3 Peaks

Sunday, March 7, 2010 - Bicycle Victoria's new one-day ultimate challenge ride - the 3 Peaks Challenge.

Take the challenge, ride the 230km course through Australia's most spectacular Alpine Region! Entries open September 1, 2009, but stay tuned for frequent information updates.

Bicycle Victoria's new one-day ultimate challenge ride the 3 Peaks Challenge.

The Bogong High Plains Road between Falls Creek and the Omeo Highway has just been sealed, creating, for the first time, the opportunity for a ‘European-style’ road cycling event. The 230km course starts and finishes at Falls Creek, circumnavigating Victoria’s Alpine Region traversing Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham, then back to Falls Creek via Omeo. A relay category has also been introduced for riders who may not be able to complete the 230km course - the distance will be split in two with Dinner Plain as the changeover point.

The businesses and communities in Victoria's Alpine Region are extremely excited about the sealing of the road and the opportunity it brings to increase visitation during the non winter months. We see the region as the centre piece for cycle tourism in Australia due to its diverse range of cycling terrain accessible to road and mountain bike riders.

The inaugural 3 Peaks Challenge will take place on Sunday, March 7, 2010 - the Labour Day long weekend, where riders can explore and enjoy the region with family and friends as well as taking part in the Ride. Falls Creek will host the event village for the weekend, allowing for other festivities surrounding the event.

All the facts and your questions answered.
· The 230km course starts and finishes at Falls Creek, circumnavigating Victoria’s Alpine Region traversing Tawonga Gap, Mt Hotham, then back to Falls Creek via Omeo.
· The ride commences at dawn, 7:00am, where riders are challenged to complete the course by sundown, 7:30pm. An average speed of 25km/hr as well as three hours in reserve for lunch stops, breaks and mechanicals will allow riders to achieve the challenge.
· A controlled start from Falls Creek will be employed to ensure rider safety. Riders will be released over a one hour period, groups of no more than ten at a time. A speed limit will also be enforced by a lead vehicle and motor cycle marshals. The precautions to be implemented for a safe descent by all riders descending Falls Creek will be well communicated to registered participants.
· A relay category has been introduced for riders who may not be able to complete the 230km course - the distance will be split in two with Dinner Plain as the changeover point - both relay legs are 115km for each rider. There wil be shuttle bus support for relays riders.
· Full and partial road closures will be implemented, in addition to full rider support, including food and water stations, mechanical assistance, first aid, toilets, sag wagon and course marshals.
· Riders will need to have a suitable level of fitness and experience. Riders are encouraged to train for the ride and will also need to have completed other similar challenge rides in order to enjoy and complete the ride successfully.
· Pre event communications will present riders with a self-assessment checklist that will help riders prepare for the challenge. Participants will be offered training programs, training day locations and tips on nutrition, hydration, bike maintenance and ride preparation.
· Entries open on September 1, 2009 and close on February 25, 2010.
· It will cost $150 to ride the 230km circuit and $120 per individual to enter the relay.
· All participants receive a 3 Peaks Challenge King/Queen of the Mountains finishers event jersey on ride completion; a highly aspirational memento from the event.


http://www.bv.com.au/great-rides/42359/