Five Peaks Challenge is a fun bike ride in Canberra

2023 details

Rotary Rides Five Peaks Challenge

23 April 2023

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"I’ve just had the most amazing ‘tour of Canberra’, I’ve seen all the highlights from the saddle of my bike!" – Dale bus driver in his sixties from Sydney.

The weather was 'Ideal' -- a cool start then 21 degrees maximum and very light winds
275 participants who all enjoyed themselves
The participants mostly came from the Capital Region area but there was a reasonable number for Sydney, the south coast and further afield.
The 88 km ride had 57% of the riders (male 72%, female 28%) and the 120 km ride 43% of the riders (with male 81%, female 19%). Overall females were 24% of the riders.
The youngest rider at 12 years old rode all six peaks -- even though he was last in to the finish.

Barbecue at the finish -- free sausage sizzle (or veggie burger)

Barbara and Tim from WA wrote to say:

Thank you to you and your committee for an awesome Five Peaks Chalenge event. Your organisation, course marking and sausage sizzle was apppreciated.

It was worth driving across the country to do it with other family members.

From Noel a local rider:

Thanks especially to all the event organisers and also to all of ther fantastic and enthusiastic volunteers. A great day and really well organised.

Thank you for a challenging course which was a lot of fun and I hope you raised lots of funds for the worthwhile charities you guys support.

And we got a lot of positive feedback from riders at the peaks and at the finish.

The day’s ride report from rider Mandy from Yass

The day couldn’t have been more perfect for a ride of this altitude -this ride is more about climbing and less about distance!

A ride that had me awake at 3 am every morning prior with one word on repeat ‘Ainslie, Ainslie Ainslie' ... Having only ridden 3 out of the 6 mountains it was a daunting task ahead.
About 250 riders lined up for this annual Rotary held event. For the boldest and bravest there was the option to start out at 7:30 am for a loop around Urriara. For me an 8 am kickoff for the 88km ride and the day was underway- the start line was relaxed, somewhat different to a triathlon start – no argy-bargy, it was a polite and chatty group that were out for a nice ride – how refreshing.

There was a line up of seven or so tandems, giving the vision impaired rides the opportunity to join in the fun, and one unicycle – all of a sudden I felt like I had it easy!
We made our way around the criterion track and headed out for our first summit Stromlo (#1 peak). The climb was gradual and we were rewarded with spectacular views over Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges. At the top our first check point, a lovely Rotarian ready with a stamp to make your sheet official. Downhill, albeit easier than the incline, is just as technical, negotiating the array of pot holes at the bottom.

A lovely scenic tour through inner south Canberra, with Rotarians strategically placed on corners pointing us in the right direction, along with a lot of yellow arrows – you cannot get lost! Some road, some bike path and we had made it to the first aid station at the Royal Australian Mint, where we filled our water bottles. Coffee and cake, fruit, muesli bars and lollies also on offer.
The Red Hill climb (#2 peak) was punchy and got the heart and legs pumping, past the Federal Golf Course on our right to the top with the ‘On Red’ restaurant taking pride of place at the summit. Spectacular views over south Canberra from one lookout and further back you capture Capital Hill, and Griffins magnificent land axis bookend by the War Memorial through to Old and New Parliament House.
After viewing it from a mountain top we then rode to Capital Hill for an amazing tour of Parliament House across Kings Avenue Bridge towards the chicken on a stick to our next peak Mount Pleasant (#3 peak) which was needless to say … pleasant! This is quite the look out with two 1820 built 64-pounder guns, positioned either side of the memorial. At 663 metres above sea level the views over Duntroon and back towards Ainslie are spectacular- although that is where the knees started to quiver.
Mount Ainslie (#4 peak) is brutal, a relentless climb over 3.2 km at times a 13% gradient, but there was plenty of inspiration out there – you only had to look at your neighbouring cyclist grinding away was enough to inspire me to the top. Standing at 843 metres you are rewarded with spectacular views over Canberra's lakes as we took a moment to catch our breath.
Down Ainslie I blew a tyre, luckily I had my kit and all things necessary for a quick change. With a little help from fellow rider Damien (a lot of help) I was back in the saddle in no time!
A heartfelt moment as we rode down Anzac Parade – such a commemorative way, lined with dark Blue Gum Eucalyptus the red gravel central strip we past memorials dedicated to those who fought and died in the war. Visually powerful I felt the reflection and remembrance, and had my own little moment of silence.

Through the city we had chats of what lie ahead – Black Mountain (#5 peak). I had moments where I thought walking maybe an option, but as we rounded the corner I gritted my teeth and went for it! Apparently there’s a plateau after the first steep incline but I’m not sure I felt it – we climbed for 2.6km to the summit – Black Mountain standing at 812 metres the views are a little obstructed at the top but just sitting underneath the Telstra Tower was a real achievement and bought back memories of many visits over the years – she is an icon!
Time to relax – climbing is done, downhill to the next aid station where I chatted to the Rotarians doing a stellar job. Refueled, we made our way around the lake and up the Arboretums' Dairy Farmers Hill (#6 peak) – this is the bonus hill, and as it’s early afternoon you definitely are feeling the legs at this point! At the top our final checkpoint and another beautiful stamp for our sheet!

The tour home took us up through Cook and past the new suburb of Whitlam, across Coppins Crossing (with another climb) and back up to Stromlo.

Over the finish line it was a lovely warm welcome by the Rotarians, congratulating us on our achievements and offering free snag sambo or veggie burger. We sat in the sun, drank beer and chatted amongst others about our day and how perfect it was!

A special thanks to my team that kept me motivated -Brooke, Damien and John. Their companionship and support throughout the day was unwavering.

Well done to the Rotary Club of Murrumbidgee Canberra – outstanding event, very well organised and executed!