TAC PEOPLE’S RIDE
2026 DETAILS
Event Information
Date: Saturday, 31st January 2026
Start/Finish Location: Steampacket Gardens, Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC 3220
Distances: 124km & 63km
Times: 124km: 7.00am – 63km: 7.30am
Format: Recreational Ride
Pricing
Entries Close
Friday, 30th of January, 2026 at 4pm or earlier when field limit is reached.
| Pricing | StandardUntil Jan 11th, 2026 (11:59pm) | Late EntryJan 12th, 2026 - Jan 30th (4:00pm) |
|---|---|---|
| 124km Course | A$185.00 | A$210.00 |
| 124km Course (AusCycling Member) | A$175.00 | A$200.00 |
| 63km Course | A$145.00 | A$170.00 |
| 63km Course (AusCycling Member) | A$135.00 | A$160.00 |
Your kit
Included In Your Kit
- Santini 2026 TAC People’s Ride Jersey (valued at $129.95 RRP)
- Ride Number Timing Sticker
Kit Postage
If you have paid for kit postage, please note it is charged per individual entry, and we cannot bundle jerseys to the same address. Please note, Kit Postage Closes Sunday, 11th of January, 2026.
Kit Collection
If riders haven’t had their kit posted, riders can collect stickers and Jersey from Steampacket Gardens Event Village during either of the following times:
- 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm Friday, 30th Jan 2026, or
- From 5:30 am Saturday, 31st Jan 2026 until their ride starts.
EXPERIENCE THE TAC PEOPLE’S RIDE
CHALLAMBRA CLIMB - BECOME KING OR QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN
The 124km Long Course features the legendary Challambra Climb – an iconic test of endurance. See how you measure up against your mates, the pros, and even Cadel Evans himself.
Famous for its role in the 2010 UCI Road World Championships, Challambra’s KOM/QOM ascent is a bucket-list climb for cycling enthusiasts worldwide.
In the 2025 edition, Max Goold topped the Challambra Challenge rankings, racing from bottom to top in 2:18, while Juliette Haddow was our fastest female in 3:16.
Cadel Evans was third on the leaderboard with 2:38, and our 2025 race winner Mauro Schmid raced up Challambra in a heart-racing 2:09!
2026 COURSE DISTANCES
The Cadel Classic
124km course
Total elevation gain: 1,157m
Max elevation: 189m
An epic cycling course mirroring the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race course that the pro’s race on a matter of hours after you (women’s race) and the following day (men’s race). Cadel’s Classic takes in some of the most beautiful coastal views in cycling, covering Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and Thirteenth Beach, onto Torquay and the famed Bells Beach section before taking on the rolling hills of the Surf Coast rural hinterland.
With the option of taking on the mighty Challambra – or skipping if your legs aren’t feeling it – you will enjoy the ride back through the streets of Geelong, with well wishers roadside and into the Village to immerse yourself in the incredible atmosphere and reflect on the overall experience of the iconic TAC People’s Ride.
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Cadel’s Hometown
63km course
Total elevation gain: 420m
Max elevation: 50m
This course offers a flatter cycling experience that excludes the Challambra Climb and tours the popular coastal townships of Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.
Beginning with a loop around the beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens, riders are Bellarine-bound before veering to Ocean Grove and crossing the majestic bridge into Cadel’s hometown of Barwon Heads. Take in the beauty – and hydration station – of Thirteenth Beach before heading back into Geelong and the electric Village atmosphere to celebrate your ride with family, friends and new friends made on the ride!
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ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT RIDES
Geelong Waterfront
63km & 124km 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 best female riders take part in the Mapei Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
The Esplanade, the historic Cunningham Pier, the Carousel and Steampacket Gardens locale mark both the start and finish lines for all events over the weekend, not to forget the incredible FREE event on Friday evening that is the GeelongPort Family Ride.
Barwon Heads & Thirteenth Beach
63km & 124km Course
It’s pretty easy to see why the iconic Australian drama SeaChange was filmed in Barwon Heads and why Cadel has made it his home in Australia.
As you pass (or stop for a break at) the buzzing Barwon Heads Hotel and café at the roundabout, the course takes you toward the picturesque Thirteenth Beach coastline.
Smooth and scenic, Thirteenth Beach Road has been the start to nearly all of Cadel’s home training rides and one of the most scenic spots to ride a bike in all of Australia!
Torquay & Bells Beach
124km Course
A chance to ride along the world-famous surf coast, our long course riders will pass through this iconic region overlooking magnificent ocean views.
Stop in Torquay, or continue the ride past Bells Beach – a climb up one of Australia’s most iconic stretches of road.
The Surf Coast is both breathtaking and physically challenging with crosswinds and the climb up the iconic Bells Beach road.
Moriac & Ceres
124km 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 the hilltop town of Ceres.
Challambra
124km 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 2026, long course riders will again have the option to skip the Challambra Climb by taking a shortcut at Scenic Drive.
Proudly presented by TAC
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is the proud naming rights sponsor of the People’s Ride, a key part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race weekend.
TAC’s involvement reflects a shared commitment to safer roads and healthier communities. Through this partnership, TAC champions the importance of road safety and encourages active transport, aligning with the values of thousands of riders who take part in the event.
The People’s Ride invites cyclists of all levels to experience the thrill of riding alongside Cadel Evans on the same iconic roads as the professionals. It’s a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of collective action—every pedal stroke reinforcing TAC’s vision for a future free of road trauma.
Together, we ride for change.