Patterson will take part in the sixth annual 5 Dams Challenge, a 235km ride that includes over 2000m of vertical climbing, visiting five Perth Hills dams – Mundaring Weir, Churchman Brook Dam, Wungong Dam, Canning Dam and Serpentine Dam. "�����"
The event incorporates the 3 Dams Challenge, visiting Mundaring Weir, Canning Dam and Wungong Dam, a ride shorter at 146km but still featuring fearsome hill climbs and fast descents.
About 2000 cyclists are expected to complete one of the two challenges.
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READ NOWPatterson, who has raced at elite level for several years, said he tried racing only at the urging of a friend but was quickly hooked on its competitiveness and thrill.
He said he was looking forward to his third Dams Challenge.
"I�m not bad as a climber and overall I�m more of an endurance cyclist so it's a really fun event," he said.
"It's a beautiful ride – the Canning Dam's my favourite climb and the Serpentine Dam's sweeping descent down from the range is fast and flowing."
Patterson said his team was in good form and would be aiming to finish first.
"It's not technically a race – but to everyone at the pointy end it's a race," he said.
"We�ll see who's got the legs left at the finish."
The comptetition is stiff – Patterson's team will ride alongside the Arbitrage Racing team.
The team features fellow Challenge ambassador Matt Upton, who as winner of the Velofest Gran Fondo has secured his entry into this year's World Championships in Denmark, and Luke Pledger, who took the Masters State Criterium Champion title from Patterson this year.
Bicycling WA chief executive Jeremey Murray said the course was unique and required cyclists to use all their riding skills, mental stamina and physical strength.
The rides start and finish at Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth.