RIDE GUIDE 2019 Sunday 10 March Every rider, any size.
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Use the code gearupgirl to enjoy $20 off when joining the Bicycle NSW family. Valid to 22.03.19.
bicyclensw.org.au Contents GEAR UP GIRL RIDE 4
20KM BEACH RIDE 10
40KM CLASSIC RIDE 12
60KM COAST RIDE 14
80KM CHALLENGE RIDE 16
RIDER SUPPORT 19
FINISH FESTIVAL 20
GETTING THERE 21
GETTING HOME 24
BIKE SHOPS 25
FOR YOUR SAFETY 26
CYCLING ETIQUETTE 27
OUR SPONSORS 28
3 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
WELCOME TO THE HEART FOUNDATION GEAR UP GIRL RIDE
GEAR UP GIRL was founded in 2008 and is now Australia’s largest female bike ride. Following a route from Sydney Olympic Park to Cronulla it is a day to celebrate bike riding. Rediscover the joys of cycling by riding through Sydney on roads, bike paths and through parks you may never have crossed before. So let the fun begin!
Research shows that only 26% percent of riders in NSW are women (2016 Bicycle NSW Bike Riders Survey). Gear Up Girl is on a mission to change this. In 2019, the ride will attract around 1,500 women who will enjoy either the 20km Beach Ride, the 40km Classic Ride, the 60km Coast Ride or the 80km Challenge Ride.
In celebration of International Women’s Day (8 March), Gear Up Girl will take place on Sunday 10 March to encourage all women to get on their bike. See you there!
4 Australia’s largest female bike ride.
Bicycle NSW along with Fairfax Events & Entertainment are pleased to present the 2019 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl. This Ride Guide contains important information to help you make the most of your ride on Sunday March 10. A note from Bicycle NSW We are proud to present Australia’s largest female bike ride. Bicycle NSW is the peak bike riding advocacy body for New South Wales. Since 1976, we have been working, on behalf of our members, to improve conditions and to create a better and safer environment for riding in our state. Bicycle NSW has a dedicated team that love bike riding and are committed to making cycling an easier, safer and (even) more enjoyable activity.
Alistair Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Bicycle NSW A note from Fairfax Events & Entertainment We are excited to partner with Bicycle NSW and we welcome the Gear Up Girl event to our mass participation event portfolio. As part of our strategy we have focused on successful growth across our cycling portfolio that already includes; The Great Ocean & Otway Classic, The Audax Alpine Classic, Giro Della Donna, Ride Daylesford and Amy’s Gran Fondo. The opportunity to partner with Bicycle NSW to deliver the Gear Up Girl event, with its 10 year history, is a perfect fit for us. Our first-class team have grownThe Sun-Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac into the world’s largest mass participation fun run and our aim is to apply these skills to create another truly world class event.
5 We are committed to protecting the heart health of Australian women.
Here’s what you can do to help:
● Spread the word to your mothers, sisters, daughters and friends
● Get active! Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 35%
● Take time to care for your heart - get a heart health check today Know your risks. Find out your heart age by using the Heart Foundation Heart Age Calculator. Visit www.heartfoundation.org.au to take the test or donate.
@HeartAust #womenshearts Keeping women’s hearts healthy
HEART DISEASE IS A LEADING KILLER OF AUSTRALIAN MEN & WOMEN
The Gear up Girl event is an ideal opportunity to encourage Australian women and girls to get on their bikes and get active. Physical inactivity is a major risk for heart disease with 50% of women not being sufficiently active for health. It can be hard to find time for exercise, but there are many opportunities to be active in our day to day lives. Bike riding is an activity that can be a transport option as well as being a fun and healthy recreational activity enjoyed alone or with family and friends. Female participation rates in cycling are approximately half that of males, with confidence, safety and transporting children often noted as barriers. Encouraging women to get on their bikes through Gear up Girl helps to break down some of the barriers expressed by women. Since 2008, Gear up Girl has provided. Women and girls with an enjoyable, safe and social ride as well as building women’s confidence and skills. The Heart Foundation congratulates the women and girls who will get on their bike in 2019 - we hope you enjoy the ride!
Find out more: heartfoundation.org.au/events/gear-up-girl Heart Foundation Helpline 13 11 12 Your greatest financial asset is you.
Visit www.springFG.com Call 1300 - 4 - SPRING When it matters
If you need legal help contact Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers All Bicycle NSW members can call Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers Cyclist Legal Information line on 1800 059 278 or email [email protected] www.codea.com.au 1800 059 278
BUSINESS | PERSONAL | COMMUNITY & ASSOCIATIONS | COMPENSATION Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation Level 18, 111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
20km Beach Ride Our 20km Beach Ride is perfect for riders of all abilities. This ride is about highlighting the existing cycleways in South Sydney so riders can enjoy cycling all year round with family and friends. We aim to promote bike riding as a healthy, safe, enjoyable leisure and transport choice. We want all of our participants to regularly use the cycling infrastructure that is available to them.
Our 20km Beach Ride leads riders along a flat dedicated path, an easy ride suitable for all ages and skill levels. The picturesque ride begins at Tempe Reserve, Tempe. The ride then follows the cycleway out onto the beach front at Kyeemagh. Riders will experience a beautiful beach ride along a shared pedestrian/cycleway path all the way to Sans Souci. From there, riders will go over the Taren Point Bridge and pedal over to a festival finish at Cronulla.
Please be advised that small groups of 20km riders will get started in waves every five minutes between 8:00am and 9:00am. Smaller, staggered waves mean you might have to wait a little bit at the start, but in the end it will make your ride more enjoyable.
Ride Facts
Date: Sunday March 10, 2019 Distance: 20km Typical Rider Speeds: 10-25 km/hr Start Time: 8:00am Start Location: Tempe Reserve, Tempe Finish Location: Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla Age Limit: 8 years and older. Children under 16 MUST ride with a paying adult.
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CUT OFF TIMES If you have not passed these points within the specified time, you will not be able to complete the ride under event conditions.
9:00am Tempe Reserve, Tempe Start Site
12:00pm Peter Depena Reserve, Sandringham Rest Stop
1:30pm Don Lucas Reserve, Mitchell Road, Cronulla Finish Site
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40km Classic Ride Your adventure starts just outside the Waterview Restaurant and Function Centre in beautiful Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park and heads south along the Cooks River cycleway. Showcasing some of the best of Sydney’s cycling infrastructure, the route makes its way south to the beautiful beaches and a festival finish at Cronulla.
Ride Facts
Date: Sunday March 10, 2019 Distance: 40km Typical Rider Speeds: 10-25 km/hr Start Time: 7:30am Start Location: Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park Finish Location: Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla Age Limit: 10 years and older. Children under 16 MUST ride with a paying adult.
CUT OFF TIMES If you have not passed these points within the specified time, you will not be able to complete the ride under event conditions.
Waterview, Bicentennial Park, 8:15am Start Site Sydney Olympic Park
9:45am Rosedale Reserve, Croydon Park Rest Stop
10.45am Cahill Park, Wolli Creek Water Stop
12 Australia’s largest female bike ride.
12:00pm Peter Depena Reserve, Sandringham Rest Stop
1:30pm Don Lucas Reserve, Mitchell Road, Cronulla Finish Site
13 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
60km Coast Ride Our 60km Coast Ride is perfect for those riders looking for a challenge. Starting just outside the Waterview Restaurant and Function Centre in beautiful Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park, the ride heads south along the Cooks River cycleway. Showcasing some of the best of Sydney’s cycling infrastructure, the route makes its way south to the iconic beaches of Cronulla. Your adventure continues out from Cronulla along dedicated cycle lanes to picturesque Kurnell. Enjoy a bit of Australian history, some breathtaking coastline of Sydney’s south and a festival finish at Cronulla.
Ride Facts Date: Sunday March 10, 2019 Distance: 60km Typical Rider Speeds: 15-30 km/hr Start Time: 7:00am Start Location: Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park Finish Location: Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla Age Limit: 12 years and older. Children under 16 MUST ride with a paying adult.
CUT OFF TIMES If you have not passed these points within the specified time, you will not be able to complete the ride under event conditions.
Waterview, Bicentennial Park, 7:30am Start Site Sydney Olympic Park
8:45am Rosedale Reserve, Croydon Park Rest Stop
9:30am Cahill Park, Wolli Creek Water Stop
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10:30am Peter Depena Reserve, Sandringham Rest Stop
Captain Cook Drive & Trinity Street 11:30am Rest Stop Roundabout Bonna Point Reserve, 12:30pm Rest Stop Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell
1:30pm Don Lucas Reserve, Mitchell Road, Cronulla Finish Site
15 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
80km Challenge Ride After introducing this ride in 2018, the 80km is back to challenge you! Starting just outside the Waterview Restaurant and Function Centre in beautiful Bicentennial Park at Sydney Olympic Park, this ride heads south along the Cooks River cycleway and follows the 60km Coast Ride.
