24–28
JAN 2024

PEOPLE’S RIDE

Saturday 27 January 2024

Thank you for being a part of the 2024 TAC People’s Ride.

We were thrilled to welcome over 3000 participants for the TAC People’s Ride in 2024. Rubbing shoulders with Australia’s Tour de France legend, Cadel Evans, AFLW star Daisy Pearce and the likes of pro cyclist Jack Haig and many others, it was an unforgettable day as part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race festival.

From the picturesque Thirteenth Beach to the leisurely township of Torquay, and the challenging but rewarding Challambra climb, the TAC People’s Ride takes in the very best of the region on the very same roads as the professionals.

2024 PHOTOS

Photographs are captured throughout the 2024 TAC People’s Ride and are available to riders for purchase. If you participated in the 2024 event you can enter your bib number to find your images.

Peoples Ride

2024 DETAILS

Date: Saturday 27 January 2024

Start/Finish Location: Steampacket Gardens, Geelong

Time:
Long Course starts at 7:00am
Short Course starts at 7:30am

Courses & Distances: In 2024, there were two distances on offer that provide riders of all abilities and experience levels the chance to be part of the multi-day cycling festival:

Format: Recreational Ride

What you get in your entry

  • Official Santini Event Jersey (valued at $129.95 RRP) as part of your entry fee (Made in Italy). For more information and to browse additional accessories click here.
  • Ride stickers and rider support throughout the course. Please note, in 2024, due to rider feedback and environmental considerations, we will not be printing temporary rider bibs.
  • Course Feed Stations, Mechanical Service, Traffic Managed Roads, Event Medical Services, and Sag Wagon Transport where required.
  • Post Ride Recovery Area.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For Frequently Asked Questions about equipment, cut-off times, and registration, please view our FAQ page.

2024 COURSE DISTANCES

THE CADEL CLASSIC (113KM COURSE)
CADEL'S HOMETOWN (59KM COURSE)

Cadel’s Hometown
59km course

Total elevation gain: 367m
Max elevation: 39m

A flatter cycling experience that excludes the Challambra climb and tours the iconic township of Barwon Heads.

Beginning with a loop around the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the course takes advantage of the amazing new surfaces offered on Barwon Heads Road for the out-and-back ride to Cadel’s hometown of Barwon Heads.

Explore course details

ENTER 59KM RIDE

The Cadel Classic
113km course

Total elevation gain: 1,091m
Max elevation: 166m

A true one-day cycling course, taking in some of the most beautiful coastal views Victoria has to offer.

With the option of climbing Challambra or skipping the hill, the 2024 course heads south from Geelong to Barwon Heads, winding its way through Thirteenth Beach, Torquay and Bells Beach before taking on the rolling hills of the Surf Coast Shire.

Explore course details

ENTER 113KM RIDE

ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT RIDES

Geelong Waterfront

59km & 113km Courses 

With a festival atmosphere, Geelong Waterfront transforms into a buzzing cycling strip as all TAC People’s Ride participants ride the same roads before the world’s elite.

The Esplanade, the historic Cunningham Pier, The Carousel and Steampacket Gardens locale mark both the start and finish lines for all events over the long weekend.

Barwon Heads & Thirteenth Beach

59km & 113km Course

The newly upgraded Barwon Heads Road will see riders make their entry to Cadel’s home base, Barwon Heads.

As you pass the buzzing Hotel and café at the roundabout, the course takes you towards the picturesque Thirteenth Beach coastline. 

Torquay & Bells Beach

113km Course

A chance to ride along the world-famous surf coast, our 113km course sees riders pass through this iconic region overlooking magnificent ocean views and the natural saltmarsh environment. Stop in Torquay, or continue the ride past Bells Beach – a climb up one of Australia’s most iconic stretches of road that is not to be missed.

The Surf Coast is both breathtaking and physically challenging with crosswinds and the climb up the iconic Bells Beach road.

Moriac & Ceres

113km Course

Once you have sailed through Victoria’s stunning coastline, long course riders will head toward the tranquil rural roads of Moriac and Ceres on their way back to Geelong.

Amongst charming farmland, riders will face the rolling hills of the area including the incline up to the summit of Mount Moriac, and hilltop town of Ceres.

Challambra

113km Course

The famed Challambra climb makes its triumphant return with this calf-busting road set to once again deliver the ultimate high – both physically and mentally.

Taking on the same 83-metre ascent as the pros, Challambra is an iconic climb of world cycling having famously featured in the 2010 UCI Road World Championships.

In 2024, long course riders now have the option to skip the Challambra Climb by taking a shortcut at Scenic Drive.

Proudly presented by TAC

The Transport Accident Commission is a Victorian Government-owned organisation that supports those injured on our roads and promotes road safety. 

 Each and every one of us, as motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists has the shared responsibility to use our road system safely and with respect for each other. 

 Together we can ride towards a future where every journey is a safe one. 

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