Climbing Route - dandenongs

mmamster said:

Can anyone recommend a good start/end point (ie to park and
then ride, returning to parking spot) to do some climbing
in the dandenongs. Looking for a 2 hour ride. Thanks.

Mmamster

Road or mountain bike?

May your cycling adventures be with a tail wind.

Regards,

Neil.

I have only heard of 1/20 but that sounds like just the inital 'up' as people seem to it anywhere between 11-30 minutes.

dem downy bits in winter seem scary as they rarley get direct sun and stay damp alot thru the day. Having said all that I have never turned a pedal in the Dandenongs at all!!!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mmamster
Can anyone recommend a good start/end point

The 1/20 and the Tourist Road (north side) are both good ~4% gradients with decent road surfaces.
If you want steeper, the Tourist Road (south side) is a little harder, the Wall (from Monbulk to Olinda) is harder again, and Terry's Rd (south-east side) is extreme (often ~20% gradient).

At the start of the 1/20 and the northern approach of the tourist road, there are places at the base to park your car.

You could try going up the 1/20 (ie the Mountain Highway) starting at the Basin, go left at Sassafrass at the T intersection, then go down the Tourist Rd (north side). The latter is a great descent as the turns are all smooth and you don't need to use breaks at all. As an aside, you could head up to the Mt Dandenong observatory for a great view to Melbourne on a clear day. At the base, you could go back to the car easily or else head back up or go east and go up the back way then down the 1/20. Check the melways and go exploring.

Also, see the 'hill climbs' => 'in your area' section of the www.cycle2max.com website.