Take on the additional challenge of a double picturesque Kurnell loop and clock up 80km before heading to Cronulla for a festival finish.
Ride Facts Date: Sunday March 10, 2019 Distance: 80km Typical Rider Speeds: 15-30 km/hr Start Time: 6:50am Start Location: Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park Finish Location: Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla Age Limit: 16 years and older.
CUT OFF TIMES If you have not passed these points within the specified time, you will not be able to complete the ride under event conditions.
Waterview, Bicentennial Park, 7:00am Start Site Sydney Olympic Park
8:00am Rosedale Reserve, Croydon Park Rest Stop
8:45am Cahill Park, Wolli Creek Water Stop
9:30am Peter Depena Reserve, Sandringham Rest Stop
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Captain Cook Drive & Trinity Street 10:15am Rest Stop Roundabout (Challenge Ride - Lap One) Trinity Street & Brolga Avenue Roundabout 11:30am Rest Stop (Challenge Ride - Lap Two) Bonna Point Reserve, 12:30pm Rest Stop Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell
1:30pm Don Lucas Reserve, Mitchell Road, Cronulla Finish Site
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Australia’s largest female bike ride.
RIDER SUPPORT
SWEEP BUS A sweep bus will follow the ride to ensure that any riders who have difficulty completing each ride are given assistance. If necessary, the Sweep Bus can transport riders to a nearby train station.
BIKE MECHANICS It is highly recommended to have your bike checked by a bicycle mechanic before riding Gear Up Girl. However, if you do find yourself with a flat tyre or get into some technical difficulty during the ride, there will be mobile mechanics along the route and at the following sites: • Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park • Rosedale Reserve, Croydon Park • Tempe Reserve, Tempe • Peter Depena Reserve, Sandringham • Don Lucas Reserve, Cronulla
FIRST AID First Aid Officers will be available at the start sites, rest sites and finish site and also as mobile help throughout the ride.
WAYFINDING MARSHALS Look out for the friendly and knowledgeable marshals at key junctions and turns who are there to make sure that you are always on target to successfully complete your ride. Note that the marshals are not permitted to direct traffic, so take care at intersections and roundabouts.
19 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
FINISH FESTIVAL
WHAT’S ON Don Lucas Reserve is a fantastic open grass area with a gorgeous ocean backdrop, perfect for a festival finish for you and all your friends and family.
Riders will be able to park their bike, refuel with some delicious food and beverages, enjoy live music and more.
THE FESTIVAL VILLAGE WILL INCLUDE: • Food trucks onsite
• Live music
• Engaging with The Heart Foundation
• Relax with a view of the beach
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GETTING THERE
Travel on Sydney Trains, NSW TrainLink (bounded by Bomaderry, Goulburn, Bathurst, Scone and Dungog stations) and Sydney Ferries to and from the event is covered for Gear Up Girl participants with their bikes. Travel for volunteers and participants without bikes is covered on all public transport modes. Just show your rider bib number or volunteer ID to transport staff when boarding services. Remember, bicycles are only permitted on ferries at the discretion of the crew. Note: an additional station access fee applies for travel to or from Domestic and International Airport stations. Your event ticket does not include the access fee, so if you’re travelling from these stations you’ll need to pay the train station access fee. Plan your trip and learn more about travelling on public transport with bikes at transportnsw.info Trackwork: Riders travelling with their bikes from the Northern Suburbs and Upper North Shore will need to allow extra travel time and plan ahead as trackwork is taking place between Hornsby and Strathfield and between Berowra and Hornsby, as well as on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line and Hunter Line. Trains will continue to run on the T1 North Shore Line with express services running for the event between Hornsby and Olympic Park every 15 minutes throughout the day, stopping at Redfern, Burwood, Strathfield and Olympic Park. Rail replacement buses will run between stations on trackwork affected lines however bikes are not permitted on-board buses due to capacity and safety restrictions.
