Distance – 20km
Elevation Gain – 326m
See also: Check out the Specialized Roubaix and Amira our road team are riding.
Keen to head to this great Destination Bike? Visit Ballarat direct here
The White Swan loop is as beautiful as the name suggests. The loop is a short 20km ride with endless options if you prefer a longer ride or you’re chasing vertical gain.
Despite the elevation gain this is a great loop for anyone. There is only one significant climb and multiple options to extend the distance and add some more elevation gain.
Within 10-15 minute of leaving Racers Café and Bar you are out of town and away from traffic.
See also: Check out Ballarat's Top 6 Road Rides
The major climb on Alkera Rd is steep in parts, (hitting upwards of 9% gradient) but comfortably negotiated if you have the right gearing. The day we rode the White Swan loop a lady on a Hybrid Bike was climbing Alkera at the same time as us, and she still had energy for a smile and a wave.
The descent down Alkera Rd is short but lots of fun. The road snakes its way down for almost a kilometre at the perfect gradient that doesn’t require a pedal stroke to carry speed. The next climb of the day is ‘five ways from west’, a 1.8 km climb that averages 4.3% gradient. The gentle gradient can be attacked or spun over. There are no steep bits and it is the perfect length for anyone looking to do hill reps of 6-8 minutes duration.
See also: Here's your Road Nats recon
The White Swan loop takes you around the outskirts of Ballarat, but you could swear the town was a million miles away. Once you cross over the freeway it’s just undulating terrain with farmland and wildlife for company (as well as a couple of random camels in a paddock!).
As the name suggests, keep your eyes open for the giant white swan installation in the distance.
There are many small detours from the White Swam loop. It’s very easy to include 2-3 more hills such as Spring Rd (1 km at 4.9% gradient) or Longs Hill Rd (1.3km at 5.1% gradient).
The hilly nature of the loop provides a lot of protection from the wind, making it the perfect training loop on a windy day.
Stop the Press!
The inaugural Australian Gran Fondo Championships will launch on Saturday 9th January 2016! This gives us non-pros the chance to genuinely be a part of the iconic weekend of cycling. Tackle the fully closed roads of the Buninyong circuit and soak up the atmosphere normally reserved for pros. This is definitely a chance to make a weekend of exceptional riding but entries are capped so register here now. Then the following day head back as a spectator to watch 'Super Sunday', when the men and women battle it out for Green and Gold.
Thank you
A sincere thanks goes to the following for helping make this Destination series such a success:
Ballarat + Sebastapol Cycling Club – especially Jenni, Liam, Nick and Tim and Karen for their local knowledge and good riding legs!
The Avanti Racing Team – thanks to our superstar tour guides Pat Shaw and Matt Clark
Rapha – for some sweet jerseys
Specialized – for some equally sweet kit and the opportunity to take the Specialized Roubaix out for many spins
