Cycling Albury – Granya Grind
Johnsons MME Lake Hume Cycle Challenge 27th February 2016 – Granya Grind
Weather: 32⁰C perfect sunny day
“Ride as much or as little, or as long or as short as you feel. But ride” ~ Eddy Merckx
Commencing at 7 am, the 136km Granya Grind ride is Albury’s “Premier Ride” in the region. It is advertised as a demanding ride for the more advanced and seasoned cyclist; not for the casual rider. Cyclists ride past Tallangatta, discover the natural beauty of the Granya State Park, the picturesque hamlet of Granya, including a refreshment stop, overlooking the Murray River arm of Lake Hume. Then follow this back, crossing over Lake Hume via the historical Bethanga Bridge, returning to Nouriel Park on the Murray River at Albury.
Having now completed the ride, I now know why it is called “Granya Grind”! A 500 m climb half way through a 136 Km ride is a bit of a challenge, particularly when I was seizing up with leg cramps for the last 70 Km. So I headed straight to the chemist when I got back to Albury to buy some magnesium tablets. But what a fantastic day, riding with my childhood mate, Peter, through the rural district of Talgarno where we grew up (not that we ever really grew up).
