Riders will enjoy some of Southeastern New South Wales most iconic country on this mind-blowing adventure. 

 

The Great Southeastern Loop is an exhilarating 1,263-kilometer cycling adventure through Southeastern New South Wales, which must be completed within 157 hours.

 

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​​​​​Getting to Wollongong

Wollongong is a stunning coastal city just over an hour, 80kms, south of Sydney and easily accessible by train or car from Australia's busiest airport.  With a population of 300,000 people Wollongong is Australia's 10th largest city and lies on the beautiful narrow coastal strip of land between the Illawarra escarpment and the Pacific Ocean.

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PRE RIDE DAY - Mandatory gear check & Compulsory Briefing

Riders assemble in Wollongong on Saturday 25th October for the official pre ride check-in which opens at 12:00 midday through to 4:00pm. 

 

Riders receive their GPS SPOT trackers, brevet cards and numbered caps, complete a mandatory gear check, and participate in a compulsory rider safety briefing at 4 to 5:30pm before getting an early night. This pre-ride day also offers a chance to meet other riders, do final checks of bikes and equipment and make any last minute adjustments before setting out on the demanding journey ahead.

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THE GRAND DEPART - WOLLONGONG

​Riders will begin their journey setting out from Bellambi Boat Harbour while it's still dark at 5:00am on Sunday 26th October.  Heading north along bike paths and onto Lawrence Hargrave Drive, riders will cross the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge as the sun is coming into the sky over the ocean before climbing the escarpment, turning inland and joining rugged fire trails in Darkes Forest through to skirt Western Sydney.  As riders spread out into their own personal rhythm and speed, bidding farewell to ocean views for the next 1100km of riding, moving into diverse terrains with gravel trails, creek crossings, and winding paths through Western Sydney and on through Camden, Picton and into the Southern Highlands.

 

CHECK POINT 1 - BUNDANOON

All riders must reach Check-Point 1 at km 179 at the Bundanoon Hotel in the beautiful highlands town of Bundanoon by 9:00pm on Sunday night.  If riders choose to stay the night in this bike friendly hotel they will receive a 10% discount on their accommodation and enjoy great food and a cosy venue. From here the route heads further inland taking riders up through the magnificent Upper Lachlan Shire via gravel roads and the Swallow Tail Pass through picturesque towns including Taralga, Crookwell, Rye Park and Boorowa and along champagne gravel roads. Riders will pass by farms and cattle, encountering local wildlife, passing through forests, across creeks and by giant wind turbines and endless fields of wheat. 

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After enjoying blasting down the sensational country roads to Jugiong, soon riders will be treated to champagne gravel alongside the mighty Murrumbidgee river through herds of cattle, sheep and plentiful kangaroos.  Riders can expect to see diverse wildlife including goannas, echidnas, snakes and colourful and raucous birds along the way. Crossing cattle grids will become second nature and chatting to the curious cows along the way is one way to keep yourself entertained. When you do pass a car be sure to give them a wave and a nod as is customary on country roads in Australia. 

 

CHECKPOINT 2 - TUMUT

Riders must keep moving at a steady pace, managing rest and resupply, with Checkpoint 2 at Bike Revive Tumut, 548km into the ride, closing to riders at 11:59pm on the Tuesday evening. Ian Downing the owner of BRT (and subject of the acclaimed short film "Ride") is a skilled bicycle mechanic and able to provide riders with advice and mechanical assistance (hopefully not required!) at this stage of their journey.

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From Tumut riders continue south towards the mighty Snowy Mountains riding through timber plantations and spectacular mountainous scenery. With some serious climbing the route passes through some of Australia's highest country rising up to 1,582m above sea level at the highest point "Dead Horse Gap" along the magnificent Alpine Way where, even in late October, temperatures in this part of the country can dip below freezing so riders must be prepared for weather extremes. 

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There in The Snowy Mountains the ride rounds the bottom of The Loop and begins heading north once again, passing Thredbo and glistening Lake Jindabyne and taking the back roads to the bustling country town of Cooma and then onwards through stunning forests and mountain passes along more superb gravel roads. 

 

CHECKPOINT 3 - MAJORS CREEK

The third and final Checkpoint is in the charming town of Majors Creek at km 1023 at the Majors Creek Hotel which must be reached by all riders by 6:00pm on the Friday evening. ​From Majors Creek, riders embark on the push towards the finish, passing through Braidwood and some great gravel to Nerriga before descending to the vibrant town of Nowra.  Then a final seriously steep and challenging climb awaits up Saddleback Mountain via hike a bike sections on the Hoddles Track before descending rapidly past the beaches of Kiama and stunning coastlines and industrial landscapes as they approach the finish line at Flagstaff Lighthouse in Wollongong.

 

LOOP COMPLETE - WOLLONGONG

All riders must reach the Lighthouse by 6:00pm on Saturday the 1st of November to become Loopers.  At the end of the ride this incredible feat of endurance will be celebrated with a, soon to be customary, double lap of the lighthouse and a ceremonial brevet stamp and signing.  Finishers, now officially “Loopers”, will have an unforgettable moment to savour.  On the Saturday evening there will be the opportunity for newly minted Loopers to celebrate, recall the adventure and reflect on their epic achievement with fellow riders, friends and loved ones from 7pm at the Resin Brewery in Bulli. 

 

While every Looper will have run their own unique and very personal ride, to be a part of the courageous few to enter and to complete The Great Southeastern Loop challenge creates a special camaraderie and a genuine lifelong connection to a group of fellow adventurers.​​