1,200 Road Riders Enjoy Picture Perfect Snowy Mountains Cycling
Published on 31 March 2022
The Snowy Classic, Bicycling Australia’s latest major Gran Fondo cycling event made its much-anticipated debut in the Snowy Mountains on Saturday, 26 March 2022.
Riders from across Australia poured into Jindabyne and surrounds, many making an extended trip of it to explore the region as well as take on the 170km Maxi Classic or 110km Challenge Classic.
Offering a true European-style cycling experience, the courses were on fully closed roads extending from Jindabyne to Hilltop, Rocky Plain, Berridale, Dalgety, Beloka and Perisher Valley.
As the sun rose on Saturday and the fog began to clear, riders were met with perfect cycling conditions along with the wonderful camaraderie of like-minded others at the packed start line.
Colourful event MC Lee ‘Hollywood’ Turner and Classics Founder James Yaffa took to the podium to deliver words of thanks and encouragement as riders prepared for the challenges ahead. 170km Maxi Classic riders set off from 8am and 110km Challenge Classic riders soon after, as excited friends and family cheered them on from the sidelines.
Ambassador and well-known rider Charlotte Culver was first female home in the Challenge Classic and was thrilled with the region’s gruelling climbs and spectacular scenery.
“I rolled over the finish line with a big smile on my face,” she said before grabbing a cold refreshment. “The ride was stunning and there wasn’t a time there wasn’t a beautiful back drop.”
Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor, John Castellari said this about this event – “I was thrilled to open this well organised event which drew over 1200 cyclists to our Region to ride on closed roads. It was a beautiful morning of sunshine and no wind; the crowd was buoyant and ready to roll; later I spoke to riders, all of whom expressed how much they enjoyed the buzz of the town and the support of the volunteers. Well done Snowy Classic - we hope to see you back here next year in even greater numbers.”
Riders continued to roll across the finish line throughout the afternoon as friends, family and fellow cyclists watched on from the sidelines and enjoyed the carnival atmosphere of the event village. Children were ringing their Snowy Classic cow bells in support of riders as the warm sun shone over lakeside Jindabyne.
Bicycling Australia and Snowy Classic organisers thank and congratulate all participants along with sponsors and key partners. A large group of outstanding volunteers also helped make the event a major success.
A special thank you to Destination NSW, Snowy Monaro Council, Tourism Snowy Mountains, Department of Transport and Main Roads, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and NSW Police for their ongoing support and assistance.
The Snowy Classic is set to return in 2023 on Saturday 25 March.
Bicycling Australia’s next Classics series event is the Mudgee Classic, just over 4-weeks away on Sunday May 1.
About The Classics
The Snowy Classic is part of The Classics series by Bicycling Australia. Bicycling Australia is the nation’s most established and highly respected cycling media platform, in print and online for over 25 years and 234 issues. There are five national events which form The Classics series: the Bowral Classic, Clare Classic, Mudgee Classic, Noosa Classic and Snowy Classic - making it the number one provider of Gran Fondo cycling events in Australia.
Website: www.snowyclassic.com.au