Entries to all events close at midnight, 30 August 2024 or until last bibs are sold out.

All rider packs can be picked up from Corry Cycles on the following dates:

Thursday 29th August - 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Friday 30th August - 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Saturday 31st August - Late rider pack pick-up for the BMA River 2 Reef Ride is from the Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre from 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Please note that we are unable to post any packs or jerseys at anytime. Jerseys will only be available for pick up at the above times.

FESTIVAL!!! Invite your family and friends down to cheer you over the finish line. BMA River 2 Reef Ride is on Father’s Day in 2024. Guaranteed finish line feels! Relax and chill at the Thiess Recovery Tent. Coffee, food and fun - please stay and cheer on others, enjoy the fun & friendly atmosphere.

On the day of the event riders MUST arrive at and start at their designated start times:

100KM Kaeser Compressor Gran Fondo Riders - arrive FROM 5.00AM and START at 5.30AM

60KM City Fitness Epic Riders - arrive FROM 5.45AM and START at 6.15AM

30km Queensland Country Health Fund Dash Riders - arrive FROM 5.45AM and START at 6.30AM

**60km & 30km riders please do not drive into Alexandra Street between 5.20AM and 5.40AM)

The start/finish line is at the Amphitheatre, Botanic Gardens.

There will be chip readers on the ground as you ride under the start/finish arch. It is important that you ride over these as this will check you into the event via your rider number plate. If your rider number plate is not attached to THE FRONT OF YOUR BIKE the mats will not be able to read your chip correctly. Please ride over these mats ONCE ONLY when starting the ride.

On the morning of the ride enjoy your normal breakfast maybe eating a little more than you usually do without making yourself feel uncomfortable.

Items we recommend you carry include your mobile phone (in a clip lock bag to protect it from sweat and rain), some cash to purchase breakfast, coffee, ice-cream from our amazing vendors when you return from the ride (the clip lock bag also makes for a great wallet), car keys if you have them with you, sunscreen, small snacks like muesli bars and a spare tube which fits your bike tyre. Wear your BMA River 2 Reef ride jersey, as the pockets at the back are a great place to keep everything and also keep your rubbish until you find a bin. While a water bottle may fit in these pockets it is much more comfortable to carry this in a bottle holder on your bike. If you feel like your back pockets will be too full you can buy a ‘saddle pack’ which is a small bag that attaches to your seat post. It is also recommended that you carry a handheld pump or CO2 cartridge with you in case you need to pump up a flat tyre (you can find all the spares that you need from Ride Sponsor Corry Cycles).

Please ensure that you begin the ride with a FULL water bottle. There will be water and Powerade available at refreshment stops. If you have 2 bottle holders on your bike it is recommended that you carry 2 bottles especially if it is a warm day.

In your event packs, you will be provided with a ride number plate and 2 zip ties. The number plate has a timing chip connected to the back of it. It is important that you do not bend or damage this chip. This number must be attached to THE FRONT OF YOUR BIKE (using the zip ties) before you arrive on the day. This number plate will be used for check-in and check-out. This is a very important aspect of the ride. If you arrive on the day without your ride number you will not be permitted to ride.

ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR A HELMET and closed in shoes.

HEADPHONES/MP3 PLAYERS ARE NOT PERMITTED!

Riders can choose from a selection of bikes to ride, including road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes, time-trial bikes and gravel bikes.

Para cyclists are permitted to ride modified bikes to suit their needs)

E-Bikes will start in the first wave of riders. All E-Bikes must adhere to Australian E-Bike Standards. No modifications to E-Bikes will be allowed to participate on course.

Sunday 1st September:

Kaeser Compressor 100km Gan Fondo:

Rider briefing: 5.15am

Start time: 5.30am

City Fitness 60km Epic

Rider briefing: 6.15am

Start time: 6.20am

Queensland Country Health | Bank

Rider briefing: 6.15am

Start time: 6.30am

Please place your OWN label (including rider number) on your bag. Bags can be left at the Amphitheatre. Please do not leave valuable items in your bag (place any keys and/or money in your jersey pockets. This is not an official service. The event organisers are unable to take responsibility for these items.

Parking is available in the Amphitheatre Car Park. Once full, parking is available on the grass along Alexandra Street. Please ensure that vehicles are on the grass, and not overlapping the edge of the road.

Aid Station 1:

River Road at Dumbleton (turn around for the 30km riders):

Water
Light refreshments
Toilets available

This station is looked after by the Disabled Sport & Recreation Mackay (DSRM) Team.

Aid Station 2:

Habana Community Centre:

Gatorade
Water
Fruit cake
Light refreshments
Toilets available

This station is looked after by the CQ Rescue Helicopter Team.

