Highlanders

In 2020 we are again offering an ‘elite group’ for the 175km Maxi Classic course, the Highlanders. This is a self-nominated group of a maximum of 75 riders. You may nominate yourself when registering for the 175km Bowral Classic Maxi course.

When registering riders will be asked to provide their current Cycling Australia Race Licence. This is to ensure they are experienced at riding in teams or bunches. Riders will need to show their Cycling Australia Race Licence on the event day at the start line.

Even though this event is not a race, this first group will be riding in an envelope with vehicles front and back for safety. The vehicles in this group will be 1 Police vehicle (front), 1 Mechanic and 1 Medical Vehicle (both rear). Participants will be riding on open roads with traffic. Riders must obey all traffic rules and regulations, especially Police instructions. Event vehicles from the organisation WILL limit the speed of the riders at some points during the ride. In this case, the riders are forbidden to overtake the organisation vehicles. Any rider who violates this rule, will be disqualified from the event, resulting in a DNF.

The mechanical vehicle will be there to assist as best as possible the riders in that group. Note that the mechanic vehicle will not be carry be carrying any spare bikes and will not have countless wheels including disk brake wheels. The mechanic vehicle is there in a support capacity for minor repairs. If riders use mechanical assistance they will have an opportunity to re-join the group if they pace themselves back to the group.

Riders in this group will have ONE designated ‘quick’ stop when in Exeter at Rest Stop 2 at ~106km. Riders are able to drop off a backpack or musette with gear which they want to access at this ‘quick’ stop. The drop point for this is at the start line on Sunday morning. This needs to be dropped off before riders depart – the vehicle will be ready from 6:15 to 6:25am. It is suggested that riders mark the bag clearly so that riders can see and access it quickly.

If a rider has fallen off the back of the Highlanders group, those riders WILL STILL be able to access their bag at Rest Stop 2. All bags will be taken from Rest Stop 2 to the Info Point at the Event Expo at Eridge Park. Riders should collect these when they arrive to Eridge Park. If a rider has fallen off the back of the Highlanders group they are allowed to stop at any of the designated Rest Stops on course.

If you are already registered for the 175km Maxi Classic and wish to enter into the Highlanders Group, click here.

Terms and Conditions

1. In 2020 we are offering an ‘elite group’ for the Bowral Classic [BC]. This is a self-nominated group, called the Highlanders’ will consist of a maximum of 75 riders.
2. Riders must have a Cycling Australia Race Licence and provide these details upon registering for the Highlanders group and also on the event day at the start line.
3. Even though this event is not a race, this first group will be riding in an envelope with vehicles front and back for safety. Participants will be riding on open roads with traffic. Riders must obey all traffic rules and regulations, especially Police instructions.
4. Police and Event Staff will have a separate briefing before the Highlanders depart from Bong Bong Street .
5. The vehicles in this group will be 1 Police vehicle (front), 1 Mechanic and 1 Medical Vehicle (both rear).
6. Event vehicles from the organisation WILL limit the speed of the riders at some points during the ride. In this case, the riders are forbidden to overtake the organisation vehicles. Any rider who violates this rule, will be disqualified from the event, resulting in a DNF .
7. A mechanical vehicle will be there to assist as best as possible the riders in that group.
8. Note that the mechanic vehicle will not be carry be carrying any spare bikes and will not have countless wheels including disk brake wheels.
9. The mechanic vehicle is there in a support capacity for minor repairs.
10. If riders use mechanical assistance they will have an opportunity to rejoin the group if they pace themselves back to the group.
11. If the medical team diagnose that any rider is unable to continue, the rider will be forbidden to continue on the event.
12. The course vehicles will be supporting the lead riders and main group.
13. At no time is any rider permitted to draft any of the support vehicles.
14. All riders must inform the organisation in writing of any medical information that may be necessary and important in a medical emergency during the event.
15. Once riders fall behind the main group by 1 minute the trail vehicles will overtake them and they will be out of the envelope.
16. All Highlander riders must sign in prior to starting of the event. Riders names will be on a list and they must check-in with BC staff near the starting arch on Bong Bong Street – closest intersection is Bong Bong and Wingecarribee Streets. Riders will be sign-off on the sheet which states:“All riders riding this event acknowledge they do so at their own risk. Cycling is a physically demanding event and requires adequate preparation and fitness. It is also a dangerous sport which may result in serious injury and death due to weather and/or road conditions, other riders, spectators, vehicles and mechanical failures. The event organisers will take all reasonable care when organising and implementing the event. All riders acknowledge that they have an equal responsibility, riding in a safe manner and adhering to all event and Police orders.”
17. Riders must be over 18 to participate in the event.
18. This group of riders will depart sharply at 6:30am from Bong Bong Street – it is recommended that riders arrive before 6:15am to check-in and place their bag in the support vehicle.
19. Timing will start soon after riders leave Bowral, once the first rider from the bunch goes through the timing section, the timing for all 75 riders will then begin.
20. Riders in this group will have ONE designated ‘quick’ stop when in Exeter at Rest Stop 2 at ~106km.
21. Riders are able to drop off a backpack or musette with gear which they want to access at this ‘quick’ stop. The drop point for this is at the start line on Sunday morning. This needs to be dropped off before riders depart – the vehicle will be ready from 6:15 to 6:25am. It is suggested that riders mark the bag clearly so that riders can see and access it quickly.
22. If a rider has fallen off the back of the Highlanders group, those riders WILL STILL be able to access their bag at Rest Stop 2. All bags will be taken from Rest Stop 2 to the Info Point at the Event Expo at Eridge Park. Riders should collect these when they arrive to Eridge Park.
23. If a rider has fallen off the back of the Highlanders group they are allowed to stop at any of the designated Rest Stops on course.
24. Riders should be fully prepared and carry their own food, drink and mechanical needs i.e. tubes / canisters etc.
25. Outside assistance/support from persons on the course is forbidden, No support vehicles are allowed on course. It is forbidden for support vehicles to circulate near the cyclists during the event. Riders will disqualified if there is any outside support for on course vehicles.
26. Individual riders within the envelope may exchange food, drink and/or spares during the ride.
27. Riders cannot push each other in any fashion i.e. ‘hand from God’.
28. Riders must follow all other ‘rules’ from the Riders Guide Book which will be emailed to them in PDF in the weeks before the event.
29. At some point during the event, riders will overtake other riders from other courses who are doing shorter courses. Riders MUST do this in a safe and orderly fashion.
30. Any rider who does not respect the rules listed above and from the event will be disqualified from the event, resulting in a DNF. By registering riders acknowledge that you have read and accepted the rules of the event and declare to know and assume the risks of participating in a cycling event.

For more information, please contact [email protected]