Your guide to cycling events around Australia, July 2009 - March 2010
Please note all events are subject to change without notice. Check with the organiser close to the date for confirmation. Listings are free from non-commercial events. If you would like list an event please contact us
Jul 26-Aug 16: Perth to Adelaide - The Nullarbor
Aug 12-19: Margaret River Region
Aug 22-23: FlightCentre Cycle Epic 2009
Sep 2-5: Kangaroo Island
Sep 5-13: Cycle Queensland 2009
Sep 10-19: Great Ocean Road
Sep 11-13: The 14th AnnualDungog PedalFest
Sep 11-19: Helicopter fundraiser
Sep 11-20: Tour de Laos 09
Sep 12-13: Netti MTB Enduro
Sep 13: Degani Kinglake Ride 2009
Sep 13: Shepparton Fruitloop Ride
Sep 19-26: The FNQ Wilderness Bike Tour
Sep 20: 2nd Annual Canberra Vintage and Classic Bicycle Ride
Sep 26-28: Yellow PagesCardiac Challenge
Sep 27: City of Sydney Spring Cycle
Sep 30: Earth Ride Day
Oct 3-4: Spring into Wellington
Oct 3-11: Bike SA 2009 Annual Tour
Oct 11: Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge
Oct 18: Around the Bay in a Day - Melbourne
Oct 18-25: Margaret River Cycle Trek
Oct 24-25: Southern Exposure 6hr MTB Festival
Oct 25: Walcha Mountain Bike Teams Challenge
Oct 31-Nov1: Small Wheels Big Weekend Out5
Nov 28-Dec 6: Great Victorian Bike Ride
Nov 28-Dec 6: Pheels Phantastic Great Victorian Bike Ride
Jan 1-18 2010: New Zealand Tandem Tour
Feb 7-19 2010: Tassie Treadle
Mar 6-26 2010: Barossa-Tamworth Charity Ride
Mar 7 2010: Alpine Attack
Oncology Children's Foundation Events 2009
Sep 4-6: Cambodia
Sep 16 - Oct 11: Tibet/Nepal
Nov 6-19: Vietnam
Jul 26-Aug 16
Perth to Adelaide -The Nullarbor
The Nullarbor is thelong-distance cyclist's nirvana. You may ride on your own or feel the adrenalinrush of riding in a pack moving as one. Be prepared to crank out 139km a day orjump on the support bus. Accommodation is best available, generally three-star.
www.alltrails.com.au
Aug 12-19
Margaret RiverRegion
South-West WesternAustralia has some of the best riding in the country. Experience this entireregion in eight relaxing days, from world-class wineries to old-growth karriforests, all along quiet country roads. Our small-group (10 guests maximum)tours include all meals and superior-quality accommodation. $2995
Simon, 0413 395 822, www.australiabybike.com.au
Aug 22-23
Flight Centre Cycle Epic 2009
The seventh FlightCentre Cycle Epic is a point-to-point race over 100 kilometres starting atPreston, outside Toowoomba, and finishing at the Old Hidden Vale property,Grandchester. It follows 86km of the Bicentennial National Trail, traversingmany private properties using old stock routes on gazetted roads and 20km ofpublic road. This iconic event offers four challenging distances and severalcategories to challenge and reward riders.
www.cycleepic.com.au
Sep 2-5
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island aboundswith wilderness, wildlife and wildflowers. Pristine beaches, free-rangeproduce, coastal cellar doors and fresh seafood open up to National Parks,rivers, fauna and flora. We make you feel part of this magical place on oursmall-group (eight guests maximum) tour. All meals and superior-qualityaccommodation included. $1495
Simon, 0413 395 822, www.australiabybike.com.au
Sep 5-13
Cycle Queensland2009
Join us on a ride aroundthe Darling Downs. Cycle Queensland is Bicycle Queensland's annual nine-daytour. The ride will start and finish in Toowoomba but what we're doing inbetween is still top secret! The ride will be about 560km. For the super-keen,there are some longer options so you could rack up almost 700km over the ninedays. The Darling Downs features quiet country roads, blue skies, warm sunnydays and crisp, clear nights.
www.bq.org.au/cq
Sep 10-19
Great Ocean Road
Enjoy all the majesticscenery of the Great Ocean Road over nine exciting days. The 12 Apostles,London Bridge, the Grampians and the region's wineries are all explored on thissmall-group (10 guests max) tour. All meals and superior-quality accommodationalso included. $3295
Simon, 0413 395 822, www.australiabybike.com.au
Sep 11-13
The14th Annual Dungog PedalFest
Five hundredparticipants of all ages and abilities, superb rides, great scenery and areally friendly atmosphere. As well as short and longer tours for road ridersthere's the new mountain biking circuit on the Dungog Common and aneasy-pedalling heritage scavenger hunt around town. Festivities off the bikeinclude music and bush poetry, a Scottish fete, art shows and the historicDungog Cinema. Accommodation available. In aid of the Westpac RescueHelicopter.
