I rode up a mountain on the weekend!

Situated in the Brindabella National Park, on the edge of the ACT/NSW border, is Mount Coree. At 1421 metres, it's not the highest peak around but is one of the few peaks with a 'road' to the top.

We started at Uriarra Village and climbed up Two Sticks Road from the northern end, enjoying a consistent but enjoyable climb through farm and bush land.

The dirt road was built to maintain the powerlines and is well maintained as it criss-crosses under the giant pylons.

As we climbed higher, the curious kangaroos were replaced with nervous wallabies and the bushland got a little more rainforest.

We reached the campground after about 20 km and 700m of climbing and headed up the Coree Summit Road. This is where things got really challenging, the road is very rough - suitable only for 4WDs and climbs nearly 300m in only 3km. Some of the pitches were 16-20% on rough, rutted gravel and rock.

It was all worth it for the spectacular views from the summit!

(The ride down was also fun).

Interestingly, Mount Coree is where the ACT / NSW border turns to track the Cotter River south.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Coree

https://www.strava.com/activities/11763864910#comments

#Canberra #Brindabella #gravel #GravelRiding #cycling #RideCanberra #strava

Canberra's lovely for short or long rides and I took full advantage of the cool, spring weather to rebuild some resilience for >100km rides.

Last weekend was north on some unfamiliar roads towards Murrumbateman and yesterday was south, on a more familiar route, to Tidbinbilla.

The rides were mostly sealed roads with a little gravel to reach some alternative or less accessible spots.

#cycling #RideCanberra #CycleCanberra #OutAndAboutOnMeBike #TidbinbillaNatureReserve #TidbinbillaTrackingStation #Tidbinbilla #SpecializedBikes #SpecializedRoubaix #canberra

So... this happened tonight.

I knew it was going to be hilly but this was a shock. 😲

#BikeTooter #cycling #burbing #StravaCycling #stravasegments #Canberra #RideCanberra

A big ride out south, towards Tidbinbilla, and I rode a couple of sections I've never done before - visiting the tracking station and a ride around the nature reserve.

It was a great ride on a beautiful autumn day here in the ACT - mist on the river and low cloud clinging to the high slopes, sunshine in a big, open sky and a light, cool breeze. It's good to be alive!

Distance: 106.20 km | Elev Gain: 1,498 m
.
.
.
#RideBikesBeHappy #RideCanberra #BikeCanberra #CycleCanberra #SpecializedRoubaix #SpecializedBikes #TidbinbillaNatureReserve #TidbinbillaTrackingStation #BikesLeaningOnShit #BikePhotography #cycling #BikeTooter

At 888m, Mount Majura is the North Canberra's highest peak.

Unlike Mount Ainslie it is inaccessible by car. You can walk up the various paths but they are only suitable for MTBs (and even then, only on the Centenary trail), but there is an access road, secured at the bottom by a locked gate. Lift your bike over and you're off! It's one of inner Canberra's tougher climbs but, after hitting Mount Ainslie first this morning, it seemed 'easier'. It's an unrelenting 2.8km climb with an average grade of 8%.

At the top is a radar installation for the local airport as well as some spectacular views!

After the two climbs, I then headed north to Gunghalin and Belconnen before heading home. Distance: 100km, elevation 1240m.

#cycling #SpecializedBikes #SpecializedRoubaix #Canberra #RideCanberra #BikeTooter #BikeCanberra #CyclingCanberra #MountMajura

Early starts and early finishes seemed wise when the forecast was > 30°c. The early morning light made for some nice pictures around the city.

Because of the hot weather, we eschewed distance for hills.

Saturday was Mount Ainslie and Mount Pleasant and Sunday was Black Mountain and Dairy Farmer's Hill.

Mount Ainslie is widely regarded as the most difficult climb in the city and with good reason - the last 30% is the most difficult with sections at 13%. It's broken me before (and one derailleur hanger) but I'm happy to report a PB was achieved.

Black Mountain is the inverse, with the first section (up to 15%) pretty tough but after that it's just a case of grinding it out.
.
.
#cycling #SpecializedBikes #SpecializedRoubaix #Canberra #RideCanberra #BikeTooter #BikesLeaningOnStuff