The way points of this bicycle route:
Meet here at 5.45am. If your new- introduce yourself.
OK, the Canterbury climb starts here with a long slow grind...
... till the hill starts to kick up a bit here in its roller coaster of ups and flats...
and down we go, picking up speed and resting the lungs after the first climb of the day.
Turn left here, watch out for traffic and signal for those behind you.
Middleborough Bumb- a sharp steep sprint. If your strong, climb it in the big ring and be prepared for attacks from behind so out of the saddle and ready to keep clicking up through the gears (don't worry, the turn ahead usually is a red light so you can recover a bit).
Whitehorse Rd is a long gradual climb that wears you down if you go too hard.
Look out for SVG (Safety Vest Girl). She can usually be found on the service road here headed east on her hybrid. Wave hi to her! :)
Get ready for the sprint to the top turn here (the highest point of the ride). Tactics and boxing in is essential but the cunning will sometimes move into the service road for a clean run (the sneaky buggers).
This is where we turn OFF the standard MRR route. The std route keeps on going along Mitcham Rd.
Watch this corner. its downhill and tight and recently they installed traffic management speed bumps, etc so use care.
Weeeeee......! Lovely downhill bend but watch for the single lane bridge and oncoming traffic.
Up! Up! Up we go...
A but bumpy through here but your climbing here at a slow pace anyway. Just don't bring your ZIPPS along this section. :D
Turn right here and you're faced with the first of the Glenvale Rd climbs (the easy one). Its very steep so small ring and out of the saddle.
OK, top of the first Glenvale Rd climb and you can see across the valley to the monster climb. Very intimidating... (just watch for the dog-leg at the bottom of the hill).
Start of the MONSTER! Granny gear and 100% effort for every pedal stroke (or risk going backwards). This WILL hurt! Regroup at the top essential!
Turn right and drop down the hill here.
More climbing...
Going up!
That 25 cassette doesn't seem like the best choice now does it?
Left here onto Park Rd.
Right at Mitcham Rd and onto the MRR standard route again.
Nothing much to report about this stretch, just keep a nice fast pace up but leave something in reserve for the rest of the hills.
The start of Col d'Westfield. Look out for the grim reaper at the top!
Grim Reaper alert!
Sweep left around this fast corner and prepare for the fast Elgar Rd downhill.
Weeeeee......... (watch for the traffic lights at the bottom!)
Prepare to turn right so watch for an opening and move into the right lane.
If you're lucky, you will get a gap in the traffic and be able to maintain your speed around the corner for Belmore KOM.
KOM climb starts here- don't burn all your matches too early.
The first line of the ped crossing is the KOM line. Many battles have been waged for this line. Throwing up after crossing the line scores extra points! LOL
False flat to recover from the KOM effort.
Turn right for the second diversion from the usual MRR route.
And down we go again....
...and even more down...
... whoosh around the corner...
.. but be ready with the brakes for this corner...
BUMP!
Left here and we start the climbing again (did I say this was a hilly route?)
Left again and more climbing (remember, what goes down must come up).
Tired yet?
Right and back onto the MRR route proper.
Start to wind it up for KOV (King of the Valley) sprint. If traffic is about, be prepared to call the sprint off for safety. We ain't racing for sheep stations here!
The road veers right and downs into the KOV section. Be ready with the 53/11 (if you have it- if not get ready to spin, spin, spin).
Plenty of lead outs, drafts and tactics come into play here...
Woohoo! KOV line so hands in the air, jersey zipped up and a salute to the crowds! LOL (that is if your not trying to keep your heart from leaping out of your chest that is...)
Left at the lights and climb up and over the crest.
Climbing back up again to the Whitehorse Rd intersection. if you're lucky, you'll get a green so you can maintain momentum for the Fintona Bump (otherwise known as the Magical Land of Fintonia LOL).
I bet you got the red here right? Get ready to work hard up the next climb. It's the last one but it hits 12% and your probably screaming for mercy about now.
Fintona KOM line. Urgh... oh the horror, the horror!
Watch the upcoming intersection, its downhill and usually a red light. Easy to skid!
Left here and be ready to move into the right lane to turn straight after the railway overpass.
Be VERY careful here when turning right.
Finish at the Maling Room Cafe for post ride drinks and witty banter!
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
Take the MRR course and add in 2 extra loops full of hill lovin' goodness (inc Glenvale Rd and its 24% gradient). Plenty of fun for the whole family (yeah.. if your family name is Contador that is).
Tagged with: Training, Onroad, Smooth, Steep, Difficult, Rough, Urban, Rural
