Peaks Challenge with Tine Cycling — Resilience on Two Wheels

We’re celebrating an extraordinary achievement by one of our very own. Christine—known to many as Tine Cycling—has just completed the legendary Peaks Challenge, one of the hardest one-day rides in the country. With 235 km and 4,500 metres of climbing, it’s a test of strength, strategy, and serious determination.

Through disciplined training, smart fuelling, and sheer mental grit, Christine powered through the toughest climbs, outlasted the heat, and crossed the finish line with pride.

We sat down with her to hear what it took to conquer Peaks, how she stayed strong when it got tough, and what message she hopes to pass on to other women considering the ride.

This one’s about more than a bike ride—it's about resilience, community, and finding your strength when it matters most.

“Discomfort doesn’t always mean we’ve reached our limit.”

Congratulations on completing the Peaks Challenge! We’re so inspired by your ride. Can you take us back to the moment you crossed the finish line—what was going through your mind?

Thank you! The moment I approached and crossed the finish line was pure euphoria, an overwhelming mix of joy, relief, and pride. It was an incredible experience, a truly satisfying feeling with a great sense of achievement. After all that I went through, countless hours of training, and pushing through both physical and mental challenges, led to this unforgettable moment. The journey was tough, but the reward of crossing that finish line made it all worthwhile. It was a powerful reminder of my regained strength, resilience, and passion, this moment will stay with me forever! Now I understand on why some people are keep coming back year after year!

The Peaks Challenge is one of the toughest one-day rides in Australia. What was the hardest part of the course for you, and how did you push through?

I am not naturally fast on climbs. hence, I would say the climbs! There are three major climbs, which is why the event is also called 3 Peaks. In between those climbs, there are rolling hills that add an extra layer of difficulty. At the beginning of the ride, it's easy to get swept up in the adrenaline excitement and pace of other riders, but when it came to the climbs, I focused on sticking to my target wattage for each one. For Mount Hotham, which is broken down into the first, false flat, and top sections, I approached it with 90% effort on the first part, 70% on the false flat, and 80% on the final section. As for the Back of Falls, I intentionally slowed my pace even more due to the sheer length and steepness of the climb. It was a strategic decision to conserve energy and avoid burning out.

Many cyclists dream of taking on this challenge. What inspired you to sign up, and how did you prepare both physically and mentally?

I had never seriously considered taking on Peaks Challenge, knowing how tough it is and unsure if I was ready to fully commit. Every time someone asked, “Are you doing Peaks?” my answer was always no, or not sure. However, last year, discussions surfaced about Bicycle Network, the event organiser, aiming to encourage more women to participate. Within a group of female riders, we motivated and supported each other to sign up.  Unfortunately the others could not participate. I have always enjoyed a challenge, and having previously trained for and completed a full marathon, I knew my body responds well to structured endurance training.  

One of the biggest concerns among riders is finding enough time to train. However, a friend who has completed Peaks multiple times reassured me that the lead-up to the event, through late spring and summer is the best season for riding to train for the event. That perspective made the idea of training even more appealing.  

Peaks is a gruelling ride, covering 235 km with a staggering 4,500 meters of climbing. I don’t consider myself a fast climber, which initially made me doubt whether I could take it on. However, I have confidence in my endurance and descending skills which gave me assurances to take the leap. With a support and reassurances from my partner who is also a cyclist, we registered in October for us to train and ride it together.

I had four months to prepare and train, starting by building my base with weekly long endurance rides in zones 2-3, gradually increasing the distance each week. I truly believe this was key in laying the foundation for my fitness and stamina, especially since the Peaks Challenge is primarily an endurance event. Additionally, I incorporated two indoor interval training sessions per week. Overall, I cycled five times a week, with two active recovery days dedicated to lower body strength training, core exercises, mobility work, and stretching. I also made sure to have regular body massages to release muscle tension and promote mental relaxation.

