Great news! The Australasian leg of the Continental Cycle Climb Challenge has been completed! Thanks to all of you who have sponsored me and offered support.

The actual climb was much tougher than expected; the lowest summit of the 6 challenges, I had obviously underestimated the mountain.

Starting from Lake Jindabyne, the climb started well during the first 10 miles. However, a foul headwind soon materialised and the gradient increased. Bright blue skies gave way to a dense cloud cover.

Progress to Charlottes Pass was steady, but from there on, the going much slower for 11 miles of gravelly and stony path. Short of breath and with exhausted legs, I slowly reached Rawsons Pass: the highest point that bikes are allowed up the mountain.

Sad to leave Scotty behind, I removed the saddle and took it with me on the remaining mile hike to the summit of the mountain. At least some part of the bike had reached the very top!

My brother also makes the summit after riding up on his Cargo bike (an insane achievement considering the nature of the machine – more on this later). However, I console myself in the fact that he had driven most of the way up the mountain to start his ride; but not to take too much away from him (!)

The weather on the top is bitterly cold with gusts in excess of 40-50 mph. I decide not to hang around and head quickly off the mountain.

I reach a top speed of 45.5 mph on the descent; the fastest ever on Scotty. The roads are silky smooth and the strong headwind now reversed to my tail.

There are a few small climbs on the otherwise steep 30 mile descent back to Jindabyne. My legs are wasted and I hit the wall on these short uphill sections.

Back down off the mountain I’m tired but elated to have completed the challenge.

The next day we transfer to ‘Bright’ where I set off alone to cross the Great Dividing Range. Over 2 days I ride 165 miles including an ascent of 1800+ metre Mt Hotham. Hotham turns out to be an utter nightmare; the mountain that keeps on giving (Pain that is).

I limp into Omeo after a leg-shattering day on the bike. Today’s ride to Bairnsdale has been easier, but a strong headwind to end the day was unwelcome.

A couple more days on the bike to get back to Melbourne and pack the bike for the flight back to the UK.

It’s been great – I can’t wait for the next one!

Share this: