Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed road cyclists repetitively and relentlessly peddling up the steepest slopes of Scenic Hill - here's the reason why.
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Members of Griffith Cycle Club (GCC) were preparing to shed blood, sweat and tears and participate in the Alpine Classic in Victoria, an annual cycling endurance event playing host to some of Australia's most challenging road climbs and hair-raising descents.
The Alpine Classic caters for various levels of ability, ranging from the least challenging - 60km Mount Beauty ride which includes 1300 metres of climbing, to the most challenging 320km (are you mad) "Ultimate" ride that incorporates 5550 metres of climbing.
Just to put that into perspective, the climb from Lake Wyangan to the top of Scenic Hill is approximately 90m.
Very noticeable in their blue and orange club jerseys 29 GCC riders braved the sweltering conditions, most choosing to attack the slopes from Mount Buffalo to Mount Beauty in the 140km ride challenge incorporating 2300 metres of climbing and gradients in excess of 13%.
When asked about her baptism of fire, GCC's first time Alpiner Mia Stockwell said "I knew it wouldn't be easy but the reality of it took me by surprise, I've never cycled a mountain, the descent was so fast my hands ached with braking".
Mia mentioned that she wanted to stop and lie down at Tawonga Gap but could see the top of Mount Beauty, that along with encouragement from teammates kept her going.
Two of the clubs most fearless, Steve Bertoldo and Myles Bunn took on the gruelling 200km "Alpine Classic" challenge completing 3600 metres of climbing.
Steve commented about the danger of the descents saying "you had to be smart on the brakes".
Steve went on to praise the dedication and commitment of the event's volunteer force many of whom worked all day in the hot conditions to ensure the safety of riders and success of the event.
If road cycling is your chosen sport the Alpine Classic is definitely something to aim for but for some of us lesser mortals peddling through the gentle landscapes, vineyards and citrus groves of Griffith and it's surrounds is also hard to beat.
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