Challambra Crescent. The official website builds this up tremendously . Whispers from fellow riders at the start of the event add to the mystique! “Not climbing today. I’ll get off and walk”. Mutterings from others on the ride itself just built it to a crescendo. “Are you saving yourself for Challambra? It’s gets to 21%. I’m just not quite built for it myself”; and when it does come at the bottom of a pleasant downhill on N Valley Rd at about the 39km stage. It comes as a bit of a shock. Not for the cliff in front of you that all comms were drawing as the picture, but for the Grand Tour like setup of the climb. The chalk on the road with distance markers. The volunteers on the side giving you encouragement. The control barriers lining the course. The littering of riders who were off their bikes and walking up; but fear not. Fear not. If you can make it up the climb out of Highton towards Ceres about the 12 km mark, you can stay on your bike for the short burst which is Challambra. Just keep the momemtum. In fact there is a pinch of a climb, about 3 km further on, at Melville Ave after an ascent up Queens Park Rd – that presents as a hairpin turn into what is actually 21%. That does shock. Though it is very short. It also laid claim to many victims, probably still scarred from the emotional psychological barrier of Challambra. It did hit 21% on my Garmin. Challambra “only” hit 17%. That being said, Challambra was my slowest section at 7.9 km/h. I mean, hats off to the pro’s who are doing it at 25Km+. That is flying!
The 2023 edition of the 50 km Cadel Evans ride is a total revamp of the 65 km it was replacing. Lot more climbing (652 metres, compared to 260); over a shorter distance. However for me, almost no chance to get into a decent group ride. This was the highlight of the old course. The run to Barwon Heads was heaven. Almost 18 kms of bunch riding at a decent clip. Alas, due to roadworks on that same road, I understand this new course was created – which includes the “famous” Challambra climb. This is a more challenging course, without the coastal scenery, and a lot more traffic lights whilst escaping the CBD (or so it seems) with little pinch climbs which separated the participants early in the event. The ascent to Ceres, then further onto Moriac, putting a full stop on any chance of a bunch forming.
The event is not all uphill though, as Newtown law’s of physics dictate. Mount Moriac to Deacon Uni is one long 8 km downhill ski. Almost dead straight and extremely enjoyable after 25 kms of climbing.
At almost 49 km’s in total length, this is a ride to test your resolve for intermediate riders; and I would see it as a particular challenge for beginners. (Yep, not 50 km as advertised. One less k to complete. More juice in the tank. Keep that thought as you want to get off your bike at Challambra!). The event itself continues to be one of the most well organised, with far and away the best village of any I’ve attended. I guess with its association to the World Tour and Cadel (of course). The sea of riders at the start is a testament to the popularity of the People’s Ride. Seeya again next year!
