TGSL FAQ's
What is the route for The Great Southeastern Loop?
The link to the official FINAL TGSL25 route was published on "THE LOOP" page of the website on 1 May 2025. There is a “See the Route” button on THE LOOP page which takes you there.
What are the key dates to be aware of?
- January 15th Early Bird Registration OPENS
- March 31st Early Bird registration CLOSES
- May 1st Final Route published
- August 31st Ride Registration CLOSES
- October 25th Check in day and rider briefing
- October 26th Ride commences Bellambi Boat Harbour at 5am
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October 26th Checkpoint 1 Bundanoon, closes 9pm
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October 28th Checkpoint 2 Tumut, closes 11:59pm
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October 31st Checkpoint 3 Majors Creek, closes 6pm
- November 1st Finish Wollongong, closes 6pm
- November 1st 7pm Looper 25 Celebration Drinks (venue to be advised)
What does Registration get me?
Well other than entry to the awesome very first edition TGSL25, registration for this event will get you:
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An incredible well thought out course (on the safest route possible) where you will enjoy some of the very best of NSW and meet some awesome people.
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Live tracking of the event on Maprogress so your family and friends can follow along (there is also a “Dotwatchers” page on Facebook for dotwatchers to stay in touch with the action).
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A custom TGSL25 riders cap with your personal rider number stamped on the brim.
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A brevet card that will be stamped and signed at each of the Checkpoints and at the Finish line which will be a great keepsake.
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A Looper25 Finisher’s Award (for all Loopers who successfully complete the event within the cutoff times).
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Rider check in and full briefing with opportunity to meet the other riders on course on the day prior to the event commencing.
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Gear and packing tips and course notes including information about risks and hazards, services, resupply points, accommodation options.
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Membership of the TGSL25 Rider Whatsapp group to connect all riders and to link to the organisers on the course.
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Access to the 3 Checkpoints and the Finishers event gathering on the Saturday evening.
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Opportunity to fund raise for a seriously great cause – World Bicycle Relief – to increase your motivation and share your fundraising efforts with family and friends.
What sort of bike should I take on The Great Southeastern Loop?
TGSL organisers recommend a gravel bike or bike capable of minimum of 35mm tyres. There is some rocky gravel sections on the course so wider grippier tyres are recommended. A bicycle with sufficient carrying capacity and points to secure luggage is also a good idea.
What gear will I need to take with me on The Great Southeastern Loop?
Embarking on the unsupported Ultra Cycling adventure The Great Southeastern Loop is an incredible challenge and part of the adventure is the planning on what to take and how to pack all this stuff on your bike and remain as streamlined as possible!
All registered Loopers will receive a full recommended gear checklist to help them prepare.
What are the mandatory gear requirements for participants?
All riders are required to take the Mandatory Gear Requirements and these items will be checked off at the check in day on the 25th of October. Having all the mandatory gear is a requirement to commence the ride on the Sunday.
Please refer to the list on THE RISKS page of this website for details.
How does the GPS Tracking work for TGSL?
TGSL uses Maprogress to track all riders on the course. Riders register on Maprogress when their registration on the ride is confirmed. Rider tracking is a safety requirement for all riders and is included in the cost of registration for all riders.
All riders MUST have a GPS tracking device (e.g. Garmin Inreach or SPOT tracker) that they will link to their registration with Maprogress so they can be tracked throughout the event. If you do not have a tracker you can hire one directly from Maprogress when you register with them for a fee of $75 plus shipping. If you hire a tracker from Maprogress you will also need to purchase 4 x Lithium AAA batteries.
Can I use my mobile phone as a tracking device on the course?
No. There are sections of the course where there is no mobile coverage and riders must be able to make contact with organisers and their next of kin in the case of emergency at all times. The GPS tracking devices from Maprogress work on satellite technology and can send messages from any location on the course.
What happens if I don’t make the checkpoint cutoff times?
Times are set that are achievable for riders though there are always reasons why cutoff times are not achieved for some participants. There may be a variety of reasons why riders fail to make the checkpoints (e.g. relating to mechanical or physical challenges the rider has experienced). If that occurs and you don’t make the cutoff times for the checkpoints you will be technically considered out of the event and a non-finisher in this years event.
You will be contacted directly by event organisers to find out which of the following two courses of action you will be taking:
a) Continue on the route: keep your tracker running and continue to follow the route, completing the course as No Looper - “NL” with your time recorded in the Maprogress record of the event (note with this option you will not have your card stamped at any further checkpoints on the course even in the event that you manage to move back within the cutoff times).
b) Withdrawal: officially withdraw from the event and have a Did Not Finish or Scratched result marked against your entry and either go off course at this point to do your own thing (ie turning off the tracking device and going for a ride) or request a pick up service from event organisers (N.B. any charge involved will be advised at the time).