Ken Rubeli, (02) 4995 9265, luddite@wangat.com.au,www.pedalfest.org.au
Sep 11-19
Helicopterfundraiser
Try the eight-dayCharity Mountain Bike Ride throughout the New England north-west to raise moneyfor the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tamworth.
Contact (02) 6766 6641
Sep 11-20
Tour de Laos 09
Are you an avid cyclistlooking for a way to support communities in need? Do you want to combine yourpassion for making a difference with a physical and personal challenge? Thenjoin World Vision Australia's inaugural Charity Challenge. In one life-changingweek of the Tour de Laos, you will cycle from the bustling capital Vientianethrough green rice fields and stunning countryside, past ancient temples andmonasteries, to the heritage-listed former royal capital Luang Prabang. Held inpartnership with Raw Challenges. Raise Money for World Vision Australia.
Claire Marsh, 0400 892 307, claire.marsh@worldvision.com.au
Sep 12-13
Netti MTB Enduro
Now in its third year,the Netti MTB Enduro has become a much talked-about event in the mountainbiking community and beyond, with a top course (Mogo State Forest) and thegreat waves of the Eurobodalla Coast! For those looking for the fullexperience, 100km of rolling hills, some scary narrow bridge crossings and ademanding 2850m of total climb, the Angry Doctor 100km is the go. For those notsure the legs can handle the full distance, there are the Irate Intern (the50km course) and the Nasty Nurse (the 11km prologue). The past two editionshave sold out, so first in best dressed!
www.nettimtbenduro.com.au
Sep 13
Degani KinglakeRide 2009
After the success of theinaugural 2008 ride, the Degani Kinglake ride is back. The ride has beendesigned to attract novice, recreational and regular cyclists to some of thebest riding country Victoria has to offer. Starting and finishing at theWhittlesea Showgrounds there are two options of 120km and 70km. The 2009 eventwill again offer an exclusive jersey designed by one of the world's mostprominent cycling apparel brands, sponsor products and offers. SuperSprint isworking closely with the Whittlesea Council, the CFA and other districtstakeholders to ensure the 2009 event is not only another spectacularexperience for all participating, but a benefit to the Kinglake communityaffected by the devastating bushfires.
www.supersprint.com.au
Sep 13
SheppartonFruitloop Ride
Put all that wintertraining to the test and take part in this fantastic fundraiser. The 50km and100km rides are over flat terrain while the whopping 200km event includes a14km climb through the Strathbogie Ranges. You will well and truly earn thecatering supplied during and after the ride.
All funds raised to Goulburn Valley Hospice Care.
www.fruitloopshepparton.com
Sep 19-26
The FNQ WildernessBike Tour
A unique opportunity toexperience North Queensland's beautiful natural environment in a small groupride. Over eight days and 580km, you will climb through the World Heritagerainforest-covered mountains behind Cardwell, to Blencoe Falls, the HerbertRiver, Innot Hot Springs, Ravenshoe, Lake Tinaroo, then through to CopperlodeDam and down to Cairns. Half of the tour is on sealed roads and half on dirtroads, so this ride requires mountain bikes or touring bikes with wider tyres.This fully catered and supported bike tour is a major fundraising event forCAFNEC (the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre). Only 60 rider places areavailable, so get in early. Prices vary and there are limited opportunities tocome as a half-volunteer/half-rider.
www.fnqbiketour.org.au
Sep 20
2nd Annual CanberraVintage and Classic Bicycle Ride
A great opportunity forenthusiasts of old (pre-1985) bicycles to meet and ride around a 7km section ofCanberra's picturesque Lake Burley Griffin. Enjoy a great day of viewing oldcycles, talking with other enthusiasts and a leisurely ride around the famouslake in springtime bloom. Join us at the Canberra Environment andSustainability Centre. Registration begins 10am, no entry fee, just a charity donation on the day. Riders briefing at11:15, ride gets away at 11:30. Vintage bicycle display, cruiser bike raffle,prizes given for period costume.
Trevor Shone, (02) 6258 4173, 0418 619831
Sep 26-28
YellowPages Cardiac Challenge
Nowin its third year, the Yellow Pages? Cardiac Challenge bike ride from Cairns toCooktown (335km) will be held over 3 days, 26 September -28 September duringthe last of week of the Queensland school holidays. Daily riding distances are136km, 114km and 85km respectively with overnight stops (camping due to limitedaccommodation) at Mt Carbine, Lakeland and finishing in Cooktown. It is fullycatered and transportation and freight assistance for unsupported riders isavailable. Riders will be required to ride in group formation and are asked tofollow basic rules of pack riding etiquette to ensure safety. The ride is a funand enjoyable fundraising event. The beneficiary is the Far North QueenslandHospital Foundation for cardiac services and equipment for the Cairns andHinterland Health District.
