Rider Information & FAQs

Entries to all events close at midnight on 15 August or until rider plates are sold out.

100km Corry Cycles Gran Fondo

Minimum Age: 18 years (age at 31st December 2026). Younger riders need to provide a letter of endorsement from an Accredited Cycling or Triathlon Coach to verify the junior riders ability to ride 100km.

60km City Fitness Epic

Minimum Age: `15 years (age at 31st December 2026). Younger riders need to provide a letter of endorsement from an Accredited Cycling or Triathlon Coach to verify the junior riders ability to ride 60km.

25km Queensland Country Health Dash

Minimum Age: 12 years (age at 31st December 2026). Riders aged 12-15 years must ride with an adult rider.

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Kids 5 years and younger can join the ride via a tag-along or bike seat, however, need to be identified during the registration process.

All rider packs can be picked up from Corry Cycles Mackay (Cnr Gordon Street) on the following dates:

Thursday 13 August - 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Friday 14 August - 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Saturday 15 August - Late rider pack pick-up is from the Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Please note that we are unable to post any rider packs.

Riders can choose from a selection of bikes to ride, including road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes, time-trial bikes and gravel bikes.

Para cyclists are permitted to ride modified bikes to suit their needs)

E-Bikes will start in the first wave of riders. All E-Bikes must adhere to Australian E-Bike Standards. No modifications to E-Bikes will be allowed to participate on course.

We highly recommend that you have your bike serviced prior to the event. We recommend booking your bike in with Corry Cycles prior to the event date.

To reduce your chances of getting a puncture on the ride even further we would suggest you fit new tyres.

Use the checklist below:

• Look for any holes or chunks out of your tyres and replace if worn

• Check that you have enough tyre pressure in your tyres

• Ensure you check your brakes to see that they are working effectively and not rubbing

• Check that your gears are changing smoothly

• Make sure your chain is clean and apply fresh chain lubricant

• Ensure your handlebars are tight and won’t twist from being straight with your front wheel

• Check that nothing on your bike is loose as things could fall off while you are riding

Roving mechanical support will also be available out on course, however it will be minimal.

On the morning of the ride enjoy your normal breakfast. Consider eating a little more than you usually do without making yourself feel uncomfortable.

Items we recommend you carry include your mobile phone (in a clip lock bag to protect it from sweat and rain), money/ATM card, car keys if you have them with you, sunscreen, small snacks like muesli bars and a spare tube which fits your bike tyre.

Wear your BMA River 2 Reef ride jersey, as the pockets at the back are a great place to keep everything and also keep your rubbish until you find a bin.

While a water bottle may fit in these pockets it is much more comfortable to carry this in a bottle holder on your bike. If you feel like your back pockets will be too full you can buy a ‘saddle pack’ which is a small bag that attaches to your seat post. It is also recommended that you carry a handheld pump or CO2 cartridge with you in case you need to pump up a flat tyre (you can find all the spares that you need from Ride Sponsor Corry Cycles).

Please ensure that you begin the ride with a FULL water bottle. There will be water and Powerade available at refreshment stops. If you have 2 bottle holders on your bike it is recommended that you carry 2 bottles especially if it is a warm day.

In your event packs, you will be provided with a ride number plate and 2 zip ties. The number plate has a timing chip connected to the back of it. It is important that you do not bend or damage this chip. This number must be attached to THE FRONT OF YOUR BIKE (using the zip ties) before you arrive on the day. This number plate will be used for check-in and check-out. This is a very important aspect of the ride. If you arrive on the day without your ride number you will not be permitted to ride.

ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR A HELMET (Every helmet must carry a visible certification sticker, label, or stamp indicating it meets the required testing parameters) and closed in shoes.

HEADPHONES/MP3 PLAYERS ARE NOT PERMITTED!

Every registered rider will receive a Rider Plate with a chip attached to the reverse side in their Rider Packs. Do not bend, remove or damage the rider chip (white rectangle foam on the back of your rider plate).

Attach your Rider Plate using the zip tags included in your pack to your handlebars.

There will be chip readers on the ground as you ride under the start/finish arch.

It is important that you ride over these at both the start and finish of the event as this will check you into the event via your rider number plate.

If your rider number plate is not attached to THE FRONT OF YOUR BIKE the mats will not be able to read your chip correctly.

Please ride over these mats ONCE ONLY when starting the ride.

