Updated April 2019
REGISTRATION ARE OPEN
For those who have never done this ride before please read the event information below before registering you interest.
We look forward to seeing you at this event in 2019.
The 2019 Sydney Ride Guide
Day 1 – Taronga Zoo to Echo Point (125km)
The ride starts from the world famous Sydney Taronga Zoo gates at 7.00am (roll out time) where the ride groups make their way from Mosman to Yarramundi Lookout where all riders regroup around 11.00am for a 30min rest stop (79km covered). From there the riders make their way to Springwood where the groups will stop, refuel and get updates on any road conditions ahead.
After the food stop at Springwood the groups get back on the bikes and embark on Stage 2 of day 1. Departing Springwood around 12.30pm riders make their way to Wentworth Falls where riders can again top up for fluids and food (around 2.00pm and 117km covered). The groups then start the ascent to Katoomba and into Echo Point.
This brings to an end of Day 1 and a total distance of 125km covered for the day.
Riders make their way to a local Hotel for "First Beer in Gear", before heading to their accommodation for a well earned shower then adjourn to the Katoomba RSL Club for dinner.
Click here to see the Day 1 route on Strava
Day 2 – Echo Point to Jenolan Caves (108km)
Riders’ farewell the beautiful township of Echo Point and enjoy 44km of rolling hills and a twisting descent into Lithgow where we will stop at the "Tin Shed" and shed their cool morning kit (weather permitting of course) in readiness for the 64km ride to Jenolan Caves. We will have lunch at the Hampton Hotel, 80km into the ride.
Click here to see the Day 2 route on Strava
Day 3 – Jenolan Caves to Orange (170km)
Riders’ farewell the beautiful township of Jenolan Caves and enjoy a tough 8km of hills, then a lovely 21km roll into Oberon for coffee and bacon and egg rolls. From there we ride 51km to the home of the V8 Supercar world, Bathurst (80km covered so far). We then ride 31km to Newbridge, where we will have lunch, then onto Blayney and into Orange where we stay overnight. There maybe a game of cricket at Wade Park which we may watch a few overs of before going to the Canobolas Hotel where we are staying and also having dinner.
The stay in Orange will be great, as all the riders and support crew gather at the Canobolas Hotel for a great country meal, and time to sit, relax and discuss the many hills they have conquered on the past three days. Highlights of the evening are a presentation and chat with a representative from the Black Dog Institute (BDI) who gives an amazing insight into the work this great institute does, and how the money we all raise benefits those effected by mood disorders, and the ‘Kangaroo Court’ where riders and support crew get to have some fun and hand out jovial $5 fines (e.g. the most of number of punctures for a rider or group, brightest Knicks, shoes etc).
The idea of the Kangaroo Court is to have some fun after a long 3 days of riding and to raise some extra donations for BDI (payment of fines is voluntary).
Click here to see the Day 3 route on Strava
Day 4 – Orange to Dubbo (150km)
We say goodbye to the lovely city of Orange with group 3 having a 5.00am departure and a nice 35km ride along the rolling hills into Molong, then another 24km to Cumnock for breakfast. On a good day you can smell the bacon and eggs being BBQ’d a few kilometres outside Cumnock. This enticing scent has seen some individuals within a group launch an attack (like a breakaway in the final kms of a stage of the Tour de France) on the run into Cumnock, so they can claim line honours in the breakfast cue.
After a much deserved feed riders jump back on their trusty steeds for the 24km ride into Yeoval, where the groups stop for yet another caffeine break. From Yeoval the riders enjoy a 38km ride over a few good climbs, some lovely descents and picturesque country side before all the riders
regroup and refuel at Wambangalang Educational Environmental Centre for the final stretch into Dubbo.
The final 30km stretch sees the all the groups come together as one peleton for the roll into the Taronga Western Plain Zoo, where family, friends and the local community cheer all the riders for their great achievement.
Click here to see the Day 4 route on Strava
Along the ride from Molong to Dubbo the riders and support crew can enjoy the artist delights of 'Animals On Bikes'.
The ride starts from the world famous Sydney Taronga Zoo gates at 7.00am (roll out time) where the ride groups make their way from Mosman to Yarramundi Lookout where all riders regroup around 11.00am for a 30min rest stop (79km covered). From there the riders make their way to Springwood where the groups will stop, refuel and get updates on any road conditions ahead.
