On the Australia Day long weekend I had the privilege of being invited to annual family celebration at a friends property on the Williams River at the edge of the Barrington Tops National Park. I have been going up there since I was a kid and have forever been in love and captivated with the area.
It had been some time since I had visited and had often pondered the idea of climbing the hill which loomed over the property. This weekend was going to the be that time. Looking at it from the bottom I had no idea how steep this thing really was. Not knowing i was looking to climb nearly 200 vertical metres at times 22% grade in just over a kilometre (thats steep, note the elevation profile on my garmin in the video) , I knew I was going to do it. To some this might not be all that - you've possibly clicked on our page instead of Rapha's stories of Testosterone-man and other hard asses. If you're interested please read on.
But what made this ride even better yet was that when I got there, it was going to be one hell of a ride back down (check the video below).
It had been a while since I had just gotten out and riden by myself and for myself which gave such a great feeling of acomplishment. I tackled it twice that weekend setting some more goals to beat.
I actually only rode to half way of the total 400 vertical metre ascent which was where I initially wanted to get to. Next time I'm going prepared, right to the top and over the other side and back.
This ride highlighted to me the importance of having fun on your bike, pushing your own limits and finding new trails to ride. You don't have to always ride the same old trails or follow old Dougos strava segment riden by 3000 others. Get out there and make your own, be the King or Queen of your own Mountain!
- Josh
