Greg was right (see following). The start of the climb up Falls Creek was visciously steep. And it was totally unsighted on a blind lefthander. After the 40kms or so ripping along the flanks of a forested valley, things were going very well. But that start to Falls Creek slapped me about a bit. And while I stayed in touch with the lead bunch, it was ‘from a distance’, until I caught up at Strawberry Hill.

 

The ACE250 start was a bit shambolic. There weren’t too many wanting to help with the first 30kms. So it was good to get onto Hotham. A great climb, much of it moderate in angle allowing for a quick pace to the Meg. Thereafter the pace went up even higher for the long contour around to the final ridge climbs. The descent was a disappointment as it took forever to really get descending. And not long after we started, it seemed we were climbing a small rise…and then another…and another…

 

From Omeo, the road was great. Like Greg, I found this section was one of the best. A long gradual climb done at 20km/h+ followed by an even faster serpentine high road. ‘Triffic. Too bad it had to end.

 

From the top of Falls Creek came the long descent to Mt Beauty. Lots of hairpin bends with good visibility…
Tawonga was a hot climb. But like last year, not as hard as I had feared. The run off the summit was good. Very fast. I don’t know who went off the side, but by the time I came past, the St John’s people were on site.

 

Not being satisfied with the 246kms done by the time I reached Bright, I added on the little side loop done by the 200km riders. It was a bit lonely out there – a sure sign that this was not a favoured option. But even with this excursion I managed to get in in eight and three-quarter hours for 251 (or 255kms – see http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23242599).