The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a now disused railway line that extends from Ipswich to Yarraman, brimming with breathtaking mountain scenery and tranquil waterways, old train stations and carriages, and a rich history of early settlers.It's 161km!It's only a 30min drive from Brisbane’s CBD to the rail trail, or you can catch a train from Brisbane all the way to the Wulkuraka train station right where the BVRT starts.  Then its 161km of rail trail to Yarraman so there is a lot to see along the way such as wildlife, murals, fellow travellers and even an abandoned train in Linville!Everyone can ride togetherDue to the flatness of the trail, it’s a nice easy ride which allows for all levels of fitness and ages to ride together.  If you’re still concerned about mixing abilities then that’s the beauty of electric mountain bikes that are available for hire.

My name is Ben Forbes, I’ve been racing for 21 years across 29 countries. I continue to race whilst coaching mountain biking to all levels and providing mountain bike hire to push my mission of making it a more accessible sport for all. If you like what you see and hear on this article and want to get involved but don’t have a bike, contact me on ForbesMTB.com.au.We are truly lucky here in Ipswich, and here’s why.Castle Hill is the BEST option for rainy daysWhen it Rains, it Drains. Due to the porous gravel and rock, the trails of Castle Hill hold up super well when it rains so your bike isn’t going to degrade as much as going to somewhere where the mud would get amongst your drivetrain, brakes, frame bearings and suspension.