It’s easy to forget that the Donvale Demon only took up cycling in the second half of last year. Since then he’s completed the Around the Bay in a Day (210km version) and thrown everything at his preparations for the … Read more “Guest post: 3 Peaks Challenge (I am the mountain)”
Episode 19: 3 Peaks Challenge 2012
Route: 3 Peaks Challenge
Distance: 235km
There was a brief moment on the lower slopes of Mt Hotham when I thought to myself: ‘Finishing 3 Peaks isn’t going to be satisfying this year. I’ve already done it once, what’s to … Read more “Episode 19: 3 Peaks Challenge 2012”
Episode 18: Let’s roll!
The fact I’ve already completed the 3 Peaks Challenge before doesn’t feel like an advantage at this stage. I feel surprisingly nervous for Sunday and I’m more than a little bit scared of how my ITB is going to hold … Read more “Episode 18: Let’s roll!”
Guest post: Brisbane2Melbourne charity ride
Riding 160km in a day is an impressive effort. Riding an average of 160km a day for two weeks is a whole ‘nother level of impressive. That’s exactly what Sean Sampson plans to do when he sets off from Brisbane … Read more “Guest post: Brisbane2Melbourne charity ride”
Guest post: Three Long Five High (a Hells 500 epic)
There’s no shortage of epic challenge rides to be found in the great state of Victoria. Bicycle Network Victoria’s 3 Peaks Challenge springs to mind, as does the Audax Alpine Classic, just to mention a few. But for the … Read more “Guest post: Three Long Five High (a Hells 500 epic)”
Episode 17: Beach Road vs. Mt. Dandenong
Route: Thornbury, Emerald, Olinda, Dandenongs loop
Distance: 183km
Duration: 7 hours 11 minutes
Do you ever have one of those days where you wake up and decide not to go riding, only to regret the decision later in the day? … Read more “Episode 17: Beach Road vs. Mt. Dandenong”
Episode 16: the magical Reefton Spur
Route: Warburton, Marysville, Lake Mountain loop
Distance: 140km
Duration: 5 hours 32 minutes
Over the past nine months it’s been inspiring to see the Donvale Demon rapidly improve as a cyclist. He’s gone from non-cyclist to Around the Bay in … Read more “Episode 16: the magical Reefton Spur”
Episode 15: pushing through pain for a Buller PB
Route: Bonnie Doon to Tolmie, via Mt. Buller
Distance: 146km
Duration: 5 hours 32 minutes
I’ve spent more on physiotherapy bills in the past three weeks than I did in the five years before that. It’s all in the hope … Read more “Episode 15: pushing through pain for a Buller PB”
Episode 14: a bittersweet hundred-miler
Route: Heathmont to Inverloch, via Emerald and Pakenham
Distance: 159km
Duration: 5 hours 11 minutes
It’s a little over a month until the 3 Peaks Challenge and the days are melting away. The training’s going well, I’m ramping up the … Read more “Episode 14: a bittersweet hundred-miler”
Guest post: 2012 Audax Alpine Classic (200km version)
On Sunday January 29, David Blom rode the 200km version of the Audax Alpine Classic. In this guest post, David describes the big day while reminding us that when you’re travelling to the Victorian Alps, the journey is just … Read more “Guest post: 2012 Audax Alpine Classic (200km version)”
Guest post: 2012 Audax Alpine Classic (250km version)
For the past six months, Anthony Gugel has been training for one of Australia’s toughest one-day challenge rides: the 250km version of the Audax Alpine Classic (ACE250). At 4am on Sunday, Anthony rolled up to the start line in … Read more “Guest post: 2012 Audax Alpine Classic (250km version)”
Episode 13: climbing the Crucifix (and suffering in the sun)
Route: Heathmont to Thornbury, via The Crucifix
Distance: 119km
Duration: 4 hours 39 minutes
I made two mistakes on Saturday morning. The first was a failure to look at the weather forecast before leaving the house. The second was underestimating … Read more “Episode 13: climbing the Crucifix (and suffering in the sun)”
Episode 12: Mt. Baw Baw revisited
Route: Noojee to Mt. Baw Baw, return
Distance: 101km
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
There are few hills in our fine state of Victoria that inspire fear quite like Mt. Baw Baw. It’s not a long climb, but what … Read more “Episode 12: Mt. Baw Baw revisited”