It was just 4.5 degrees when more than 1300 riders took off from Falls Creek village on Sunday. There would be around 200 of them not complete the annual Peaks Challenge, in what has been described as the "toughest ride ever". The 235-kilometre loop ride started at Falls Creek, took riders up Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham and through Omeo before heading up the back of Falls Creek. A Bicycle Network spokesman said wind, mist, rain and near-freezing temperatures didn't stop the challengers. "The fastest riders were Mark O'Brien who finished with a time of seven hours and 38 minutes and, on International Women's Day, Justine Barrow with eight hours and 48 minutes," he said. IN OTHER NEWS: "While heavy rainfall and hail at the top of Falls Creek village put a dampener on the junior peaks ride, there were some dry spells in the valleys that helped riders keep warm before going headfirst into the mist at Mount Hotham. "The warmest weather of the day was in Omeo where it peaked at 15 degrees at 2pm. After a few years of warm weather we were due a chilly one."
CHALLENGERS: More than 1100 riders completed the annual Peaks Challenge Falls Creek on Sunday in trying weather which included near freezing temperatures. Picture: BICYCLE NETWORK
It was just 4.5 degrees when more than 1300 riders took off from Falls Creek village on Sunday.
There would be around 200 of them not complete the annual Peaks Challenge, in what has been described as the "toughest ride ever".
The 235-kilometre loop ride started at Falls Creek, took riders up Tawonga Gap, Mount Hotham and through Omeo before heading up the back of Falls Creek.
A Bicycle Network spokesman said wind, mist, rain and near-freezing temperatures didn't stop the challengers.
"The fastest riders were Mark O'Brien who finished with a time of seven hours and 38 minutes and, on International Women's Day, Justine Barrow with eight hours and 48 minutes," he said.
"While heavy rainfall and hail at the top of Falls Creek village put a dampener on the junior peaks ride, there were some dry spells in the valleys that helped riders keep warm before going headfirst into the mist at Mount Hotham.
"The warmest weather of the day was in Omeo where it peaked at 15 degrees at 2pm. After a few years of warm weather we were due a chilly one."
