Bowral Classic COVID Safety Plan

Event Organisers are working closely with the NSW Government and following advice from NSW Health to put on a COVID-safe event. In addition to the below safety protocols, Event Organisers will also closely follow the guidelines as outlined by NSW Public Health Order at the time of the event.

• › Smaller waves of riders at the Start Line
• › Encouraging social distancing for all event staff and event participants at Start and Finish Lines, Event Village area and at all rest stops
• › Implementing contact tracing methods
• › Making hand sanitiser stations available
• › Cleaning and sanitising common use surfaces and areas (such as toilets) at regular intervals
• › Briefing staff, volunteers and officials on event COVID practices
• › Appointing a COVID Marshall on event day
• › The serving of food to be done wearing disposable gloves at the Event Village and rest stops
• › Increasing the size of Event Village and rest stop areas to allow for adequate social distancing

We advise participants and / or spectators not to attend if they are displaying any COVID symptoms.

Registration Kits

If you registered on or before 21 August 2022 and paid for postage, your rider kit including any ordered merchandise, will be mailed to your nominated address in mid-September.

If you opted to collect your registration kit, or registered after 21 August  2022, you can collect your registration kit and any ordered merchandise on Saturday 15 October 1:00pm– 4:00pm or Sunday 16 October 5:30am – 8:00am at the Event Village (Loseby Park, Bowral).

Merchandise Swaps

If there is a problem with your registration kit, or you wish to transfer ride categories, please come to the Event Village on Saturday afternoon (1:00pm– 4:00pm) or Sunday morning (5:30am – 8:00am).

If you wish to swap your jersey for a different size, please bring your jersey in its original packaging to the Event Village on Saturday (1:00pm– 4:00pm). Please note: jersey sizes are limited and we may not be able to accommodate all sizing requests.

If you are missing or have a damaged Seat Post Sticker, Rider Wristband, or Front Plate & cable ties, please visit the Registration Tent on the event weekend and we will issue you a replacement.

Gran Fondo Registration Tent

Location:
Event Village (Loseby Park, Bowral)
Opening hours: 
Saturday 15 October 1:00pm– 5:30pm
Sunday 16 October 5:30am – 8:00am 

The Crit will take place on Saturday, 15 October 2022 at Loseby Park, Bowral from 1:00pm.

Rider registration will take place from 11am at Loseby Park, Bowral. Further information on this process will be emailed out the week of the event.

For further information, head to www.bowralclassic.com.au/thecrit

The following will be included in your registration kit:

• › A Seat Post Sticker with rider identification number and timing chip.
  Note: Do not attach prior to transporting the bike on the exterior of a vehicle. High-speed travel is likely to cause the sticker to fray and tear, which may make it unusable.
  
• › A Rider Front Plate, including your seat post number and timing chip  Please attach this to your bike’s front plate with the cable ties included in your registration kit. It is forbidden to alter, cut or fold your stickers
• › A wristband for rider identification – must be worn on the event day
• › Maps of the course and Start Line
• › Drink token for a free beer, wine or cider for redemption in the Event Village
• › Any merchandise you have ordered (Excluding Black Sheep merchandise which will be delivered separately)

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests must be emailed through to [email protected]

Riders that purchase the Entry Cancellation Insurance at the time of registration will have their entry fee refunded in full. Insurance is not valid if added retrospectively after registering. Cancellation requests must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event day.

Postage and merchandise will not be refunded if already mailed out. No additional fees or costs associated with participating in the Bowral Classic are covered by the Event Cancellation Insurance, e.g. accommodation or travel costs. If the whole event is cancelled, e.g. due to COVID restrictions or weather, all riders will be covered under the Event Cancellation Policy.

For riders who do not purchase Entry Cancellation Insurance, cancellations that are received by 31 August will be refunded 50% of the entry fee. No refunds or deferrals will be offered for cancellations received after 31 August 2022.

We respect and understand that from time to time some riders will be unable to participate due to illness, often at late notice. This is why we introduced entry cancellation insurance which enables riders to cancel up to 24 hours before the event.

Without cancellation insurance, The Classic Events do not offer refunds or credits, but we are sympathetic and understanding in these challenging times. If you are unable to participate due to illness we will offer you a transfer to our next available event, but not future events beyond that.

Your support goes towards the high operating costs of each event where suppliers’ fees & charges are typically paid prior to the event date. As such, we are not able to offer refunds as we want each and every event to be viable and enjoyable now and into the future.

We will consider transferring a registration to another person if a rider is injured and provides a medical certificate at least 7 days prior to the event. It is the rider’s responsibility to transfer the Rider Identification Sticker if the registration kit has already been mailed out.

Should the Event Organisers cancel the event due to adverse weather conditions, all riders will be given a 50% refund.

Should the Event Organisers cancel the event due to COVID, all riders have the option to defer their registration free of charge or receive a refund on their entry fee minus a $25 admin fee. Any merchandise purchased will not be refunded.

