Absolutely incredible video. So insightful and so refreshing to hear a person talk with no BS, and with a lot of humility and obviously a lot of practical knowledge and experience.
Thank you very much. I'm bringing out a Part 2 in January 2025 - a bit about the Rego process at the Event. And probably a bit about how tough 2024's event was when we all melted! It's an iconic event that gets 'under your skin' and will ALWAYS challenge you physically and mentally, regardless of how many times you have done it.
This is a wry and well thought out of summary of Three Peaks. Everything you say is pretty much spot on. I signed up on a whim two weeks out from the 2021 event and found accommodation last minute. I had no idea about the finish time waves or anything really so when asked what time I expected to finish on the prior registration day, I chose the 11 hour wave. Needless to say I had no idea what I was doing. I just got going at the speed I thought would be a decent enough pace. When I stopped at the top of Tawonga for water, I asked someone when the 11 hour wave was arriving and he told me that had already left. I spent the whole bloody day chasing that wave and I never saw them at all. I probably didn't need to stop at Tawonga and I could have saved time in other places too - so It is definitely a learning experience. We were lucky with the weather that year. It really is the luck of the draw on the day. I felt pretty good all day and even got around WTF corner feeling quite perky - but I began to unravel pretty fast. Falls is bloody hard and the adrenaline of the day has been replaced with leaden legs. It is a nightmare. I just shut down and stared at my wheel as I climbed in a zombie-like state. It was pretty humbling and I thought Trapyard would never come. The thought of the coke was the only thing that kept me honest - and whenI arrived I could hardly drink it because I was so knackered. And even after Trapyard it seems to go on for ever! Every little rise in the road goads a new crisis of confidence. But when you finally see the damn it's absolutely awesome and somehow you find some extra dregs of energy to speed up. On the final descent into Falls, I thought my mind might be playing tricks on me as I wasn't sure where the end was, but when you see the final banner - it's just such a relief. I got off the bike in a kind of state of disbelief, someone hands you some food and someone else your ride times and some merch. and then you stagger out and stand there dazed. I got there in 11:37 and pretty much sat on the pavement for the next hour trying to regain my composure. I would have loved to have stayed around to cheer others in - but I was fried and began to feel cold so i rode off back to my digs and an early night. I couldn't even down my celebratory beers. It was only the next day on the drive back to Sydney that I could really look back at the whole day and bathe in the afterglow of achievement. Probably the hardest day, yet best day on the bike that I've had. Just sign up and do it, or do what I did and give it a crack without planning or training expressly for it. Probably easier and less self imposed pressure that way.
Now that is quite the story and reflects my experiences in many ways. It is quite the achievement and it will always be difficult to understand what it means to turn at 199km & 3300m in your legs and face WTF & BOF. As I say in the video - it is the best and worst day of your athletic life. And you will find you will always have a connection to those who’ve done it. It’s a special event. And thanks for calling it “wry” - that’s a word we don’t hear enough of these days! Blessings.
Appreciated. It is one of the great events of the Australian amateur recreational athlete calendar. Unforgettable, extremely challenging, well run and in time will probably deserve the status of 'legendary'??!!
Just came back from 2024. Mate, this is a brilliant and dead set accurate summary of the day. I'd finished in 2021 with goldilocks weather, and thought I'd beat my time this year. But with 35+ deg in the Omeo valley I barely scraped over the line at 12:45. Good on you for calling out the 'sneaky peak' before Omeo and the climb to Anglers. Those are hard on any day, but brutal if it's hot. Thanks again for the vid.
Thank you. Yes I did it too. Have a standard goal still of sub 10 hours but the heat got me too! I died on that ‘sneaky peak’ pre the final Omeo descent. The heat off the road was too much (some say 39-43c). So I took extra time to revive at Omeo. Went well to Anglers and ok to WTF but after the corner severe cramps both legs. It was rife all around me. Walked 5 of first 6km up BOF! Got it together from then on thru Trapyard and strong finish. Ended up 10.46. Training on Venus or Mercury may be needed for another day like that! Anyway well done!
