The 3 Peaks Challenge provides cyclists with one of the world’s toughest and most picturesque cycling challenges of the Victorian Alps. The 235 km loop provides a course that is so epic it’s comparable to a Tour de France stage with 3 major climbs – Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham and Falls Creek via Omeo. Source: Bicycle Network Victoria
When asked to summarise my 3 Peaks Challenge experience in the post-event survey I ticked the box labelled solitude. Cycling for me has always been about the rhythmic meditative experience of zoning out on a quiet country road. Over three months in the lead-up to the event I followed the suggested training schedule and dispersed weekend hill climbs around Cape Otway and the Dandenong Ranges with intervals on the Casey Fields criterium track. I didn’t want to be busting my balls conquering peaks like a conquistador to reach the finish line but instead wanted to enjoy the alpine serenity free of the brain-rattlig noise and hair-burning smell of big two-stroke engines running at full throttle. Unfortunately my brother tapped out at Omeo but it was good riding with him to that point. I thought he might at least attempt the infamous final climb but he seemed happy with the effort he put in. With a lift from friends Scott and Clare he was able to catch me roll through the finish line after surreally awakening from that nightmarish final climb to Falls Creek on the Bogong High Plains Rd.
Thanks to Bicycle Network Victoria for organising and safely executing this challenge. The relaxed vibe of the Falls Creek Village was very much harmonious with the style of event.
