Registration is open for the 3rd annual BBTA Ballina-Casino Supported Tour on the weekend of 13/14 September, with registration closing Friday 29 August. By registering you are automatically booked into the accommodation in Casino on Saturday night. As of 2 August (6 weeks to go) we have 22 riders and 4 supporters, with plenty of rooms still available for bookings. NOTE: There are no more twin share rooms, only single or double rooms. For those staying in Ballina on Friday 12th September before the tour a number of riders have booked at the Econo Lodge Chaparral Motel, West Ballina and dining at the Westower Tavern, almost next door, at 7pm. The start/finish of the tour is literally around the corner from this motel. If you are planning to book at this motel let them know you are with our bicycle group.
The tour starts in Ballina and we will ride 84km across to Casino (arguably the 'Beef capital' of Australia) via Wardell (*18km) and Lismore (*58km), staying there on Saturday night. On Sunday we return, cycling a pretty flat 88km though Coraki, Woodburn (*50km) and Broadwater (*75km) before finishing with a short ferry ride from South Ballina across to Ballina. 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.
* Food/drink available at these places.
COSTS
Payment for the tour is due to Peter by Saturday 30 August. There will be a $25 fee for riders to cover support and organisational costs. Non-cyclists do not pay the tour fee. Once riders have registered Peter will send account details.
Single $185 ($160 accommodation + $25 ride fee)
Double $185 or $210 ($160 accommodation + $25 per rider fee)
Twin share $230 = $115pp ($90pp accommodation + $25 per rider fee)
POST RIDE & DINNER SATURDAY
The Royal Hotel, only a 5 minute walk from the Milgate Motel, has been completely refurbished and may be a good option for meeting up for drinks & lunch after the ride on Saturday. For 6pm dinner we are booked in at the Casino RSM Club.
THE ROUTE (with elevation)
Strava
Day 1 https://www.strava.com/routes/3051721093442479390
Day 2 https://www.strava.com/routes/3038034983974465412
Ride with GPS
Day 1 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48105866
Day 2 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48105846
Saturday
Wardell (15km) Cafe with pies etc
Lismore (56km) coffee/food break at 'BLUEYS CAFE', 214 Molesworth St, Lismore: Next to Comfort Inn, across road from War Memorial/Regional Museum
Sunday
Coraki (30km, no shops open)
Woodburn (50km) Morning tea.
Broadwater (75km)
Ferry ride across from South Ballina to Ballina.
START/FINISH TIMES & SPEED GROUPS
The tour starts from 7:00am onwards on Saturday 13 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