2022 was my first and only year to do it. Managed 8:48 total time and was over the moon. Yr description through out the ride is spot on and a very good guide for first timers 👍🏽👏🏽
Thanks Tim. Much appreciated! I’m bringing out a Part 2 early in 2025 with a few other bits and pieces pre the 2025 Event. Some stuff around the Saturday among other things.
A really great summary. I watched this a few weeks before doing my first Peaks Challenge last weekend (10 Mar 24) and now watching it again a few days after the ride I can see how on the money this all was. I concur! The heat between Omeo and Anglers nearly did me in (about 34deg) so watch out for that section on a hot day. Thanks to the moto rider who gave me a cold Coke just before Trapyard, so I didn't stop there. Before Anglers I could not face another gel - next time I'll try to eat more "normal" food in the first half of the ride. Although scorching in the valleys, on the plateau it was still actually chilly - I wish I'd kept the gilet in my back pocket rather than put in the return bag from Dinner Plain.
Thanks David. The video has completely shocked me at its popularity and appears more popular since last Sunday (10/03/2024 Peaks). I did it too. It was brutal. The heat off the road from Cobungra to WTF was pretty extreme. Garmins saying 39-43?? I had to take extra time at Omeo. My water bottles would be warm within 10 mins from a ‘Pit/ Rest Stop’. And then I, with most of us, cramped (left groin, right hammy) from the WTF turn. On my first Peaks I walked 200m. On my 2nd, 3rd, 4th Peaks I did not walk. I reckon I walked 5km!!?? A guy in a dual cab drove down BOF handing out cans of Solo from the Driver window. The feeling of cold on my hand was bliss! I did get it together from about 208km and actually finished strongly. Did a 10.46. The stats of DNFs and the anecdotal stories of Peaks 2024 make for incredible reading.
Thanks. Hope it helps. There is a companion video, albeit probably less helpful. Click here th-cam.com/video/ABqJe4aIE8s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QkMLzbtIPY-I82Iy
I did the first ACE250. It was thebest day out on a bike. Starting from bright was great as you climb hotham in the dark with sunrise as you get up high. But it also means you climb back of falls at around midday
I was at my first peaks in 2022. had such a bad mechanical (rear disk brake seized) 5min, so heartbroken for not completing, I'm back this year, this is a good video, awesome job.
Heartbroken is the word. And appreciated. For others reading this - it indicates how much it means to people!! donnapper882, glad your back and pray you get everything you want!!
Hi mate, great vid, Ive signed up for my first 3 peaks ( Falls creek ) ive done the gold coast and the Tasmania event and did both of those on what they call a semi compact 52-36 ..... Everything i read about the Falls creek event and what your saying on your video ( have that extra gearing for the last climb ) would you recommend a 50-34 with a 11-32 rear cassette or am i better off going with a 52-36 front chain rings for the flat sections.... My goal is a sub 8hour and weigh 63kg and can hold 310watts or 4.8w/kg ... Im leaning toward the 50-34
Hi. Glad you liked it. I did one of those Gold Coast Peaks but not Tassie. The idea of what the weather could be in Nov in TAS freaked me out!? Anyway that combo looks fine. If you are thinking in the 8 hour range you are a bit of a gun. But it’s just always wise to have an extra gear up the back of Falls… you turn WTF with 199km & 3000m in the legs with 10% over the next 10ish km to come.. so if you need to settle in or have cramp risk you can try find a rhythm… hope to see you there!
You mentioned that your bottles stayed frozen with the food drop crew. Would you mind sharing how you managed that? Thanks for s great video, my first Peaks 😬
Blessings NatzJac on the first Peaks. Exciting and scary all at once. It’ll be my 5th at Falls and am both excited and scared! At the Valet drop off on the Saturday night I just have them in my Valet bags pre frozen- one water and one with a electrolyte/ carb mix. Nearly every time they remain most frozen or certainly cold. The ride guide will explain the valet arrangement at Harrietville and Dinner Plain. I don’t both with Anglers except for a red bull! I remember when I handed my valet bags in for the Gold Coast one in 2016 they scoffed at me that they would remain frozen. Well they did! Once you get moving the jiggling helps unfreeze them.