Riders are to be self-reliant. Riders should carry:

• 2 x drink bottles

• Snacks like a banana or muesli bar

• 1 x tyre tube (make sure it is the right tube for your bike)

• C02 head unit and canisters or bicycle pump

• Puncture kit

• Front and rear lights

• Rider plate attached to handlebars

• Bell attached to handlebars

• Mobile phone

• Glasses

• Helmet (Every helmet must carry a visible certification sticker, label, or stamp indicating it meets the required testing parameters)

• Closed in shoes (no thongs or sandals

• $$$ to spend at the festival

• Lycra & shaved legs (just kidding, we’re not that serious)!

Parking is available in the Amphitheatre Car Park (near Crowleys Road entrance). Once full, parking is available on the grass along Alexandra Street. Please ensure that vehicles are on the grass, and not overlapping the edge of the road.

Sunday 16 August:

100km Corry Cycles Gan Fondo:

Arrival time: 5.30am

Rider briefing: 5:45am

Start time: 6:00am

60km City Fitness Epic:

Arrival time: 6:15am

Rider briefing: 6:30am

Start time: 6:45am

25km Queensland Country Health Dash

Arrival time: 6:15am

Rider briefing: 6:30am

Start time: 6:45am

On the day of the event riders MUST arrive at and start at their designated start times:

100KM Kaeser Compressor Gran Fondo Riders - arrive FROM 5.00AM and START at 5.30AM

60KM City Fitness Epic Riders - arrive FROM 5.45AM and START at 6.15AM

30km Queensland Country Health Fund Dash Riders - arrive FROM 5.45AM and START at 6.30AM

**60km & 30km riders please do not drive into Alexandra Street between 5.20AM and 5.40AM)

The start/finish line is at the Amphitheatre, Botanic Gardens. 

There will be chip readers on the ground as you ride under the start/finish arch. It is important that you ride over these as this will check you into the event via your rider number plate. If your rider number plate is not attached to THE FRONT OF YOUR BIKE the mats will not be able to read your chip correctly. Please ride over these mats ONCE ONLY when starting the ride.

Aid Station 1:

All Riders - River Road at Dumbleton (turn around for the 30km riders):

• Water

• Light refreshments

• Toilets available

This station is looked after by Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club.

Aid Station 2:

Habana Community Centre:

• Electrolyte

• Water

• Fruit

• Light refreshments

• Toilets available

This station is looked after by Mackay and District BMX Club

It is important to remember that this event is a ride NOT A RACE.

Ride at your own pace. Safety is a very important aspect of the day. Course Marshalls will be positioned on key corners and segments for all event distances.

There will be official car drivers along the route providing assistance to those who need it.

There will be many experienced riders in the group who will be able to assist with small mechanical issues.

If you require assistance please move to the side of the road and place your bike upside down (wheels up) so that a support car / rider can assist you as soon as possible. It is important that you make it back safely so if at any point on the ride you do not feel able to make it back to the finish please stop and signal for assistance.

Please note that the all 30km, 60km and 100km riders will ride to the turnaround point for the 30km route at Dumbleton. This is where you will find the 1st of 2 refreshment points.

If you have nominated for the 60km or 100km distance but do not feel that you will make the distance simply turn around at this point and head back with the 30km riders.

For those completing the 60km and 100km options there is a second refreshment stop at the Habana Church. Both the 60km and 100km riders will ride past this point for approximately 10km, turn around and come back past the rest station for a third chance to refresh.

At each refreshment point you will be provided with light nutrition and water. You are welcome to stop at these points and take time to rest/recover if you feel the need.

Once you have collected your refreshments please move away from the table/tent area.

Bins will be provided in these areas and you are encouraged to keep these areas tidy. Please use water carefully, water provided has been purchased for drinking only.

These points will be manned by volunteers, please talk to them if you have any questions or concerns. It is hoped that the day will be as enjoyable as possible for everyone including our volunteers, give them a wave as you ride past refreshment points and corners, without them this day could not be possible.

Please see our website for maps for each distance. Don’t worry if you don’t feel confident with the directions, there will be hundreds of others riding with you along with corner marshals and signage to guide you along the way. All riders start and finish at the same point.

If there is an emergency situation please call 000 and or notify an official.

When you finish the ride you must return to the finish line. The chip reader will then register you as returned in our system.

This ensures you have made it back safely. If your rider numbere is still registering that you have not crossed under the Finish arch by 11.30am, our event team will contact you to ensure you are safe.

If we cannot contact you your emergency contact will be used. 

If you withdraw at any point during the ride, please notify a volunteer or marshal so that we know that you will not be finishing.

