This ride is for those of us who like pain.and lots of it.
Ideal for winter because it takes in mostly dirt roads, it meanders through some of the most beautiful country close to Melbourne has a series of climbs that culminate in what can only be described as a sphincter breaker. But your efforts are rewarded with one of the fastest and longest downhills I have ever done.

Starting in Hurstbridge, you turn left at the second roundabout just past the bus and train depot and head down the Hurstbridge / Arthurs Creek Rd. This road is the perfect warm up as it is newly made and travels up a truly gorgeous valley. Travel up this road about 5 kms and go through Nutfield - once the home of any dope smoker with cool, now the home of big 4wd's with what looked like very rich families. Once in Nutfield, turn right up Mine Rd and get ready to climb. Mine Rd is dirt and climbs up for about 3 kms, snaking its way to the intersection of the Cottles Bridge / Strathewen Rd.

The climb is not too hard, just enough to warm up properly for what is to come. Cross over the CB / S rd and go up Hildebrand Rd which is right across the road from Mine Rd intersection. Hildebrand Rd is a made road follows a ridge line and leads all the way to the Kinglake mountain range which looms ominously in front. It has a series of ups and downs and has some of the best scenery anywhere. It turns into Jacksons Rd and then becomes dirt.

Jacksons Rd takes you right to the base of the Kinglake range. Right at the point where things get serious, you take Bald Spur Track off to the right, not Rankins Rd which takes off to the left. Bald Spur Track is a truly tough climb that leads directly to the top of the ranges and is accessed only by 4wd's. BST climbs for about 2 kms before descending down a small hill. This only leads you into a false sense of security. Right when you reach the water tank on BST, the hill turns decidedly upwards and stays that way for a very long time. I thought I would be able to climb it in middle, but no way. It is granny and 1/2 an hour later of absolutely buggering climbing you are still in granny. Stupid steep, relentless and brutal. Don't bother even trying unless you are pretty fit. The way the trees change from smaller scrubby gums at the bottom to mountain ash at the top gives you an idea on how many virtical meters you climb.

I came across a few 4wd's coming down in low ratio and stinking of burning brake pads, with the drivers all looking at me as if I was completely crazy. Of course, when they drove by I smiled and made sure I looked like I was doing it easy, but as soon as they passed, all sorts of unprintable words exploded from my mouth. Something to do with copulating and mothers, I think.

Once at the top, you are virtually in Kinglake Township. Turn left at the Kinglake / Whittlesea Rd and ride along past and under the big powerlines. No doubt some of you have ridden down the road underneath them, the Bowden Spur Track. It's pretty nuts down there, but nothing compared to our actual descent, Beales Rd. About 5 or 6 kms along the K/W rd, you'll see a small road take off to the left. This is Beales Rd. Not listed on the Melways but signposted, I reckon it's because it is the stupidest, craziest, fastest downhill road in Victoria and 'they' (whoever they are') don't want us to know about it. It's a 4wd access track and not really open to cars. It starts off easily enough and gets steeper and steeper, faster and faster until you are literally holding on for life. Best thing is, there are hardly any turns, at least no sharp ones. It flows straight down the Kinglake mountainside in almost a straight line. The turns that are there are really really fast. Scary actually. Of course, you don't slow down at all 'cause that would be wimpy. It goes for about 4 -5 kms and by the time you at the bottom, you can hardly stop yourself from laughing. Every serious MTB rider has got to do this downhill at least once. It's that good.

When you do finally reach the bottom, you turn left and head back to Hurstbridge (about 15 or 20 kms away). You can pretty much follow your nose and the road is sort of down hill the whole way in a very gentle descent. Once you reach the Arthurs Creek turn off, turn right and take that all the way back to Hurstbridge. Just after AC, go the Nutfield way back to Hurstbridge which is straight ahead, not Cottles Bridge way which is a left turn. It's a bit quicker and easier. You'll thank me for that tip.

Hurstbridge has a great bakery but had heaps of snooty road riders with all their Italo/Tour de France wanna be gear. I decided to go to Mr Rooster in Diamond Creek instead for a massive chicken pig out. Apparently they are all chemical free chickens! Thank you Mr Rooster. The whole ride took me 2 and half-hours without a break. Give it a go sometime. You'll either want to thank me or kill me!

Diets