SYDNEY - MELBOURNE ALPINE 1200

The Ride

A challenging 1200 km Randonneurs Mondiaux brevet presented by Audax Australia, organised by the NSW, ACT and Victorian Regions.

The ride starts at the Sydney Opera House at 06:00 AM, Sunday November 29th, 2009, and ends on the Yarra River in Melbourne, in the vicinity of Docklands / Federation Square. It climbs into the Snowy Mountains and through Cabramurra, the highest town in Australia, before dropping down to Corryong beside the Murray River.

The Route

The route leaves Sydney and travels via Campbelltown and Goulburn to Canberra, a distance of 368 km with 2495 m gain in elevation.

The second stage is the feature of the ride. It leaves Canberra and travels through Cooma and Kiandra to Cabramurra and down to Corryong. It passes through some magnificent undulating alpine country with some significant climbs. This is a distance of 311 km with a vertical gain of 3910 m.

The third flattish stage travels along the Murray River to the Hume Weir, then down to Euroa via Beechworth and Benalla. It involves riding 334 km with 1410 m of climbing.

The last stage travels down to Seymour, then over lovely granite country to Lancefield, and down to Melbourne. This covers 202 km with a rise of 1212 m. The last 20 km down to the Yarra River is along bike paths separated from road traffic.

The total distance covered is 1215 km, with a total vertical gain of 9100m. This compares with a vertical rise of 10,000 m on PBP, and 13,000 m on the Rocky Mountains 1200.

To see profiles of the individual stages enter the relevant Bikely map, click "show" on toolbar, then "route profile".

The ride organizers reserve the right to vary the route at any time prior to or during the ride. Although this is extremely unlikely, it must be remembered that the route passes through the Kosciuszko National Park, where weather can be extreme, and bushfires can rage. There is a low level emergency route available if necessary.

Level of Support

There will be fully supported checkpoints with hot meals and accommodation provided in Canberra, Corryong and Euroa. There will be hot food available in Gunning and at Cabramurra. Elsewhere on the route riders must buy their own food at shops and service centers as they pass through. Riders must arrange their own accommodation in Sydney prior to the ride, and in Melbourne after the ride.

A van will transport a bike travel box or case and small suitcase from Sydney to Melbourne for each rider. Riders will not have access to these during the ride. A travel bag for each rider which will be available at the designated overnight accommodation stops in Canberra, Corryong and Euroa. To use this facility riders must drop off their gear at a specified place in Sydney prior to the ride. Riders will be required to pickup their bags at a specified point in Melbourne after the ride.

Riders should carry their own basic spares, such as tubes, spare tyre, puncture kit and pump on the road. They should also carry sufficient high energy food for their personal use.

There will be roving support vehicles on all stages. In the event of mishap riders will be transported to the next overnight checkpoint and/or then to the nearest railway station or bus stop from which they must arrange their own transport to Melbourne. Riders will not be driven all the way to Melbourne in support vehicles.

Lighting

All riders must obey Audax Australia lighting rules at all times. All riders must carry two independent working headlights, at least one of which is attached to their machine at all times. All riders must carry two independent tails lights, at least one of which is attached at all times. All riders must have a rear reflector attached to their machines. All riders must carry a reflective vest or bandoleer. Vests and lighting must be used at night and times of low visibility.

While micro lights might satisfy Australian Road Rules they are regarded as inadequate for rural night riding where riders can encounter debris on the road, wildlife and winding roads. It is unfair to expect other riders to light your way.

Cut-Off Times

The time limit for a BRM 1200 km ride is 90 hours. The cut-off times for intermediate checkpoints are determined at an average speed of 15 km/hr for the first 600km, then 11.4 km/hr for the next 400 km, and finally 12.33 km/hr for the last 200km.

Weather

Late November is officially late Spring. The route passes through alpine country where the weather can be extreme, and in the past November has seen heat waves and blizzards, fires and floods. The road reaches elevations of over 1600 m above sea level. All riders must carry wet and cold weather gear through the alps. All riders should carry light-weight emergency bivvy bags.

In the event of extreme conditions a low altitude alternate route between Canberra and Corryong will be used.

Entry Qualification

There are no formal entry requirements for the ride. It is, however, strongly recommended that riders have experience with longer endurance rides and significant night riding. Riders should also have experience with riding several days in a row and be used to riding in groups.

Ride Numbers

The maximum number of riders that can enter the ride is determined by the accommodation available in small country towns such as Corryong and Euroa. For that reason the limit to the number of entrants for 2009 has been initially been set at 50. These places will be determined by order of entry received. If the ride is oversubscribed a waiting list will be established.

Cost

The cost of the ride has been determined at $350. This is in line with many supported international 1200 km events, and is a lot less than some.

Entry

Entry to the ride will open in June, 2009. Online entry has been delayed due to unforseen issues.  Please contact Chris Rogers.