You are quite modest re: ability. You are taller, stronger, leaner and fitter than average to start with, and 'ability' is overrated in strength/endurance events like Peaks. Your finish times shows you are well suited to tackle Peaks. Great video, most enjoyable. Liked the 'executioners eleven' analogy. 🤣🤣👍👍
Thanks @mikek. Appreciated. Got into making TH-cam videos the past 18 months for fun, and had the thought of putting this together for those looking to do this event I love (and kinda hate too!). Yes and that 11km from Anglers Rest to WTF... you know what's coming... but you don't really want to face it.
Hi @jacob... I would definitely use 1 litre bottles. It may minimise your stops, or length of stops, ensure you having plenty of hydration and if it's warm and you've got extra you could use a few mil over your head to keep cooler.
The meme potentials in this video. I needed a potion drink and water drink just to get through this video. What the fuck is a valet ? Do they wipe your but ?
Absolutely incredible video. So insightful and so refreshing to hear a person talk with no BS, and with a lot of humility and obviously a lot of practical knowledge and experience.
Thank you very much. I'm bringing out a Part 2 in January 2025 - a bit about the Rego process at the Event. And probably a bit about how tough 2024's event was when we all melted! It's an iconic event that gets 'under your skin' and will ALWAYS challenge you physically and mentally, regardless of how many times you have done it.
This is a wry and well thought out of summary of Three Peaks. Everything you say is pretty much spot on. I signed up on a whim two weeks out from the 2021 event and found accommodation last minute. I had no idea about the finish time waves or anything really so when asked what time I expected to finish on the prior registration day, I chose the 11 hour wave. Needless to say I had no idea what I was doing. I just got going at the speed I thought would be a decent enough pace. When I stopped at the top of Tawonga for water, I asked someone when the 11 hour wave was arriving and he told me that had already left. I spent the whole bloody day chasing that wave and I never saw them at all. I probably didn't need to stop at Tawonga and I could have saved time in other places too - so It is definitely a learning experience. We were lucky with the weather that year. It really is the luck of the draw on the day. I felt pretty good all day and even got around WTF corner feeling quite perky - but I began to unravel pretty fast. Falls is bloody hard and the adrenaline of the day has been replaced with leaden legs. It is a nightmare. I just shut down and stared at my wheel as I climbed in a zombie-like state. It was pretty humbling and I thought Trapyard would never come. The thought of the coke was the only thing that kept me honest - and whenI arrived I could hardly drink it because I was so knackered. And even after Trapyard it seems to go on for ever! Every little rise in the road goads a new crisis of confidence. But when you finally see the damn it's absolutely awesome and somehow you find some extra dregs of energy to speed up. On the final descent into Falls, I thought my mind might be playing tricks on me as I wasn't sure where the end was, but when you see the final banner - it's just such a relief. I got off the bike in a kind of state of disbelief, someone hands you some food and someone else your ride times and some merch. and then you stagger out and stand there dazed. I got there in 11:37 and pretty much sat on the pavement for the next hour trying to regain my composure. I would have loved to have stayed around to cheer others in - but I was fried and began to feel cold so i rode off back to my digs and an early night. I couldn't even down my celebratory beers. It was only the next day on the drive back to Sydney that I could really look back at the whole day and bathe in the afterglow of achievement. Probably the hardest day, yet best day on the bike that I've had. Just sign up and do it, or do what I did and give it a crack without planning or training expressly for it. Probably easier and less self imposed pressure that way.
Now that is quite the story and reflects my experiences in many ways. It is quite the achievement and it will always be difficult to understand what it means to turn at 199km & 3300m in your legs and face WTF & BOF. As I say in the video - it is the best and worst day of your athletic life. And you will find you will always have a connection to those who’ve done it. It’s a special event. And thanks for calling it “wry” - that’s a word we don’t hear enough of these days! Blessings.
@@outbackboundYes - it was 'dam' hard - once you get past sixty you can't remember how to spell any more.
Thanks for this review. I really enjoyed all the pointers you mentioned, even with the cheering up to strangers in the finish line. That's so awesome.
Appreciated. It is one of the great events of the Australian amateur recreational athlete calendar. Unforgettable, extremely challenging, well run and in time will probably deserve the status of 'legendary'??!!
