Me and my mate are thinking of tackling the mountain soon, for the first time. any tips that some of you guys who have done it before can give us? I read that m@ said he had to wear his socks as gloves to keep his hands warm, even on a relatively nice day, so any other little gems like this (ie bring warm clothes too!) are much appreciated.
Cheers
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Mt Wellington
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Mt Wellington
-Drugs are for people who can't handle reality-
Only driving experience up and down Mt Wellington, but also make sure your brakes are functioning well and has plenty of pad left. You'll need them on the way down. And check your tyre pressure and not over-inflate them. Those rims/tyres will get very hot on the descent.
Bianchi, Ridley, Montague, GT, Garmin and All things Apple
It's a climb that you'll never forget
Good Luck .... http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Hobart-Hill-Climb
Before you set off, make sure you can actually see Mt. Wellington.
Quite often the top half is in clouds. It can also be very windy up the top, and you may actually need the extra layers of clothing for the descent, as you will work up quite a sweat on the way up. enjoy the ride.
yeh we're definitely going to be taking extra layers. and probably taking it easy on the way down too. -Drugs are for people who can't handle reality-
Great way to chew up those brake pads and wear down the brake track. Bianchi, Ridley, Montague, GT, Garmin and All things Apple
But what a way to wear out a set of pads ...
Here is a web cam view from Rose bay on the Eastern Shore You could even take the easy way and take a Mount Wellington Descent Tour ....... http://www.raftingtasmania.com/site/cycling/
so its better to try and use the brakes as little as possible? i'm kind of new at large mountain descents  -Drugs are for people who can't handle reality-
If you are new, then there's probably more reason to use those brakes.  Bianchi, Ridley, Montague, GT, Garmin and All things Apple
I would love to have a go at riding up Mt Wellington
I've got stuff on ebay
Only just noticed this topic...
Like anywhere over 1000m in Tassie, the top of the mountain can be very very cold and windy at any time of year (and regardless of the temperature in Hobart). A windfleece jacket or vest + arm warmers is ideal for when you reach the summit and for the descent. It's also a very good idea to have a showerproof jacket as a minimum. And yeah, gloves... full-length are good for cooler days if at all possible
Another tip is to bring enough food and drink for the ascent; last time I rode up it took me about three hours in total from home; although the distance isn't that great, you'll be going slow, sweating and using a lot of energy. The last thing you want is to bonk 1000m from the summit! I always find that the hardest part is the steep, straight section between the Springs and the Chalet, so tend to take a shortish break at the Springs which gives you a good opportunity to fuel up. At the end of the day it's not a technically difficult ride; just grueling. As long as you work up to it with shorter steep climbs (eg Fern Tree) leading up to the ride you'll be fine. On the day, just enjoy the ride and the view from the top  There are four phases of bicycle commuting; first there's fear, then rage, then self-righteousness and finally, fun.
-Yehuda Moon
Inspired by this thread and the weather, I headed up on Saturday. Didn't make the decision until 10Km into my ride though, so ignored all my own advice
 There are four phases of bicycle commuting; first there's fear, then rage, then self-righteousness and finally, fun.
-Yehuda Moon
So how did it go? I've got stuff on ebay
Went well; only a few degrees cooler at the top and very still, so the lack of warm clothing wasn't an issue. Have to say I actually enjoyed the ascent more than the descent though; front tyre deflated suddenly soon after leaving the summit (rim tape was askew); after that I was a bit scared to gain speed but equally scared of braking too much. IIRC Nate had similar issues with the rim tape on his Cell Team, so replacing it should see me right in future. Apart from that though, I'd forgotten how rough the road surface is on the way back down
 There are four phases of bicycle commuting; first there's fear, then rage, then self-righteousness and finally, fun.
-Yehuda Moon
I find that if I ignore my own advice, I'm generally a lot better off.
Part of Bike Week
Mt Wellington Challenge It’s a long way to the summit but what a ride! This is a timed event so come and set a personal best. Start Registration 8.30am – 9.45am. Time Trial Start 10am Location Longley, Hobart. Distance 20km Cost $20. Contact David Buckingham 6244 5875 [email protected] Dave Eldridge 0419 598 907 
My first big Mtn climb was Mt Wellington about 4 weeks ago. Rode it by myself, on what proved to be a cold showery day (looked ok when I left). It's the first time in a long while where determination to actually get there has played a big part in my completing a ride. I needed to stop about 4 times on the way up, and the showers and 20 knot winds above the Springs made me think continually about pulling out.
Abosultely freezing at the summit and blowing a gale, so no time to stop & take in the view. About 400m down my feet & hands had gone numb and I nearly got blown off my bike by a gust. I'm not sure in this situation whether going fast to get to a warmer altitude is better or to go slower & try to reduce the wind chill? Had to stop at the springs for about 10 mins to get feeling in my limbs back. Anyway, 2hrs up from the Sth Hobart shops and 1/2 hour down. The bike week ride would be great, but unfortunately am working.
Hey Robrollin,
Are you behind schedule, or slowly winding up for a big finish. 184km achieved at 26 Feb, toward a 2009 goal of 10000km suggests the latter (hopefully). The Mt Wellington challenge wont add much to the total, but should take your mind off hill problems for the rest of the year. How will we identify you on Sunday.
Hey Mate
Ive only just gotten back on the bike after a ankle injury. Started riding on 23rd of Feb again. So 184kms from 23rd Feb. I've got a fair way to go. Ill be wearing my BNA jersey. Ive been riding Springfield and Ripley in West Moonah every second day since 23rd Feb. They are steep!! (129metres ascending) I cant make it up first part of Ripley, it's too steep. Looking foward to Mt Wellington. First time Ive done it. Next Sunday 100k ride. Planning a ride to Oatlands next month.
Hey RobRollin, in view of your difficult start to the year, you are doing OK. The 10000km is certainly do-able for you I expect. Should we call you RollsRoyce when you get there.
The BNA jumper? I guess it must relate to Bicycles Network Australia? What is this Journal thing all about? Best wishes for tomorrow on the climb.
Master6, did you end up doing the ride?
I couldn't unfortauntely. Had the bike packed, girl was going to take me, set the alarm on my mobile. Alarm didn't go off. Im still planning on doing the 100km ride on Saturday though.
Under 1.20, would have liked around 1.12, but I was not good enough.
I improved a couple of minutes on last year, but slipped down the list of placings. My impression is that there were more "better" riders this year, and some of last years "lesser " riders did not start this time. No offence intended to anyone with above comment; anyone who rode to the top did a good job.
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