September, 2012 - The Climbing Cyclist

September 26, 2012September 26, 2012

Burning up the boards: beginner track session at DISC

With several visits to the venerable Brunswick Velodrome under my belt, I figured I was ready to tackle Sunday night's track session at the Darebin International Sports Centre (DISC). How hard could it be? I mean, track cycling is just about riding fast in a circle ... and repeating that until you're done. Right? Read more

September 21, 2012September 25, 2012

Guest post: The Ride to Conquer Cancer

Half of all Australians will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. And nearly every Australian will be affected by cancer in some way. My uncle Corry de Neef is doing his bit to raise money for cancer research, taking part in an upcoming two-day charity ride ... and he'd like your help. Read more

September 18, 2012April 8, 2014

Amy's Gran Fondo 2012

In just two years, Amy's Gran Fondo has established itself as one of the most popular mass participation rides in Victoria. And on Sunday, myself and nearly 4,000 other riders descended on the seaside town of Lorne, most of us there to ride the event's full distance of 120km. Read more

September 17, 2012October 2, 2013

Guest post: Help me do something epic!

I’m being hassled by the Ride to Conquer Cancer people. Someone from Peter Mac phones me every other week, asking how my fundraising is going. 'It’s going OK,' I say. 'It’s not bad'. Can they do anything for me? 'No, I’ll be fine,' I say. 'Thanks for calling.' Read more

September 12, 2012May 15, 2013

Guest post: Climbing Monte Zoncolan (10.1km @ 11.9%)

From the town of Ovaro, the climb to Monte Zoncolan is 10.1km long at an average gradient of 11.9%! If that wasn't scary enough, the final 6km of the climb rise at an average of 15%. This isn't the first time George Mallory has come face-to-face with Monte Zoncolan. This time he is gunning for a PB ... Read more

September 11, 2012September 11, 2012

Group ride: The Demon’s Double (and some hell in between)

There’s something a bit sick (and not in a good way) about me lending my name to an event with ~3,500 metres of climbing – especially less than a year since my first climb, Mt. Donna Buang, nearly ended me. Read more

September 10, 2012September 10, 2012

Arthurs Seat return: mostly flat with a dash of climbing

Whenever I ride with the eQuipo tranQuilo boys, I'm reasonably confident of holding my own in the hills. Sure, I mightn't finish every climb first, but I'm usually able to finish in the top few. But when the road is flat I seem to find things rather more difficult. Read more

September 7, 2012May 15, 2013

Guest post: Climbing Mont Ventoux (and much more)

A few weeks ago Angus Boase made us all jealous with his great story about climbing the legendary Alpe d'Huez. Now he's back with another guest post about climbing some more of France's most iconic mountains, including Mont Ventoux -- one of the most recognisable climbs in world cycling. Read more

September 5, 2012September 5, 2012

Guest post: The Inaugural Adelaide Dirty Dozen

In this guest post, Adam Williss documents the thought and planning that went into organising the first ever Adelaide Dirty Dozen, and how the event unfolded last Saturday, September 1. Read more

September 4, 2012September 4, 2012

The Crucifix group ride: riding together, suffering alone

There's a peculiar paradox at the very heart of climbing. Cycling uphill for any length of time is challenging and more often than not, painful. Yet, at the same time, there's something so intrinsically satisfying, so rewarding about dragging yourself and your bike uphill, that we do it voluntarily, and often. Read more