kinglake climbToday's crew consisted of Colin, Scott, Sally, Ian and myself. From Heidelberg, we made short work of the few undulating hills on our way to Eltham. From Research to St. Andrews via Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill, we received our first taste for what was to come on today's ride - lots of climbing. This would be our warm-up.
Leaving St. Andrews behind is when the climb proper begins. This is when the pain starts. We were prepped by Scott and Sally, that before we get to the "official" start of the Kinglake climb, we would first have to traverse a hill that is shorter but significantly steeper. It would hurt, but that the gradient is not maintained all the way to the township of Kinglake. Phew! We re-grouped at the top of this hill for a breather before tackling the remainder of the climb to Kinglake at our own individual pace.
Scott and Sally by Ian M
As we started our climb, I hear a car behind me and yelled out "Car back!". It gave a friendly double-beep of the horn. I figured it was just a car letting us know of its presence and was about to overtake us. It wasn't just any car - it was Mel. She was meeting us in Kinglake with fresh supplies for the return leg. As she passed us, we joked about how our SAG (support and gear) wagon was passing us when SAG wagons are actually meant to bring up the rear. Scott said that's because we were running late. I quipped in and said if that's the case, then the SAG wagon is meant to pick us all up, not leave us behind! =)
I was comfortable riding along the ridge line for the first 5km of the climb with about 4% gradient. As the road heads away from the ridge line, the gradient picks up a few notches. This is when it started to hurt for me. I stopped once to catch my breath and to slow the heart rate down. Pushing off on a slope whilst trying to clip into the pedals and get some momentum going wasn't easy. Cue a few false starts and a few wobbly moments.
At some point during the second half of this climb, I thought to myself - why am I doing this? I cannot believe that people do this for fun. I wanted to kill Ian for getting me into cycling. He wanted to kill me for suggesting the Great Ocean Road and Otway ride and all these training rides that we are doing. =P I wanted to get off my bike, hail down a car and hitch a ride to the top of the climb but my pride wouldn't let me. That would mean giving up.
I had just about given up peering around every corner, hoping to see signs of the township, when I started seeing roofs in the horizon. At that precise moment, the forecasted 40km/h northerlies made their presence known. Until we commence our return leg, this tailwind is a headwind. The end (of most) of the day's climbing was in sight. Nearly there...
refuelling after running out of gasPulled into the township, I did. One by one, the group re-grouped and promptly scoffed down all manner of food and drinks. Scott who was still recovering from a virus decided it wasn't wise for him to continue. The temperature was string starting to climb into the mid-30s and a decision was made that he would follow Mel back in the SAG wagon and get the Broom wagon.
"The Broom Wagon (also referred to as SAG Wagon) is the affectionate name for the vehicle that follows a Cycle Road Race picking up stragglers (or sweeping them up) who are unable to make it to the finish of the race within the time permitted." -
Wikipedia.
The rest of us would ride down to Eltham where Scott would meet us. After all that climbing, there was no chance of talking the rest of us out of enjoying the fruits of our labour, the descent into St. Andrews. What took 38 mins to climb was dispatched off in 16 minutes going downhill. It is a somewhat technical descent - you need to watch out for uneven road surfaces, loose gravel, blind corners and if you are chicken-shit like me, make sure you don't sit on your brakes. Descending a straight road is easy, descending a tight and twisty road is a whole different kettle of fish. The worst thing you can do is heat up the tyres to the extent that they explode. I took it easy down and rode within my comfort zone. Max speed: 72.7km/h.
Our return trip would include a few hills, most notably the tough climb from St. Andrew's to Smiths Gully and the climb into Kangaroo Ground.
quittin' time by Ian M
Just before 1pm, we pulled into the Kangaroo Ground General Store and decided to call it a day. The sun was beating down on us and the temperature was hovering around 38 degrees. It was too freaking hot and while I felt like I could have made it all the way back to the car, it just wasn't worth it.
A quick phone call to Scott sent the Broom Wagon heading towards Kangaroo Ground. When Scott turned up, we packed away five road bikes (two on the roof, three in the boot and each rear passenger clutching a bike wheel each) into the car and headed back towards our starting point to say our goodbyes until our next ride.
It was a day packed with mechanical issues. Scott's chain came off his big chain ring. Sal's chain came off her large rear sprocket into the wheel spokes. I had a puncture and Ian's chain continued its love affair with the bottom bracket.
fixing a puncture by Ian M
I was pleasantly surprised to see heaps of cyclists doing the Kinglake climb today. Unlike riding in the flatter parts of Victoria, there is a certain camaraderie, respect and friendliness amongst riders of the hills. Cars, trucks and motorcycles alike were very well-behaved, giving us plenty of space.
It was an epic ride. Heidelberg - Kinglake - Kangaroo Ground: 69.19km. Duration: 3:20:23. Elevation climbed: 1536m.
