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Toughest climb in the Canberra City limits?
Some of you may not know that the gate at the very highest corner of Majura has been open for some time. It has been closed for many years. This means one can not only punish oneself riding up the steep and slippery Mineshaft, but one can continue up through the gate and head left and get all the way to the fence at the radar station at the top of Majura without breaking your rhythm (ha!). For those that don't know, the Mineshaft is the fireroad that starts near the Koppers Logs entrance on the saddle between Ainslie and Majura. As you come through the entrance into Maura Pines, it is the very first fireroad on the left and follows the fence you just came through.
The Mineshaft is the hardest part of the climb, followed by the part just after the gate. It is hard because you are right on the limit of traction. For the past few months it was damp and traction was good but now line choice and even application of power is critical.
If you really want to hurt yourself, start at the very bottom of Majura and take some of the older, gnarlier tracks to get to the bottom of the Mineshaft. I like to come up the trail that goes past Tucker's Jumps, and then the left variant of Planet Claire, but stay in amongst the rocks for a good technical challenge. There's a few brute force moves involved.
I've been training on road climbs of Stromlo, Ainslie and Black Mountain, but they are all less than 15 minute climbs and you need to do multiple laps for any decent workout. I haven't timed myself yet, but if you start at the lower gate of Majura, and ride clockwise around the perimeter of the forest which will both warm you up and lead you to the Mineshaft, then it probably takes the best part of an hour. Last night I needed to destroy myself in the shortest possible time and the climb from the bottom did the trick. Just maintaining traction is a lungbuster (two dabs last night... grrrr). Elevation gain is something like 320 metres - that's more than Black Mountain or Fitz's Hill, and the same as Mt Ainslie plus Red Hill! And they are all road climbs where traction is no problem.
WARNING: This really is only for those who are trained and fit. Also, the descent can be hairy and a killer on brake pads. There are ALWAYS hikers on Majura.
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Comment by alex kearns on August 13, 2011 at 20:20 -
youtube clip today's ride up majura. my tips for cleaning the hill (which i managed to do). warning - some course language.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95FScXqANf0&feature=related
also attached is my workout from the garmin website. HR max at 177bpm.
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Comment by alex kearns on February 12, 2011 at 10:17
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this morning's effort up majura. a bit slower than previous attempt, with two dabs up the mine shaft. 27.22 + 2x10 sec penalty = 27.42. really hurting today. rain has made the track nasty and rocky, traction is horrendous and my legs gave me nothing when i needed them. no excuses though. need to build fitness to clean the nasty section to the old gate. results attached. HR up to 181 through the gate.
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Comment by alex kearns on February 11, 2011 at 21:01
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mark - from the map, looks like you blasted straight up the road and to the trig (which is not rideable), rather than curve around to the locked gate at the radar station and then climb up a manageable climb. 21.56 is a really impressive time.
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Comment by Mark Caldwell on February 11, 2011 at 20:17 -
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67662261?sms_ss=email&at_xt=...
two stops one at the top gate and one on the trig track (f*%# thats hard)
data shows 0km at the bottom of 1st climb ?? this was just a slow turn but judge it as you like.
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Comment by Mark Caldwell on February 11, 2011 at 12:29
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didnt want to rub it in but i only work half days on friday.... :)
oh no im doing overtime!!! better get on the bike....
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Comment by alex kearns on February 11, 2011 at 11:43
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will probably try tomorrow morning. some of us ahve to work on a friday :)
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Comment by Mark Caldwell on February 11, 2011 at 10:11
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going to ride the mine shaft this arvo (friday 11/02/2011) it will be wet..... if anyone wants to give it a try?? will be at the bottom gate Majura Rd entrance at aprox 3:00, will update if time changes.
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Comment by alex kearns on January 31, 2011 at 19:24
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total distance race gate to trig = 3.58km. elevation start 630m - finish 900m = 270m elevation gain. HR low 86bpm max 175bpm.
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Comment by alex kearns on January 31, 2011 at 17:43
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i think the 10 sec per dab rule is maybe harsh and i can see some gaming of the rules. i propose for every second you stop, whether dabbing or walking/pushing, it is added onto your time. honesty system at work here.
either way it is a great test of your strength, fitness, mental toughness, technique. nowhere to hide on the mine shaft.
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Comment by Christopher Giuliano on January 31, 2011 at 17:12 -
Steve, I thought of that, that's why I penalised myself 10 seconds for the dab that initiated the 15second push, so for that entire infraction cost me 25 seconds. And there was no way I could run, not enough grip (even with the sticky rubber on my 5.10s) and I was too pooped.
Alex, yeah, the track (a few sticks were on it) to the trig was right where you said it would be. The trig was a great idea, thank you. I've realised my bike computer would have stopped when I threw the bike over the gate so my total time is a bit longer than what I reported. I'll put a stopwatch on my bike - it would be good to reset it for other sprints and hill climbs.
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