New to Cycling - Hills in Melbourne

Hi,

I've been cycling for about 6 weeks now, and guess its about time to try some hills and climbing. After having a look around (checked out the ride list at bikenow.com) belgrave/emerald area, I felt a little intimidated I guess, and was wondering if these would be considered good training/entry level hills, or if there was something else that would be better to ease my way into climbing. Most of my rides have pretty much been up and down Beach Rd, or around St Kilda area (where i live).

Thanks,
Ash.

I would try around Wellington Rd, Ferntree Gully Rd, Burwood Hwy and the like rather than around Emerald/Belgrave.

On a good weekend the Motorbikes get a little wicked in those areas (i should know because we ride up that way all the time) and can get a little hairy.

There's a group that rolls out of Doncaster , towards the north/east to Kangaroo Ground & loops back to Diamond crk - Greensborough back to Doncaster.

Out to Warburaton & up Mt Donnabuang is a good climb , not many cars (up the hill).

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'03 Specialised Stumpjumper 27spd hardtail MTB.
'90 Apollo MTB commuter rigid ss 44/18.
'02 Kinesis Crosslight cyclocross/roadie 27spd.

I was in a similair position a while back, luckily I live in Ferntree Gully where there are plenty of good short and undulating hills. Like one of the other replies suggested, Wellington road, Ferntree Gully road, High street road, Burwood highway and Boronia Road all have a good range of hills. I would say, yes speaking from experience, that going straight into the rides on bikenow would be pretty hard going unless you are very fit - I am just getting into these now after a few months of taking on easier climbs

Give beach road the flick, I can't understand why anyone would ride down there unless it's about eye candy.

My choice for hill rides is certainly around the Dandenongs, probably the best hill of all around that area is the 1/20. It starts at the Basin, is 6klm and has a gradient of about 4%. Just go up and down that a few times and that will make your day given that you will have to ride from St Kilda. Don't think you will get lonely either because heaps of riders train on this hill.

Give beach road the flick, I can't understand why anyone would ride down there unless it's about eye candy.

I couldn't agree with you more.

My choice for hill rides is certainly around the Dandenongs, probably the best hill of all around that area is the 1/20. It starts at the Basin, is 6klm and has a gradient of about 4%.

What do you mean the 1/20... Is that Mountain Highway? I am in Ferntree Gully so getting to the Basin is easy for me and that sounds like a good climb.

Yes it is Mountain Hwy, from the Basin to Sassafras. Another on is the Wall from Monbulk to Olinda or from from Ferntree Gully is the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road up to One tree hill.

These are starters I suppose but there are lot's of option around the Dandenongs and beyond. You could also look at going to Emerald, Yellingbow, Wandin, Lilydale and back home. Depends on the distance you want to ride.

Yep, Mountain Hwy is a good one to get started on.
Montrose to Kalorama (Mt Dandy tourist Rd) is a similar sort of gradient... slightly steeper.
UFTG > Belgrave > Kallista is similar again.

'The Wall' is quite a bit tougher and almost hits 10% in places and I believe UFTG to One Tree Hill goes well over 9% as well.
Both great to see how fast your heart will go

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"I think the only rule is that if someone is a big fat bastard its fairly safe to assume they aren't going to be pwning anyone on a climb" ~ classic1

Thanks guys,

Great to get some ideas for new rides. Hopefully i'll get a chance to head out shortly and see how i go with them. I'm hoping that going for more rides will waste enough time so I don't go looking for more candy (accessories/upgrades) to dump my cash onto - I can't believe how addictive it is . I fear however it will only make things worse .. i guess i gotta practice self control as well as riding.

Really, as you live in St Kilda, and the mountains up North of Doncaster and east of Burwood can be a good hit out, but its not all about the north and north east of Melbourne, there are some excellent hill sections through Mt Eliza and Mount Martha, (Humprhries Rd, Two Bays Road and the Oliver's Hill climb that you either love or hate, and either the front or back of Arthurs Seat are perfect climbs to get your condition around) .
A cruise down Beach Road and through Mt Eliza, on to Mornington then down to Safety beach and back from St Kilda is a round trip of 130Klms, excellent hill sections on Esplanade at Mt Martha, and a view that takes your breath away, lots of competent riding company and drivers who expect you to be there.....
I dont get off on bagging Beach Road...it is a world class ride, its not about eye candy, its about good sections of rise and fall, long inclines that can be great interval training sections, tail winds, head winds, cross winds, minimal lights and an expectation on the bulk of traffic that you will be there.

enjoy your riding and welcome to the peleton of Melbourne riders..good to have you here

Roo

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I think..that the greatest benefit to cyclists would ensue if government were to..gradually signify and produce society's view that cycling is a legitimate form of roadway transportation, open to all on an equal basis of proper skills and responsibilities that are easily attained and exercised.(John Forester)

Agreed - Mt Martha is tops, nice distance for me (coming from Parkville).

Another hitout I like is the Humevale hill outside of Whittlesea. I either do a few repeats of the hill here - either highway (Yae Rd) or a smaller, bumpier but quieter ride on humevale rd. If you are up for a longer pedal, push on through kinglake, st andrews and back to the city. Always busts me up nicely. And the cheap prices at the kinglake bakery have to be seen to be believed!!!

Absolutely!! Never underestimate the importance of some fancy pastries and a coffee accompanied by some bike friends and chat.

Make for a great ride

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I'm pretty sure theres more to life than being really really good looking, and one day I hope to find out what that is...

The Kinglake/Whittlesea ride is a winner I must admit, it works out to about 130km for me and has plenty of hills to play with when coming from the eastern suburbs.

If you ever get to the Kinglake bakery, try the wagon wheels, they are my favorite, followed by um......., we might stop there. Also when it seems like it's going to snow it's a good place to shelter from the elements.

G'day

Have a look at www.cycle2max.com
Go through the climbs in Victoria.

The 1/20 is definitely the best place to start and have a look around the Mt Dandenong area in general

Jono

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