Don’t be intimidated
If you love your cycling but the furthest you tend to ride is 20km on a Sunday, fear not, the Noosa Classic is still for you. The 45km Social Classic has all the beauty and benefits of the other courses but without the pain! As you can probably tell by its name, the Social Classic is a more leisurely affair, allowing like-minded riders to take advantage of the course and roll through the stunning Noosa Hinterland without a care in the world.
Pick the right course
Having said that, don’t be over ambitious. There is a BIG difference between the 45km Social Classic and the 120km Challenge Classic, both physically and mentally. If you’re not sure what’s realistic for you then head in to your local bike shop and ask for their advice, or simply drop us a message on Facebook and we’ll be happy to help you figure out the course that’s right for you.
Create a training plan… and stick to it
So, you’ve weighed up your options and chosen the Classic course for you. What next? Well, one important thing to do is to set a training plan. Whether you’re fit as a fiddle and taking on the 160km Maxi Classic or wanting a more leisurely experience with the Social, draw up a plan and stay disciplined with it. The Noosa Classic is not a race, it’s a ride, but preparing well and being ready for your chosen course means you’ll get so much more from your day’s riding. Remember – fail to prepare, prepare to fail!
Book your travel and accommodation early
One of the best ways to get committed to any challenge is to shell out a bit of cheddar on it. Booking time off, signing up for the ride, figuring out how to get there and booking somewhere to stay nice and early will not only save you money but it’ll get you motivated from the off. What’s more, to make planning even easier, the Noosa Classic will be offering participants access to a dedicated travel agent to help them organise their weekend.
Get your mates involved
If you’ve never done a Gran Fondo ride before, see if you have any friends (or friends of friends!) who have and see if they fancy doing the Noosa Classic. Or, failing that, find out which friends have a bike and create your own team! One of the best things about the Classics series, and cycling in general, is the mateship you feel out there on the bike together.
Prepare to get hooked
This one is from my own particular experience. Once you do your first ride, I guarantee it won’t be your last. The feeling of riding on car-less roads in some of the most beautiful regions in Australia (and the world!) is unlike any other.
Watch the video below to see what I mean. Also head to the Noosa Classic website for more information and to sign up. And remember, if you sign up before March 24th you get a free Cinettica jersey worth $115!
