn on two wheels somewhere around the Bright region. Cycling has taken Garry far and wide, including the Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium when he represented Australia in 2016. Like many other serious bike lovers, living here provides the perfect base for hitting the trail and achieving goals, whether tackling alpine climbs or off-road adventures. We talked to Garry about what riding in Bright has given him, from epic views to being part of a community.
Tell us about your connection with Bright.
My wife and I had no real connection with Bright before moving here. As a kid, I had been through Bright on four-wheel driving trips, and I knew riding around here was pretty special. In 2019, we returned from a block of racing overseas, and the tenants in our house in Sydney still had a few weeks to run. We came to Bright to stay with some friends for a couple of weeks, and at that time, the tenants wanted to renew for another 12 months. My wife said yes, and the rest is history. We had been looking for a reason to leave Sydney, and this was the push we needed.
When he’s not working with numbers or talking with clients as a financial advisor, you’ll usually find Garry Millburn on two wheels somewhere around the Bright region. Cycling has taken Garry far and wide, including the Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium when he represented Australia in 2016.
Like many other serious bike lovers, living here provides the perfect base for hitting the trail and achieving goals, whether tackling alpine climbs or off-road adventures. We talked to Garry about what riding in Bright has given him, from epic views to being part of a community.
Tell us about your connection with Bright.
My wife and I had no real connection with Bright before moving here. As a kid, I had been through Bright on four-wheel driving trips, and I knew riding around here was pretty special. In 2019, we returned from a block of racing overseas, and the tenants in our house in Sydney still had a few weeks to run.
We came to Bright to stay with some friends for a couple of weeks, and at that time, the tenants wanted to renew for another 12 months. My wife said yes, and the rest is history. We had been looking for a reason to leave Sydney, and this was the push we needed.
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When you’re somewhere else around Australia or around the world, how do you describe Bright?
A small mountain town with good food and great coffee! Having spent quite a bit of time in Boulder, Colorado, we had always searched for a town in Australia that offered something similar. Good food, great coffee, an outdoorsy vibe and, most importantly, great riding. Having been here for a good number of years now, the thing we didn’t expect was such a sense of community. Whether you’re a rider, runner, paraglider or CFA, everyone can find a group that resonates with them.
How did you get into cycling? Give us a rundown of your career. What are the highlights?
I’ll give you the short version; otherwise, I’ll start to sound old. Growing up in Melbourne and then Sydney, I raced mountain bikes. That culminated in racing at the 2005 Mountain Bike World Championships as a junior in Livigno, Italy. After that, I spent some time racing enduro motorbikes for a number of years before returning to cycling. In recent years, I have focused on cyclocross and gravel, but I consider myself pretty well-rounded, partaking in mountain biking and road cycling events. I have won UCI-level races on three continents and travelled to some pretty amazing places. From racing on a beach in Tokyo to the muddy fields of the Czech Republic, we seem to be chasing an endless winter! Cycling crafts how we live our lives and has undoubtedly taken us on a fulfilling journey.
“WHATEVER YOUR STYLE OF RIDING, BRIGHT HAS IT IN SPADES. IF YOU’RE A ROAD RIDER, THERE ARE BIG ALPINE CLIMBS ON OUR DOORSTEP IF YOU’RE MORE INTO OFF-ROAD RIDING, MYSTIC MOUNTAIN IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE PARKS”
When you’re somewhere else around Australia or around the world, how do you describe Bright?
A small mountain town with good food and great coffee! Having spent quite a bit of time in Boulder, Colorado, we had always searched for a town in Australia that offered something similar. Good food, great coffee, an outdoorsy vibe and, most importantly, great riding.
Having been here for a good number of years now, the thing we didn’t expect was such a sense of community. Whether you’re a rider, runner, paraglider or CFA, everyone can find a group that resonates with them.
How did you get into cycling? Give us a rundown of your career. What are the highlights?
I’ll give you the short version; otherwise, I’ll start to sound old. Growing up in Melbourne and then Sydney, I raced mountain bikes. That culminated in racing at the 2005 Mountain Bike World Championships as a junior in Livigno, Italy. After that, I spent some time racing enduro motorbikes for a number of years before returning to cycling.
In recent years, I have focused on cyclocross and gravel, but I consider myself pretty well-rounded, partaking in mountain biking and road cycling events. I have won UCI-level races on three continents and travelled to some pretty amazing places.
From racing on a beach in Tokyo to the muddy fields of the Czech Republic, we seem to be chasing an endless winter! Cycling crafts how we live our lives and has undoubtedly taken us on a fulfilling journey.
“WHATEVER YOUR STYLE OF RIDING, BRIGHT HAS IT IN SPADES. IF YOU’RE A ROAD RIDER, THERE ARE BIG ALPINE CLIMBS ON OUR DOORSTEP IF YOU’RE MORE INTO OFF-ROAD RIDING, MYSTIC MOUNTAIN IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE PARKS”
For those who don’t know this style of cycling, what is cyclocross?
The easiest way to describe cyclocross is like steeplechase but on bikes. We ride what looks like a road bike with the drop bars, but they have slightly knobby tyres. We race on various terrain, including mud, sand, and grass. And the course might also have steep hills, stairs, and drop-ins. The course is between 2.5 and 3.5 km long, and we race around it for one hour. It’s full gas from the start!
You’ve ridden around the world. Why do you think Bright has such a strong appeal for cycling?
Whatever your style of riding, Bright has it in spades. If you’re a road rider, there are big alpine climbs on our doorstep, and great valley roads too. If you’re more into off-road riding, Mystic Mountain is one of Australia’s best mountain bike parks, and there are endless gravel roads in and around Bright. We also have two rail trails, which are perfect for recreational cycling. Or if you are like many Bright locals, we just do it all! Not to mention, within close proximity to Bright, there is plenty of excellent day-trip riding, from Big Hill MTB park in Mt Beauty to great gravel riding in Beechworth. The area is full of adventures.
