It being the year of the snake it is no surprise that the species has made a grab for attention early this year.
Emergency services in Victoria’s Upper Yarra were recently called out to Warburton Mountain Bike Destination where an individual working in trail constriction was reported to have been bitten.
The massive Warburton facility is still under construction and work crews were deep in the forest when the incident occurred.
Ambulance officers reached the patient in good time but extracting him via semi-built tracks and trail more than one kilometre to the nearest road was a challenge.
With the help of the local SES they were able to use a specialist litter known as a mule—a frame with a single wheel looking like something of a fat tyre bike— to carry the victim out.
The incident was an unplanned rehearsal for the emergency teams as the Warburton MTB Destination, on Melbourne’s mountain fringes, is expected to attract large number of visitors when completed.
And if the snakes don’t get you, there will be plenty of opportunities for miscalculation and misadventure.
Construction of the first stage of the Warburton development has been underway since the middle of last year following lengthy environmental scrutiny of the proposed trail network through the sensitive area.
The first of the trails is expected to be open this year.
Meanwhile, whatever trail you're riding, don’t forget who really owns 2025.
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