Ride Start Date: 2021-11-07
May 13, 2020
The GSR Sub Committee has been meeting regularly to assess the potential impacts from the COVID-19 global restrictions on the running of this year’s GSR. Our discussions have primarily focused on ensuring rider/community safety, the need to allow sufficient riding time for adequate levels of fitness and our desire to meet the strong international interest in the event (currently we have 40 OS riders on the Interested Rider’s List, with good numbers in particular from the USA and UK).
As you are all aware, the Audax Australia calendar has been shut down and remains so since March. Regular reviews of this decision are taking place by the National Committee and given recent relaxing of restrictions for recreational activity, a decision on the calendar may not be too far away. Social distancing protocols as part of recreational activity will be advisable for some time even when the calendar is re-opened.
It appears in all likelihood that international travel restrictions will remain in place for the remainder of 2020, with the potential for exceptions for Aus-NZ travel. This will obviously preclude all other internationals from entering, a huge disappointment for those having expressed interest and also for the ride itself – the inclusion of OS riders in recent GSRs has raised the profile and atmosphere of the event – creating a mini Paris-Brest-Paris!
Based on the above and taking into account all safety and logistical factors, as well as looking to maintain the special characteristics of the ride, the GSR Sub Committee has decided to postpone the full GSR to November 7, 2021. An earlier timeslot around Easter 2021 was considered but local accommodation options are extremely limited at that time. A further consideration was that a number of 2020 international 1200’s will also be rescheduled to 2021 leading to a saturated calendar, so retaining the November timeline made sense. The Sydney-Melbourne 1200 (with a new route) has been rescheduled to April 3, 2022 – thus removing a potential clash with the GSR.
In addition to the full GSR, a local GSR version (30 entries) with limited support (similar to the Geelong Flyer) and domestic entries was considered to be offered in November 2020, but a decision has now been made not to proceed with this ride given the uncertainty of potential restrictions around that time.
We appreciate your patience in waiting for this notification. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we are out there pounding out the BRM/BA/Perm kms!
Regards…..your GSR Sub Committee
*** PLEASE REFER TO THE COVID-19 Update tab for the latest information on a start date for the GSR. ***
The Great Southern Randonnée (GSR) is a premier 1200 km randonnee with a tradition of fabulous support provided by enthusiastic volunteers. It is Audax Australia’s equivalent of the iconic Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km randonnee, similarly being run every four years.
Riders can elect to start in the evening, on an overnight loop of the Bellarine Peninsula first, or could elect to start in the morning and head along the grandeur of the Great Ocean Road first, leaving the Bellarine Peninsula loop until the end .
The seventh edition of the GSR will be held on Sunday 8th November 2020.
The format will be similar to the 2016 GSR, with the course and list of controls to be finalised by the end of March.
Website details for 2020 will be updated as planning proceeds.
It is expected that registrations will open around April 2020.
For further information or to register for the Interested Riders List, email gsr@audax.org.au.
Please note that riders on the Interested Riders List will receive a priority entry which will be made available 2 weeks prior to the opening of entries for the general public.
The Great Southern Randonnée offers three rides:
Entries are will be open in April 2020. Please click here!
The cost for the 1200 km and 1000 km options is A$625 (tbc).
The cost for the 300 km option is A$135 (tbc).
Support for the 1200 km options is designed for the ride to be completed in 80 to 90 hours (giving maximum sleep and enjoyment); however it is possible to complete the ride in about 65 hours if the 6:00 pm evening start is chosen.
Entry includes:
Also available (at extra cost):
You will be able to swap start times up until the event, provided the maximum number of riders per start has not been exceeded.
Yes, the event limit (constrained by the sleeping/eating facilities at the overnight controls) is 120. Also, there are limits on the number of riders per start time.
Yes, a wait list will be established.
Check the general Terms and Conditions when entering for Audax Australia events. The schedule for reimbursements will be added to these T&Cs (date tbc) and clearly outlined.