GETTING THERE BY BICYCLE: If you are up for a bit of a warm up before you ride Gear up Girl why not cycle to the start? To find a safe route to the start check out the mapping resources provided by Transport for NSW at rms.nsw.gov.au/ roads/bicycles/cyclewayfinder 21 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
START SITE FOR 40KM, 60KM AND 80KM RIDES: Sydney Olympic Park
MEETING POINT: Waterview, Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park
GETTING THERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Olympic Park Station is the closest train station.
GETTING THERE BY CAR: Parking is limited and we recommend you leave the car at home. However if you do plan to drive and leave your car at the start, check the GEAR UP GIRL website for information about parking.
Please note that the start site has moved from last year.
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START SITE FOR THE 20KM RIDE: Tempe
MEETING POINT: Tempe Reserve, Tempe.
GETTING THERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Wolli Creek Train Station is the closest train station.
GETTING THERE BY CAR: Parking is limited and we recommend you leave the car at home. However if you do plan to drive and leave your car at the start, there is parking at Tempe Reserve, Tempe. Check the GEAR UP GIRL website for information about parking.
Please note that the start site has moved from last year.
23 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
GETTING HOME
OPTION 1: GETTING HOME BY BICYCLE
If you still have the energy to ride home, we advise that you choose a route that avoids riding against the other 1,500 riders still riding Gear Up Girl. Please also make sure to remove your rider number before leaving the finish site in Cronulla. To find a safe route home check out the mapping resources provide by Transport for NSW at rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/bicycles/ cyclewayfinder
OPTION 2: GETTING HOME BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
All rides finish at Don Lucas Reserve in Cronulla which is a 2.1 km ride along the beachfront to Cronulla station.
Trains run back to Central Station approximately every 15 minutes. See the Traffic & Transport page for more details.
OPTION 3: GETTING HOME BY CAR Parking is limited and we recommend you leave your car at home. However if you do plan to drive and leave the car at the finish, check the Gear Up Girl website for information about parking.
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BIKE SHOPS
Be sure your bike is ready for Gear Up Girl. If you have any doubts as to the condition of your bike, check in with one of the Gear Up Girl bike shops before Sunday 10 March 2019.
PARK BIKES
ASHFIELD CYCLES
25 Heart Foundation Gear Up Girl 10 March 2019
FOR YOUR SAFETY To ensure that you and your fellow riders have an enjoyable and safe Gear Up Girl, please adopt safe, courteous riding at all times by following these basic principles: • Obey instructions by Police and event staff • Please start with your ride start time and follow route signage • No roads are closed for the event • Stop at red traffic lights • Stop at pedestrian crossings • Be mindful of motorists! • Riders not obeying road rules will be asked to leave the event by Police or event staff • Ride on the left hand side of the road at all times • Give hand signals when turning or stopping • Look around you, remember if you STOP you do not have a brake light! You should call “stopping”. • Call “passing” when passing another rider • Watch your speed, it’s not a race – it’s a community bike ride • If returning from the ride, please remove your rider bib.
There are steep descents and sharp turns! Watch your speed when going downhill! Be aware of your surroundings and people around you AT ALL TIMES. Follow the direction of Police, wayfinding marshals and event staff to ensure your safety. Take care! Enjoy your ride, thank the friendly volunteers you pass along the way and look out for your fellow cyclists. BE SAFE – HAVE FUN – SEE YOU AT THE FINISH!
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CYCLING ETIQUETTE
ON SHARED PATHS • Give way to pedestrians at all times • Move off the path if you need to stop • Be courteous and always show mutual respect to other path users • Slow down near children, playgrounds and shops • Ring your bell to warn others you are approaching • Give clear hand signals • Keep left where possible • Be predictable. Indicate hazards to other riders. For example, point out a bollard that they may not see because you’re in front of it.
ON ROADS • You will be mixing with traffic at times, let our marshals guide you • Be courteous and show mutual respect to all other road users • Constantly scan the road ahead and the surrounding environment • Avoid riding in driver’s blind spots. If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you • Do not hold onto vehicles • Keep left, when not overtaking, where practicable • Do not ride more than two abreast • Use the road shoulder or left-hand lane to avoid obstructing other road users • Avoid riding too close to parked cars to reduce the chance of colliding with pedestrians or the opening of car doors • If riding uphill in a group, be considerate of other road users and ride in single file • Give clear hand signals • Be predictable • Do not use your phone or listen to music while riding • Indicate hazards to other riders • Use bicycle lanes where available • Red lights, stop and give way signs must be obeyed
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