After our hugely successful first Audax event for 2017 (Colt 45), we're pleased to bring you a little more off-road excitement to sink your heels and teeth into ... The Crepe Escape.
Starting and finishing in the sleepy village of Kuranda, this undulating ~47km loop takes riders past Jumrum Creek Conservation Park, before doubling-back to Myola Road and through; Barron Gorge Forest Reserve, Formartine Forest Reserve and Kuranda State Forest.
From suburbia, through rainforest, pine plantation, cattle country, then back into rainforest, you'll experience some amazing scenery. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you may even glimpse a cassowary or three.
Did we mention "undulating"? Don't be fooled by the 650m elevation gain (according to Ride With GPS data), this course packs a few leg-burning surprises.
To complete the course we recommend a cyclocross or mountain bike, preferably with tubeless knobby tyres suitable for rough gravel. The first 16.3km and final 2km (approximately) are on bitumen roads, with the bulk of the ride on dirt, gravel and clay surfaces. There is no singletrack to be negotiated. Don't forget to pack your spares too; multi-tool, pump, tubes, etc.
As the ride may take a few hours for some, we strongly urge at least two (2) 700mL bottles or a camelbak with 1.5L of fluid. While you're at it, throw in a few energy bars or a sandwich (after all, it's not a race).
The ride will start from outside the Kuranda Visitor Information Centre on Therwine Street, and finish at The Petit Cafe (home to the tastiest French crepes outside of France). So bring some money and celebrate (re-fuel) with us afterwards.
As always, registration is online only.
What: The Crepe Escape
When: Sunday 5 March, 2017
Where: Kuranda Village
Start Point: Kuranda Visitor Info Centre, Therwine Street
Finish Point: The Petit Cafe, Therwine Street
Time: Registration from 6am / Ride starts at 7am
Distance: ~47.6km / 645m elev.
Register: HERE
Map: HERE
Please study the map and print out the cuesheet prior to the event. Better yet, if you have a Garmin compatible device, download the TCX file with turn-by-turn navigation.
