Proudly sponsored by Protect, the 85km road ride is not for the feint hearted. This is when we start getting serious!
One of the most exciting elements to the Ballarat Cycle Classic is that all road courses involve riding the WORLD RENOWNED Australian National Road Cycling Course. How’s that for bragging rights?
The course involves quiet undulating country roads with the 85km event adding the challenge of Mt Egerton hill to the classic Mt Buninyong highway climb.
The course for the 85km goes through Gordon where you will ride past rolling fields, irrigated potato crops and grazing sheep and cattle. All ride options come together in Dunnstown before re-entering Ballarat for the return route up Macarthur Street followed by a clockwise ride around the lake Wendouree to the Cycle Classic village in Windmill Drive.
What you can expect
The 85km course includes the WORLD RENOWNED Road National Course.
All courses are renowned as safe, quiet, along picturesque country roads.
The 85km Classic takes you into arguably some of the best riding country anywhere in Australia.
All courses are fully supported with safety marshals, water and food stations and a roving mechanic.
The Ballarat Cycle Classic in every respect is a cycling challenge and a memory that will last!
What you need to know
Registration Jersey and event bibs need to be picked up prior to the race. You can do this on Saturday 16th onsite between 2-6pm, alternatively from 7.00am on the day.
*Anyone not wearing official event bib will not have access to event facilities, including rest stops and on course support
Start time 8.15am
Location Windmill Drive, Lake Wendouree
Parking Available free of charge at North Gardens from 7.00am
*No parking is permitted on the inside lane of Lake Wendouree
Control room ph# 0437 551 423
In case of incident/emergency, please save the above contact number into your mobile for future reference.
For all serious issues requiring Police, Fire or Ambulance, please contact ‘000’ immediately and then inform control room.
The event village We have created an event village that is fun for the whole family. There will be a selection of food and beverage, face painting, kids activities, live music and a bar area for a celebrationary post ride drink, on us! (we’ll have a sausage waiting for you too).
The Boring but Important Stuff
A message from the Victoria Police
Riders must obey road rules and traffic signals at all times; where riders fail to obey road rules, Police will take appropriate action.
Rider rules & road information
Riders must
• Ride safely and in control at all times
• Obey instructions from Events Marshals and traffic controllers
• Keep to the left at all times
• Wear an Australian standard safety helmet
• Ride no more than two abreast
• No racing and no pelotons – The Ballarat Cycle Classic is not a race. No pelotons larger than 20 are permitted on open roads.
Signage
The Ballarat Cycle Classic will be marked with directional signage throughout the course. Riders deviating from the course will not be covered by our event insurance.
Course Map
Be sure to familiarise yourself with the course prior to the event. We have included it below, however we will also have hard copies available at the registration tent.
Aid stations and medical support
Aid stations will be provided around the course. We will keep you well hydrated and energised with water, lollies, cake and bananas. Should you prefer sports drinks or gels, feel free to provide those for yourself. For rest stop locations, please refer to course map.
First Aid support will be provided by St Johns Ambulance Service. First Aid teams will be on course at all times. There will also be a First Aid tent in the event village.
Mechanical and Course Support
On course mechanical support is available at all times, so whether you puncture, break a chain or need your gears tweaked, you will be in safe hands.
A lead vehicle, featuring warning signs will travel ahead of riders for the 100km & 85km course. The lead vehicle will warn motorists of oncoming cyclists. Riders should not attempt to pass the lead vehicle.
A sag wagon will follow the last rider on the course. For those riders unable to finish the course, you will be able to place your bike in a trailer and the sag wagon will drop you back to the event village at the completion of the ride. Riders who stop for long periods of time risk being overtaken by the sag wagon and in turn no longer serviced by event support crews.
Road Ride cut off time.
The course will be supported from 8am-1pm. For the safety of cyclists and volunteers, the cut-off time will be imposed at Dunnstown at 1.00pm. For those who arrive after 1.00pm, you are more than welcome to continue the ride, however it will no longer by serviced by event marshals.
