Event Schedule
Friday 10 December5:00pm – 8:00pm Event centre open with sponsor displays, information and last minute registration details
Saturday 11 December7:00am - 8:00pm Event informaiton marquee open for last minute entries and registration enquiries / questions
8:00am 140km Raceworx Rainforest Circuit start window, from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay
9:00am 70km Lighthouse Discovery Ride start window, from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay
10:00am 23km Waterfall Explorer start window, from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay
8:00pm 23km Glow Worm Twilight Ride start window, from McLaren Pde in Apollo Bay
10:00am – 6:00pm Event centre open with sponsors displays, information and activities.
NOTE: You do NOT need to register at the event information marquee before the ride if you are already entered into the event and have your identification stickers affixed as directed - we will just see you at the start line.
Apollo Bay - the event expo, start & finish of all rides
Apollo Bay is the start and finish location of all rides and is located on the Great Ocean Road, approximately 180km from Melbourne. The quickest way to drive there from Melbourne is via the ‘inland route’ through Geelong (or enjoy the new ring road around Geeelong), Winchelsea and Forrest – taking approximately 2 ¼ hrs.
Apollo Bay has a complete range of accommodation, restaurants, cafes, beaches and all the other services any tired rider (or their non riding companion) could ever want, so we encourage all riders to stay on Saturday night and enjoy the location.
Event expoThe event expo will be set up on the grassy foreshore on the Great Ocean Road near the golf course. This is at the southern end of the town centre. This will be the centre of the event and will include the following features:
Friday evening between 5:00pm and 8:00pm:
- Event information marquee with profiles and information on the rides
- Sponsors displays and information
- On site bike shop for servicing and accessories
- Tables, chairs, bike racks, music and a relaxed pre-ride environment
Saturday between 10:00am and 5:30pm
- The features listed above plus
- Event information marquee (will be open from 7:00am - 8:00pm)
- Event bar serving beer, wine and soft drinks
- On site coffee van and ice-cream van
- BBQ serving sausages and burgers
- Live music and local entertainment
- Random prizes and give aways
- Event t-shirt and event bag distribution
Rider identification
You will receive, through the post pre-ride information with a cover letter and most importantly, your identification sticker.
Your stickers will act like your tickets into the event and it will allow us to see who has entered the event and allow you entry into the rides
as well as the various destinations on your ride like the Otway Fly,
Cape Otway Lighthouse, waterfalls and water points plus bike servicing
and other event features.
New entriesThe Rainforest Ride is still open to enter. We will be welcoming any new riders right up until each ride commences so if any of your family or friends want to be involved as well, they are most welcome. Just come and see us in the event information marquee before starting the ride.
NOTE: You do NOT need to register at the event information marquee before the ride if you are already entered into the event and have your identification stickers affixed as directed - we will just see you at the start line.
Ride start line
Each ride will officially start from opposite the event expo on McLaren Pde during the start window times as listed in the schedule. McLaren Pde runs off the Great Ocean Rd at the southern end of the main shopping strip, opposite the event centre on the foreshore.
All participants are encouraged to start their ride from this start location as we will be making some random prize awards to add to the enthusiasm and atmosphere of the ride by setting off together – it’s a great thrill to set off on a scenic ride in a big bunch of riders.
Those wishing to start in the main group for each ride should be ready to commence at the beginning of the nominated start window (eg at 8:00am for the 140km Raceworx Rainforest Circuit) whilst those wanting to avoid the main group should start 5-10 minutes later.
Start instructions:All riders are to gather on McLaren Pde (which will be closed to cars) and await the starters instructions before turning onto the Great Ocean Road and setting off on your ride route.
Ride finish line
Make sure you finish your ride at the event expo because this is where we will present you with your event t-shirt and participant pack of sponsors’ info and goodies. (Note: riders in the 23km Glow Worm Twilight Ride will receive your event shirt at the start of your ride – not at the end).
The finish will also feature the event bar (serving beer, wine and soft drinks), live music, food, coffee and other beverages, tables, chairs and umbrellas – creating the ideal location to share a few stories and smiles with other riders at the end of your day on the bike. Don’t miss it.
Finish instructions140km and 70km rides:
When returning into Apollo Bay, finishing riders must continue straight across the Great Ocean Road through the golf club car park and ride their bikes 100m down the good gravel path into the finish area.
23km rides:
When returning from Paradise Valley, finishing riders must cross over the Great Ocean Road and then turn left through the golf club car park and ride their bikes 100m down the good gravel path into the finish area