The Climbing Cyclist - The joy of riding uphill & a guide to Victoria's best climbs.

April 9, 2014

New climb added to the site: Perrins Creek Road

The Perrins Creek Road climb is one of the most popular climbs in the Dandenongs, and with good reason: it's wonderfully scenic. It's also deceptively challenging, despite an average gradient of less than 7%. Here's a full climb guide. Read more

April 1, 2014

Everesting Yarra Street: 203km, 13 hours and 159 laps

A few years back Shane Miller did 100 laps of the popular Yarra Street climb in Melbourne's inner east, earning himself a place in local cycling folklore. On Sunday, Paul Dalgarno, the rider formerly known as the Donvale Demon, set out to do his own epic ride on Yarra Street, attempting to 'Everest' the climb. Here's Paul's story. Read more

March 26, 2014

The 2014 Mt. Buller Road Race (by Verita Stewart)

Only a year ago Verita Stewart was lining up to race women's C grade at the Mt. Buller Road Race. On Sunday she raced A grade with ambitions of a top-10 finish, despite a less than ideal lead-up. In this guest post Verita talks us through her weekend, which also included the Mansfield Criterium. Read more

March 20, 2014March 23, 2014

La Marmotte Dreaming: a very tough ride near Christchurch

After moving to Christchurch in early 2013 George Mallory has spent some time exploring the great riding around New Zealand's South Island. This post is about a challenging route George put together near Christchurch, in an attempt to pay homage to the great French cyclosportif, La Marmotte. Try it if you dare. Read more

March 18, 2014March 27, 2014

Exploring Apollo Bay and surrounds by bike

A recent camping trip down to Apollo Bay gave me the opportunity to ride on some unfamiliar roads and climbs, reminding me of the simple joy of riding new roads for the first time. Read more

March 14, 2014April 4, 2014

3 Peaks Challenge 2014

For the past four years Bicycle Network's 3 Peaks Challenge has been the focal point of my cycling year. But this year a niggling knee injury stopped me from doing enough training and, ultimately, taking part in the event. But my brother Brendan de Neef was able to take my place and he wrote this report. Read more

March 10, 2014March 14, 2014

A weekend of cycling in Canberra

I recently got the opportunity to head to Canberra for a long weekend of cycling. I managed to get in three solid rides and check out a bunch of great climbs around our nation's capital. Here's my story and a bunch of photos from that trip. Read more

March 4, 2014April 4, 2014

Domestique 7 Peaks Series 2013/14: Mt Buller

Putting on the Domestique 7 Peaks Series has been extremely satisfying and rewarding for Andy and I and the final ride, at Mt. Buller last weekend, was no exception. Here's my report from that ride, including some terrific photos from Kirsten Simpson. Read more

February 28, 2014February 28, 2014

Mountain biking at Mt. Buller

The day after our final Domestique 7 Peaks Series ride of the summer, a group of three of us went mountain biking up at Mt. Buller. Here's how the day unfolded. Read more

February 27, 2014February 27, 2014

Everesting: a Hells 500 epic

It's been nearly a year since the last Hells 500 epic -- Crux -- and this year's ride is scheduled to take place this weekend. It's called Everesting and it's almost certainly the hardest Hells 500 epic yet. Read more

February 19, 2014April 4, 2014

New climb added to the site: Mt. William

Mt. William is the highest point in the Grampians National Park and with a brutally tough 1.9km section just before the summit it's not a climb to be taken lightly. But the amazing views throughout, and particularly near the top, make this climb more than worth the effort. Read more

February 14, 2014February 14, 2014

Mowen's 24-hour Challenge: 480km & 18,000m of climbing

480km, 18,000m of climbing, 24 hours on the bike. They're scary numbers whichever way you slice them. But for Michael Owen, even a ride this tough couldn't compare to what he'd already been through and what many millions around the world continue to go through. Read more

February 5, 2014February 2, 2022

The simple joy of exploration

When you're sick of riding the same old roads and your riding is starting to feel a little stale, why not switch gears and do a bit of exploring by bike? It's a great way to see the world around you, all while keeping your riding interesting. Read more