|
KOSCIUSZKO ‘24 ‘Because it is there,’ thus spoke George Mallory talking of Everest and why man was driven to climb it. Much the same could be said of the Albany Cycle Club’s Kosciuszko Challenge on Woodlands Road in the Porongurups. Because it’s there and it’s bloody good fun, albeit slightly torturous, ‘hurty’ fun, but fun nonetheless. In order to reach a Kosciuszko (2280 metres) it takes 13 laps of Woodlands Road and you might say, 2200 metres, that’s not as far as I walk my dog! However, what we’re talking about here is 2000 vertical metres – two kilometres up with a vertical gain of about 182 metres each time. Simple arithmetic reveals that thirteen laps achieves the Kosciuszko with a little to spare. Eighteen riders put legs, lungs and a variety of bicycle types to the test. Road bikes of various hues were the machine of choice, but gravel bikes, mountain bikes (geared and not) also made the ascent. While there was a scheduled 7am start, there were a few hardy souls who got started early. Notably, Michael Gardiner who completed 20 laps for a total of 3600m of climbing and Camrin Maguire completed 16 ascents for 2900m of climbing. Paul Gibson did 14 and David Beckwith, Russell Hart and Frank Bate all reached the summit and planted the flag. Douglas Foulkes-Taylor grabbed the KOM for the descent, knocking off Brent Schoof to the tune of six seconds. Vince Bascombe completed the fastest ascent of the day in 8.48 and blew his knee to smithereens in the process, strewing shards of cartilage all over the road. Brett Dal Pozzo and Camrin Maguire were the next fastest. Other big efforts on the day were Di Fry’s 11 laps as expedition leader of a four woman team that attained the lofty heights of Bolivia’s highest peak, Nevado Sajama (6552m). Congratulations Di, Steph, Shirley and Liz. The controversy of the day was Simon Barrett and Mike ‘Banjo’ Staude’s failure to summit for the first time in four years. It would be a story more in keeping with the theme of the day if teams of Sherpa had had to carry them down the mountain whilst they battled severe hypothermia and frostbite and then were heli-lifted off the side of the mountain to safety – but alas in 90% humidity, that version of events is simply myth. And, given they were not eaten by bunyips or dropbears either, the more mundane excuse, ‘it wasn’t their day’ will have to suffice. The Kosciuszko Challenge remains a very popular event on the ACC calendar. It’s not a race, there are no handicaps and no cheques dished out at the end: it’s undeniably hard, but it’s also huge fun which is why people keep on heading back. |
