The 7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Challenge is a cycling challenge organised by Tourism Victoria, and promoted by Simon Gerrands (local cyclist and winner of the 2012 Tour Down Under), to encourage cyclists and other tourists to visit 7 alpine areas of Victoria.

Cyclists can take on any or all of the following 7 climbs: Mount Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo, Mount Buller, Falls Creek, Hotham, Lake Mountain, and Omeo-Dinner Plain.

With the exception of the Mount Baw Baw climb, which is short and very steep (6 km, average grade 13%, max grade 20), all the climbs ranged between 22 and 48 km, with an average grade of 4% to 6%, and maximum grades between 10% and 18%

7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Photos

Saturday 26 November - Falls Creek - Rain was predicted all day today, but when we set off on the first climb (Falls Creek), it was actually quite nice ... relatively cool, mix of sun and clouds.

The climb started immediately out of Mount Beauty, but wasn't too difficult for the first half (16 km) to Bogong ... a climb of course, but a few descents to break it up. The second half (16 km) was a steady climb to the top. And it got cooler and more overcast as we climbed.

4 km from the top, it started to rain ... a cold rain. And about 1 km from the top, the wind started to blow and drive the rain across the road. Fortunately we were close to the top then.

We got a stamp in our passport booklets, then carried our bicycles up a long flight of stairs to a restaurant where I had two large mugs of hot coffee, and Rowan had a latte and a hot chocolate. And we tried to warm up. After sitting around for a while watching the wind and rain, we decided to start going down.

We made some clothing adjustments and began the slow descent. The clouds had rolled in, and we were in a thick rainy fog for several km. We finally got out of the fog, but it continued to rain all the rest of the way down, so it was a bit of a slow descent.

I should have changed clothes entirely because I was quite chilly by the time I got to the bottom. Rowan, however, was fine.

Stats: • Distance 32 km (up)
• Rise: 1300 metres
• Grade Average: 6%
• Grade Maximum: 10%

All that, and no walking. I cycled all the way to the top! There was a time the only way I could have done this climb would have been to walk most of it. But now, I found this to be a fairly comfortable climb.

We saw several other cyclists around ... there were 4 others at the top of the climb with us when we got there, but I think they were all doing different things. It was nice to see other cyclists going through what we were going through.

Sunday 27 November - Mount Hotham - Today we took on the Harrietville to Mount Hotham climb.

The Harrietville - Mt Hotham climb is one of the more difficult climbs of the 7 in the challenge because of the steepness of the grades encountered, and also sometimes because of the weather at the top. It can get very, very windy and cold up there.

The ride starts in Harrietville, a lovely little town, and immediately starts climbing. The first kilometre or so is quite steep (what a rude way to start a ride!!) and then it kind of settles down into a grade where I could maintain a comfortable 7 km/h for the next 8 km. We were surrounded by forest providing shade, and full of all sorts of birds all singing away. I overheated 400 metres into the climb, and was down into shorts and a short-sleeved jersey from there for most of the rest of the way up.

At the 9 km point we encountered, "The Meg". The Meg is quite a steep climb that goes on for about 1 km. We both cycled all the way up and then stopped for a little break. My heart rate felt like it was beating so fast, it had just gone into one big beat.

After The Meg, the road becomes significantly more gradual ... flat in places ... for the next 10 km. That was a wonderful part of the route. We could keep up a decent pace, and there were great views of the valley below. We also encountered a lot of other cyclists coming down ... including one who started the ride at the same time we had, and presumably made it to the top and was already on his way back down!!

At the 20 km point, the ride got tougher. First was the climb to Mt St Bernard, a tough climb similar to The Meg. Then there was a brief rest before we were faced with the first "wall". The road descends suddenly and steeply for about half a km, and then climbs straight up the side of the mountain at about 18% for 1200 metres. I made it 500 metres before I was off and walking, but Rowan rode all the way up.

There was another brief rest period (a climb where I could maintain about 7 km/h again), and then ... another "wall"! I had driven this route back in 2004, and I remember a "wall", but not TWO walls!! This one started at about 18% and then eased up to probably around 12% after about 1.5 km. I made it 500 metres ... and walked the rest of the way. On this one, I walked probably about 2 km.

At the top, we put on light jackets because it was a good deal cooler up there, and because there was a descent into the Hotham Heights village. But we were really fortunate with the weather today. It can get pretty nasty up there.

The only thing open was all the way through to the other side of the village. It's not ski season, so these mountain top resorts are quiet. But we were able to get our passports signed and get some nutrition before the return trip.

In the first 10 km on the way down, we had three fairly significant climbs. But the rest was pretty good. I'm not a good descender, so I liked the flattish bit in the middle the best, but we managed to get down all right.

And we encountered no rain at all!

Stats: • Distance 30 km (up)
• Rise: 1320 metres
• Grade Average: 4.2%
• Grade Maximum: 18%

Monday 28 November - Mount Buffalo - Today we took on the Mount Buffalo climb.

