Audax Alpine Classic

Audax Alpine Classic

Climbing Mount Buffalo in 2008

General
Established 1986
Held January
Country Australia
Region North East Victoria
Type Audax
Data
Organier Audax Australia
Distance 250 km

The Audax Alpine Classic (AAC) is an Australian bicycle event run every Australia Day weekend (late January) in Bright, Victoria and is organised by Audax Australia volunteers. Arguably the most difficult single day cycle event in Australia[1] with the 200 km version covering four steep climbs. All distances start at Howitt Park in Bright and are on open roads.

Distances

AAC History

The first AAC was run on Australia day 1986[3] over a 200 km circuit with just six riders.

2003

The 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires prevented the ride proceeding. This was due to the uncertainty of if the fire would flare up, the road surface and the residual smoke. A significant number of rider refunds were redirected to the Bright Country Fire Authority.

2006

The hot year where the temperature was around 42 degrees but with the reflected heat off the road surface played havoc with all riders. Only 31% finished the 200 km and as a result the rules were changed to protect riders in extreme heat.

2007

In excess of 2000 riders battled the hills in relatively easy conditions.

2008

Another year with ideal riding conditions and over 2000 riders. Barcode readers were first introduced to improve processing of rider times. A post ride function called "Bonjour Bright" commenced.

2010

Introduction of the Alpine Classic Extreme and the Alpine Raid,[4] the latter being "a two-day event which follows the same route as the Alpine Classic's ACE250 event".[5]

2012

A very hot year with temperatures nearing the maximum permissible for the event to continue.

2013

A bushfire near Harrietville a week before the event caused the event organisers to re-route all events to Mt Buffalo. The 140 km event became two ascents of Buffalo, the 200 km became three ascents, and the ACE250 became three extended ascents (to Cresta). In the words of the organisers, "The roads around Falls Creek will be used by emergency services vehicles on the weekend. Sending a large number of riders onto those roads would not be safe or responsible."[6] By the time the event took place, the bushfire threat eased, and the risk of the fire spreading towards Falls Creek had not eventuated. However, the decision could not be reversed, infuriating some riders.

2014

Introduction of a new ride option, "Sunrise over Buffalo".[2]

Community interaction

The 2008 was calculated to have an approximate net benefit to host community of $814,176.44[7] and is one of the largest annual events in the north-east of Victoria.

See also

References

External links

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, January 15, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.