• Is this you competition

• Event Kit Mail Out

• Schedule of Events and Ride Start

• Parking Information

• Key Reminders

• Latest Course Maps

• Hydration and Refreshment Stops

• Important Cycling Information & Lorne Descent

• Withdrawing from the event

• VIP Marquee Winning Team

• Accommodation Offer

• Phil Anderson "Tours to France"

• XTERRA Australia

• XTERRA Training Clinic

• Cycling Revolution

• CompuTrainer

• Sponsor Messages

• Sponsors

Is this you training along Beach Road in your 2008 2XU Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride jersey? If so, contact the SuperSprint office on 9596 2340 to claim your $1000 cycling pack full of fantastic 2XU gear!

This week you should have received your complete event kit for the 2XU Great Ocean and Otway Classic Ride in the mail which would have been posted to the address listed in your online profile. Event kits include:

• Event number - to be pinned to the back of your jersey
• Wristband - the colour of your wristband will correspond with a seeded start zone and must be worn at all times during the ride in order to receive event support and refreshments
• Event Day Information Sheet - containing important information about the ride, including refreshment and toilet stops, emergency assistance numbers, event schedules and rules.

We will have 6 assembly areas marked for the start of the 145km and 3 for the 60km event. Using this format we expect a continuous flow over the start line.

7:00am    All 145km competitors (white bibs) commence assembly at start area
7:15am   Zone 1 competitors start - Under 4 hours (RED wristbands)
7:25am    Zone 2 competitors start - Under 4.5 hours (GREEN wristbands)
7:35am    Zone 3 competitors start - Under 5 hours (ORANGE wristbands)
7:45am    Zone 4 competitors start - Under 5.5 hour’s (BLUE wristbands)
7:55am    Zone 5 competitors start - Under 6 hour’s (YELLOW wristbands)
8:05am    Zone 6 competitors start - Over 6 hour's (PURPLE wristbands)

8:00am    All 60km competitors (green bibs) commence assembly at the rear of the start area
8:15am   Zone 1 competitors start – Under 2 hours (ORANGE wristbands)
8:16am    Zone 2 competitors start – Under 3 hours (BLUE wristbands)
8:20am    Zone 3 competitors start – Over 3 hours (YELLOW wristbands)

Most competitors will be driving to the event and many will be traveling from Melbourne. It is important that you view the map on your event day information sheet or on our website indicating the best route into Torquay allowing for the road closures surrounding the venue

Please arrive early as this will be a busy weekend with a Beach Soccer Tournament in Torquay and Surf Carnival in JanJuc!

Recommended Parking Directions

Take Surf Coast Hwy, turn Left into Darian Rd, continue straight along Darian Road to The Esplanade where marshals and SuperSprint staff will direct you to parking. Then simply ride down to the venue!

Venue

There will be an event information tent and portaloos near the event start.

+ Click Here for Parking Map

• Prepare for all weather conditions
• Carry two drink bottles, food, spare tubes and a mobile phone
• Save the Event & Mobile Mechanical Support number in your phone 0418 538 503 for use in the case you require the sag wagon or mechanical support.
• Save the Emergency and Medical Control Center number in your phone 0448 813 433 for use in case of an emergency or medical condition
• Write your name, emergency contact details and any medical conditions on the blank side of your event number and attach this to the back of your top
• Make sure you have your mobile number included in your online entry profile to receive any event alerts (refer to our website www.supersprint.com.au by logging into your profile)
• Attach event wristband to your right wrist.
• Participants must obey all road rules including traffic lights and keeping to the left of the carriageway. The roads are open to the public even though there are a number of major traffic diversions to minimize the number of vehicles on the road
• You may NOT ride under someone else’s name or number under any circumstances (as you will NOT receive medical or mechanical support, or be covered by insurance)

+ Read More on Road Rules and Safety

Please review the maps on the website to ensure that you are familiar with the course. We recommend you tear-off the course map that was included on your event day information sheet in your race kit.

