Welcome to Velo Ronny’s Vertical Challenge!
We get it, going vertical is hard on a bike! We also get that sometimes (amongst the craziness of life) you just need an extra bit of motivation to push your limits and try something new. Enter our Vertical Challenge!
Simply challenge yourself or race your mates…and win some sweet prizes for your efforts!
We know what your’E thinking….
How does it work?
You have two weeks to complete the challenge.
You can do it as many times as you like, ride on your own, with mates or family (you might even make a new friend out there!).
Do I have to have a road bike and wear lyrca?
Nope! You can complete the challenges on any bike – eBikes, kids riding shotgun included. We WILL go off-road!
Challenge Dates – posted online at 7pm Friday
October 11th
October 25th
November 8th
November 22nd
December 6th
I don’t have Strava?
You can set up a free account here
And follow Velo Ronny’s (makes it easier to give you a shout out!)
ROUND #5 St JOHNS HILL GRINDER
DECEMBER 7th – DECEMBER 20th
Right-o folks time to hit the final round of our Vertical Challenge and this one’s dedicated to the Power Climbers and those riding Power Assisted! Throw on the race wheels or charge up that battery and bring your A game as two punchy climbs with a grind in between awaits over 1.65km. And the best thing…you can make it into a loop and do it, over and over and over again!
Starting just after the Springvale Road/Parson Street roundabout you’ll see your first power climb right in front of you. Once you crest the 300m with pitches of up to 10% (pray for a tail wind) you’ll have some time to get your breath back as you take a left into Peakes Road followed by a right into Ngapuhi Street then a final left into Parkes Ave. Use the short decent to bring that speed back before you hit the last 500m punchy climb up to Great North Road. Smashed it!
ROUND #4 MT MATARAWA
NOVEMBER 23rd – DECEMBER 6th
Nestled in the quiet township of Matarawa, only a 10km leisurely ride from town, is Mt Matarawa. The Cat 4 Gravel Climb offers sweeping views of the countryside, chorus of birdsong and fresh country air. Stretching 1.07km at a forgiving ave gradient of 7.6k% it’s the perfect blend of challenge and charm. Have we sold it to you?!!!
Head out via Okoia or Durie Hill (riding down Okoia Hill) and turn into Matarawa Valley Road. Once you hit the gravel a wee kicker will greet you then, turn right into Matarawa Hill Road and hello serenity!
Huge congrats to Brendon Sharratt, Ian Mottram, Bridget Kemp and who won prizes for knocking the bastard off in Round #4!
ROUND #3 THE WALL
NOVEMBER 9tH – NOVEMBER 22nd
It’s all in the name. This is the type of route you take when you need to get home ASAP. It is only 0.85km, afterall! Let’s just not mention the average gradient of 7.6% and pitches over 20%!
Starting on the corner of Anzac Parade and Taylor Street you head straight up the guts! Take the sealed zig-zag track to reach the Durie Hill summit….then hang a left at the end of the path into Stark Street for one more kicker. You’re welcome!
Huge congrats to Kieran Adams, Anderasmo Galabe, Paul Clareburt and Graham Hall (smashed our eBike attempt!) who won prizes for their efforts in Round 3.
ROUND #2 ST AUGS x SHC
October 26th – NOVEMBER 8th
This one’s a flash back to the Sacred Heart College days…riding to and from school and waving at the St Augustine boys’ on the way past!
2.3km from the Peat Street gates to the intersection of Virginia Road & Great North Road. Best bet is your MTB, Gravel Bike or putting on ya big girl pants on your Roady as the initial climb is stoney… then it kicks on the tarseal, again, again and again!
Huge congrats to Graham Hall, Joel Larsen, Ian Mottram and the Ward Family who won prizes for their efforts in Round 2.
ROUND #1 WATER TOWER
October 11th – October 25th
1.58km from Anzac Parade to Bastia Hill Water Tower. Enjoy the view at the top!
Huge congrats to Ben Hibbs, George Davey, Shannon Larsen, Katie Ramage, Lyneve Ryland and Brendon Sharratt who won prizes for their efforts in Round 1.
