This week we are visiting Falls Creek located in Victoria, Australia’s high country. This area boasts some epic riding and is renowned for its unpredictable weather, stunning scenery, and a strong culture of cycling, mountain biking and skiing.
We’ve also introduced a new category or ride called ’sightseeing’ this week. These rides are visually stunning and focused on being ‘easy kays’ rather than putting you in the hurt box. You’ll find a curated list in the ‘Sightseeing’ folder on FulGaz.
Join World Champion mountain biker Paul van der Ploeg as he takes us on some of the remote gravel roads hidden out the back of Falls Creek. Testing climbs on the way to the summit of Mount McKay, stunning views and even snow make this experience both spectacular and challenging. A few days prior to recording this ride, there was a mid-autumn snowfall, making this even more challenging- and beautiful.
More InfoClose to the very tip of Africa, just outside Cape Town, you will find the Cape Whale Coast – a place that can easily be called ‘Heaven on Earth’. Hermanus is renowned as the breeding ground for Southern Right whales on their annual winter migration. The ‘Heaven and Earth’ valley which boasts itself to a stretch of vineyards and some of the most incredible mountain bike trails. This ride will take you on a journey from a small town harbour through an African township, up above the mountain tops of the village and through the valley of heaven!
More InfoThe women’s event saw Kiwi rider Ella Harris collapse in tears of joy as she crossed the finish line in what was her first ever professional win and a dramatic conclusion to the Tour.
She was dropped multiple times on the climb before ‘diesel-ing’ her way back on one final time to take the win.
This 30km journey doesn’t give you a lot of time to warm up, but it’s a fun interesting ride that will push your legs and limit. It was filmed in 1h30mins by a very strong and experienced rider in Paul Van der Ploeg who took the suggestion that he ‘ride it pretty hard’ seriously, so we’d suggest putting aside a decent chunk of time to complete it.
Make sure you watch it right until the end, you won’t be disappointed by the view!
About this week’s contributor
Born and bred in Mt Beauty, Victoria. Paul Van der Ploeg has been riding bikes his entire life.
At 195cm and 95kg he’s an imposing figure on and off the bike.
Originally drawn to the fast and furious nature of mountain biking, he was crowned World Champion in the Eliminator category in 2013.
About Paul