Falls Creek, Tawonga Gap, and Mount Hotham—each climb has its own personality. Which one tested you the most, and how did you tackle it?

Without a doubt, the toughest part was the Falls Creek’s Back of Falls climb, a gruelling 32 km ascent with a brutal 10 km section at a 10% gradient that just seems endless. It is the third climb of the ride, coming after 200 km in the saddle when fatigue has already set in, pushing both body and mind to their limits. Knowing how intense this climb is, we did a reccy ride two months prior the event, which was really good in preparing me mentally and helping me know what to expect.

As I climbed, it was exactly as people described: a war zone! Riders were pulled over on the roadside, cramping, stripping off jerseys, and even laying on the ground. Having a compact crankset with a 1:1 ratio was a game-changer, allowing me to keep pedalling without stopping, something I had promised myself I would not do. It is a long, relentless climb, so I paced myself with a steady, slow cadence. The lower back pain made it even more challenging, but I kept pushing through and managed to keep pedalling without stopping.

Endurance events often come with unexpected moments. Did you have any surprises—mechanical issues, tough weather, or mental battles? How did you handle them?

I was made aware on this matter prior to the event by one of the ride leaders during a training ride, he said, “Prepare for the unexpected to happen to you”. There are many unfortunate things could happen; mechanical issues extreme weather especially we ride in alpine region, or even crashes. 

For my bike to be as prepared as possible, I made sure to have my bike fully serviced at Port Melbourne Cycles, a nearby shop, two weeks before the event. This gave me time to test the bike after the service, as well as install new tyres and brake pads to ensure everything was in top condition. Luckily I had no mechanical issues with my bike.

One week prior to the event we were faced with a truly grim weather prediction of a wet day, I was so nervous that we would struggle in wet and cold condition. However, luckily the weather turned 3 days before the event and we were blessed with a dry day. It was slightly hot after mid day (my bike computer recorded a max temp of 37 degree C), but it overall it was still manageable. I made sure I hydrate myself by keep sipping water every 15-20 minutes. 

I felt a knot in my stomach at the start of the ride as we were waiting for the signal to begin, and throughout the event, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were times when I felt strong and unstoppable, but also moments when I doubted whether I could finish. I have a motivational quote on a wallpaper on my phone, which is mounted on a Quad Lock handlebar mount on my bike, that says: "Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever." It’s a constant reminder that helps me push through when things get tough.

Cycling is as much about mental strength as physical fitness. Was there a moment you wanted to quit, and if so, what kept you pedalling?

Mental strength plays a huge role in overcoming the physical demands of a gruelling ride like this. Throughout the event, there were countless moments when both my body and mind screamed at me to slow down or to take a break. But deep down, I knew I had to push through. I am not the most competitive person by nature, but I treated the ride like a race against myself, there was something inside me that refused to slow down.

There’s something powerful about recognizing that when your body tells you it is time to slow down, it is often a mixture of physical fatigue and mental resistance. In reality, we are probably operating at around 70–80% of our full potential. It is important to listen to our body, but also to understand that discomfort doesn’t always mean we have reached our limit. This knowledge gave me strength, especially when I felt like I could not go any further. I reminded myself that I still had more to give, that I could dig deeper, and that I was capable of pushing through even when it felt so hard. This mindset has often been the difference between quitting and achieving something I am proud of.

I also dedicated this ride to my late father, who was always there to support me when I began exploring different sports in my early years. As I rode, I kept him in my thoughts, reminding myself that I would not let him down. In the final kilometers of the ride, I had an emotional moment, thinking about how proud he would be to know I had finished strong.

The Peaks Challenge attracts riders of all levels. What does it mean to you as a female cyclist to be part of such a demanding event, and do you think women’s participation in endurance cycling is growing?

Cycling is traditionally a male-dominated sport, and naturally, male riders tend to have more physical strength. As a female rider, I started cycling as a hobby, and it remains something I enjoy for fun. While I may not have the capacity to compete at a high level, I do enjoy challenging myself from time to time, which is why I decided to sign up for this ride. 