After the food stop at Springwood the groups get back on the bikes and embark on Stage 2 of day 1. Departing Springwood around 12.30pm riders make their way to Wentworth Falls where riders can again top up for fluids and food (around 2.00pm and 117km covered). The groups then start the ascent to Katoomba and into Echo Point.
This brings to an end of Day 1 and a total distance of 125km covered for the day.
Riders make their way to a local Hotel for "First Beer in Gear", before heading to their accommodation for a well earned shower then adjourn to the Katoomba RSL Club for dinner.
Click here to see the Day 1 route on Strava
Day 2 – Echo Point to Jenolan Caves (108km)
Riders’ farewell the beautiful township of Echo Point and enjoy 44km of rolling hills and a twisting descent into Lithgow where we will stop at the "Tin Shed" and shed their cool morning kit (weather permitting of course) in readiness for the 64km ride to Jenolan Caves. We will have lunch at the Hampton Hotel, 80km into the ride.
Click here to see the Day 2 route on Strava
Day 3 – Jenolan Caves to Orange (170km)
Riders’ farewell the beautiful township of Jenolan Caves and enjoy a tough 8km of hills, then a lovely 21km roll into Oberon for coffee and bacon and egg rolls. From there we ride 51km to the home of the V8 Supercar world, Bathurst (80km covered so far). We then ride 31km to Newbridge, where we will have lunch, then onto Blayney and into Orange where we stay overnight. There maybe a game of cricket at Wade Park which we may watch a few overs of before going to the Canobolas Hotel where we are staying and also having dinner.
The stay in Orange will be great, as all the riders and support crew gather at the Canobolas Hotel for a great country meal, and time to sit, relax and discuss the many hills they have conquered on the past three days. Highlights of the evening are a presentation and chat with a representative from the Black Dog Institute (BDI) who gives an amazing insight into the work this great institute does, and how the money we all raise benefits those effected by mood disorders, and the ‘Kangaroo Court’ where riders and support crew get to have some fun and hand out jovial $5 fines (e.g. the most of number of punctures for a rider or group, brightest Knicks, shoes etc).
The idea of the Kangaroo Court is to have some fun after a long 3 days of riding and to raise some extra donations for BDI (payment of fines is voluntary).
Click here to see the Day 3 route on Strava
Day 4 – Orange to Dubbo (150km)
We say goodbye to the lovely city of Orange with group 3 having a 5.00am departure and a nice 35km ride along the rolling hills into Molong, then another 24km to Cumnock for breakfast. On a good day you can smell the bacon and eggs being BBQ’d a few kilometres outside Cumnock. This enticing scent has seen some individuals within a group launch an attack (like a breakaway in the final kms of a stage of the Tour de France) on the run into Cumnock, so they can claim line honours in the breakfast cue.
After a much deserved feed riders jump back on their trusty steeds for the 24km ride into Yeoval, where the groups stop for yet another caffeine break. From Yeoval the riders enjoy a 38km ride over a few good climbs, some lovely descents and picturesque country side before all the riders
regroup and refuel at Wambangalang Educational Environmental Centre for the final stretch into Dubbo.
The final 30km stretch sees the all the groups come together as one peleton for the roll into the Taronga Western Plain Zoo, where family, friends and the local community cheer all the riders for their great achievement.
Click here to see the Day 4 route on Strava
Along the ride from Molong to Dubbo the riders and support crew can enjoy the artist delights of 'Animals On Bikes'.
Animals On Bikes
Animals on Bikes is a 115 kilometre paddock art sculpture trail displaying 111 two metre high structures (and some smaller letterboxes) on the back road from Molong to Cumnock to Yeoval to Dubbo Zoo.
The sculptures have been created by local farmers, farmers wives, men's sheds, sculptors, preschool kids, playgroup mums - anyone with an artistic flair! This unique creative project captures any travellers imagination, promotes local tourist operators, showcases rural creativity and encapsulates the spirit of regional NSW.
The sculptures have been created by local farmers, farmers wives, men's sheds, sculptors, preschool kids, playgroup mums - anyone with an artistic flair! This unique creative project captures any travellers imagination, promotes local tourist operators, showcases rural creativity and encapsulates the spirit of regional NSW.
