14 Mar 26
The Fleche Opperman All Day Trial (or “The Oppy”) is a 24-hour team trial held annually by Audax Australia. Teams must ride together and finish at a designated location in each state. Named after Sir Hubert Opperman, Australia’s most famous endurance cyclist and Patron of Audax Australia until his death at 91 in 1996.
Flèche means “arrow” in French is a classification of riding where teams start in different places and converge on the one spot at a certain time (like arrows). Created in 1947 it is, after Brevets and PBP, the oldest type of event organized by the Audax Club Parisien. Oppy is a big deal … not so much a bike ride, more of a sacred duty that unites the worldwide community of Randonneurs.
The longest distance in Australia was set in 1993 by the team The Endorphins (770kms). The women’s record was set in 1996 (551 kms).
On the weekend two SA teams completed Oppys; one doing 360kms (Div Fairweather, Simon Macklin & Louise Stiller), the other doing a Petit Oppy of 180kms (Warren Foreman, Gerry Keating, Jack Linn, James Litt & Bronnie Porter). Well done Bronnie, this was her 1st Oppy.
Photos: the starting lineup; 360s (Simon, Div & Louise); with support allowed at Controls, the 360s were blessed to once again have the wonderful Angus Netting in their corner (thank you Angus); brekky at the finish, the 360 route.
Well done riders, a great effort.