Just came back from 2024. Mate, this is a brilliant and dead set accurate summary of the day. I'd finished in 2021 with goldilocks weather, and thought I'd beat my time this year. But with 35+ deg in the Omeo valley I barely scraped over the line at 12:45. Good on you for calling out the 'sneaky peak' before Omeo and the climb to Anglers. Those are hard on any day, but brutal if it's hot. Thanks again for the vid.
Thank you. Yes I did it too. Have a standard goal still of sub 10 hours but the heat got me too! I died on that ‘sneaky peak’ pre the final Omeo descent. The heat off the road was too much (some say 39-43c). So I took extra time to revive at Omeo. Went well to Anglers and ok to WTF but after the corner severe cramps both legs. It was rife all around me. Walked 5 of first 6km up BOF! Got it together from then on thru Trapyard and strong finish. Ended up 10.46. Training on Venus or Mercury may be needed for another day like that! Anyway well done!
2022 was my first and only year to do it. Managed 8:48 total time and was over the moon. Yr description through out the ride is spot on and a very good guide for first timers 👍🏽👏🏽
Congratulations on an awesome time. Glad it helped.
Top video mate. Thanks for putting the effort into the recording and all the tips. Looking forward to the challenge, once we get back to Aus.
@@joecunningham8710 Thank you. I’ve got a follow up coming early new year… it’s a great event. One you’ll never forget!
This vid is absolutely bang on for what people need to know. No bullshit just useful info. Well done
Thanks Tim. Much appreciated! I’m bringing out a Part 2 early in 2025 with a few other bits and pieces pre the 2025 Event. Some stuff around the Saturday among other things.
A really great summary. I watched this a few weeks before doing my first Peaks Challenge last weekend (10 Mar 24) and now watching it again a few days after the ride I can see how on the money this all was. I concur! The heat between Omeo and Anglers nearly did me in (about 34deg) so watch out for that section on a hot day. Thanks to the moto rider who gave me a cold Coke just before Trapyard, so I didn't stop there. Before Anglers I could not face another gel - next time I'll try to eat more "normal" food in the first half of the ride. Although scorching in the valleys, on the plateau it was still actually chilly - I wish I'd kept the gilet in my back pocket rather than put in the return bag from Dinner Plain.
Thanks David. The video has completely shocked me at its popularity and appears more popular since last Sunday (10/03/2024 Peaks). I did it too. It was brutal. The heat off the road from Cobungra to WTF was pretty extreme. Garmins saying 39-43?? I had to take extra time at Omeo. My water bottles would be warm within 10 mins from a ‘Pit/ Rest Stop’. And then I, with most of us, cramped (left groin, right hammy) from the WTF turn. On my first Peaks I walked 200m. On my 2nd, 3rd, 4th Peaks I did not walk. I reckon I walked 5km!!?? A guy in a dual cab drove down BOF handing out cans of Solo from the Driver window. The feeling of cold on my hand was bliss! I did get it together from about 208km and actually finished strongly. Did a 10.46. The stats of DNFs and the anecdotal stories of Peaks 2024 make for incredible reading.
Amazing video mate. 1 week to go for 2024 peaks and you’ve given me a major boost of motivation.
Thanks. Hope it helps. There is a companion video, albeit probably less helpful. Click here th-cam.com/video/ABqJe4aIE8s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=QkMLzbtIPY-I82Iy
Unbelievable video! Very informative. I almost signed up just from watching! Maybe next year 😀
Glad you liked it @michaelknoll… you’d love it, smash it, and be a good training partner me thinks!!
Thank you so much for the video! so insightful!
Pleased you liked it. Love the event and have done a few so my mates encouraged me to put a few thoughts together.
Really enjoyed your insights
Thanks Craig, much appreciated!
I did the first ACE250. It was thebest day out on a bike. Starting from bright was great as you climb hotham in the dark with sunrise as you get up high. But it also means you climb back of falls at around midday
There is something special about riding in the morning and seeing a sunrise! That sounds great. Not so much climbing BOF at midday!!??
Hi. Love the video. What camera brand did you have? Thanks
Thank you. Just a Go Pro 9.
Great Video and very informative. My first Peaks this year and if I make it in 13hr cutoff I will be partying. 🎉
I hope you make it!! Thanks. Glad it helped.
I was at my first peaks in 2022. had such a bad mechanical (rear disk brake seized) 5min, so heartbroken for not completing, I'm back this year, this is a good video, awesome job.
