bikes

With the temperature predicted to peak at 42 today, I set out early this morning to tackle Mount Hotham. At 7.30am, I start from the pretty village of Harrietville and the first hill ramps up to punchy 11% for a few hundred metres to welcome me to today's mountain. It relents to a friendlier 7% for the next eleven kilometres, except at the hill known as The Meg where a road sign advises motorists to engage low-gear. I guess that means granny-gear for me? The rigours of yesterday's sauna-ride have taken a toll and I'm pedalling slowly. Only 27 kilometres of climbing to go! It's shady this early and I'm enjoying the intoxicating aroma of a eucalyptus forest mixed with altitude. The perfume clears my head and makes breathing just that little easier. The parrots are out today, poking their heads over native grasses as I churn past.  At the eleven kilometre mark, a false flat begins. My Garmin tells me I've climbed 700 metres and descended precisely... zero. With the...