Aid Station 3:

CNR of Doyle’s Road and Marian-Hampden Roads (100km turn-around):

Water
Lollies

We highly recommend that you have your bike serviced prior to the event. We recommend booking your bike in with Corry Cycles prior to the event date.

To reduce your chances of getting a puncture on the ride even further we would suggest you fit new tyres.

Use the checklist below:

Look for any holes or chunks out of your tyres and replace if worn
Check that you have enough tyre pressure in your tyres
Ensure you check your brakes to see that they are working effectively and not rubbing
Check that your gears are changing smoothly
Make sure your chain is clean and apply fresh chain lubricant
Ensure your handlebars are tight and won’t twist from being straight with your front wheel
Check that nothing on your bike is loose as things could fall off while you are riding

Roving mechanical support will also be available out on course, however it will be minimal.

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

2 x drink bottles
Snacks like a banana or muesli bar
1 x tyre tube (make sure it is the right tube for your bike)
C02 head unit and canisters or bicycle pump
Puncture kit
Front and rear lights
Mobile phone
Glasses
Helmet
Closed in shoes (no thongs or sandals
$$$ to spend at the festival
Lycra & shaved legs (just kidding, we’re not that serious)!

A bag drop is available, however we also recommend holding car keys or house keys in your jersey pocket.

On the day of the event riders MUST arrive at and start at their designated start times:

100KM Kaeser Compressor Gran Fondo Riders - arrive FROM 5.00AM and START at 5.30AM

60KM City Fitness Epic Riders - arrive FROM 5.45AM and START at 6.20AM

30km Queensland Country Bank & Health Fund Dash Riders - arrive FROM 5.45AM and START at 6.30AM

**60km & 30km riders please do not drive into Alexandara Street between 5.20AM and 5.40AM)

The start/finish line is at the Amphitheatre, Botanic Gardens.

There will be chip readers on the ground as you ride under the start/finish arch. It is important that you ride over these as this will check you into the event via your rider number plate. If your rider number plate is not attached to THE FRONT OF YOUR BIKE the mats will not be able to read your chip correctly.

Please ride over these mats ONCE ONLY when starting the ride.

It is important to remember that this event is a ride NOT A RACE. There is no speed that you have to achieve or time that you must finish it by. Ride at your own pace. Safety is a very important aspect of the day. There will be official car drivers along the route providing assistance to those who need it. There will be many experienced riders in the group who will be able to assist with small mechanical issues. If you require assistance please move to the side of the road and place your bike upside down (wheels up) so that a support car / rider can assist you as soon as possible. It is important that you make it back safely so if at any point on the ride you do not feel able to make it back to the finish please stop and signal for assistance.

Please note that the all 30km, 60km and 100km riders will ride to the turnaround point for the 30km route at Dumbleton. This is where you will find the 1st of 2 refreshment points. If you have nominated for the 60km or 100km option but do not feel that you will make the distance simply turn around at this point and head back with the 30km riders. For those completing the 60km and 100km options there is a second refreshment stop at the Habana Church. Both the 60km and 100km riders will ride past this point for approximately 10km, turn around and come back past the rest station for a third chance to refresh.

At each refreshment point you will be provided with light nutrition, fruitcake, water and Powerade/Gatorade. You are welcome to stop at these points and take time to rest/recover if you feel the need. Once you have collected your refreshments please move away from the table/tent area.

Bins will be provided in these areas and you are encouraged to keep these areas tidy. Please use water carefully, water provided has been purchased for drinking only.

These points will be manned by volunteers, please talk to them if you have any questions or concerns. It is hoped that the day will be as enjoyable as possible for everyone including our volunteers, give them a wave as you ride past refreshment points and corners, without them this day could not be possible.

Please see our website for maps for each distance. Don’t worry if you don’t feel confident with the directions, there will be hundreds of others riding with you along with corner marshals and signage to guide you along the way. All riders start and finish at the same point.

If there is an emergency situation please call 000 and or notify an official.

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users. Whatever vehicle you drive, the golden rule is to treat other road users with respect and courtesy. All road users should drive or ride safely and obey the traffic rules at all times. This includes keeping as far left as practicable and following ride officials’ directions.

Riders must not ride more than two abreast.

The roads for this ride are not closed to regular traffic, cyclists are to obey all road rules and listen to directions given by ride officials at all times.

At no time are ear pods, head phones or other electronic devices be used by cyclists. In addition, please pull off the road and stop if you need to make or take a phone call.

Ambulance, Police, Fire: 000

Event Hotline (on the day): 0403 080 149.

First aid officers will be located along the course route. .

