Rob, a great piece of story telling and lesson in vulnerability, facing your own fears. It's great that you took he time to try and find the lyre bird. This climb is only an hour's drive from Melbourne and makes a great day out. You have definitely reignited my passion to get out and ride the Victorian High Country over summer.
Hi Rob! I’ve been following now for a while and I really love watching your videos of your bike rides. Excellent camera work and documenting! From an Irishman living in the USA! Keep up the good work mate!
Awesome video Rob. Another ride to add to the list next time I’m in Victoria. I’m with you though…a little bit of wee came out seeing you up on those steel grate lookouts. 🤣
Donna is a lovely scenic climb with a fun descent. It's so good on a nice day (climbed it once and was 0deg C at summit), and it's also the closest decent alpine climb from Melbourne.. I've climbed it half a dozen times, and to this day still find it a lot harder than you :)
did you stop off at the fresh water spring at the 10 mile carpark? the water is amazing out of that. I always stop and refill. The locals bring up multple water bottles to stock up its that good.
You're not the first one to tell me about the spring water. As I wrote to someone else, it's a good excuse to consider a return to Warburton (and surrounds). - Rob
Thanks for the comment. The current camera set-up includes two GoPro Hero 12 - one on the bike, one in my pocket. - Rob PS. You can find out a bit more from this video: ruclips.net/video/2S3WW-pLSUY/видео.htmlsi=7mUBe8uf81poggaD
Yep, can understand. Note (just to clarify my comments): the climb is cruisy and the "easiest 'difficult' climb" if you are stopping all the time to take in the sights and sounds and - as I did for this ride - you only tap away at a pace that suits you... if you were racing or challenging yourself, of course it's going to be a lot more difficult. - Rob
Was up there yesterday (Cup Day public holiday) ride was great, pretty quiet up top, but RainForest Gallery and Warburton were busy with happy family day trippers when I descended. Great for the region. We are lucky here in Melbourne to have Donna so close. Also Lake Mountain nearby for a longer ride and climb from Warburton.
I ride DB several times a year and agree with your "easiest difficult climb" assessment . Its the first big climb I tackle when training for any of the other major climbs in Vic. Next time you come bring your gravel rig and ride the back route to the summit. Its even prettier than the frount route. One fun fact about Donna Buang - its the birthplace of Everesting. George Mallory (grandson of THE George Mallory) did the first one there in 1994.
Thanks for the comment and suggestions... and the little tid-bit about Everesting history. This is why I like feedback about the videos... there's always something to learn. - Rob
I'm personally not sure it's the easiest difficult climb, I think Buffalo probably takes that crown for me. The gradients of Donna do catch you out from time to time, particularly the part before where the old land slip was and the part near the top. Buffalo on the other hand is a pretty steady grade throughout and only really a little bit steep at the start (from what I remember)
@@rsam346Personally I find DB easier than Buffalo (maybe because I've ridden Buffalo most often in the Alpine Classic so have put a little more pepper on it) but Buffalo is my favourite climb in Victoria by a long margin.
Agree that the Don valley route to DB is a very good option. Did it on Nov 9 and the road is in very good condition. You can make a good day "car free' out of it by getting to Lilydale by train and starting from there on the rail trail. The Donna/Lake Mountain Loop is also a good day out in either direction. Buffalo then Buller would be my first two in the 'easiest difficult' Victorian climbs with Buffalo the easier by a fair way as the last km or so of Buller kicks up. Notably, both of those roads were cut for horses and so utilise hairpins. Baw Baw must have been cut with a bulldozer, it's a brute in places.
You missed the best part - there is a flowing spring of Water where ppl come from all over Victoria to fill up their canisters - cold flowing spring water
Righto, I'll look out for it next time... and there will most certainly be a "next time". (Ah, is it on the main road? Did I just happen to miss what you're writing about?) - Rob
@ it’s the big open space maybe 15 Minutes from the top - it’s on your right as your riding up with plenty of burn out marks on the bitumen - the spring(fountain) is tucked away in the far left corner.
@@kendurham6784 ... cheers, it seems this water is worth returning to to Victoria to sample. (Not that I need much of an excuse, but at least it's one reason to consider another adventure down there.) - Rob
Donna Buang is not an easy climb if you don’t stop multiple times! Try getting up it in an hour and I’m confident easy will not be an adjective jumping to mind.
Victorian here, glad you loved it. We feel very privileged to have that area on our doorstep!
always enjoy the content and your unique take on riding the bike 🙂Love your work
Rob, a great piece of story telling and lesson in vulnerability, facing your own fears. It's great that you took he time to try and find the lyre bird. This climb is only an hour's drive from Melbourne and makes a great day out. You have definitely reignited my passion to get out and ride the Victorian High Country over summer.
Really starting to enjoy your informative videos on the locations in Australia. Helps with my own route planning.
Cool. Nice to know that my ramblings are appreciated.
Thanks for the comment.
- Rob
One of your best videos! Thanks for sharing.
Just commenting because I love your videos Rob. I love the scenery, the bikery and your commentary.
Thanks Paul. Back at you… as it does help to read appreciative comments.
