In proud partnership with Bicycle NSW, Bicycle SA is delighted to bring you GEAR UP GIRL SA 2010, a ride specifically for women.

GEAR UP GIRL SA is a ride specifically for women to enjoy, sharing the experience with other women in a celebration of cycling. The hope is many women who may not be regular riders, or have not ridden for a long time, will take this opportunity to get on a bike and join in. For fitter, more accomplished riders there are longer, harder ride options to choose from.

Over 500 women registered for the first ever Gear Up Girl SA in 2009. Read about the 2009 event here

"Thank you for organising a great girls only bike event and thank you to all the wonderful volunteers. I look forward to participating in the event next year." Reina  

In 2010 Bicycle SA has welcomed the Heart Foundation as a charity partner for Gear Up Girl SA. Most women dont know that heart disease is their number one killer. Go Red for Women is the Heart Foundations campaign that unites women in the fight against heart disease - helping to raise awareness of the risks and promote healthier choices. Challenge the myths and share the facts about heart disease with your friends. Find out more at www.goredforwomen.org.au

You can also contribute to this great cause by creating your own webpage to raise life-saving funds for the Heart Foundation simply visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/gearupgirl

Ride Information

Gear up Girl SA offers a choice of three routes making it suitable for women of all ages and abilities.

All loop rides start at 9am and all distances start and finish on the banks of the River Torrens at Elder Park, King William Street.

From the start, the SA Police will provide an escort for all riders from Elder Park, along King William Street through the city centre, as far as East Terrace and the parklands near Victoria Park. This first leg of the ride, under escort, will be at a leisurely 15km per hour.

Ride Options

Linear Park Loop 15km

The 15km Linear Park is a circular route around the River Torrens following the Linear Park. This ride is suitable for all levels of ability.

Beach Ride 35km

From the start, Beach Ride participants are part of the whole group as far as East Terrace, where the River Ride group separates. From there the Police continue to escort Beach Riders along South Terrace with the Hill Ride group splitting off near Pulteney Street. The Police escort continues all the way along Anzac Highway at a slightly faster 18km per hour average speed. Again, this provides maximum safety and also ensures riders enjoy the benefit of green lights all the way!

At Glenelg, the Police escort stops and riders head north along the foreshore, using a mix of quiet roads and shared use paths past Adelaide Shores to West Beach, crossing the River Torrens at Henly Beach South.

Riders then head east along the Linear Path, which follows the meandering path of the River Torrens, all the way back to the Elder Park finish.

The Beach Ride is almost half Police escort on roads; as well as un-escorted sections along quiet roads, some with bike lanes, plus shared-use paths.

The Beach Ride distance is suitable for all riders with moderate fitness levels.

Hill Ride 50km

The Hill Ride is the most challenging of the Gear Up Girl rides. Hill Riders are part of the Police escort as far as South Terrace, and from there split off and continue along roads with bike lanes all the way to the Mount Barker Freeway. From there riders start to climb along the bike path, which runs parallel to the Freeway, before turning off at Devils Elbow and continuing up via Eagle on the Hill. The bike path exits onto open roads again at Crafers, where the route continues up to Mount Lofty summit. From there it twists and turns along the top of the range, pass Cleland National Park, through Summertown to Norton Summit. From here its a thrilling downhill ride to Magill, then some zig-zagging through the eastern suburbs before crossing Victoria Park, through the city centre to the Elder Park finish.

The Hill Ride includes the Police escort, sections along suburban roads with bike lanes, major roads with bike lanes, plus the bike path up to Crafers. It is suitable for reasonably fit riders keen for a challenge.

At the finish

All Gear Up Girl routes start and finish at Elder Park, King William Street, in the city centre. The Event Village is on the beautiful riverside, with the Festival Centre as a spectacular backdrop. There is plenty of shade and open space ideal for a relaxing picnic at the end of a challenging but fun ride.

There is plenty of nearby parking on the street and at Torrens Parade Grounds.
And if you dont pack a picnic, there will be outlets offering food, snacks, coffees and cold drinks.

Refreshment Stations

Each refreshment Station offers water, Nippys juices and Powerade; as well as snacks such as fresh fruit and cake. There will bike maintenance facilities as well. Refreshment Stations are the ideal places to step off your bike for a moment, have a rest, catch up with your riding buddies, enjoy the scenery and importantly, re-apply your sunscreen and make sure that you keep your hydration levels up.

*GEAR UP GIRL SA is a ride for women of all ages and abilities to enjoy. And while we welcome the men to join us at the event finish, only women and children 16 and under can ride this day... sorry, guys!"