CLIMB NOTES:

This is the first real test of the day.

After enjoying a very quick and easy 20km of gentle downhill along Flagstone Creek, a sharp right-hand turn takes riders on to the narrow Ma Ma Lilydale Road. The climb begins at a gentle gradient as the road narrows to a single lane farm track. Around a blind curve the incline ramps up significantly. Supporters usually line the hill and it’s tempting to go full gas; but remember there is still a long way to go.

Over the top, to enjoy the rollers to Tent Hill and the first rest stop.

CLIMB NOTES:

Along this quintessential Lockyer Valley farm road, the climb is gentle enough to enjoy in the bigger gears. Mostly comprised of gentle rollers with the odd steep pinch here and there just to remind riders that the valley floor is not flat! At 1.6km the gradient noticeably increases to the summit that beholds excellent vistas of the Lockyer Valley.

CLIMB NOTES:

This is a case of two nasty little blimps on the landscape as you head towards ‘The Ghisallo’. Fortunately, the pinches are sharp, steep but short in duration. The road surface too is uneven. Be on the lookout for the ‘friendly’ dog at the summit who is known to enjoy terrorizing unsuspecting weekend cyclists!

CLIMB NOTES:

With a nod to one of Italy’s most famous climbs, the Colle del Ghisallo, this is our own homegrown Tbar version.

Not quite as long, but a curvaceous, sharp pinch that maxes out at 15% on the ‘Ghisallo’ summit (Shalom Chapel). Locals use the steep descent over the causeway just before the climb, to slingshot their way to the top; but be aware of oncoming traffic if you decide to go wide on the bend!

CLIMB NOTES:

Recovering over the Ghisallo, riders often forget about this last little climb on Spa Water Road. An innocent, gentle sweeping right-hand curve suddenly gets steeper and steeper with no apparent end in sight. This is the hill nobody tells you about #1!

CLIMB NOTES:

You are on your way home, you know the big climb is still to come, but somebody forgot to tell you about ‘Hughes’ Hump’ – the hill nobody tells you about #2.

It starts after the culvert signposted ‘Hughes Bridge’ hence the name. The climb begins gently enough and even flattens out after only a few hundred metres, but then she ramps up and up and up through a series of curves to the summit at the farm house with the wagon wheel fence.

A short, steep descent follows to Knitters Road and you are on the final stretch to the star of the show, the Col du Blanchview.

CLIMB NOTES:

The time has come to say goodbye to the big chain ring, find your easiest gear, take a long drink, suck on that last gel as you dip down into the culvert that marks the start of the Col.

The road rises steeply straight away with gradients between 16 and 18% and heads straight up. You will soon realise why this is known as the ‘Monster of TBar’.

The initial section is a killer! If you dare to look up, count the 3 road signs to the top of the first pinch which is just short of 1km. A slight dip in the road and you are immediately on to the second section. Slightly shorter than the first, you still climb at 16% plus.

With 1.5km of the climb behind you, the road levels out somewhat with a short stretch to refresh the legs to guzzle down that spare gel.

Through the Y-front intersection and past the Rural Fire Station what awaits around the corner are the gates of Hell. BOOM! you’re stopped in your tracks by an 18% Wall, the highlight of this vertical masterpiece. At just 500m this leg breaker will take every ounce of strength after the climbing you have already endured. Over the summit of The Wall, continually twisting and turning, this mighty climb continues up Flagstone Creek Road steadily at gradients between 7 and 10%. Eventually you will arrive at what is locally known as the ‘hot-mix’ section where the incline ramps up yet again. Through the curves passed Burraway Crt, the end is in sight with the final summit at the T-Junction sign just before the intersection with Rowbothan Street.

But wait here is more to come…

CLIMB NOTES:

The climb is conquered or so it seems, but there is one more nasty surprise before the finish. Descending along Rowbotham St your legs will recover marginally only to be hammered for one last time. Rowbotham Hill rears its head, and OUCH you hit that final pinch of 11%, the final brick in the Wall. Over the top and it’s long drag along the rest of Rowbotham street to the finish at Picnic Point Park.