Remember, we have an Event Hub for you to relax and enjoy in after your ride, so please stay, cheer on other riders, make new friends and have a coffee. Thiess Recovery Tent will be serving up FREE bacon & egg rolls to all our riders.

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users. Whatever vehicle you drive, the golden rule is to treat other road users with respect and courtesy.

All road users should drive or ride safely and obey the traffic rules at all times. This includes keeping as far left as practicable and following ride officials’ directions.

Riders must not ride more than two abreast.

The roads for this ride are not closed to regular traffic, cyclists are to obey all road rules and listen to directions given by ride officials at all times.

At no time are ear pods, head phones or other electronic devices be used by cyclists. In addition, please pull off the road and stop if you need to make or take a phone call. If in doubt, check the QLD Bicycle Road Rules & Safety.

Emergency Numbers:

• Ambulance, Police, Fire: 000

• Event Hotline (on the day): 0403 080 149.

• First aid officers will be located along the course route.

Please check in with our volunteers prior to exiting the course. If you need to get in contact with event organisers prior to the event, please email info@river2reefride.com.au

Ambulance, Police, Fire: 000

Event Hotline (on the day): 0403 080 149.

First aid officers will be located along the course route. .

If you need to get in contact with event organisers prior to the event, please email info@river2reefride.com.au

Eating and drinking by the time you feel hungry/thirsty will be too late.

Every rider should carry some food eg. banana, sandwich and/or muesli bar.

Also, riders are encouraged to carry 2 x drink bottles. Plan to drink all your fluids by the time you get to the next Aid Station.

Each Aid Station will provide:

• Water

• Light nutrition

• Sunscreen

To meet the road re-opening times which are a condition of our road closure permits, riders are required to maintain an average speed of:

100km Corry Cycles Gran Fondo:

22km/hr average allows for 2 x 10min comfort breaks/bidon refill stops.

60km City Fitness Epic:

15km/hr average allows for 2 x 10min comfort breaks/bidon refill stops.

25km Queensland Country Health Fund Dash:

10km/hr average allows for 1 x 10min comfort breaks/bidon refill stops.

Riders who fall behind the required average speed and won’t reach the Festival Hub will be collected by the sag wagon. Any riders withdrawing from the event must return to the festival hub and notify our timing team or walk their ride number over our finish line to be recorded as finished. Any rider who has not returned by 11am will be contacted by our event team, and failing this, their emergency contact will be notified.

SAG Wagon

A SAG Wagon will be sweeping the back of the course.

If you find you have struggled with your chosen distance on the day or your bike has suffered a mechanical failure that cannot be fixed you can wait for the SAG Wagon and enjoy the air conditioned comfort and take in the views as you slowly make your way back to the finish line.

Be sure to cross the finish line under the arch! Your rider number will verify that you are safe and accounted for.

If you are unable to finish the event due to a mechanical or timing cut-off, please ensure that you return to the Festival and advise the Event Team.

The Thiess Recovery Tent will be serving up FREE bacon & egg rolls from 8.30am.

Be sure to stay a while and soak up the Festival feels.

Don’t forget to cheer other riders as they come in! Invite your friends and family down to meet you and enjoy the festivities!

There will be a bike racking area at the Event Hub.

Any bikes left behind will be donated to charity!

August is a cool time of year by Mackay standards. Gorgeous sunshine and a low chance of rainfall. August is also a low humidity time, perfect for riding.

Average temperature: High 23°C Low 14°C

Average days of rain: 3 days >1mm

Check out the Bureau of Meteorology if you want to know more! Bureau of Meteorology

No refund or exchange on your entry fees except as required by law.

We understand that circumstances can change, and while refunds are not available for this event, we offer the following options:

• Transfers: You may transfer your entry fee amount to the 2027 River 2 Reef Ride up to 7 days before the event for a $15 administration fee (deducted from your paid entry fee).

• Non-Transferable: Within 7 days of the event, registrations are final and cannot be transferred.

To request a transfer, please email info@tri-activ8.com.au.

Event Changes & Cancellations

For safety reasons, we may need to adjust the course, reschedule, or cancel the event in consultation with emergency services, government agencies, and key stakeholders.

• If the event is rescheduled, all entries will automatically carry over to the new date.

• If the event is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled, participants will receive a credit to the 2027 River 2 Reef Ride, valid for 12 months.

• Refunds will not be issued in the event of a cancellation.

Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you on race day!

We will have professional photographers out on course taking your photo!

Be sure to smile the entire way as you never know when you will be snapped!

Photos are included in your entry fee. A download link will be sent out after the event to all registered riders.