The ride begins from downtown, climbing uphill on Rusty Crusty, Axehead, and eventually, the Long Shadows trail. Long Shadows is a moderate trail with some switchbacks and rock gardens, and it offers some stunning views of the valley and the mountains. And soon, you'll reach Return to Sender.

Return to Sender is a new trail in the Derby network that offers a smooth and flowy ride with lots of rock slabs and berms. It is 5.72 km long and mostly downhill, with gentle to moderate gradients. It starts from the shuttle drop-off point on Cascade Dam Road and finishes on the main street of Derby, opposite the post office - hence the name. As you might have gathered, you could choose to shuttle up to the beginning of the trail instead of pedaling.

The trail passes through tall eucalyptus forests and dense pockets of tree-ferns, giving you a sense of being immersed in nature. It has some exposure and speed, but nothing too scary or technical. The trail is rated as more difficult, but it is suitable for intermediate riders who are comfortable with some rock features.

The Return to Sender loop with Long Shadows is a must-do for any mountain bike enthusiast visiting Derby. It will give you a taste of the amazing trails that this town has to offer.

Sources: https://www.ridebluederby.com.au/trails/derby-trails/return-to-sender https://flowmountainbike.com/features/blue-derbys-new-trails-return-to-sender-flickety-sticks-upper/ Conversation with Bing