The Mount Buffalo climb begins in Eurobin, which is not much more than a hamlet. We found a place to park, unloaded the bicycle and cycled to Porepunkah ... a relatively flat ride along a lovely road. Good way to begin a climbing ride! At Porepunkah, we turned down the Mount Buffalo road, and for the next 5 km or so, it continued to be flat. Nice!

But that all came to an end with a practice hill. I took the hill a bit too hard and was huffing and puffing by the top. I really wondered about my ability to finish this ride and reach the top of the big climb, and I questioned the wisdom of doing 3 tough climbs in a row!!

Down that hill, a little more flat, and then, roughly 11 km into the ride, the real climbing began and did not end until the top, almost 30 km later. Switchbacks ... lots and lots of switchbacks.

One of the best parts of this route was all the waterfalls ... the sound of falling water accompanied us all the way up and we passed all sorts from little trickles to gushing torrents.

Another good part of this route were the many views of the valley below.

Although I think this route was easier than yesterday's, I struggled ... my legs were tired and I didn't feel particularly well. I had good moments where I found my rhythm ... and those moments lasted about 20 minutes at a time, but then I had to rest a minute.

However, we kept plugging away, and all of a sudden we crested a hill and began a descent into a hollow quite near the top. From there it was up to the Park Office and up to the little shop at the top where we got something to eat and drink. And we completed our third climb!

I've been developing my climbing skills ... a year ago, I would never have even considered doing a climbing challenge like this. Now I'm a slow, but relatively steady climber.

However, I am still not fond of descending ... but we made it down.

Stats: • Distance: ~40 km (up)
• Rise: 1095 metres
• Grade Average: 5%
• Grade Max: 11%

Of the three climbs we did this weekend, Rowan said he'd like to do the Hotham one again because of the spectacular views, and I said I'd like to do the Mt Buffalo one again because of all the waterfalls.

Saturday 3 December - Lake Mountain -- Today we took on the Lake Mountain climb ... our 4th of the 7 climbs.

Lake Mountain is in our local area ... quite close to where we live. It starts in Marysville and begins climbing right after the roundabout. The first 4.5 km is quite steep, with grades reaching 10%. It's a tough way to start a climb.

After that, however, it become more gradual with a few flatish area and a couple short downhill sections to get a brief rest.

It was sunny and about 18C with light winds when we started the climb. I'm glad it wasn't any hotter than that because I overheat when I climb. I struggled up the first 4.5 km, but I've done this climb before so I knew it would come to an end and the rest of the climb wouldn't be too bad.

We actually kept up a pretty good pace after that first 4.5 km ... faster than the last time I did the climb about 18 months ago. But even so, we were passed by a cyclist who almost looked like he was descending while we were climbing. He left us in the dust and was actually descending when we were still about 5 km from the top.

The temperature dropped and wind picked up while we were climbing. I realised how cold it was during one of the short descents on the way up!

We reached the top, got our passports stamped, and indulged in cheese cake and hot chips. :)

And then the descent. This was the coldest descent of the four climbs we've done. We weren't quite prepared for how cold it was going to be! And the wind picked up to about 50 km/h which just added to the chill. But it was a fairly quick descent.

It was a good ride!

Stats: • Distance: 22 km (up)
• Rise: 902 metres
• Grade Average: 4%
• Grade Maximum: 10%

Saturday 17 December - Mount Buller -- Today we took on Mount Buller.

The Mount Buller climb is one of the longer ones because it starts in Mansfield some distance away. The first 33 km is a gradual-to-steep undulating ascent, against a headwind coming down from the mountains. A very long warm-up. It was also quite hot and I overheated on some of the steeper climbs. I was beginning to wonder if I'd make it all the way up, when the clouds started rolling in, and temperature dropped a little bit.

We took a short break in a little park at Mirimbah, at the park gates, and then the real climbing began and continued to the top. However, there was one section of about a kilometre in the middle where the terrain became a little flatter. I had been comfortably slogging away at 7 km/h for well over an hour, when all of a sudden my speed increased and I was doing the blistering pace of 15 km/h! I debated if the sudden increase in speed was the gel I'd eaten a short time before, or a smaller percentage of grade. I suspect it was the smaller percentage of grade.

The other thing that happened shortly after Mirimbah was the rain. It started to pour! Huge drops of rain bouncing off our frames and the road, and in no time we were soaked through. I debated about putting on a jacket, but opted not to. It was still reasonably warm (about 20C) ... except when the wind blew ... and I wanted to keep as much of the clothing I had in my Pendle Carradice as dry as possible for the descent.

The rain stopped several kilometres and some time later, and the sun came out again, peaking through the clouds so we were able to dry off a bit.

3 km from the finish we reached a hairpin turn, and the climbing became significantly steeper. I took one look at the road and thought I would have to start walking, but I gave it a go, and it wasn't that bad. There were a couple more steep pinches after that, and at 1.5 km to go, my legs suddenly told me that they'd had enough. I stopped for a little break and took some pictures, and then continued on.

