The Risks.

​

The Great Southeastern Loop is an unsupported cycling event that carries with it the risk of death or injury for participants. 

 

The Great Southeastern Loop event organisers (the organisers) take all risks to participants in the event extremely seriously and have planned the route in order to minimise exposure to hazards (particularly in relation to the fundamental risk to cyclists in Australia of high speed vehicles) by routing the course through quieter roads and back country trails. 

 

The organisers advise that, given the extensive risks associated with participating in this event, all riders considering registration discuss this with their family and loved ones prior to registering for the event noting that the event is carried out:

​

• riding on public roads,

• without a support vehicle,

• alone and unsupervised,

• at all hours of the day and night,

• in varied weather conditions and climates,

• on varied road surfaces (from sealed roads to fire trails),

• with exposure to other vehicles, people, wild and domestic animals and insects.​

 

Risks associated with participating in the event The Great Southeastern Loop include:

​

• Being involved in collisions (e.g. with people, animals, objects and/or vehicles);

• Falling from your bicycle (e.g. as a result of losing traction on the road surface or due to a mechanical fault with your bicycle),

• Suffering the effects of heat, cold, wind, rain and other weather conditions;

• Suffering from physical exhaustion, fatigue, thirst or hunger;

• Becoming lost.​

 

These risks may result in death, bodily injury, trauma, disability, property damage and economic loss.

​

There are a range of other risks to which you may be exposed and it is the responsibility of every participant to understand the risks associated with participation and to prepare and plan in order to anticipate and mitigate any risks.

 

Insurance​

 

The organisers strongly encourage all riders to take out appropriate personal ride insurance (e.g. such as that provided by Bicycle NSW which offers public liability, third party property, personal accident and income protection insurance as part of their membership program).  All international riders will need to produce evidence of personal insurance coverage. 

 

Mandatory Gear Requirements​

 

The Great Southeastern Loop requires all riders to carry with them the mandatory gear requirements on the course these being:

​

• Satellite GPS Tracker (SPOT tracker can be hired as part of the registration process)

• 4 x AAA lithium batteries as back up for GPS Tracker to keep tracker running at all times throughout the event

• Personal mobile phone

• Hi-viz (visibility) vest with reflective strips.

• A rear view mirror (affixed to bicycle or helmet) or suitable technological solution such as rear view camera or car sensor warning system

• Minimum 2 x front and rear rechargeable 200 lumen+ lights

• Helmet (as required by law in Australia to be always worn when riding)

• Wet weather jacket

• Full finger gloves

• Emergency blanket

• Minimum 1.7 litre water capacity

• Basic first aid kit

• 2 x inner tubes and puncture repair kit

• Bicycle pump

• Multi-tool.

​​

Your Bike & Your Body

​

It is essential that all riders ensure that their bicycle is in excellent working condition at the start of the ride and has been recently serviced.  The organisers recommend fitting a new chain, tyres and cables prior to departure and if running tubeless that sealant has been recently topped up.  The organisers recommend a minimum tyre width of no less than 32mm given that 20% of the course (250km) is on gravel roads. 

 

There are a number of bicycle shops in towns along the route, notably at Checkpoint 2 is Bike Revive Tumut where Ian is an outstanding bicycle mechanic.

 

Riders must be prepared for long days in the saddle and this requires training before the event.  It is recommended that in the 2 months lead up to the event that riders are doing no less than 250km per week of riding and have undertaken a number of 150km+ rides with your fully laden bicycle with all gear and equipment to test your set up and fitness to undertake long days of riding.

 

Other (Strongly) Recommended Gear​

 

The organisers recommend all participants also carry electrolytes and magnesium tablets to replenish essential body salts and minerals and have a backup energy dense food source such as gels or energy bars.

 

Riders must be prepared for diverse weather conditions including heat and wet and cold weather as the temperature in the Australian alps at the end of October can get down to sub zero temperatures at night so riders must have sufficient clothing to layer up for the event of cold and / or wet weather. 

 

A full list of other recommended gear & safety tips will be provided to all riders upon registration.