2nd annual BBTA Ballina-Casino Supported Tour on the weekend of 7/8 September, just 10 weeks away. So far we have 25 riders and 6 supporters registered for the tour (Speed groups attached). If you are in for this supported weekend tour please email Peter (with your preferred speed group) at pbrennan58@gmail.com, with registrations closing Friday 23 August.
By registering you are automatically booked into the accommodation in Casino on Saturday night. If you would prefer a single room or have a person or group happy to share a room(s) please let Peter know when registering. If you have a non-riding partner who will be joining you in Casino for accommodation let Peter know for bookings and possible support. Currently we have two motels fully booked with 17 rooms and 4 rooms in a third motel. This ride is for BBTA members only, so if you are not a member, join now (go to www.bbta.org)! Also, if you are coming to Ballina on the Friday before the tour please let Peter know; we will plan for dinner at the Westower Tavern which is not far from the Saturday start point and several accommodation options.
THE ROUTE (with elevation)
We have two very different days of riding; on Saturday, we have 840 metres of climbing with two steep climbs (check the ride elevation) but on Sunday only 163 metres. On Saturday we travel from our parking spot next to Ballina West Shopping Centre (new start/finish) through the country town of Wardell (16km). It's only a short distance but the takeaway shop in Wardell has great pies as well as lots of other goodies; it's a great stop after a warm up! Follow your directions carefully from here as there are some turns to watch out for, a few narrow, bumpy roads to traverse and it will be busy coming into, and especially out of, Lismore (56km). After our break at the 'Sassy and Bean' in Lismore it is another 28km to the finish at the Milgate Motel in Casino.
If Saturday is classed as hilly then Sunday is definitely in the flat roads category! We head back through Coraki (30km), before going off the beaten track with mostly single lane bitumen before crossing the bridge into Woodburn (50km) for morning tea. Then it is back across the bridge and on to Broadwater (75km) before the ferry ride across from South Ballina to Ballina and the finish in Ballina (88km).
Strava
Day 1https://www.strava.com/routes/3051721093442479390
Day 2 https://www.strava.com/routes/3038034983974465412
COSTS
Payment for the tour is due by Saturday 24 August. Please, no payments to Peter's account until advised as a third motel has to be factored into the costs. Approximate accommodation costs = Single/Double $160; Twin share $180 ($90 each). There will be a $25 fee for riders to cover support and organisational costs. Non-cyclists do not pay the tour fee.
POST RIDE & DINNER SATURDAY
Post ride celebrations will be held in the bbq/pool area at the Milgate Motel under the shade sail, with drinks available for purchase. Also, you might like to take a wander into Casino for lunch or a beverage (BRING COINS or $5 notes for drinks). For dinner we have booked the Casino RSM Club.
START/FINISH TIMES & SPEED GROUPS
The tour starts from 7:00am onwards on Saturday 7 September from Karingal St, next to West Ballina Shopping Centre.
Proposed Speed Groups and Start times
A - 7:00am: 18-24km/h
B - 7:15am: 24+km/h
SUPPORT VEHICLES
We cannot run our ride without supporters to carry our gear. If you can help out please let Peter know. The support vehicles are there to carry your o’nite clothes/change of cycling gear - they are not sag wagons! You will be expected to achieve the distances stated without assistance and carrying your basic food/drink requirements.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Peter