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If you want to have a ride that has tough climbs, stupid fast downhills and great views, the Mt St Leonard ride is about the best there is.
As far as climbs go, let me tell you a few statistics. You start the climb at around 70m altitude, and end it at around 1100m. That's a 3000-ft climb in the old money. So if you're not fit, forget this one, or get a friend to drop you at the top of St Leonard and ride down.

Park your car at the Donnelly's weir car park (Melways Map Ref G5). You get to Donnelly's weir by going through Healesville and taking St Leonard's Rd. Once you've parked you car, head up the Bicentennial National trail. This is the mother of all climbs and leads you eventually to the top of Mt St Leonard. There's not much I can say about this climb except that it's long, hard and unbelievably rewarding when you get to the top. There's actually only one real steep section. Most people walk this, but if you are strong, it's definitely climbable and worth a try. It's a bit sketchy when dry, so good climbing technique is required (see tech climbs in the trail tip section). This trail eventually leads to he road where you'll keep climbing until you get to the summit. Go right up to the top of the Mt St Leonard look out. It's a 360-degree view of the world and one of the best views anywhere. Used a fire spotting point, it's easy to see why. You can see in the distance the whole of Melbourne, the sweep of the bay, the mountains all the way up to Buller (I think it's Buller anyway) and other cool stuff. Enough of this, 'cause you're about to go back down the way you came up - and that means 3000 feet of downhill riding on stupid silly fire trail. One word of advice - be careful going down here. A mate got a large twig caught in his wheel going warp speed and poleaxed himself. It wasn't pretty. Lucky we were there to pick up the pieces. If you are by yourself, take a mobile.

The climb up, depending on your fitness takes 1 -1/2 hours and the ride down takes about 15 minutes. Yes, you'll tear yourself a fresh one on the climb, but faster, sillier downhills cannot be found anywhere. Give it a go.

Diets


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