Cycling to Mount Hotham: up, then down! 30km of climbing in Victorias High Country #StoryOfMyRide

After two nights in Bright as part of a cycling holiday / mini-break, I squeezed in one last ride. Parking up in Harietteville, I set off on the bike: up to Mount Hotham (30km, elevation gain of 1,330m) and back down again.
This is the story of my ride from 19 November 2024. My farewell adventure in Victoria's High Country. (Still, more to come from the experience. Stay tuned.)

– Rob

Note: this is part two of day two of a three-day mini-break in Victoria's high country. I stayed at Bright Velo Hotel, drove there in a wonderful Genesis GV8 (more about that vehicle and the reason for my extended test drive later), and rode a Trek Checkmate SLR 9 AXS review bike.

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www.ridemedia.com.au

Filming, editing and commentary by Rob Arnold

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Ride High Country series:

Day One
Part 1: Mt Porepunkah gravel ride from Bright https://youtu.be/NfM1_3J2IPo?si=YELfsNZXUwoG44cb
Part 2: Rounding out the Mt Porepunkah loop https://youtu.be/cRPA35XrHHU?si=EXxYQRFTEeoXtF7N

Day Two
Part 1: Bright to Mt Beauty, VIC – cycling, gravel, discovery, scenery
https://youtu.be/iGBZidcqYM0?si=vQebgUWJ-uEltTGl
Part 2: Mt Beauty to Bright – returning via Tawonga Gap
https://youtu.be/A8CWZKMBGMg?si=Hb4mpS1VM0-XBmsL

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Route for the ride
01:36 Final ride of a three-day getaway
03:15 Switching bikes – from gravel to road
05:37 Time to climb – 30km uphill
07:11 Continuing, continuing
10:36 Relief from the steep gradient
12:13 No relief from the heat
13:55 The final (difficult) push
15:11 Dipping down, riding up
16:48 Preparation for the descent
18:27 Ready to launch…

PS. Any questions? Comments?

Thanks for watching. – Rob

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Related links:
Ride High Country: https://www.victoriashighcountry.com.au/ride/

Route for the ride (Strava): https://www.strava.com/activities/12941566587/overview

Trek Checkmate SLR 9 AXS: https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/bikes/road-bikes/gravel-bikes/drop-bar-gravel-bikes/checkmate/checkmate-slr-9-axs/p/46152/?colorCode=blue_greylight

Story Of My Ride (playlist): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqUcjTLYuUf8ZvhAMOwBRgIPxk5VMrBys&si=8G-gpfkW4lfPBKCs

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Music:
• Burn It Down / Gee Smiff / LVWQEPFFHUEZHM8R
• Across The Line / Lone Canyon / ERLZEZYN9EGR8FJU
• Rubbernecker / Neon Beach / BQSDGBNQQQDVWWX7
• Breathe / Marie / IMNHZTHAXNLPZATH
• Courage To Believe / Joshua Spacht / ZTBODFUSWSQWGDO3
• Kaleidoscope Party / SPARKZ / V2Z2BLH7T6GVELFB