A modest search of cycling and gravel internet content quickly uncovers a debate around what really is gravel cycling, including the “spirit of gravel”. I get it, but I also am of an age where what I actually care most about is having fun on gravel, regardless of the bicycle. For CyclingGravel, a bike that is not a traditional gravel bike is sometimes the most fun choice – e.g. because most of the route is sealed (use that roadie on some smooth gravel), because there is an epic descent with some gnarly bits (call for the mountain bike) or something else (fat bike that beach!).
This brings me to the case of Mount Porepunkah. There is nothing wrong with using a gravel bike for this route, and it is amongst the many gravel routes identified on the Victoria Ride the High Country web site. But will this offer the most fun on this climb and descent? Definitely not! As best summed up by a CyclingGravel cycling buddy: “Bring the right tool from the toolbox!”.
Ascent
Including a steep in-town start, Mount Porepunkah road is initially sealed but then opens up into some flowing (and not terribly steep) gravel running beside and between forests and farms.
After a false sense of “this isn’t that steep”, the climb starts proper, and it can be rocky. This is totally ok for gravel bikes, but does mean that the progress can be interrupted a little as you work your way around some of the rockier and rutted bits. Making sure you have the right pressure in your tyres will make a big difference in rolling over this terrain.
The first best argument for using a mountain bike on this route (or at least mountain bike gear ratios) comes on the final 4km of the climb, which averages 8% – with parts well over that. This sort of incline is not so challenging on a sealed road, but on looser gravel when you might be picking your line it can make for a challenge. It definitely depends on your gearing ratio on your bike, but for many gravel bikes’ gear ratios this will make you work for it. Mountain bike ratios, and mountain bike tyres, eat this sort of climbing for breakfast.
At the top, though, the views are well worth it – all around the mountain, but particularly to the south and west.
Descent
It is the descent where it is time to abandon gravel bike purity and embrace a mountain bike: you can take this descent at pace, and roll over and through the rougher bits. With a gravel bike you can take it super slow, and the more pace you add the more risk of pushing your wheel out of alignment (one cyclist on this trip), puncturing (another cyclist on this trip) or worse. There is absolutely no issue with taking your time and picking your line, but when there is 900m of gravel descent inviting fast paced fun, better to pick that mountain bike from the tool box! Having said all of that, the view at the end towards Mount Buffalo is just epic.
Bright caffeine
After a short blast on the rail trail, you arrive back in Bright. You deserve a coffee, and Sixpence Coffee is a great place to get one. Beware: you may be sucked in by the epic sweet treat offerings….
CyclingGravel 