If you need to get in contact with event organisers prior to the event, please email info@river2reefride.com.au

When you finish the ride you must return to the finish line to check back in by riding under the start/finish arch, just as you did at the start of the ride. This is the system we use to ensure you have made it back safely. If we have not checked you back in when the ride is over we will contact you to ensure you are safe. If we cannot contact you your emergency contact will be used. Please ride over these mats TO FINISH YOUR RIDE. If you withdraw at any point during the ride, please notify a volunteer or marshal so that we know that you will not be finishing.

Remember, we have a great festival feel this year, so please stay, cheer on other riders, make new friends and have a coffee and something great to eat from one of our many food vendors!

Kaeser Compressor 100km Gran Fondo

Minimum Age: 18 years (age at 31st December 2024). Younger riders need to provide a letter of endorsement from an Accredited Cycling or Triathlon Coach to verify the junior riders ability to ride 100km.

City Fitness 60km Epic:

Minimum Age: `15 years (age at 31st December 2024). Younger riders need to provide a letter of endorsement from an Accredited Cycling or Triathlon Coach to verify the junior riders ability to ride 60km.

Queensland Country Health | Bank 30km Dash:

Minimum Age: 12 years (age at 31st December 2024). Riders aged 12-15 years must ride with an adult rider.

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Kids 5 years and younger can join the ride via a tag-along or bike seat, however, need to be identified during the registration process.

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

Every rider should carry some food eg. banana, sandwich and/or muesli bar.

Also, riders are encouraged to carry 2 x drink bottles. Plan to drink all your fluids by the time you get to the next Aid Station.

Each Aid Station will provide:

Electrolyte hydration (Gatorade or Powerade)
Water
Light nutrition
Sunscreen

To meet the road re-opening times which are a condition of our road closure permits, riders are required to maintain an average speed of:

Kaeser Compressor 100km Gran Fondo:

22km/hr average allows for 2 x 10min comfort breaks/bidon refill stops.

City Fitness 60km Epic:

15km/hr average allows for 2 x 10min comfort breaks/bidon refill stops.

Queensland Country Health Fund 30km Dash:

10km/hr average allows for 1 x 10min comfort breaks/bidon refill stops.

Riders who fall behind the required average speed and won’t reach the Festival Hub will be collected by the sag wagon. Any riders withdrawing from the event must return to the festival hub and notify our timing team or walk their ride number over our finish line to be recorded as finished. Any rider who has not returned by 11am will be contacted by our event team, and failing this, their emergency contact will be notified.

SAG Wagon

A SAG Wagon will be sweeping the back of the course.

If you find you have struggled with your chosen distance on the day or your bike has suffered a mechanical failure that cannot be fixed you can wait for the SAG Wagon and enjoy the air conditioned comfort and take in the views as you slowly make your way back to the finish line.

Be sure to cross the finish line under the arch! Your rider number will verify that you are safe and accounted for.

If you are unable to finish the event due to a mechanical or timing cut-off, please ensure that you return to the Festival and advise the Event Team.

There will be water and fruit available. Thiess will also have a recovery tent set-up!

Be sure to stay a while and soak up the Festival feels with coffee, ice-cream, and many options for food. Don’t forget to cheer other riders as they come in! Invite your friends and family down to meet you and enjoy the festivities!

There will be a bike racking area near the recovery area.

Any bikes left behind will be donated to charity!

Renowned as a favourite time of year to visit, September brings warm, but not too warm temperatures, gorgeous sunshine and a low chance of rainfall. September is also the lowest humidity for the year. So, while the rest of Australia defrosts from their chilly winter months, you can enjoy riding, swimming, and hiking in our beautiful region.

Average temperature: High 26.7°C Low 18.6°C

Average days of rain: 4.4 days >1mm

Check out the Bureau of Meteorology if you want to know more! Bureau of Meteorology

No refund or exchange on your entry fees except as required by law.

If River 2 Reef Pty Ltd (R2R) cancels the Event for any reason (including but not limited to extreme weather or other dangerous conditions), then R2R will make every effort to ensure you receive a prompt refund, credit or exchange if applicable in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law.

If you are unable to compete in the Event for any reason, there will be no refunds for your entry fee.

There will be no refunds for any other items purchased at the time of your registration, unless required by law. Any charitable donation you make is not a purchase of goods or services from R2R and consequently no refund is applicable.

Any cancellations or refunds will not be entitled to the ‘free’ jersey. If the item is picked up the entry fee minus $49.95 jersey cost will be applied.

We will have professional photographers out on course taking your photo!

Deanne Woods Photography

Marty Strecker Photography

Be sure to smile the entire way as you never know when you will be snapped!