For more information www.cardiacchallenge.com.auor Glenys Duncombe 07 4050 6327
Sep 27
City of SydneySpring Cycle
Welcome spring in aspectacularly memorable way! Experience the thrill of riding over the SydneyHarbour Bridge, pedal through some of Sydney's most beautiful scenery and thencelebrate your ride in festive style at Sydney Olympic Park. The City of SydneySpring Cycle is Sydney's most popular annual recreational cycling event wherethousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities join together to enjoy a Sundaycycle through some of the most picturesque surroundings of the city. Choosefrom one of the four ride options: Ride North Sydney, Ride Blacktown, RideLiverpool or Ride the Park. Enjoy a fun day on the bike while raising money forMS Australia and the Oncology Children's Foundation.
www.springcycle.com.au
Sep 30
Earth Ride Day
Earth Ride aims to havemillions of people around the globe on their bikes! It's about encouragingeveryone to engage in a solution that we already know offers significantbenefits towards the goal of a low-carbon future. Riding a bike for transportwill significantly reduce your carbon footprint in comparison to taking the carand is even better than riding on public transport. In addition to helpingcreate the future environment you want, riding a bike is a convenient, healthyand fun way to get about!
www.earthride.com.au
Oct 3-4
Spring intoWellington
Spring into Wellingtonon the October long weekend for the WellingTON, starting with a 50km warm-upride around the Mt Arthur Reserve on Saturday afternoon followed by achallenging 85km or 115km ride on the Sunday via Yeoval for lunch. On Monday,before heading home, join us for a 70km coffee ride to Geurie, return via MtArthur. All rides are loops on picturesque, sealed, quiet country roads. Forcatering/staffing purposes please call to confirm. All rides will depart fromnear McDonald's car park.
For further information please call. Contact: Mick Cooper 0437 136169
Oct 3-11
Bike SA 2009 AnnualTour
Regional South Australialike you've never seen or tasted before. Gourmet food and wine tour through theBarossa, Clare, Light, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale wine districts. Exploreon your bike some of Australia's premier wine regions, meandering among thevines and eucalypt forests, and staying in some surprising and unique places.Short Escapes October 3-7 or 7-11 also available. The 2008 Annual Tour bookedout months before the event. Numbers limited to 200, so get in before it sellsout!
www.bikesa.asn.au
Oct 11
Wilson HTM Brisbaneto the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge
Join Queensland'sbiggest bike ride: a mass participation event to raise funds for BicycleQueensland's charity partners and to get more people cycling. 100km ride startsat South Brisbane progressively from 5.30am to 6.45am; 60km ride starts atAlbert River Park, Beenleigh, at 8am; Ride finishes at Southport. Ride T-shirt;food and drink at the two rest stops along the way; full route support -marshals, signage, police, mechanics, medical; finish site entertainment; entryin the prize draw.
www.bq.org.au/b2gc100
Oct 18
Around the Bay in aDay - Melbourne
Around the Bay in a Dayis Australia's premier mass-participation bike ride. Choose from 50km, 80kmSchool Challenge, 100km, 210km and the whopping 250km. Rides start and finishfrom Alexandra Gardens with the exception of the 100km, which starts inSorrento. You can also enjoy another bumper weekend of cycling activities withthe Melbourne Cycling Festival at Alexandra Gardens from Oct 16-18.
(03) 8636 8888, 1800 639 634, www.aroundthebay.com.au
Oct 18-25
Margaret RiverCycle Trek
Regional EnvironmentCentre Challenge: seven nights, back tracks, beaches, rivers, forests andwineries. Join us on a eight-day ride taking in the diversity of the region aswe follow rivers, hug the coast and swim where we fancy. Fully supportedcamping, delicious food.
Paul Lane 08 9758 8988, 0427 770 492; www.margaretrivercycletrek.com.au
Oct 24-25
Southern Exposure6hr MTB Festival
The most excitingtwilight event this year! Cycle into the dark in the six-hour event or go forthe three-hour option if you prefer being able to see where you're going. Tenminutes from the buzzing hub of Torquay, Eumeralla scout camp offers a racevenue unparalleled in design, access, variety and flow with a course windingits way around clifftops and through coastal bush. Family-friendly event.
Mick Sheehan, 0427 784 623, www.surfcoast6hour.com.au
Oct 25
Walcha MountainBike Teams Challenge
Three-person teams eventover two distances: 90km and 70km. Start and finish at Walcha Showground. Heldin conjunction with the Walcha Festival, juniors' and seniors' charity eventfor the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Tamworth.