To update your registration (e.g. change course distances or update your contact details), please access via this link.

eBikes will be permitted in all gran fondo events at the Bowral Classic, excluding “Highlanders” (for Bowral). The eBike option must be selected when registering for the event.

All eBikes must adhere to Australian eBike Standards. No modified eBikes will be allowed to participate on course. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure they have sufficient batteries to complete the ride.

Aero/TT  bars are not permitted.

Time-trial bikes are also not permitted.

The Safety Briefing Video contains important event information relevant to your course. Please ensure you view your course briefing before the event day.

CLICK HERE to watch the Bowral Classic 2022 Safety Briefing Video.

The 2022 Bowral Classic rider guide will be available to download 2 weeks before the event.

SATURDAY, 15 October 2022
The Crit

The Crit racers will depart from Park Rd, Bowral (adjacent the Event Village at Loseby Park) from 1:30pm.

Racers will go off in stages between 1:00pm – 6:30pm.

SUNDAY, 16 October 2022
Gran Fondo Rides: 150km, 120km, 85km & 35km

Cheer on cyclists as they depart Bong Bong St, Bowral between 6.30am and 8am.
All riders will head off in 75 second intervals, and out to Centennial Rd towards Berrima.

6.30am:                Highlanders

6.35am-6.55am: 150KM Maxi Classic riders  

7.00am-7.25am: 120KM Challenge Classic riders

7.30am-7.55am: 85KM Rouleurs Classic riders 

8.00am-8.15am: 35KM Social Classic riders 

GRAN FONDO PARKING

Event Parking will be advised closer to the event.

Limited street parking is available around the surrounding streets of Loseby Park and there will be road closures in place on Saturday 15 October from 8:30am – 8:30pm. 

The Bowral Classic Event Village at Loseby Park, Bowral is the adjacent to the Finish Line and the perfect place to hang out post-ride. Kick back and relax on our comfy bean bags, whilst enjoying live music from local artists and sampling the locally produced food, wine and beer.

Saturday, 15 October 2022 | 1pm–4:00pm

Registration collection for riders who registered after 31 August, 2022.
Exhibitor stalls will be open along with a coffee van.

Sunday, 16 October 2022 | 10am–4pm

The village area will offer:

›  Locally produced food, coffee, beer and wine
›  Live music
›  Cycling exhibitor stalls
›  Merchandise for sale
›  Children’s entertainment
›  First Aid

Subject to change.

Bundanoon Oval (150 & 120km riders)
Erith St, Bundanoon
First riders:  8:00am
Last riders: 10:30am

Fitzroy Falls Reservoir Activity Area (Highlanders, 150, 120 & 85km riders)
Nowra Rd, Fitzroy Falls
First riders:  8:30am
Last riders: 12:15pm

Glenquarry Peace Memorial Hall (150, 120 & 85km riders)
Tourist Rd, Glenquarry
First riders:  9:30am
Last riders: 2:00pm

35km Social Classic riders will receive a token for a free coffee & cake which they can redeem at participating cafes in Berrima.

If you are driving on any of the roads which are being used for the event, please ensure that you take care and be watchful for cyclists.

Police will be patrolling the course throughout the day to ensure cyclists and motorists observe all road rules

At Start Line 
On Sunday morning, there will be a bag drop car at the Start Line. 

Pack to many clothes or too warm? Use the Bag Drop to place any extra/unwanted clothes. They will be transported to the Event Village at Loseby Park, Bowral where you can pick up from the Bicycling Australia tent.

At Rest Stop 1  – Bundanoon Oval (150km & 120km riders)
There will also be a Bag Drop station at Rest Stop 1. Riders can drop off any extra/unwanted clothes which will then be transported to the Event Village at Loseby Park.

At Rest Stop 2  – Fitzroy Falls Sailing Club (85km riders & Highlanders bags)
There will also be a Bag Drop station at Rest Stop 2. Riders can drop off any extra/unwanted clothes which will then be transported to the Event Village at Loseby Park.

NOTE: Bags MUST be labelled with Full Name and Rider Number. 

The Bowral Classic is held on open roads. All road rules apply.
If a cyclist is found to be in breach of road rules organisers will disqualify and remove cyclist from event.

•  No more than two riders side-by-side unless overtaking.

• Please ensure you have reviewed the following NSW Road Rules.

• Obey all road rules and directions from Police and Traffic Controllers.

• On narrow country roads bicycle riders must avoid being a hazard to traffic.

• Ride on the left hand side of the road.

• Respect signs which have been put in place by the event organiser.

• Wear an Australian approved helmet at all times: no helmet = no ride.

• Any person participating in the event, must obey directions given by a member of the NSW Police Force or Ride Referee

• At the Ride Referees discretion, riders may be withdrawn from the event if they are outside the designated cut-off times and their safety cannot be reasonably ensured.

• While every effort has been made to mark out and officiate the course route, it remains the riders responsibility to be conversant with the ride route. Cyclists are reminded that road cycling can be considered a dangerous sport and whilst all reasonable care is taken by organisers and officials when organising an event, all participants have an equal responsibility to ensure they take all reasonable care by adhering to the road rules and other conditions imposed by ride officials, ensuring a safe ride environment for all concerned.

