This event was postponed from February 27 due to the devastating floods that hit the Lockyer Valley on January 10 and 11 and will now be held on Sunday May 15, 2011.

The Ride the Range Challenge starts at Picnic Point, the most Easterly point of Toowoomba City with spectacular views of  the Lockyer Valley cycle route.

Ride the Range will start from 5:30 am on the Sunday morning and there are two options, a 60 km ride to Helidon or a 100 km ride to Gatton, both finishing back at your starting point in Picnic Point. Make no mistake this will be a challenging event although the Autumn weather should be more conducive for a big climbing effort.

The descent offers varying terrain and stunning views over the countryside as you cycle down along Flagstone Creek Rd and then meander amongst the creek flats and country hills and valleys within the vegetable bowl of Queensland.  This is a chance for you to make the most of the quiet roads and view the spectacular fruit and vegetable patchwork of the Lockyer valley and Gatton district before the non relenting challenge of the ascent back to Picnic Point in Toowoomba.  The event will be supported with three refreshment and comfort stops and a sag wagon or bus if you strike trouble or need a rest! 

The final route may depend on road conditions and will be finalised closer to the event date. 

Ride the Range is a fund raising project of the Rotary Club of Toowoomba. Funds raised by the project will be donated to the Prostate Foundation of Australia and local and international charity projects of the Rotary Club of Toowoomba

100 km Ride

Starting at Picnic point, riders will travel south east along Hellier St into Lesley St before negotiating a sharp right turn into Rowbotham St. The downhill descent commences once you embrace the narrow, windy, course of Flagstone Creek Rd. Riders will then follow this road along through the quiet hamlets of Flagstone, Lilydale, Carpendale, Tenthill and Woodlands before entering the Gatton District. Once leaving Gatton the return journey to Picnic Point commences westward on Blanchview Rd.

60 km Ride

Starting at Picnic point, riders will travel south east along Hellier St into Lesley St before negotiating a sharp right turn into Rowbotham St.  The downhill descent commences once the riders embrace the narrow, windy, course of Flagstone Creek Rd.  Riders will then follow this road along through the quiet hamlets of Flagstone, Lilydale, Carpendale and Tenthill turning left toward Helidon.  Here Riders can take advantage of a rest stop before embarking on the arduous task of climbing the Great Dividing Range via Blanchview Rd on two wheels! .

Parking

Parking is available for all participants in Heller Street Park with access from Rowbotham St as you approach Picnic Point.  Please follow the directions of parking marshals on event day.

This is easy access for you to unhitch your bike and walk to the main assembly area.