Contact (02) 6766 6641
Oct 31-Nov 1
Small Wheels BigWeekend Out5
The fifth Small Wheels Big Weekend Out, and now an annual event!Cycling, socialising, dining and more, out and about in Canberra. All smallwheeled bicycles (with their riders!), and other interested cyclists, areinvited.
For more information, contact Timbo: timbo_levy@bigpond.com0411 590 263 GPO Box1980, Canberra, ACT, 2601
Nov 28-Dec 6
Great Victorian Bike Ride
A week in another world. 2009 - the Great Ocean Road. Limited places available!$200 non-refundable deposit.
www.bv.com.au
Nov 28-Dec 6
Pheels Phantastic Great Victorian Bike Ride
Enjoy the Great Victorian Bike Ride with the Pheels Phantastic ever-popularpackage as experienced by many cyclists for the past four years. Why not spoilyourself as you cycle the Great Ocean Road on the GVBR? Pheels Phantastictransfers your luggage separately to a pre-booked motel or similaraccommodation, for the whole week, or for two nights. Relax on arrival, enjoyafternoon tea and we offer the services of our massage therapists or bikemechanic, all part of this pampering package. A Pheels Phantastic bus will takeyou to and from dinner at the BV campsite, or if you wish shout yourself to ameal at the motel or local restaurant. Please note you must also book into BV'sGreat Victorian Bike Ride as an active participant.
www.alltrails.com.au
Jan 1-18 2010
New Zealand Tandem Tour
Adventure South in partnership with Tandems East are offering an 18-day tourfor a limited number of tandem teams. The tour is in the north-west of theSouth Island and starts from Christchurch. The itinerary takes you on a trainjourney to Arthur's Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps before cycling downto the rainforest-clad shoreline of the West Coast. After visiting thelimestone structures at Punakaiki you cycle north to remote Karamea for twodays before flying over the Kahurangi National Park to Golden Bay and a nighton a local farm. After hiking in the Abel Tasman National Park we cycle inlandto Lake Rotoiti and then follow the majestic Buller River before traversing theLewis Pass to Hanmer Hot Springs resort. It's back to the coast at Kaikourabefore a final ride on quiet rural roads back to Christchurch.
Prices & detailed itinerary: Tim,Adventure South, 1800 107 060; www.advsouth.co.nz;guide@advsouth.co.nz
Feb 7-19 2010
Tassie Treadle
Cycling Tasmania is the perfect way to enjoy all the beautiful landscapes, artsand convict history. Highlights include Maria Island, Salamanca markets, hotsprings and rainforests. Vehicle-supported, hotels & camping, everythingsupplied. $3990.
Back Pedal Cycle Tours (02) 6492 1981, backpedal@netspeed.com.au; www.backpedaltours.com.au
Mar 6-26 2010
Barossa-Tamworth Charity Ride
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter being basedin Tamworth: a limit of 30 riders and 10 support crew. Leave Tamworth March 3and travel by vehicles to Barossa Valley. Ride starts Saturday March 6 andreturns to Tamworth Friday 26, including two rest days. Ride consists of dirtand tar. Approx cost per riders $2275, includes accommodation, breakfast andlunch but not evening meals or drinks, plus each rider must raise a minimum of$1000 sponsorship, support crew approx $1500. Support back-up with mini-bus,small bike trailer, catering van. A reserve list will be made up to allow forany cancellations by January 2010.Barry Walton,
barry.walton@rescuehelicopter.com.au
Mar 7 2010
Alpine Attack
The launch of a new one-day ride. The sealing of the Bogong High Plains Roadpresents a unique opportunity to deliver a world-class event and experience -The Alpine Attack. 230km alpine course; three major mountain climbs; closedroads; limited field of 3000 riders.
www.bv.com.au
Oncology Children's Foundation Events 2009
All events, contact: Charles Dennis 02 8394 7777, www.ocf.com.au
Sep4-6
Cambodia
The inaugural Gear Up Girl ladies-only challenge that will follow the sameroute as the March ride from Sien Reap to Sihanoukville via Phnom Penh.
Sep 16 - Oct 11
Tibet/Nepal
Made for tough, experienced cyclists: 1100km from Lhasa to Kathmandu includinga ride to the base camp of Everest.
Nov 6-19
Vietnam
The Hanoi to Saigon 600km challenge takes you down the coast road into thehighlands
Please note:
All events are subject to change without notice. Check with theorganiser close to the date for confirmation.
Event organisers:
Send your information in early. The earlier we get it, the longer itruns.
Listings are free from non-commercial events.
Other listings will be included on payment in advance of a minimumcharge of $33* (per 30 words or part thereof), plus $22* per photo for eachissue.
Email to:
candicea@nuancemultimedia.comor post (with any remittance payable to "Australian Cyclist") to: AustralianCyclist, What's On, Suite 2, Level 1, 10 Queens Rd, Melbourne, Vic 3004.
Enquiries:
(03) 9860 4500