Two of our masters riders, Ed Smith and Steve Payne, recently completed the Marysville Challenge. Here are their reports:

Report by Ed Smith:

The Marysville Lake Mountain Challenge is the first event in the centrepiece of Cycling Victoria’s recreational program for 2012, the Netti Challenge Series.

The ride had 35 km and 120km options, both terminating in Marysville.  Either ride has the optional extra of the Lake Mountain climb, taking the total ride to 80km and 160km respectively (yes I know – the maths doesn’t work).

For me, the 160km ride was the ideal tune up for the Bike Buller Challenge, which follows in two weeks.

I arrived early for the 8am start, which was just as well as I left my transponder and race number in Melbourne.

We started in waves of 20, with strict orders not to race.  As one of the oldest guys this side of the black stump, with a reputation for climbing like a slug, I didn’t have to told twice.  I dumped my cellphone (it weighs too much) which meant I missed my chance to link up with fellow Kelly Cycling prodigy Steve Payne.

The 20 person groups all coalesced into a group of at least 90, so we made some pretty rapid progress to  the first drink stop in Alexandra.  I thought it best to refill my bidons in anticipation of hot weather.  Unfortunately, all 90 riders in my bunch thought the same thing, so the bunch left in a trickle and consequently broke into a free for all on the hills around Lake Eildon.  The roads around Lake Eildon were terrific, and the views were spectacular. Best of all the breeze picked up, and it was a tail wind all the way back.  So riding alone didn’t really seem like a chore.  Back to Marysville and the temperature had stayed in the early 20s all morning, and  I was just starting to feel just a tiny bit smug – making good time my standards.  And then the climb to Lake Mountain began.

The Lake Mountain climb runs for around 20km.  The steepest parts of the climb are at the start, with around 4km at a gradient ranging from 8-11%.  The total climb from Marysville is around 1080m, to an altitude of 1480m.

But like I say, the hard bit is at the start.

It was all going Ok until I got caught about halfway up by a waif-like female cyclist.  Now at the back of my mind I know that the right thing to do in that situation is to let the stronger rider pass and the sit on.  But the front part of my mind is still affected by the residue of the testosterone that coursed in my veins 30 years ago.  And that part of my brain said the smartest thing to do was to IMPRESS THE FEMALE.  So presented with a dip in the road I took the opportunity to put on a spurt, and put some distance between me and my stalker.  Needless to say my reserve tank emptied a few km down the road and my lead .  As I slowed I look back to see how I was doing. 
Of course my new cycling buddy was doing exactly what her coach would have told her to do – sit on the wheel of the fat, old guy at the front (there’s always one of them) until he runs out of steam.

The temperature was down to the low teens, a fog closed in and I was ready for my five packets of jelly beans at the top. The photo from the top says it all.

The best part of the day was the descent, where my extra 20kg actually turns into an advantage. Who doesn’t love going fast?  A great day, and a pretty good “warm up”.

Steve Payne’s Report:

The ride was harder than expected. Mainly because they sent people out in groups of 20 so there was no bunch riding. Spent the first 40km or so in a group of 4 but when they stopped at a refreshment station I carried on only to miss a turn as the signs were not very clear! 6 km up the hilly road I realised this, I turned around and worked hard to regain my position. Went really well up the hills and was then out on my own come the flat roads back from eildon. I had the help of one other guy for about 20km but was otherwise on my tod back to marysville. When I hit the climb up lake mountain I started to struggle! I made it up the steep first section but then started to feel unwell. Sickly feeling and cold shivers. About 10km from the summit I decided to call it a day. Given I had done the extra kms at the wrong turn I didn’t feel too bad about doing it. My time was 4hr 51 for about 150 km which i was pleased with. I didn’t stop along the way other than to swap bottles with my dad who kindly positioned himself halfway along the ride.