I had heard much about cycling up Mount Cootha and today was that day for actually completing the big ride. We opted to meet at 7:30am for departure from The Regatta in order to avoid the heat that was guaranteed if we left any later. I haven’t done any cycling on a mountain before whatsoever, either uphill or downhill, so I knew it was definitely going to be challenge.
I was taken up the front way of Mount Cootha since I was told it was the easier way for climbing and I really had no idea what I was in for. I do not have any record of how long it took us to get up to the top, but let�s just say it was definitely the most difficult ride that I have completed. I was in my lowest gear for most of the climb, and was riding out of my seat a fair bit to get more leverage. I was somewhat comforted by watching a number of other cyclists cycling just as slowly as me, with one of them even turning around, no doubt, too exhausted from the climb.
We finally reached the top of the mountain where we took a much needed rest, as I was completely out of breath. Going down the mountain was definitely worth the climb, as we flew down in a few minutes and reached a maximum speed over 65km/hour. At the bottom of the mountain, I was presented the choice of either going up the mountain again (this time the back way) and a single river loop, or to continue the descend and do a double river loop around Brisbane. I probably made the wrong choice (or more naive) and foolishly decided to go for the first option.
A fantastic weekend ride that went for just over two and a half hours and totalled almost 60k! Somehow I don�t think I�ll be going for a big ride tomorrow.
you are a wus mate!
mate if you think ur some kind of cycling expert because you talk about the leverage and shit then think again. your obviusly not that great if you find the SMALL section of mt cootha hard, and that bloke who turn around out of exhaustion from the climb as you say wasnt probably even trying he was probs just ajusting his gears and pedals for a bigger climb.
Guess what Doug? I’m not an expert – I’m just a amateur cyclist and I really enjoyed that ride. It’s a shame that trolls like you ruin cycling for everyone else. I hope you’re not representative of the Brisbane cycling community.
Yeah well done, I have just completed the ride myself – unfortunately, I found it easy as I had been training up Castle Hill in Townsville which is for me much harder. However if you know, how high Mt Cootha is I would like to know – Thanks and you should do it again. I really enjoyed it, I started my ride at 10:00am from Carindale, that was a mistake as it took me so long and I was exhausted but still would do it again.
20th April 2007
Yeah congrats mate, the climb is as hard as you make it(I wish I was as good as Doug and could say it is easy). I cycle from Rochedale through Chandler, Wynnum foreshore, Bulimba, the Gabba out to Cootha then head back to Chandler via Old Cleveland road and back home (totaling 99klms)twice a weekend with smaller 52k ride during the week. The thing is when it gets easy you just go longer and faster, keep going hard and enjoy it, it seems easier when you love it, even in the rain. Again well done 🙂
Doug – Loser!
Doug – Loser!