Terrys Avenue
Length: 3.2km
Average gradient: 6.7%
Introduction
Don’t let the average gradient fool you: this is one of the most challenging climbs you are likely to do. Rising sharply out of the township of Belgrave, this climb has several sections in excess of 20% and will push you to the limit, regardless of your cycling ability.
The Start
The Terrys Avenue climb starts at the main roundabout in the township of Belgrave, 40km east of Melbourne.
The Finish
The Terrys Avenue climb concludes at its intersection with the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road (C415).
Riding the climb
A warning to recreational riders – while this climb is short, it is extremely steep in parts and will prove very challenging for all but the strongest climbers. The average gradient might be only 6.7% but this climb contains one 700m section at 14% and a 1.6km section at 11%. If you are going to attempt this climb, be mindful of your own ability and consider whether the satisfaction of reaching the top is worth the pain of getting there!
It’s more or less impossible to ride the Terrys Avenue climb without having an idea of what’s ahead you. From its start at the main Belgrave roundabout, Terrys Avenue shoots up at an impossibly steep angle and disappears around a right-hand bend. This initial pinch is in excess of 20% gradient but luckily it only lasts for 50m or so.
After the initial pinch, the road settles into a comparatively pedestrian gradient of around 11% which is maintained until the 500m mark at which point the road kicks back up. For 100m the gradient sits at a punishing 15% before flattening out at 700m, giving you a chance to rest.
After 300m of nearly-zero gradient the road, now called Belgrave-Ferny Creek Road, actually descends. The road falls away for 600m, reducing the climb’s average gradient to something completely unrepresentative of the climb itself. At the 1.6km mark the road begins to climb again, doing so at a gradient beyond 10% for several hundred metres.
But it’s at the 2.2km mark that things start to get even more challenging. At a gradient of around 20% the road winds its way through the Dandenong Ranges National Park, the beautiful scenery most likely ignored in the face of lung-busting steepness. After 2.5km of climbing a more modest gradient of 10% returns but by this stage you are likely to be wishing for the end of the climb.
2.8km into the climb, the gradient increases again, punishing you until a slight crest in the road at the 3km mark. For 100m the road descends gently before bending left, climbing with a gradient of greater than 10% for the final 100m to the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road.
The descent of Terrys Avenue should be treated with respect. While speeds in excess of the speed limit are well and truly possible down here, at least one rider has had a nasty fall on this descent in recent years and all caution should be taken to avoid further incidents.
Profile
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Location
The township of Belgrave is found at the end of Burwood Highway (C412), 40km east of Melbourne’s CBD. If you are riding from the city, Burwood Highway starts at the intersection of St. Kilda Road where it is called Toorak Road.
This climb can also be attempted after descending from the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. The point where the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and Terrys Avenue intersect is 6km north-east from Upper Ferntree Gully and 6km south-west from Olinda, both along the Tourist Road.
Times
If getting to the top of this climb isn’t challenging enough for you, you could always try to set a good time as well. To add your time to the list, visit Cycle2Max.
Great survey of the monster that Terry’s really is… We were required to ride ‘repeats’ of this hill in 1993 for the VIS training to national AUS squad selection under coach Dave Sanders; there really was no rider who could just ‘ride’ up this hill easily (although Lloydy does now). It requires plenty of strength training & fitness on lesser gradients before a successful attempt at Terry’s, unless you’re happy to ‘stand-still’ on the pedals &flex your triceps for every stroke. There are steeper climbs in nearby Upwey (such as Mast Gully Rd.?!@*^#?!?) but Terry’s is the best of the ‘training climbs’ that don’t force riders to WALK. Thanks to ‘The Climbing Cyclist’ for great details!
I must admit I have only been down, not up. The time I did go down I managed to do 98km/hr and end up in the bushes. I was okay but unfortunately for my mate ended up in hospital with a broken collarbone. Pay Terry’s the respect and ride up it before you ride down and you won’t be tempted to break the land speed record any time soon!
Yikes Derek. Sounds horrible!
But you’re completely right. This hill needs to be respected – on the way up and on the way down!
Love this site! My nana used to live on this hill and had many cars/ motorbikes end up in her front yard! So yes take extreme caution when descending and if you are a little mad like me then make sure you have a very well maintained bike before you fly down at 109.6……
hi guys, great web-site. I’d suggest that you start making reference to suggested gears to use. Yes, i can here you say, ‘it all depends on the level of rider’, but on average most people will use within 1 or 2 cogs, of the suggested gears. – i.e. gear ratios for Mt Baw Baw are critical in getting the best result, without busting a muscle. It will also help people to be better prepared on the day and tune their bike according the the gradient.
Hi Damian, thanks for your suggestion. I’ll take it on board.
My mate and I did the descent, simply due to so much breaking I managed to completely wear out my rear brake pads and in-deed you can hit maximum speeds in the 90s. But I am looking forward to going up Terrys ave sometime soon.
P.S. Love the website.
You won’t be looking forward to it once you start climbing it!
What a great description of this brutal Climb. I recently used it to wake the old legs up and start getting fit for the alpine Classic. It was a lot harder than I remember as I used to be quite fit… Luckily I ran a 39/27 and just made it. I have concluded and 39/28 would be better. Love the site also. Used it last summer to get info on Hotham as I had never ridden it before and the info was invaluable.
Thanks Thad. Your kind words are much appreciated.
(And yes, Terrys Avenue is all kinds of brutal!)
also try out “The Serpintine” – its a small road that runs off the mid way point of Terrys Ave -i cannot remember the road it starts off, but it essentially runs parrallel with Terrys Ave. Its about 25% and dont try using anything less than a 39 x 27.
Constant Hairpins on The Serpentine too. It joins Sandells Rd. Great road for sure, the ride might be a little short though.
Having recently done Terrys Ave, followed by Mast Gully Rd several weeks later, I’d recommend you add a write up for the latter on this site. Although the grade on Mast Gully Rd varies, allowing a few breathers here and there, its maximum grade seems to be more than for Terrys Ave / Belgrave-Ferny Ck Rd. I rode up it yesterday, and my legs still hurt (more than usual, anyway
I’d like to thank my neighbour Larry for showing me Terry’s Ave today but I can’t. What a monster of a climb, not in length but in gradient, it hurt!!! Another one ticked off the bucket list!
OUCH! – The 20% Parts did hurt. Happy to say I knocked this one off today on the way to Mt Dandenong. Thought my legs were going to lock up doing one revolution at a time in the steep bits. Thanks for listing it. Now looking for the next challenge…..
Great stuff Rob. Have you climbed Mt. Baw Baw before? It’s a good challenge!
Hey Matt,
Haven’t done Baw Baw as yet and look forward to the challenge. I am 1/2 way through your list so far.
Cheers
Rob
Great to hear Rob!