Mt Donna Buang Ride

Halfway up the climb...

Yesterday I rode with two mates and we did Donna the back way, a 95 km loop from Mt Evelyn that takes in some gravel climbing up Don Valley Rd and then Ben Cairn Rd (C505) from the Warby Trail at Launching Place followed by the rapid descent down to Warburton and the weary trundle back along the Trail to Mt Evelyn.

We did the ride on a perfect day for it. The sky was clear and blue, the temperature was mid 20s and there was no traffic to speak off. And incredibly, I don't think we saw any other cyclists the whole way around once we were off the Warby Trail.

The Don Valley Rd is a gem of a ride in either direction. This time we rode up from LaunchinPlace to the turnoff to Mt Donna Buang at Ben Cairn Rd. On the Ben Cairn Rd there are creeks, small springs and great views back across the Yarra Valley towards the Dandenongs. Towards the turnoff up to the summit the asphalt resumes and the hard climbing is over.

The descent off Donna is always interesting. This time conditions were perfect and the ride down was fast - just as well because we all were hungry and keen to get to the Bakery in Warburton for a milkshake and some food - Mmmmm....appplecake !

The toughest part of the day is the 35kms back along the trail to Mt Evelyn in the warmth of a summer afternoon. But it was a satisfying day in the saddle and a good way to get some early endurance riding in the bag for 2013.

 Successful 'selfie' on the go...

Climbing Ben Cairn Rd...

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