Keep watching… and, of course, never stop riding.
- Rob
@ride-media ...and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply
Hi Rob! I’ve been following now for a while and I really love watching your videos of your bike rides. Excellent camera work and documenting! From an Irishman living in the USA! Keep up the good work mate!
Cheers Keith, nice to know that people appreciate me talking ... ah, to myself. Ha..!
- Rob
I've been wanting to visit and ride up Donna but never found the right time to do it. Glad this video popped up.
Just find some time and, I'm confident to say, you won't regret it.
- Rob
Awesome video Rob. Another ride to add to the list next time I’m in Victoria. I’m with you though…a little bit of wee came out seeing you up on those steel grate lookouts. 🤣
Donna is a lovely scenic climb with a fun descent. It's so good on a nice day (climbed it once and was 0deg C at summit), and it's also the closest decent alpine climb from Melbourne.. I've climbed it half a dozen times, and to this day still find it a lot harder than you :)
For a HC cat climb it is pretty tame. Beautiful ride though and the decent is awesome!
The Giro Della Donna route is a good one to follow as you can do both Lake Mountain and the Acheron Way
thankyou r
for doing the recon
did you stop off at the fresh water spring at the 10 mile carpark? the water is amazing out of that. I always stop and refill. The locals bring up multple water bottles to stock up its that good.
You're not the first one to tell me about the spring water. As I wrote to someone else, it's a good excuse to consider a return to Warburton (and surrounds).
- Rob
Awesome video. What camera are you using? Thanks
Thanks for the comment. The current camera set-up includes two GoPro Hero 12 - one on the bike, one in my pocket.
- Rob
PS. You can find out a bit more from this video: ruclips.net/video/2S3WW-pLSUY/видео.htmlsi=7mUBe8uf81poggaD
Come ride Mt Dandenong also :)
Beautiful part of the world to ride. Mt Donna Buang as the final climb in the Giro della Donna is always a slog with 100km/2000m+ in the legs.
Yep, can understand.
Note (just to clarify my comments): the climb is cruisy and the "easiest 'difficult' climb" if you are stopping all the time to take in the sights and sounds and - as I did for this ride - you only tap away at a pace that suits you... if you were racing or challenging yourself, of course it's going to be a lot more difficult.
- Rob
Was up there yesterday (Cup Day public holiday) ride was great, pretty quiet up top, but RainForest Gallery and Warburton were busy with happy family day trippers when I descended. Great for the region.
We are lucky here in Melbourne to have Donna so close. Also Lake Mountain nearby for a longer ride and climb from Warburton.
I ride DB several times a year and agree with your "easiest difficult climb" assessment . Its the first big climb I tackle when training for any of the other major climbs in Vic. Next time you come bring your gravel rig and ride the back route to the summit. Its even prettier than the frount route. One fun fact about Donna Buang - its the birthplace of Everesting. George Mallory (grandson of THE George Mallory) did the first one there in 1994.
Thanks for the comment and suggestions... and the little tid-bit about Everesting history.
This is why I like feedback about the videos... there's always something to learn.
- Rob
I'm personally not sure it's the easiest difficult climb, I think Buffalo probably takes that crown for me. The gradients of Donna do catch you out from time to time, particularly the part before where the old land slip was and the part near the top. Buffalo on the other hand is a pretty steady grade throughout and only really a little bit steep at the start (from what I remember)
@ Mt Buffalo is on my to-do list. And more so now. Thanks for the comment.
- Rob
@@rsam346Personally I find DB easier than Buffalo (maybe because I've ridden Buffalo most often in the Alpine Classic so have put a little more pepper on it) but Buffalo is my favourite climb in Victoria by a long margin.
Agree that the Don valley route to DB is a very good option. Did it on Nov 9 and the road is in very good condition. You can make a good day "car free' out of it by getting to Lilydale by train and starting from there on the rail trail. The Donna/Lake Mountain Loop is also a good day out in either direction. Buffalo then Buller would be my first two in the 'easiest difficult' Victorian climbs with Buffalo the easier by a fair way as the last km or so of Buller kicks up. Notably, both of those roads were cut for horses and so utilise hairpins. Baw Baw must have been cut with a bulldozer, it's a brute in places.
Complete set of monotremes.
Pair Donna buang with baw baw for epic elevation
You missed the best part - there is a flowing spring of Water where ppl come from all over Victoria to fill up their canisters - cold flowing spring water
Righto, I'll look out for it next time... and there will most certainly be a "next time".
(Ah, is it on the main road? Did I just happen to miss what you're writing about?)
- Rob
@ it’s the big open space maybe 15
Minutes from the top - it’s on your right as your riding up with plenty of burn out marks on the bitumen - the spring(fountain) is tucked away in the far left corner.
You rode past it at 16:50.
@@kendurham6784 ... cheers, it seems this water is worth returning to to Victoria to sample. (Not that I need much of an excuse, but at least it's one reason to consider another adventure down there.)
- Rob
Donna Buang is not an easy climb if you don’t stop multiple times! Try getting up it in an hour and I’m confident easy will not be an adjective jumping to mind.
Donna Buang. Sounds like a girlfriend from the 80's