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Sam Miranda Road Race-Strade Nero

7/7/2012

 
It seems most people I talk to,myself included, are interested in the condition of the "Strade Nero"(the dirt road climb) that will be used in the upcoming Sam Miranda Road Race.I wrote a blog about the race last week and decided that today I would go and investigate this infamous piece of road for myself.
After watching my recording of Stage 6 of the Tour de France the frost had started to melt, although I couldn't get any water out of the taps in my house due to the pipes being frozen,I headed off on my journey.The plan was,drive to Mohyu, jump on the bike and ride up Boggy Creek Road,which the Sam Miranda Handicap Race would come down the day after the road race.
That meant I could kill two birds with the one stone as I'm keen to race the handicap on the Sunday myself and this way I could see a section of the course I didn't know.It was a gentle uphill gradient most of the way to Myrrhee so coming back down will be pretty quick in a bunch.Nice quiet country road,I think I saw 2 vehicles in around 16km,perfect. 

I would then be able to turn into the Benalla-Whitfield Road at Myrrhee.Within approximately 1km I would be on the dirt section.The gradient at the beginning of the climb is very gentle (big ring country) with the steepest gradients being in the middle of the climb(between 5-10% on my Garmin) and then levelling off a little for the last km or so. The following photographs are taken in series moving up the climb from the beginning to where the dirt finishes at the Junction of the Mansfield-Whitfield Road.I've endeavoured to photograph the road surface in a few locations and in various conditions.I will say there was no trouble riding hard up the climb and most of the time you could choose a fairly smooth path amongst the few potholes and stones.There were some corrugations and rougher sections but it's mostly a hard packed pretty good surface.The conditions were sunny and the road surface dry,I imagine it could get slippery if it happens to rain.The reward after the climb is a fantastic flowing descent down into Whitflied on an excellent road.
And,yes,there is even a Strava segment for the "Dirt Berg" which I've included at the bottom of the post.

Don't forget you can keep up to date with the latest news about the race from the official Sam Miranda Road Race Blog
Picture
Nearly there
Picture
The transition from sealed road to dirt.
Picture
Bridge over BoggyCreek
Picture
The middle of the climb is through forest.
Picture
Close up of some of the rougher stuff.
Picture
Potholes can mostly be easily avoided.
Picture
You can mostly find a smooth path to follow.
Picture
Towards the top of the climb it opens out a little.
Picture
The end of the dirt with the Mansfiled-Whitfield Road Junction ahead
Picture
The reward is a fantastic descent down in Whitfield.
forklift hire link
24/7/2012 10:00:16 pm

Very nice presentation on the track section. The road condition does not look good and some sharp turns at few places. It would be a important section of the whole race.

Marty link
28/7/2012 10:15:37 pm

Just to clarify that there has been a few negitave comments about the dirt section of this upcoming race.
I (race director) and the Chief Commissaire (CA Level 3 Commissaire) for the event drove over the entire race circuit to insepect the surface.
The Chief Commissaire has approved the circuit for racing and has no issues in the use of the dirt climb, The road was wet but not slippery and very hard packed. inface alot of the dirt road is smoother than Greta Road and Wangaratta Whitfield Rd.
I suggest that those who want to criticize should go out and ride the climb and you might be surprised.

Jake
11/8/2012 02:28:15 pm

Its an awsome bit of road and good to see sections like this in a race. Hope they put some dirt in the warny like they are talking about.
Times: Jake and Ash 18.30

Tony Reeckman
11/8/2012 02:39:24 pm

Agreed Jake,it's a great idea.A dozen of us did a recon ride of the whole course yesterday and everyone enjoyed it.Of course the dirt section was a of big interest to the bunch.Everybody was positive about the Strade Nero and believed it will make for an excellent race.
I'm lucky you guys aren't on Strava.

Howie
11/8/2012 03:40:51 pm

I agree Tony. Afetr riding it yesterday this is an awesome section of road with a hard packed smooth top(smother than the bitumen before it).
It will be a great section of the race as the climb will be decisive simply by its length and gradient, not its surface.
I am looking forward to racing it, many more are as well. There's no need for 25mm tires or anything like that, it just makes what is a great race course even better. There should be more races with sections of road like this. Howie.

Sam Miranda Road Race
11/8/2012 09:48:21 pm

Great to hear the everyone loves the circuit, we knew that everyone would love it. the surface is great and Howie your right you only need 23mm's a set of singles would be really nice on this circuit.
Great to have some many out on the circuit yesterday. dont forget to put you entries in. ENTRIES CLOSE MIDNIGHT AUGUST 19

retaining walls brisbane link
30/8/2012 11:55:54 pm

The resource that you mentioned here is something that I have been looking from quite a time. And finally it ended with such a nice blog post. Don’t have words to thank you.


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    Tony Reeckman

     

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