General News
20 August, 2023
Beachside start for 48km ride
PALM Cove is playing a part in the up-and-coming 2023 Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival.
The 48km Medio Fondo will be departing from Williams Esplanade in Palm Cove in front of the surf club on Saturday, September 10.
Connect Sport Australia managing director Bade Stapleton said “the palm tree-lined beachside paradise will be a magical destination to begin our medio fondo (medium ride).”
“This distance will open up the opportunity to ride on Great Barrier Reef Drive (Captain Cook Highway) with no traffic to a much broader group of people,” he said.
“There are a few hills along the way, so we would encourage you to train for the ride, but it is well within reach of many who might be looking for a challenge.
“There are plenty of aid stations along the course to keep you fuelled and hydrated and you will have the opportunity to experience riding your bike along one of the most spectacular roads in the world – Great Barrier Reef Drive, which will be fully closed to traffic in both directions.
“If you are up for it, you can even challenge yourself on the KOM/QOM climb up to Rex Lookout,” Mr Stapleton said.
“The fastest man and woman to conquer the 1km climb with an average gradient of 4.6 per cent will each receive a prize (eBikes excluded) or simply take your time on the climb, making sure you stay to the left at all times,” he said.
A short diversion around the quiet country backroads of Mowbray takes the riders past sugar cane fields, crossing creeks and rivers before arriving back at Great Barrier Reef Drive, turning left towards Port Douglas.
“Those chasing their best time will cross the timing finish point back where the start line was in the morning in front of Choo Choos at the Marina,” Mr Stapleton said.
“You will then continue around to the back of Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina where you will see the finish arch and recovery,” he said. “We’ll have a water sprayer and plenty of cold water ready to cool you down, plus a change tent to get changed.”
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