How do you even start to describe a stage that’s lumpy and uphill, but only climbs a couple of hundred feet from start to finish? Just call it lumpy and ever so slightly uphill I guess. Well that’s stage 395.
You can basically ignore the first mile: it’s a bit lumpy up and down and whose sole purpose in life is to lead you into a right hander. The bend packs a short sharp punch that then bends back the other way to two miles on a descent. Then everything settles down for another four miles until the right hander into Jerilderie Main Street. I’ll let you into a secret: when I did Ride2Cure in real life from Brisbane to Adelaide in 2018, I fell off on that corner, going the other way, and cracked a rib.
Anyway, I digress. The A39 emerges from the other end of Jerliderie at seven miles and hangs a left at the golf course, crossing Billabong Creek in the process. The road then meanders across the outback, climbing steadily as it does so, but with virtually no features to attract your attention. I know, because I’ve cycled it in real life going the other way.
So it’s with some delight that I can announce that the highway crosses the rather aptly named Turn Back Jimmy Creek after fourteen miles, just before the A39 hangs a right to start running north east towards the finish of the stage. From that point on, there is nothing of note, just a steady climb and lots of red dirt. It’s best to just find a gear that works and keep turning it.
Distance: 23 miles / 37 kilometres
Ascent: 207 feet / 63 metres
RGT Magic Road: u6g94obXtp4c
Max elevation: 337 ft
Min elevation: 292 ft
Total climbing: 205 ft
Total descent: -163 ft
You must log in to post a comment.