Open invitation: training in the Victorian Alps

Given that it’s less than 90 days until the 3 Peaks Challenge rolls around, I figured it was about time that I got my act together and did some more serious training. To that end, I’m spending from Boxing Day until New Years Eve in the magnificent Victorian Alps, getting my training on.

In fact, training is only one of three reasons that I’m heading north – I’m also keen to profile some of the more popular alpine climbs that I haven’t yet covered and I’m also interested to have at least one attempt at the ‘Back O’ Falls’ climb before I come face to face with it in March. By all accounts it’s a fairly epic climb – the first 3km especially – and I figure it would be better to know what I’m up against when the big day rolls around. Then again, they do say that ignorance is bliss.

I’ll be in the Alps for six days and you are all welcome to join me for some or all of the trip. For those that are interested, here’s where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing;

Sunday December 26

Drive from Melbourne to Omeo
Camp at the Omeo Caravan Park

Monday December 27

Ride from Omeo to Dinner Plain, return (~90km)
Camp at the Omeo Caravan Park
Cover the Omeo to Dinner Plain climb for the site

Tuesday December 28

Ride from Omeo to Falls Creek, return (~150km)
Cover the Back O’ Falls climb for site
Continue driving through to Mt. Beauty
Camp at the Mt. Beauty Holiday Centre

Wednesday December 29

Rest day? Short ride? Open to suggestions!
Camp at the Mt. Beauty Holiday Centre

Thursday December 30

Cover Falls Creek climb for site
Cover Tawonga Gap (Bright side) climb for site
Camp at the Mt. Beauty Holiday Centre

Friday December 31

Drive home

If you are interested in joining me for any or all of these rides, please send me an email at theclimbingcyclist@gmail.com and let me know. From there we can discuss contact details and when and where to meet up. Of course, if no one comes along that’s fine too – the trip will still go ahead as planned.

If I don’t speak to you all again before next Saturday, I hope you have a terrific Christmas with friends and family. Thanks for all of the support, kind words and suggestions this year via email, Facebook and Twitter and I look forward to bringing you more great climbs in 2011.

84 days to go…