My stomach was growling with hunger (I hadn't felt very hungry on the way up so hadn't eaten much), and my legs were protesting, as I rounded the next corner and took on the final steep climbs to Mt Buller Village. Again, I thought I would have to walk, but I gave it a final push, and ... puffing like a steam engine ... I topped the climb.

At some point around the 3 km from the finish hairpin, Rowan made a discovery. He had removed his 26T granny to put on the tandem for our 300K randonnee last weekend, and all he had was a 30T granny to work with. I think he toyed with the idea of walking too, but we both made it all the way to the top.

And, as on the other climbs we've done, there were lots of other cyclists around. We sort of leap frogged a couple women who were much faster than we were, but they stopped for a break partway up which allowed us to catch and pass them. Some of the cyclists were doing the 7 Peak challenge, others were climbing for other reasons.

We stopped for something to drink and a sandwich at the top, dressed in warmer clothes (the temperature at the top was quite cool and it was threatening rain again), and began the descent. The steeper 15 km down to Mirimbah went fairly well. I'm still quite slow on curvy descents.

But the remainder of the ride back to Mansfield was great! We had a tailwind and the lay of the land, despite the occasional undulations, was downhill. We flew along! We did have to make a few stops along the way, however, in order to shed layers as it was quite warm down in the valley.

And then we stopped for pizza. :)

Stats: • Total Distance: 97.59 km
• Rise: 1214 metres
• Grade Average: 4%
• Grade Max: 13% (I suspect this was at the end)

Saturday 21 January - Omeo-Dinner Plain - Today we rode the 6th climb in the 7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Challenge - Omeo to Dinner Plain. I drove from Dinner Plain to Omeo back in 2004, and in my head it was almost flat from Omeo to about 5 km out of Dinner Plain, and then a moderate climb to Dinner Plain. Obviously what was in my head and reality were two different things. This climb was one of the toughest we've done!!

Fortunately the weather was cooler and overcast, a nice change from all the sun and heat for a day we spent climbing a mountain.

The ride started with a steep climb that lasted about 8 km. That took me completely off guard and was very demoralising. I thought I'd have lots of time to warm up before the real climbing began ... instead I had about 100 metres. I was down to 4 km/h in places during that climb.

Then, finally, the road descended, and then flattened for a while. From there it went into undulations that were really hard to keep any sort of rhythm on. That section was quite fast, but my heart rate went through the roof. And at last, during the last 10 km or so, it settled into a moderate climb where I was able to find my rhythm and maintain between 7 and 8 km/h.

We had a nice chat at the top with another cyclist doing the same challenge. Like us, he and his wife have a whole stable full of bicycles and enjoy a variety of riding. And then headed off for some lasagne before descending ... or descending, with some steep climbs. All those undulations meant that we had some climbing to get through on the way down.

But we made it ... and now ... 1 more to go!

Stats: • Distance: 89 km (total)
• Rise: 895 metres
• Average Grade: 6% (on the way up)
• Max Grade: 11% (on the way up)

Monday 23 January - Mount Baw Baw - Mt Baw Baw was our final climb, and although it was the shortest by far, it was the toughest.

According to the booklet ...

"Ranked the second hardest climb in the world of cycling, this ride is sure to test your endurance. The ride itself has been classified as a Hors Category, the only one of its kind in Australia, and it's not hard to see why with the steepest grade at Winch Corner reported at 20.6%."

Simon Gerrans makes this comment ...

"Mt Baw Baw is not a climb for the faint hearted. Not only is Baw Baw one of the toughest climbs I've ridden up in Victoria, but it is one of the toughest climbs I've raced in the world. Although the climb is only 6 km long, it has an average gradient of 13% which is nearly twice as steep as the famous ascent of Alpe d'Huez in France. As it is one of the most gruelling climbs of the 7 Peaks, it is also one of the most satisfying climbs to accomplish."

When we drove up (and up and up) to the starting point for this climb, we had the idea of driving right to the top, parking the van there, riding down to the start point ... and then doing the climb back up to the van. Great idea ... but the van couldn't make the climb. It overheated halfway up, so we headed back down to the start.

So ... if the van couldn't make it ... could we, or more specifically, could I?

Well ... we did.

Rowan rode all the way up, with stops every 250-500 metres. I rode about 2.5 km of the distance ... ride some, walk some, ride some, walk some. But we both made it with our bicycles, under our own power. It took us just a shade over 2 hours to cover the distance.

There is a fantastic view from the top ... just amazing and well worth the climb. The service at the resort at the top was great as well ... we were greeted, had our passports stamped, and were congratulated before we even entered the building!!

I have to say that our reception at the top of all 7 climbs was really good. Some very pleasant people work in these remote and out of the way places.

Stats: • Distance: 6 km of climbing (plus an extra km of flat at the top)
• Rise: 718 metres
• Grade Average: 13%
• Grade Max: 20%