As I mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons I decided to participate in this ride was to support the movement encouraging more women to take on the Peaks Challenge. My hope is that by taking part, I can inspire and motivate other female cyclists to challenge themselves and join events like this in the future.

The organisers held a special women’s community session the day before the event at Falls Creek, where we had an open discussion on how female cyclists could improve their experience and performance during the ride. It was exciting to hear that there had been a 20% increase in female participants compared to the previous year, bringing the total to over 200 women, which now represents 10% of the total registered riders. 

It's encouraging to see more and more women embracing cycling, especially with the growing number of female cycling communities popping up everywhere. The presence and support for female cyclists are steadily growing, and I believe the future is bright for even more women to take on these challenges.

Fueling and hydration are critical for such a long ride. What was your nutrition strategy, and did it go according to plan?

I learned the importance of fueling the hard way during my cycling journey, especially as I increased the intensity and distance of my training. There were times when I bonked due to improper fueling, and each time, it was a valuable lesson. Fueling properly before, during, and after rides has a huge impact on both performance and recovery, helping me ride stronger the next day.

During my training, I focused on mimicking the Peaks ride by minimising stops, and that’s when I really began to understand how to fuel effectively. Knowing I could not afford long breaks, I got used to eating while riding. 

Here’s what I carried with me: two water bottles: one with a carb mix drink and the other with water, along with a top tube bag filled with bite-sized bars, medjool dates, and fruit salad jelly (which turned out to be easier on my later upset my stomach). I also carried 90g screw-top packet gels for quick boosts, especially before or during climbs.

For my valet bags at the Dinner Plain and Anglers Rest stops, I packed more carb drink mix, gels, and bars to keep me going. 

What worked: Carbo loading that started 3 days prior to the event, hydration loading the day before, taking a gel right before the start, regular small snacks, and consistent hydration really helped. I also watched YouTube videos on fueling strategies for the Peaks Challenge and followed the advice to take a caffeinated gel after Omeo. I could feel the boost from that as fatigue and heat started to take a toll. And that Coke (which I don’t usually drink) at the Trapyard Gap stop, gave me the extra energy I needed for the final 23 km home stretch! I rarely have any cramps, those feeling and hydrating strategies (and pacing strategies obviously) did not not give me any cramps at all, which many riders experienced on this ride.

What didn’t work: Even though I tried incorporating more solids early in the ride instead of gels, I still experienced an upset stomach. At the Dinner Plain rest stop, I struggled to eat my lunch and could barely finish half of my chicken wrap. I felt nauseous afterward but mentally pushed through to finish. My body clearly wasn’t used to the higher carb and sugar intake, as I had increased my food quantities beyond what I typically consume in training. I also packed more food than I could realistically carry in the valet bag, which turned out to be a common mistake among other riders. Lesson learned: pack wisely!

For those dreaming of taking on the Peaks Challenge next year, what’s your number one piece of advice?

Before the ride, when I felt nervous, people would tell me to just relax and enjoy the ride. But the truth is, it’s a tough ride, and the level of suffering you experience really depends on the training you have put in. If you want to suffer less, you need to increase the intensity of your training: focus on LONG ENDURANCE RIDE, consistent, trust the process, get stronger and stronger. This way, you will be able to enjoy the ride more, which I experienced from this ride. I am super pleased with the results of my training. Not only did I enjoy the ride, but finishing strong was something I am especially proud of.

Now that you’ve conquered this incredible ride, what’s next? Will you be back for another go, or do you have your eyes set on a new challenge?

I am not sure yet if I would do it again next year, that a maybe for now, I do really enjoy the training, the progress and fitness I get from the training, in the meantime I am open to other challenges!

Follow Christine’s riding journey, training insights, and cycling adventures over at @tinecycling on Instagram.