Registration is open for the 4th annual BBTA Ballina-Casino Supported Tour on the weekend of 12/13 September. Because the motels in Casino are quite small we need to book early, so if you know you are pretty much a certainty let Peter know asap. If you are coming to Ballina on the Friday before the tour, for those interested we will plan for dinner at the tavern near the start point. Let Peter know if you are coming to Ballina on the Friday.
By registering by Friday 28 August you are automatically booked into the accommodation in Casino on Saturday night. Currently we have ten (10) rooms booked at the newly renovated Royal Hotel, with others being sourced. 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.This ride is for BBTA members only.
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 by Saturday 29 August. With accommodation costs still to be finalised it looks like $160 single/double, $180 twin share, as per last two years. Please, no payments until advised as costs may change or vary, depending on which accommodation is booked for you. 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
We have an area booked for post ride drinks/lunch in Casino at the The Royal Hotel, which has been completely refurbished. 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
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 12 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