ENTRY FEE
The cost to enter the Sydney to Dubbo Zoo2Zoo will be $600 plus $100 for a riding shirt (if you don't have a Zoo2Zoo riding shirt)
Event entry includes accommodation on the Thursday night in Echo Point, Friday evening in Jenolan Caves (shared accommodation) and Saturday evening in Orange (shared accommodation). See our Zoo2Zoo Accommodation Policy for further details.
FOOD AND MEALS PROVIDED DURING THE RIDE
The following meals are included in your entry fee including;
- morning tea, lunch and dinner on the Friday,
- breakfast, morning tea, lunch and dinner on the Saturday, and
- breakfast, morning tea and lunch on the Sunday.
If you have any dietary requirements, be sure to list them in your registration form.
In addition to your daily meals, Zoo2Zoo will also provide an abundance of snacks, food and drinks during the 4 day ride. Each support
vehicle is kitted out with an esky and snack boxes full of those great goodies we all crave on long rides.
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2019 RIDE ARE OPEN
Please see are Registration page for more details
If you have any questions regarding the ride please email: Sydney@zoo2zoo.com
AGE LIMIT REQUIREMENTS
Persons must be 18 years old to participate in the Zoo2Zoo.
FUNDRAISING
The point of doing this, and other Zoo2Zoo rides is two fold. One is providing a safe and enjoyable ride during the event, the second is to raise funds and
awareness for the Black Dog Institute. Although there is no minimum amount to be raised, we do encourage participants to fundraise for the Black Dog Institute. All we ask as the event organisers is that do your best, tell your friends to hop on your very own Everyday Hero fundraising page and make a donation, no matter the amount. You may just surprise yourself at what you can raise. On average riders raise about $1,600 and come up with novel ways to raise funds - trivia nights, BBQs, morning teas etc.
For the 2019 event we have already raised over $80,000
CANCELLATIONS
In the event of a cancellation, Zoo2Zoo Incorporated will refund your entry less any costs incurred.
Zoo2Zoo PROMOTIONAL KIT
Entrants must wear an official Zoo2Zoo riding shirt to participate in the Zoo2Zoo. If you have done a previous Zoo2Zoo, you are able to wear the riding shirt from that ride. Otherwise, you are able to purchase a jersey for $100.
The cycling kit will be available for collection on the morning of the ride at the start of the Zoo2Zoo.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
We welcome people with disabilities on the Zoo2Zoo and ask that other riders show the same consideration and support they would expect to receive from other riders. Zoo2Zoo Incorporated will use all reasonable efforts to cater for your particular disability where able.
SUPPORT VEHICLES
A support vehicle will follow each group of 16 riders and will specifically support those riders.
Zoo2Zoo SAG WAGON (aka the gruppetto)
A trailing support vehicle for riders is provided by Zoo2Zoo Incorporated. The Sag Wagon travels behind the last riders on the ride to ensure all riders arrive safely at the end of each day.
COMMON SENSE
You must ride in a safe and responsible manner during the Zoo2Zoo and use common sense at all times. You should exercise caution on all public roads and operate defensively and courteously.
It is highly recommended to have BicyleNSW membership, or something similar that has insurance covered. Please consider carefully what insurance you require for your personal situation.
In the event of a cancellation, Zoo2Zoo Incorporated will refund your entry less any costs incurred.
Zoo2Zoo PROMOTIONAL KIT
Entrants must wear an official Zoo2Zoo riding shirt to participate in the Zoo2Zoo. If you have done a previous Zoo2Zoo, you are able to wear the riding shirt from that ride. Otherwise, you are able to purchase a jersey for $100.
The cycling kit will be available for collection on the morning of the ride at the start of the Zoo2Zoo.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
We welcome people with disabilities on the Zoo2Zoo and ask that other riders show the same consideration and support they would expect to receive from other riders. Zoo2Zoo Incorporated will use all reasonable efforts to cater for your particular disability where able.
SUPPORT VEHICLES
A support vehicle will follow each group of 16 riders and will specifically support those riders.
Zoo2Zoo SAG WAGON (aka the gruppetto)
A trailing support vehicle for riders is provided by Zoo2Zoo Incorporated. The Sag Wagon travels behind the last riders on the ride to ensure all riders arrive safely at the end of each day.
COMMON SENSE
You must ride in a safe and responsible manner during the Zoo2Zoo and use common sense at all times. You should exercise caution on all public roads and operate defensively and courteously.
It is highly recommended to have BicyleNSW membership, or something similar that has insurance covered. Please consider carefully what insurance you require for your personal situation.
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