By James Yaffa
2020 sees the Bowral Classic farewell the mighty Oxley Hill as part of its King/Queen of the Mountain segment. Founder James Yaffa looks back on past climbs and ahead to the challenge Mt Gibraltar will provide.
Having spent a good majority of my childhood in the back streets of Kangaloon, I thought our local climbs had it all. These days the local Kangaloon Hills are rightly known as ‘Cardiac 1&2’. Both sides are legitimate leg and lung burners.
The 2016 Bowral Classic King/Queen of the Mountain (Cardiac 2) was a 6.1km climb at 2.1% average gradient. David Evans and Megan Scott had the honour of setting the first ever records. This was, in my view, the gentler of the Cardiacs going anti clockwise.
In 2017 we decided to up the ante and take riders up Cardiac 2 (clockwise this time) known as Kangaloon Climb on Strava. At 2.19km at 4% average gradient, it was a much steeper incline and didn’t that hurt Chris Miller and Megan Scott (once again)!
One of the reasons we changed the course in 2018 and 2019 was to introduce riders to the infamous Oxley Hill, positioned smack bang in the middle of Bowral. Aside from a complete course change in 2018, we thought it was the right time to unleash the beast of Oxley!
Whilst only a 1.2km climb at 10.5% vertical, Oxley Hill was always on my wish list for the Bowral Classic. Not only is it well respected by the strong local riding community it is an absolute weapon of a pinch and we did want to break up the bunches. Well let’s just say it blew up the bunches and in my personal view is one of the sharpest lung rattlers going around.
Seeing our riders pass through the Bianchi Arch was one of sheer joy, if that’s what you call it! The difference with Oxley in 2018 v Kangaloon Cardiac is that they meet you at two very different stages of the course. Kangaloon was at the back end whilst Oxley was smack bang in the middle. Angus Calder/Holly Khan and Jay Vine/Matilda Raynolds saw their names engraved into the honour board for 2018 and ‘19 respectively.
Enter Mount Gibraltar
Make no mistake this climb will be epic and it is very different to our previous editions! I’ve ridden each of the King/Queen of the Mountain stages and honestly believe this one will be more than a challenge as it meets you roughly 2km to the end of timing! A true hill climb finish like the European Classics!
Mt Gibraltar is truly legendary amongst the locals, a 150-million-year old absolute beauty! The mountain locally is known as ‘The Gib’ and is in the form of a ridge rather than a traditional peak. Situated 863m above sea level it is said you can see it from Echo Point in Katoomba on a clear day.
Check out the King/Queen of the Mountain on Strava!
As riders start the climb the first thing you will notice is that you are riding through the residential streets of this stunning area and we have no doubt the locals will be out cheering you on! The ‘Gib’ is primarily a residential area with a large nature reserve.
The atmosphere, surroundings and the sheer pain in your legs will, I’m sure, be a highlight for the 2020 Bowral Classic.
Enjoy!
