Audax Alpine Delight 2000 (200km)

Leigh Patterson, just over the Mt Hotham Summit with Mt Feathertop in the background

Day	Saturday 9 December 2000
Start	6:40am Bright, Visitors Centre
Finish	Harrietville, Snowline Hotel
Distance	200km
Total Riders / Finishers	20 / 17
Ride organiser	Peter Campbell

Weather conditions

Warm and sunny; clear skies with no clouds; air temperatures 10 to 25 C, very little wind. Perfect conditions again.

Details

Riders in the Year 2000 Alpine Delight departed Bright in pleasant not-too-cold conditions and rode as a group to Harrietville. At the start of the climb, riders settle in to their individual climbing tempos. After a steep push up The Meg, the climb eases as it winds on up through the mountain ash then snowgum forest.

The third Alpine Delight was blessed with marvellous weather. The clear cloud-free conditions provided stunning vistas extending in all directions. The general store at Dinner Plain unfortunately was not open, so riders had to make do with provisions they carried. Water refills were available at the Mount Hotham Day Visitor Centre, and the supermarket at Mt Hotham was also open.

Approximately 20 ravenous riders descended on Omeo for lunch, creating a lunch peak hour rush. After a relaxed lunch, riders tackled the surprisingly long and steep hill out of Omeo, followed by the longer climb back to Dinner Plain. The Slippery Pinch did not live up to its name due to a lack of snow and ice, but it is the last stage of the climb back to Dinner Plain, and is never easy.

The Dinner Plain pub was open for refreshments, and café lattes were available at a nearby café. It is good to have rest here is the climbing is not quite over – the flank of Mount Hotham summit must yet be climbed and there are also three short sharp pinches on the Great Alpine Road as it traverses the ridge line.

The hard-earned descent to Harrietville is initially fast and furious, but it mellows as you re-enter the forest. A lemon squash back at the Snowline Hotel is sheer bliss. After a long rest, riders formed a peloton for the post-ride return to Bright where showers and a pub meal awaited.

Overall, the ride was again a great success. Seventeen riders finished out of twenty starters.

Interested in trying the next Alpine Delight?

For those keen to try the Alpine Delight, training on serious hills (800+ metres) is realistic prerequisite. This is not a ride to be taken lightly – the total altitude gain for the day is 3,920 metres.

You also need to be well prepared for potentially harsh alpine weather (even snow) by carrying sufficient warm clothing. Being unsupported, you also need to carry enough food and drink to make it comfortably between checkpoints.

Lights fitted to the bike and and reflective gear (carried) are mandatory.

The ride is definitely not easy, but it is rewarding.

The next Alpine Delight will be on 8 December 2001.

Riders who finished