Tiger Tales

Fab Four Bike Rides

BEA SPORT

1 The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Extending all the way from Warnambool to Geelong are 276km of what may be the world’s best roads for cycling, not to mention some of the best coastal scenery you’ll find anywhere. The Great Ocean Road is a must-ride for any cyclist, although it can be hazardous due to heavy traffic at the Geelong end. It’s best to avoid that section, especially at peak holiday times.

The official cycling guide to the route is available free from tourist offices along the way, and is great for general information. The suggested itinerary takes four days in total, but it can be done in two days by strong cyclists, with stops at Apollo Bay and Lorne. Each October, the Melbourne-to Warnambool bike race takes place along the road, one of the longest in the world.

Start from Warnambool to make the most of the prevailing winds, and also take time to check out the side roads around Cape Ottway. Cadel Evans often trains on the eastern section. For more details, visit www.greatoceanroad.org

2 Kuching, Malaysia

You needn’t venture far from Sarawak’s state capital to find both great road and mountain biking. There are a number of MTB race tracks close to (and in) town, which make great half- and single-day rides. The DBKU trail, a 5km loop within the city, is a challenging half-day ride. And just a few kilometres outside of town at Matang Hindu you’ll find the “Temple of Doom”, a great 6km ride, with lots of extension potential. For longer and more epic options, head out from Kuching towards Bau. Opt for a route featuring a mix of off-road trails and paved roads or do the tough full-day road ride. It’s about 45km each way.

The traffic-free rolling road from Kuching to Santubong is a real treat. It’s only 25–30km each way but you can add a dose of culture by heading down the kampung roads into the old town of Santubong and to the small fishing kampungs on the northern coast. For more details, visit www.borneobikers.com and www.borneoadventure.com

3 The Bataan Peninsula, Philippines

Just a short drive north from Manila (and an hour from Clark) is the Bataan Peninsula, a region immortalised by the horrific Bataan death marches of World War II. This is a stunning area, one that’s perfect for road and mountain-bike riding.

One of the best rides is a 120km circular road route from the Freeport Zone of Subic Bay, around the peninsula, and then back to Subic. This is one challenging ride, as it takes in two very long mountain climbs (of about 400m maximum height) and it’s always sweltering.

The jungle scenery is amazing and, for all but the Olongapo City section, the traffic is very light. The road passes through many rural villages and indigenous settlements. Be sure to stock up on food and water before setting out as supplies can be hard to come by along the way.

From Subic Bay, head south to Bagac and then over the mountain to Balango. Then it’s on to Hermosa and then back through Olongapo. It’s easy to follow this route.

4 Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Wild and untamed jungles, shrouded in a chilling mist; deep-green mountains and tea plantations set in rolling hills; that’s Cameron Highlands in West Malaysia. The former colonial hill station covers a huge, mountainous area that is perfect for cycling. It also makes for a great respite from riding in the heat of lowland Malaysia. The old route from Tapah Road to Tanah Rata is one of the most stunning rides in all of Asia. It climbs almost 60km, winding through dense and screeching jungle, and numerous Orang Asli settlements (of native jungle people) can be seen along the way. Once you reach the Highlands themselves, head for the tea trails. The ride to and through the two Boh Tea Plantations is just stunning – albeit a little challenging – but it’s well worth the effort. For a marathon mountain bike adventure, try the Jim Thompson route – a 38km killer. From Ringlet, ride through the jungle and then left to the Boh Tea Plantation. A real challenge for “mountain goats” is the ride to the top of Gunung (Mount) Brinchang.

Cadel Evans

Steve Thomas speaks with Aussie cyclist, world road race champion and Tour de France contender Cadel Evans

LAST YEAR YOU BECAME THE FIRST-EVER AUSTRALIAN WORLD PROFESSIONAL ROAD RACE CHAMPION, AND YOU WON IT IN YOUR EUROPEAN HOME BASE. HOW DID IT FEEL?

It was something of a dream. It was just three kilometres from my Swiss home. Going into the last couple of climbs my teammate was in the leading breakaway. On the final climb I had to hold back, I could not risk taking another rider up to him. When the gap between us was big enough and I knew I could go alone, I chased across the gap. He was just getting dropped. It was hard, really hard, but it worked out, and I won.

YOU’VE COME CLOSE TO WINNING THE TOUR DE FRANCE TWICE NOW…

In 2007 I lost the Tour by 23 seconds, the second-closest race ever. I lost the time on a mountain stage.

It was a big tactical disagreement with my team manager, and it was so frustrating. It should not have happened. I lost 40-odd seconds, and lost the Tour by 23 seconds. The following year it was 58 seconds, so that wasn’t so bad.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN THE RACE THIS YEAR?

If I’m going to win the Tour, or beat Alberto Contador (defending champion), I have to be a lot better. I have to improve. It’s all about hard work – you usually get out what you put in, that’s how I got here. It’s taken 15 years or so of working at it... so far.