No way was this right. Two thirds up the side of Mt Buninyong and my Garmin was indicating a gradient of 1%. $&!!1%! I was checking to see how big the gradient was, thinking 9 or 10, but 1. Was there a rift in the fabric of time and space? You know, Hanging Rock style? Weird. A bit disconcerting actually, but in a couple of strokes of the pedals, the unit was showing 11% and all the laws of relativity and gravity had corrected themselves.
Arriving at the “summit”, I felt that Mt Buninyong had nowhere near been the challenge I had steeled myself for. I’d left far too much in the tank and like a good stew, I reckon that Bunny would be a lot better second time around. The way the course had been setup, I had the perception that there was more descending than climbing. Fisken Rd, on the northern side of the Mt, is like a beautiful wide ski run. With local knowledge, I think you could gun it down from the turnoff into Gear Ave all the way into the town of Buninyoung. As many others did. I think I’d been spooked by a fellow participant who provided a warning to me before disappearing down the road. “Save yourself for the second part of the climb, it can hurt” he said. Take it from me, the climb does drag on from the roundabout at the Buninyong pub, up Geelong Rd and finally up part of the Mt before turning towards Yendon; but it is more of slow burn at 7 – 8%, than large inclines; and you don’t actually climb the real summit. Next time around, knowing that the second part is not a kicker, I’d give it more of a red hot go. Yes, yes. I can hear the naysayers. I’m not doing it 16 times in succession like they do in the National Road Race and the Nats doesn’t include the joy of Fisken Rd. However, for any new initiates reading this, Mt Buninyong is nothing to be scared of.
The inclusion of parts of the National Road Race is what makes this event unique. The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (http://thecyclingbuzz.com/2019/01/27/cadel-evans-great-ocean-road-race-65-km-peoples-ride-2019/ ) has well, Cadel Evans, but this event has parts of our National Road Race. Add to this, it has the sweeping curves and beauty of Lake Wendouree (somewhat wasted, but I’ll explain later) and some tremendous stretches of road, primarily Yankee Flat Rd, where you can bask in the vacuum of a group ride.
As an early gauge for how you should handle Mt Buninyong, the rise up Mt Xavier on the outskirts of Ballarat is a good test. The gradients are similar, just not as long. Whatever effort you apply on this section, apply to Mt Bunninyoung; and remember that you get to descend this later. The crest of this climb marks the beginning of a free ride back to the Lake on your return, ignoring the sharp rise that is wedged between the rail yards and the Eastern oval. It does provide some sting in your legs.
This event, like all similar events, has grown in popularity. It could benefit from having delayed starts between groups. The start is a bit of a free for all, resulting in a stroll around the Lake rather than the slingshot that it could be. Generally well organised, the rest stop at Yendon (roughly the 35 km mark) is perfectly located, providing fuel for the loop back through the surrounds of Dunnstown, Warrenheip, Brown Hill and finally the city of Ballarat.
It feels like a homecoming ride to me given that I grew up in the area and it’s great to ride the streets of Scott Pde and Humffray St again that I lived and breathed as a kid. The distance between the Lake and my childhood home is nowhere as far as I remember. On tiring legs, the 7 km’s from Russel Square provided a good measure to the finish line. If you’re feeling knackered, attune yourself to a 60k ride, but feel relieved in the fact that is only a tad over 58.
I’ve done this event three times now. Different disciplines and distances. The weather is the only concern. Twice it was perfect. Once it was horizontal sleet and didn’t exactly help me sell the sport to my kids (http://thecyclingbuzz.com/2017/03/20/a-ballarat-classic/). It is Ballarat after all. If you’re thinking about the 50, do the 60. Knowing you’re riding the same course as the professionals is well worth the additional 10 k’s.
Oh and the problem with my Garmin. No idea, just one of life’s mysteries!