For those who don’t know this style of cycling, what is cyclocross?
The easiest way to describe cyclocross is like steeplechase but on bikes. We ride what looks like a road bike with the drop bars, but they have slightly knobby tyres. We race on various terrain, including mud, sand, and grass. And the course might also have steep hills, stairs, and drop-ins. The course is between 2.5 and 3.5 km long, and we race around it for one hour. It’s full gas from the start!
You’ve ridden around the world. Why do you think Bright has such a strong appeal for cycling?
Whatever your style of riding, Bright has it in spades. If you’re a road rider, there are big alpine climbs on our doorstep, and great valley roads too. If you’re more into off-road riding, Mystic Mountain is one of Australia’s best mountain bike parks, and there are endless gravel roads in and around Bright.
We also have two rail trails, which are perfect for recreational cycling. Or if you are like many Bright locals, we just do it all! Not to mention, within close proximity to Bright, there is plenty of excellent day-trip riding, from Big Hill MTB park in Mt Beauty to great gravel riding in Beechworth. The area is full of adventures.
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Tell us about your favourite places to ride in Bright. Give us some tips.
Everyone comes to Bright to ride the big three climbs — Mt Buffalo, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek — but there are some lesser-known rides that are just as good. The Gaps Loop is one of my favourites; you head out to Ovens, down Happy Valley Road, and over Rosewhite Gap. Then down the Kiewa Valley, over Tawonga Gap and back to Bright. It’s 110 km and 1,200 metres of climbing. You’ve got to save a little something for Tawonga Gap. It’s only 7.5 km, but it can break you at the end. Whether you’re on a gravel or mountain bike, make sure you head up to Clearspot or Mt Porepunkah. Each is about a 12km climb with 900 metres of elevation. It’s steep in parts but worth the fantastic views from the top. We get up there for a sunrise or sunset sometimes.
When you’re not riding you’re running your business, Bolder Wealth. Give us the barbecue pitch.
You could say we’re not your typical financial adviser! We’re committed to helping people to “live bolder” – enjoying every opportunity and not worrying about money. Bolder Wealth exists to help successful people who want more out of life to be their best. We love working with high performance individuals, couples and families who want to take action and get results! We like to understand who they are, what they really want out of life and plan for that future. We do this by understanding the numbers and creating a plan that’s inspiring and motivating. Our process targets everything from cash flow to investment, superannuation and insurance. Ultimately, we’re about working together to achieve goals.
Tell us about your favourite places to ride in Bright. Give us some tips.
Everyone comes to Bright to ride the big three climbs — Mt Buffalo, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek — but there are some lesser-known rides that are just as good. The Gaps Loop is one of my favourites; you head out to Ovens, down Happy Valley Road, and over Rosewhite Gap.
Then down the Kiewa Valley, over Tawonga Gap and back to Bright. It’s 110 km and 1,200 metres of climbing. You’ve got to save a little something for Tawonga Gap. It’s only 7.5 km, but it can break you at the end. Whether you’re on a gravel or mountain bike, make sure you head up to Clearspot or Mt Porepunkah.
Each is about a 12km climb with 900 metres of elevation. It’s steep in parts but worth the fantastic views from the top. We get up there for a sunrise or sunset sometimes.
When you’re not riding you’re running your business, Bolder Wealth. Give us the barbecue pitch.
You could say we’re not your typical financial adviser! We’re committed to helping people to “live bolder” – enjoying every opportunity and not worrying about money. Bolder Wealth exists to help successful people who want more out of life to be their best. We love working with high performance individuals, couples and families who want to take action and get results!
We like to understand who they are, what they really want out of life and plan for that future. We do this by understanding the numbers and creating a plan that’s inspiring and motivating. Our process targets everything from cash flow to investment, superannuation and insurance. Ultimately, we’re about working together to achieve goals.
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What would your advice be for anyone making a permanent move to Bright?
While there are busy weekends, holidays, and events where the town is buzzing, we also have quiet times. Bright is actually a small country town. There is probably only one degree of separation here. The vibes are laid-back and friendly; you will get out whatever you put in. So get ready to bump into your neighbour at Sixpence Coffee, the school teacher at the post office, and your new friend at the supermarket. When you make the move, get involved in the community, whether it’s the local cycling club, running group, tennis club, chamber of commerce, SES, Rotary, or just volunteering at any opportunity. It’s the best way to meet people, learn about what’s happening in the community, and start to feel like you’re part of the town.
Finally, what does autumn in Bright mean for you?
Autumn is a great time of year to live in Bright. The mornings are getting crisp, but the days are still warm. And, of course, Bright’s colours are phenomenal: gold, red, orange, and yellow. Living here, you get to watch the leaves change day by day.
What would your advice be for anyone making a permanent move to Bright?
While there are busy weekends, holidays, and events where the town is buzzing, we also have quiet times. Bright is actually a small country town. There is probably only one degree of separation here. The vibes are laid-back and friendly; you will get out whatever you put in. So get ready to bump into your neighbour at Sixpence Coffee, the school teacher at the post office, and your new friend at the supermarket.
When you make the move, get involved in the community, whether it’s the local cycling club, running group, tennis club, chamber of commerce, SES, Rotary, or just volunteering at any opportunity. It’s the best way to meet people, learn about what’s happening in the community, and start to feel like you’re part of the town.
Finally, what does autumn in Bright mean for you?
Autumn is a great time of year to live in Bright. The mornings are getting crisp, but the days are still warm. And, of course, Bright’s colours are phenomenal: gold, red, orange, and yellow. Living here, you get to watch the leaves change day by day.