Heartbroken is the word. And appreciated. For others reading this - it indicates how much it means to people!! donnapper882, glad your back and pray you get everything you want!!
@outbackbound I'll be the crazy guy on the recumbent, God willing I will finish this year, I've run out of money!
will keep an eye out!! @@donnapper882
Hi mate, great vid, Ive signed up for my first 3 peaks ( Falls creek ) ive done the gold coast and the Tasmania event and did both of those on what they call a semi compact 52-36 ..... Everything i read about the Falls creek event and what your saying on your video ( have that extra gearing for the last climb ) would you recommend a 50-34 with a 11-32 rear cassette or am i better off going with a 52-36 front chain rings for the flat sections.... My goal is a sub 8hour and weigh 63kg and can hold 310watts or 4.8w/kg ... Im leaning toward the 50-34
Hi. Glad you liked it. I did one of those Gold Coast Peaks but not Tassie. The idea of what the weather could be in Nov in TAS freaked me out!? Anyway that combo looks fine. If you are thinking in the 8 hour range you are a bit of a gun. But it’s just always wise to have an extra gear up the back of Falls… you turn WTF with 199km & 3000m in the legs with 10% over the next 10ish km to come.. so if you need to settle in or have cramp risk you can try find a rhythm… hope to see you there!
@@outbackbound Will you see there !! Im stay in Les Chelet so right on the start/finish line
@@outbackbound Im no gun just put in the hard work .... As the saying goes Hard work beats talent
@@Steve-jo3cl no doubt! If you see me come up and say Hi... I won't recognise you but you me?
@@outbackbound Ill definietly look out for you
Great video!
Thanks - I hope it will help anyone ever considering this great event!
You mentioned that your bottles stayed frozen with the food drop crew. Would you mind sharing how you managed that? Thanks for s great video, my first Peaks 😬
Blessings NatzJac on the first Peaks. Exciting and scary all at once. It’ll be my 5th at Falls and am both excited and scared! At the Valet drop off on the Saturday night I just have them in my Valet bags pre frozen- one water and one with a electrolyte/ carb mix. Nearly every time they remain most frozen or certainly cold. The ride guide will explain the valet arrangement at Harrietville and Dinner Plain. I don’t both with Anglers except for a red bull! I remember when I handed my valet bags in for the Gold Coast one in 2016 they scoffed at me that they would remain frozen. Well they did! Once you get moving the jiggling helps unfreeze them.
@@outbackbound Thank you.
You are quite modest re: ability. You are taller, stronger, leaner and fitter than average to start with, and 'ability' is overrated in strength/endurance events like Peaks. Your finish times shows you are well suited to tackle Peaks. Great video, most enjoyable. Liked the 'executioners eleven' analogy. 🤣🤣👍👍
Thanks @mikek. Appreciated. Got into making TH-cam videos the past 18 months for fun, and had the thought of putting this together for those looking to do this event I love (and kinda hate too!). Yes and that 11km from Anglers Rest to WTF... you know what's coming... but you don't really want to face it.
Thanks for the video. Do you recommend bringing 2x 1 Litre bottles or will I be ok with 2 smaller 600ml ones?
Hi @jacob... I would definitely use 1 litre bottles. It may minimise your stops, or length of stops, ensure you having plenty of hydration and if it's warm and you've got extra you could use a few mil over your head to keep cooler.
Thanks for the vid….very informative ‼️ 👍
Thanks. I hope it helps or inspires people.
Thank you, the video is very meaningful
I'm glad you like it. Enjoyed making it.
Sounds like a nightmare. I hate climbing and i'm terrible at descending.
Yep DanTuber there are a lot of looong uphills and you begin with 35km downhill at dawn!!
Lee turner
Yes I remembered after and put his name on the bottom of the screen. Had a middle aged moment!
The meme potentials in this video.
I needed a potion drink and water drink just to get through this video.
What the fuck is a valet ? Do they wipe your but ?
Hi Mark. Yep you have a sore butt after 235km and up to 13 hours on a bike saddle!!
Absolutely great video.......Thank you so much
Thanks. I hope it helps anyone attempting to take on this HUGE challenge!