10 BEST hill climbs in South Australia

What are your favourites?

Some of us would be really familiar with climbs around the Adelaide Hills and down south. Norton Summit, Checkers Hills, Corkscrew Road and Willunga Hill all spring to mind, but what about some of the other hills in this State?

Tell us what your favourite is (or perhaps nemesis) – if you have any maps or additional information or route profiles feel free to share with us all…. Also remember that some of the best hills are found touring and off-road and might not necessarily be the hardest to climb!

Tags: adelaide, climbing

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Permalink Reply by Roger ... on May 21, 2011 at 10:54

When you ride on heavy, comfy, fat tyres the bike forces you to leave your ego at home and enjoy the ride as a ride rather than a race. I personally dont like riding a roadie unless i've got nicks on but i can ride a flat bar in flat shoes and not feel underdressed.

I ride on a MTB to be safer on rough and unknown roads. it's more about the width of the tyres the fact the brakes will work even when riding in mud, the wheels will hold the corner regardless of rutts and the slightly softer ride. allows the day to pass into weeks if you decide to ride a big distance.

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Permalink Reply by VOD on May 22, 2011 at 8:14

Jim we all know you are just a biking fiend no matter what kind of bike or terrain.

No rules :)

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Permalink Reply by Paul S (Maximus) on May 21, 2011 at 1:16

Hi Jeremy

I quite like the ride from the start of the freeway up thru devils elbow past the old Eagle on the Hill Pub all the way to Stirling (apart from the brown snakes - I will post a pic later).

Up Gorge rd is nice scenery but the surface is a bit ordinary

I haven't done too many hills so I should get some good tips from this post!

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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on May 21, 2011 at 13:34

I was introduced to a new climb today, Saddlebags Rd, Kangarilla Not for the faint hearted, 20%+ in sections with a rough, loose surface in places that has the back wheel spinning, you wanna stand bvut you lose traction so you juist sit n smile and hope to make it to the top. Well worth it if you do, great views, good descent back to civilisation and barely a soul to be seen.

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Permalink Reply by Paul S (Maximus) on July 12, 2011 at 14:16

Sadly, my climb into bed is my favourite. lol

I like any climb that is with a big bunch of fellow climbers. I seem to grow another leg. When I'm alone I dont seem to have the mental toughness, whereas in a big group ride with a goal at the end of it (TDU, Ride Like Crazy, Amy's Ride etc) I have the motivation to get to the top.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on July 12, 2011 at 14:55

+1 Paul

Don't mind some work, like Nortons, but shy away from stupid crazy hills. Speaking of which, the climb out of Myponga Beach would be a monster I think. Hard enough by car. :-)

Going down? Would be a spectacular wet end if your brakes let you down.

Anyone ridden it?

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Permalink Reply by RD6 on July 12, 2011 at 17:45

Myponga Dam ?

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Permalink Reply by Brian Jenkins (BJ) on July 12, 2011 at 18:34

Simon, thought about it. Many years since I've been there, and by car. I'd like to ride up on the old secondary road that comes out on the hilltop above the dam.

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Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on July 12, 2011 at 22:28

@RD6

Myponga Beach Road, from the Myponga Beach back up to the reservoir. Google maps doesn't really show anything, and I've searched for a photo, but no go.

Best thing to do I reckon would be to drive there and cycle out of Myponga beach. That way you'd get a wicked descent back to the car…