Ambulance, Police, Fire:  000

Emergency Hotline: 0447 182 425
Event Hotline: 0447 463 614

Please note the Emergency and Event hotlines will not be turned on until the weekend of the Bowral Classic. These numbers are also listed on your rider identification front plate.

There will be an ambulance on course along with a designated first aid response team with two vehicles on course.

Emergency medical staff will be clearly identified with high-vis vests and name tags.

Come prepared, get your bike serviced before the event, put on new tires, check your brakes, cables, chain, lube etc. Please do not arrive to the start with a bike that needs a full service.

Saturday 15 Oct – There will be mechanics in the event village at Loseby Park from 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

Sunday 16 Oct – There will be mechanics at the Start line area at Bong bong St Bowral from 6:00am – 8:00am. There will also be roaming mechanics roaming on course throughout event day.

Riders are to be self-reliant. Riders should carry:

•  2x water biddons
•  Some nutrition, e.g. banana, muesli bar
•  2 x tubes
•  C02 head unit and canisters
•  Puncture kit
•  Front and rear lights
•  Mobile phone
•  Glasses
•  Appropriate cycle related clothing
•  Some money

This is a Sunday ride but not like your usual hit out. Two factors cannot be underestimated:
• Even at 30km/h riders will be out for 5-plus hours on the bike.
• Riders should consume one gram of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight per hour.

Eating and drinking by the time you feel hungry or thirsty will be too late.

Please note that local cafes will be open from 6am but there will be other cyclists with the same idea and you do not want to miss your start time.

GU electrolyte tabs and gels will be supplied at rest stops.

Every rider should carry some nutrition e.g. gels, bananas, muesli bars. Also riders are encouraged to carry two 750 ml water biddons.

Plan to drink all your fluids by the time you get to the next station. Do not wait to feel thirsty before you drink, by then it will be too late.

Riders on the Social loop will have vouchers which they will exchange for cake and coffee at a selection of cafes in Berrima.

Remember to slip,slop, slap!
At the Rest Stops there will be a water station, food and First Aid kits.

As a reference, the cut-off times are based on a last rider average speed of 20km/hour.

150km Maxi Classic Cut-Off Times:

• • 53KM / 9:50AM @Moss Vale – Turn left and follow the Rouleurs course via right turn at Arthur St and left turn at Mt Broughton/Yarrawa Rd
• • 73KM / 11:05AM @Bundanoon Oval – Push along to reach Fitzroy Falls Rest Stop by 12:50 PM for next stop
• • 103KM / 1:00PM @Fitzroy Falls- Push along to reach Mittagong cut off by 3:00 PM or get in the SAG bus for return to the Event Village.
• • 143KM / 3:00PM @Mittagong (Hard Enforcement)- Turn left and follow the Rouleurs course via Old South Rd and right turn at Bowral St to the Event Village.

120km Challenge Classic Cut-Off Times:

• • 21KM/  9:50AM@Moss Vale – Turn left and follow the Rouleurs course via right turn at Arthur St and left turn at Mt Broughton/Yarrawa Rd.
• • 41KM/  11:05AM@Bundanoon – Push along to reach Fitzroy Falls Rest Stop by 12:50 PM for next stop.

• • 71KM/  1:00PM @Fitzroy Falls- Push along to reach Mittagong cut off by 3:00 PM or get in the SAG bus for return to the Event Village.
• • 111KM / 3:00PM @Mittagong (Hard Enforcement)- Turn left and follow the Rouleurs course via Old South Rd and right turn at Bowral St to the Event Village.

85km Rouleurs Classic Cut-Off Times:

• • 41KM / 1:00PM @Fitzroy Falls- Push along to reach Mittagong cut off by 3:00 PM or get in the SAG bus for return to the Event Village.

35km Social Classic Cut-Off Times:

• • 11KM / 10:00AM @Berrima cafes- Push along to continue on course to not delay course closure and TC/ Volunteer knock off times.

BOWRAL DURING OCTOBER:

Mean maximum temperature: 19.6°C
Mean minumum temperature: 8.8°C
Mean rainfall: 69mm

Sunrise: 6:17am
Sunset: 7:12pm

Please be prepared! It is your responsibility to carry what you may need during the ride.

The Event Management takes no responsibility for any valuables lost before / during or after the event.

Insurance is compulsory. During the registration process, you will be asked to note your current insurance cover and insurance number. Your current insurance will need to cover you for the Bowral Classic day event. If you do not have the appropriate insurance, you will be asked to take out day insurance, Personal Accident Cover.

The cost of this cover is $10 per rider. Please click here for the Insurance FAQs.

Any rider wishing to protest his/her timing or report an infringement by another rider should visit the Tomato Timing tent at the Event Village or email [email protected] post-event.

Please note – the Bowral Classic is a ride not a race.