Date: Sunday, December 5, 2021

• Distance:  207 kilometres with 4,250 m of climbing
• Time Limit: 13 hours 30 minutes (207 km)
• Start time: 7 am promptly. Please allow time for collecting your brevet (card) and for a short briefing at 0650
• Start: Outside the Supreme Court Building, Salamanca Place, Hobart
• Finish: The Whaler, Salamanca Place, Hobart
• Facilities near start: Public toilets and Banjos Bakery (6 am) 270 metres away in Salamanca Square. Pubs for post-ride beers.
• Entry fees: $25 for members, $40 for non-members
• Online entries open: November 5, 2021
• Online entries close: 11 pm, December 3, 2021

Welcome!

Thanks for your interest in this long-running and popular Audax event. As this event includes a challenging amount of climbing, it is recommended you acquaint yourself with the course before the day of the ride. The minimum speed is 15 km/h.

The ride will start at 7 a.m. There will be a short rider briefing around 6.50 a.m. Please arrive at the start by 6.45 am so that you can be given your brevet card. You will need to get your brevet card signed at each of the controls along the route so do not lose it!!

The controls and their opening and closing times are:

• Judbury Calvert Park ~ 48.5 km. Open: 8:37 a.m. Close: 10:14 a.m.
• Silver Hill top ~81 km. Open: 9:42 a.m. Close: 12:23 p.m.
• Middleton Esplanade ~112 km. Open: 10.44 a.m. Close: 2.27 pm.
• (Wattle Grove ~ 148 km. Open: 11:55 a.m. Close: 4:51 pm.)
• Kaoota hilltop: ~180 km. Open: 1:00 p.m. Close: 7:00 p.m.
• Finish: ~207 km. Open: 2.00 p.m. Close: 8.30 p.m.

It is also possible under Audax rules for additional secret controls to operate along the course. There will be some food and water provided at the Silver Hill, Middleton Esplanade and Kaoota controls. There are shops at Ranelagh (37 km) Huonville (61 km), Cygnet (85 km and 143 km). There are small general stores which may be open at Woodbridge, Gordon and Ferntree and a pub at Longley. 

What do you need to know for the ride?

In addition to a roadworthy bike and a helmet, it is highly recommended you bring spare tubes, a basic repair kit, a couple of water bottles, some food such as energy bars or gels and sunscreen. There will be basic food and ample water at each of the checkpoints to replenish your supplies. Some cash and a mobile phone are also a very good idea.

The time limit for the ride is before sunset (8:30 pm), so Audax Australia lighting rules do not apply, but we recommend taking steps to ensure that you are visible.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast, because over the years this ride has experienced the full gamut of Tasmanian weather. Please bring appropriate clothing for the conditions.

If you are new to Audax riding, please remember it is not a race. The roads are not closed to traffic. Please take particular care on descents. Please note that volunteers on this ride have in previous years faced complaints from motorists about riders on the wrong side of the road on descents. Failure to comply with road rules will result in your immediate disqualification from this and future events.

In the event of an emergency, call 000. If you are lost, waylaid or are unable to complete the ride for any reason please call the ride organiser (phone number will be provided at briefing).  It may be possible to retrieve you and your bike, however, please be aware this may take some time. If you withdraw from the ride for any reason you must call the ride organiser.

Any questions about the ride, please get in touch.

• Online entries open: November 5, 2020.
• Online entries close: 11 pm, December 3, 2021.
• Routes:   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16586242
• GPS track: available via map link.
• Cuesheet: available via map link.

Please note that entry to this year’s ride is being handled online in advance. There is a limit of 50 riders so it is possible that this ride may fill up. Enter early!

Lighting (Rule 259. Riding at night)

Since some of the rides may take place after dark, you will need good lights and reflective gear to comply with Tasmanian Road Rules. 

According to Tasmanian Road Rules, when riding at night, or in weather conditions with reduced visibility, you must display on your bike or on yourself:

• a flashing or steady white light on the front of the bike that can be seen for at least 200 metres and
• a flashing or steady red light on the rear of the bike that can be seen for at least 200 metres and
• a reflector on the rear of the bike that can be seen for at least 50 metres when a vehicle’s headlights shine on it.

Lights shall comply with the Audax Australia Safety Rules and you should wear reflective clothing – see the Audax Australia Safety Rules for details.

It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that your bike complies with the requirements.

Clothing

As this is a late spring/early summer ride in Tasmania, we can almost guarantee that the weather could be chilly, and there may be rain. Choose your clothing wisely! 

You should make sure that you’re equipped with clothing for a variety of weather conditions – weather can be highly variable and change rapidly. See the Bureau of Meteorology for further details of expected weather.

Remember the old adage – “There’s no such thing as poor weather; only poor clothing choice.”

Helmet (Rule 256. Bicycle helmets)

According to Tasmanian Road Rules, you, and any passenger you are carrying, must wear an approved, correctly fitted and fastened bike helmet at all times.

Equipment (Rule 258. Equipment on a bicycle)

According to Tasmanian Road Rules, your bike must:

• have at least one effective brake; and
• have a bell, horn or similar warning device in working order.

Tasmanian Road Rules

https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/161704/Tasmanian_Road_Rules_2018_Final_for_web.pdf (pages 46 & 47)

https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sr-2009-142#HP15@EN (PART 15 – Additional rules for bicycle riders)