Archives

Image: Jackman Chiu

Here at The Climbing Cyclist we’ve published a whole bunch of articles and blog posts in the past few years. To ensure nothing gets lost in the mists of time, and to make older articles/posts easier to find, we’ve created this archive page.

Here you’ll find cycling stories from a range of contributors, blog posts about Matt’s training for the 3 Peaks Challenge, articles about cycling-related experiences and much more. Bear in mind that some articles/posts appear in more than one category.

If you can’t find something you’re looking for, would like to see something covered in more depth or have any other feedback, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Click on the links below to skip to the content you’re interested in. Alternatively, scroll down until you find something of interest.

Table of contents

3 Peaks Challenge 2013 Guest posts
7 Peaks Domestique Series Epic climbs
3 Peaks Challenge 2012 Reviews
Great rides Hells 500
Dirty Dozen(s) Charity rides
Cycling USA 3 Peaks Challenge 2011
Ride Hard to Breathe Easy Strava Challenge 3 Peaks Challenge 2010
Cycling New Zealand Media and other appearances
Articles  Races

3 Peaks Challenge 2013

A few weeks before the 2013 3 Peaks Challenge, Bicycle Network Victoria was forced to make a route change due to bushfires and landslides on the road between Mt. Hotham and Omeo. While some argued that revised course was easier, I still found the ride to be extremely challenging.

In the lead-up to the event I wrote a ‘what to expect’ guide and then a revised ‘what to expect’ guide when the route was changed. I also put together a write-up that detailed my experience of the 2013 3 Peaks Challenge.

7 Peaks Domestique Series

In a collaboration between the Hells 500 cycling collective and The Climbing Cyclist Andy van Bergen and I organised a series of group rides to help cyclists get through Tourism Victoria’s 7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Challenge. The series was all about encouraging more riders to get into climbing and providing a safe and welcoming environment for those that came along.

3 Peaks Challenge 2012

From early November 2011 I spent four months training for the 2012 3 Peaks Challenge. The following blog posts document my preparation for the event, concluding with a write-up of 3 Peaks itself.

Great rides

From time to time I’m lucky enough to participate in a great cycling event — something more than a simple weekend spin in the hills. It might be a mass participation event like Amy’s Gran Fondo, or a group ride I’ve helped to organise.

Dirty Dozen(s)

The original Dirty Dozen was born in Pittsburgh, USA in 1983 and now David Blom and I have helped bring the concept to Australia. The idea is simple: complete a course that features 12 (or 13) of the toughest local climbs. After we held a Melbourne version in May 2012, the concept quickly spread to Adelaide and Hobart. Hopefully it continues to grow!

Cycling USA

In June and July 2012 my youngest brother Ash and I ventured to the USA for a five-week holiday. Ash was there for a jazz course at New York University and I was there to do some cycling. I managed the following rides in the US, all on hire bikes.

Ride Hard to Breathe Easy Strava challenge

In April 2012 I took part in the Ride Hard to Breathe Easy Challenge on Strava, a challenge with a simple goal — to ride 800km in April. Underlying the challenge was a great cause though: to raise awareness about lung cancer — which can affect anyone, not just smokers — and honour the life of Karen Munroe, who lost her battle with lung cancer in late 2011.

Cycling New Zealand

In January 2011, as part of my preparation for the 2011 3 Peaks Challenge, I was lucky enough to do a handful of rides in New Zealand.

Articles

These are a collection of posts written not about my own cycling adventures, but about issues related to cycling and, more often than not, climbing.

Guest posts

The following is a full list of the guest posts published on The Climbing Cyclist. Thanks very much to all of the authors for being so generous with their time — it is greatly appreciated.

Epic climbs

As good as the climbing is in Victoria (and indeed Australia) you really have to go overseas if you want to experience the best mountains the world has to offer. In this ongoing series, guest bloggers write about the epic climbs they’ve done in Europe and elsewhere.

Reviews

This is a collection of reviews I’ve written about various cycling-related products and experiences.

Hells 500

The Hells 500 crew, led by Andy van Bergen, are known for their crazily long rides and epic adventures. The following is a collection of articles about Hells 500 and the great rides they’ve put together.

Charity rides

Cycling on its own is rewarding enough, but when you’re cycling for a good cause, the sport becomes even more satisfying. The following posts are about charity rides.

3 Peaks Challenge 2011

On October 13, 2010 I signed up for the 3 Peaks Challenge 2011. Over the next five months I trained up for the epic event. The following are blog posts about my training, concluding with a write-up of 3 Peaks 2011 itself.

3 Peaks Challenge 2010

In late 2009, after completing Bicycle Network Victoria’s Around the Bay in a Day for the second time, my brother Brendan and I decided to try something a little more challenging: the 3 Peaks Challenge. We started our training in late December before an attempt at the inaugural 3 Peaks in mid-March 2010.

Media and other appearances

This is a list of the very few media or other appearances I’ve made since starting up The Climbing Cyclist.

Races

I’ve only done a handful of races so far, but here are my blog posts about them:

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