Who is the Charity Partner for TGSL and how does the fundraising set up work?
The charity partner for TGSL25 is World Bicycle Relief an amazing integral not for profit providing life changing support to remote communities in countries all across the world through the Power of the Bicycle. WBR supplies “The Buffalo” a sturdy capable bicycle that is changing lives and improviing access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities – check out World Bicycle Relief’s awesome work here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLBoP2YyvLQ
It is not a requirement to fundraise but for riders who wish to, setting a fundraising target/goal for this great cause when you register will create an individual fundraising page for you to support World Bicycle Relief.
You will have access to your personal fundraising page where you can grab the link to share externally so anyone can donate to your fundraising page.
What are the distances between rest and resupply points on the route?
The Great Southeastern Loop has regular resupply points on the route. All participants will be provided with a list of towns and the available rest and resupply options within them. After the first 200km of the course the towns do get fewer and further between but the greatest distance between resupply is 126km between Cooma and the Majors Creek checkpoint.
What weather and temperature conditions can I expect on the route?
Late October in Southeastern NSW can present riders with a wide diversity of weather and temperature conditions. Riders should pay close attention to the forecast for the week and day by day and be prepared to experience temperatures as low as zero in the alpine region at night with the slight possibility of snow and ice on the course right through to high 20s or low 30s hot conditions. Average historical October temperatures for a selection of towns on the route are:
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Wollongong – 13 to 22C
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Bundanoon – 8 to 19C
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Taralga – 7 to 20C
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Tumut – 7 to 20C
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Thredbo – 7 to 16C
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Cooma – 5 to 18C
How much water should I carry?
It is a mandatory requirement that you have capacity to carry a minimum of 1.7 litres of water with you on the course.
How can international or interstate riders who want to join TGSL get to Wollongong?
Wollongong is easy to get to for international or interstate riders. Just an hour and a half by train from Sydney International and Domestic Airports.
Or a wonderful 90km ride from the airport via bike paths to Cronulla, a scenic ferry ride to Bundeena and then a ride through the epic beauty of the Royal National Park south of Sydney and through to Wollongong (this route is highly recommended - more detail on request).
Once in Wollongong there are a range of accommodation options from camping through to hotel options.
What happens in the event of severe weather, bushfires or flooding?
Organisers will be keeping a close eye on conditions in the lead up to the ride and will include a 7 day forecast as part of the briefing session for the event. In the event of severe weather or extreme conditions organisers will be assessing the conditions in consultation with appropriate authorities and will make decisions accordingly and will inform participants of any course changes or modifications.
Do I need to have my own insurance for the ride?
TGSL organisers highly recommend and encourage all riders to have their own insurance coverage to undertake the ride. TGSL recommends insurance such as that provided by Bicycle NSW to provide protection and peace of mind for participants. All international riders will need to produce evidence of personal insurance coverage.
How much does registrations cost?
Registration is $380 for Early Bird (prior to 31st March) or $450 for full registration (before 31st August).
Do I need to take camping equipment with me?
Riders may choose to take camping equipment to camp along the way but there is a range of accommodation along the route. A list of rest and resupply options is provided to all riders. Riders may choose to take a bivvy or similar to use as a backup option.
Do Loopers have to ride a set distance each day?
No, it is up to riders how far they ride each day. The course is 1263km and this equates to an average of 180km per day across the 7 days however riders may wish to ride more or less on some days it really is up to individual riders how much distance they cover each day as long as checkpoints are made by the designated cutoff times.
How does the checkpoint / brevet system work?
At each Checkpoint and at the Finish a TGSL25 volunteer will sign and stamp the Looper’s brevet (“certificate” in French) card, recording the time and date of their arrival as proof of reaching the checkpoint within the required time. Riders are able to spend as much or as little time at each checkpoint as they choose before continuing on their journey.
Are refunds available in the event that riders can't participate?
Refund protection is available to cover if you can't make it to the event in October as an option at the time of registering. You can choose to purchase Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection for an additional fee when you register through the Race Roster platform. More information about the refund protection program is available at this link.
Are you looking for sponsors to support The Great Southeastern Loop?
100%. This epic event offers a unique platform for your brand to engage with a passionate and growing audience of ultra distance cycling enthusiasts. ​​​​​Email us for details on Sponsorship options to align with your goals at: info@greatsoutheasternloop.com.au
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Join us in making The Great Southeastern Loop an unforgettable experience for cyclists while showcasing your brand’s commitment to quality, adventure, fun and an active cycling lifestyle.