GRAND RIDGE ROAD

a Spring semi-classic

By EAT MORE LARD

November 20^th, 2015

EARLY CHILL

The Grand Ridge Rd is a beautiful, winding tourist trail that snakes its way through the Strezelecki Ranges of Gippsland. It’s a mainly gravel road that sees very little traffic as it is pretty much a road to nowhere. The Grand Ridge Rd is the glue for the Spring semi-classic that traverses the road and has been on my list of must do rides for a number of years now. As we left the warm blanket of Melbourne on our way to Yarragon for the start, the temperature was dropping and dropping. The almost empty highway continuously dipped in and out of waves of fog. Yarragon itself is a classic little cold sink, surrounded by higher ground. Thought and conversation turned to clothing. With only 2 towns providing options for sustenance over the 200km parcours, our pockets were already groaning under the weight of food, with little capacity for discarded clothing later in the day.

Fortunately for the body, if not for the legs, it is a straight uphill warmup out of Yarragon and onto the range. 25 or so randonneurs, including our mini-peloton of 3, headed out of town and onto the first gravel section of the day.

Up & DOWN

Once on the Grand Ridge Road itself, it was up and down all day. The climbs here are very different to our usual fare in the Macedon Ranges, my home turf, and not in the way I expected. It was not so much the gravel as the way they tracked the contours, swinging in and out of the gullies and creeks. Tight turns were the order of the day with the road always snaking up the folded hill side ahead. There is something very satisfying about being able to look back down the valley at the path you have just trodden and see almost ever metre of effort. A few hours in and we had seen a hand full of cars and the gravel surface had been superb and much fun. One sharp downhill section of what was described rather perfectly as a “marbly” surface meant for some interesting motocross one foot on the inside type action as the cantilevers lived up to their usual mushy reputation. We may have been Team Canti for the day but we were loving it!

It was time for the first bakery stop as we swung into Mirboo North where two other riders were already finishing their first espresso of the day. We had no trouble resisting the temptation of a quick one at the Grand Ridge Brewery as, at 10am, even in Australia, it was not yet open

INTO THE TREES

The climb out of Mirboo was the best of the day. It was one of those climbs that kept giving around every corner and the surface was perfect. By the time we had crested the climb, the skies had clouded over and a little rain was in the air. The rolling green hills were replaced with dense gum forests, from England to Australia in a few short kilometres. As we rolled up and down through the trees, the surface deteriorated, becoming more rocky with logging truck access resulting in a heavier gravel surface. This was the longest gravel section of the day at almost 50km. At the end of it was a plunge down a mixed gravel and sealed surface to our second stop of the day at Boolarra. A slight mechanical on the crest presented the opportunity for a little chain-gate like action as I dived down the descent seeking to put a few minutes into my co-conspirators and get my order in first at the general store. Dim sims, chocolate milk and chips were the on the menu. Salt, fat and sugar, the staple of any good randonneur!

chasing the line

On paper, the final 55km were the easiest of the day, with 3 shorter sections of gravel. Fatigue, a headwind and continuous rollers told a different story as rides on paper rarely translate to reality. A pleasant rail trail bash out of Boolarra lulled us into the serenity of this section. Soon it was replaced by a goat track through the pine plantation. Initially we had ridden right past this “road”. Not because we were lost but just because it looked like such a rambling path to nowhere, we ignored it. It was a rough old track, too. At first, we were glad that we were on CX bikes with the big bag cushions for tyres but shortly, after a double pinch flat, talk turned to tubeless. Do, or do not. Next time we “do” tubeless!

Fortunately the surface improved but the headwind was now the enemy of the day. A glorious climb or two, the return of the sun and we were soon high above Yarragon with only a super fast descent between us and the finish.

Fish and chips and beer disappeared in celebration before the long drive back through Melbourne to the Ranges. Grand Ridge Road, 200km of awesomeness with 130km of gravel. The ride of the year?