Departure: Mount Buffalo Gate House
Length: 25.0 km
Altitude: 1547m
Height Gain: 1318m
Average Gradient: 5.0%
Maximum gradient: 11%
Category: Category 1
Mount Buffalo is one of the many climbs close to the
Victorian township of Bright. Approximately 350 kilometres from Melbourne, it’s
well worth the near four-hour drive to climb its winding road that takes you
through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Australian Alps.
Similarly
to the climb up Mount Buller, Buffalo’s 5% gradient doesn’t sound too imposing
on paper. But there’s little respite along the route, save for the brief
descent to the junction separating the chalet road, or if you’re really fair
dinkum, the sealed road to the Horn.
Climbing
Mount Buffalo in the early morning, before the sun’s rays begin to bite, is a
far different proposition to tackling the mountain at the end of a long day’s
ride. The 200 kilometre Audax Alpine Classic ride has, until recently, used
Mount Buffalo as its final climb of the day. With 70 kilometres still remaining,
by the time you reach the gatehouse, which marks the beginning of the long
grinding ascent, there’s a good chance you’re already spent before the first
turn of the pedal.
Cyclists leaving Bright in the Audax Alpine Classic |
Five
kilometres further up the road is a welcomed stretch of false flat, the only
respite you’ll get until you make the short descent towards Lake Catani. One of
the few opportunities to think about scenery, you might be interested to know
that you’re now surrounded by a hotchpotch of Eucalypts, Long-leaf Box, Apple
Box, Strinygbarks and Candlebarks.

Cycling
masochists usually choose the second alternative; and it is well worth the
additional effort. You’ll most likely have the road to yourself, the views are
magnificent, while the descent back to Lake Catani is the icing on the cake.
Books by Mark Krieger:
‘High Spain Drifter’ is available on Amazon , Barnes and Noble, Booktopia and other online bookstores.
‘Lycra, Lattes and the Long Way Round’ is available on Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble, Kobo Books
Both books are also available at local bookshops on the Mornington Peninsula: @ Rosebud Bookbarn and @ La Brocante
After your first day of cycling one dream is
inevitable. A memory of motion lingers in the muscles of your legs, and round
and round they seem to go.
H.G. Wells
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