The roundabout at Porpunkah with Mt Bufffalo in the back ground
Yesterday afternoon I decided to drive up to Porpunkah and ride my bike up Mt Buffalo. I had done a mornings work on the house and was keen to see how quickly I could ride the main climb from the Gatehouse to the top of the Gap.
After changing into my cycling gear at the lovely swimming hole just below the Bridge near the above roundabout I was disappointed to see that the local council had seen fit to board up the change rooms/ showers that are part of the public toilets.
So onto the bike and a nice leisurely ride out to the mountain to warm the legs up for the main event. Going past the Gatehouse I pressed the log function on my Sigma ROX-9 cycling computer to record the details so I could later check all the nasty details on my computer in the comfort of home. During the first couple of kilometres once you are on the climb it's actually pretty tough and my heart rate was soon hovering around the 174bpm mark. Seeing this initially I thought "shit that is too bloody high already" , but then I had the thought I wonder just how hard I can go for how long.
After changing into my cycling gear at the lovely swimming hole just below the Bridge near the above roundabout I was disappointed to see that the local council had seen fit to board up the change rooms/ showers that are part of the public toilets.
So onto the bike and a nice leisurely ride out to the mountain to warm the legs up for the main event. Going past the Gatehouse I pressed the log function on my Sigma ROX-9 cycling computer to record the details so I could later check all the nasty details on my computer in the comfort of home. During the first couple of kilometres once you are on the climb it's actually pretty tough and my heart rate was soon hovering around the 174bpm mark. Seeing this initially I thought "shit that is too bloody high already" , but then I had the thought I wonder just how hard I can go for how long.
Eurobin Falls on a calmer day (no bike)
Passing Eurobin Falls things sort of settle down a little as you start to get into the rythm of the climb proper. A slight head wind but nothing sinister to contend with and at around 23 degrees celcius you really could not ask for a more lovely day to punish yourself on. Keeping the heart rate above 170 bpm became my objective and I was feeling pretty good. About half way up there is a section where the gradient drops to around 2-4% and here I was keen not to slacken off and pushed to keep my heart rate up.
Roughly 2 km later and it's back to 6% and it's starting to hurt a little. I am still achieving my goal and my heart rate is around 171 bpm. Passing where they have the water stop during the Audax and I reckon it's around 5 km to the top of the Gap. I come to some road works facing a red light but this is not the time for stopping when your on a full on mission and the end is in sight. I did have to sneak past a couple of cars here and they probably thought I was a little naughty but one car had bike racks on top so I hope they understood.
It was starting to become harder to keep my heart rate above 170 bpm now and every time I looked down and saw 168-169 I made an extra effort to speed up. With the Devil's Elbow rounded it was time for one last effort to the top. 176 bpm and I reckon it's around 500 metres to go so lets go a little harder if possible 179 bpm and that is hurting seriously now. All of a sudden I am at the top and remembering in the back of my mind to press the log function of the computer.
Roughly 2 km later and it's back to 6% and it's starting to hurt a little. I am still achieving my goal and my heart rate is around 171 bpm. Passing where they have the water stop during the Audax and I reckon it's around 5 km to the top of the Gap. I come to some road works facing a red light but this is not the time for stopping when your on a full on mission and the end is in sight. I did have to sneak past a couple of cars here and they probably thought I was a little naughty but one car had bike racks on top so I hope they understood.
It was starting to become harder to keep my heart rate above 170 bpm now and every time I looked down and saw 168-169 I made an extra effort to speed up. With the Devil's Elbow rounded it was time for one last effort to the top. 176 bpm and I reckon it's around 500 metres to go so lets go a little harder if possible 179 bpm and that is hurting seriously now. All of a sudden I am at the top and remembering in the back of my mind to press the log function of the computer.
Rolled straight back down (after heart rate had dropped back to 130)which is always fun and when back to Porpunkah stood in the freezing river for 15 mins which was wonderful.
Data of the Climb.
Distance. 18.54 km
Av. Speed 14.64 km
Av. Incline 6%
Av heart rate 171 bpm or 91% max
Time 1 hour 15 min 58 sec.
41 seconds better than my previous best time.
Data of the Climb.
Distance. 18.54 km
Av. Speed 14.64 km
Av. Incline 6%
Av heart rate 171 bpm or 91% max
Time 1 hour 15 min 58 sec.
41 seconds better than my previous best time.
View from The Horn. The highest point on Mt Buffalo at 1723 metres. Photo taken previously whilst sight seeing.
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