+ Click Here for Course Maps

Hydration

It is essential that participants carry two drink bottles as hydration must be a priority for all participants. The general rule is that you should be consuming at least one litre of water for each hour of cycling. Do not let yourself get to the point where you are thirsty as this is the first sign of dehydration.

A Gatorade hydration station will be set up at Lorne providing free Gatorade for all participants!

The hydration process should start 24 hours prior to the event and especially before the start of the event.

+ Read More

Refreshment Stops

The designated refreshment stops are at the following locations:

• Refreshment Stop 1 - Moriac (approx. 25km): Opposite General Store and café.Toilets and water available.
• Refreshment Stop 2 – Brickmakers Rd (approx. 51km): Water only
• Refreshment Stop 3* – Deans Marsh (approx. 73km):  Over the road from the General Store. Toilets available.
• Refreshment Stop 4 – Lorne (approx. 95km): Next to Lifesaving Club. Toilets, water and Gatorade available.
• Refreshment Stop 5 – Airey’s Inlet (approx. 114km): Water only
• Refreshment Stop 6 – Anglesea (approx. 124km): At Go Ride a Wave Café. Toilets and water available.
• Refreshment Stop 7 – Forest Rd / Great Ocean Road (approx .45km for the 60km Participants only): Water only
• Refreshment Stop 8 – Torquay (approx. 145km): Elephant Walk Reserve. Toilets, water and Gatorade available.

We recognize that most entrants have trained for the event and many have been cycling for years. However with 3500 entrants it is essential that all participants are mindful of others and ride carefully especially:

• Riding in a pack - if you have not trained in a pack, please stay at the back of a pack.
• Winds - if there are strong winds be cautious if they are cross winds, especially riding two abreast or with cars passing and most importantly with oncoming vehicles

Lorne Descent

The descent between Benwerrin and Lorne is an 8km descent which is mostly gradual with many corners. Due to concerns raised by the local authorities regarding cyclist and motorist safety during the descent, SuperSprint have devised a descent plan to separate cyclists from vehicles, which will be implemented to improve overall safety.

A holding zone will be created approx 500m past Benwerrin, at the start of the descent.  Police and a Traffic Controller (TC) will manage the cyclists and vehicles that are heading down the hill to Lorne.

+ Click Here for more details on the Lorne Descent

Should you have a mechanical failure that cannot be rectified or you don't wish to continue on in the event then we need to know your location and record that you are to be picked up by the sag wagon.

Please call the event mobile to inform us of your withdrawal!

Congratulations to Qantas on winning the VIP Marquee competition!

Qantas as won the exclusive VIP Marquee at the finish area as part of the post ride festival! The marquee includes catering, refreshments and a personal team masseur!

SuperSprint is proud to announce Peppers The Sands Resort, Torquay, as the official accommodation of the 2XU Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride.  Peppers The Sands Resort has put together a special package for participants of this event including 2 night's accommodation (Friday & Saturday nights) in a Studio room with breakfast Sunday morning for $369 per twin share.

For reservations & enquiries please contact Peppers The Sands Resort, Torquay on +61 03 5264 3333.

In support of this event, Peppers The Sands Resort’s Operations Manager, Dean Newell, has committed to take part in (and complete) this event and is now midway through an intense training program.  No doubt other resort employees will follow his lead and join in!!!

+ Visit Peppers The Sands Resort

In 1996 Phil Anderson commenced operations of the "PA Tours to France". Capturing the attention of the world in this parochial event, he now returns with the discriminating traveller, reliving his escapades, riding the circuits and sharing his experiences with his guests. With the increased media coverage, the Tour has become extremely popular and has the largest live audience for any sporting event in the world. "Le Skippy's" local knowledge and experienced team will guide you on your Tour de France, recapturing the memories of his hay-day. 13 Tours, 12 days in yellow, let Phil's in-depth knowledge of race tactics and teams be your guide to this memorable race. The Anderson Tour program offers a luxurious experience, staying in unique hand-picked country estates and chateaus.

For more information please log visit www.philanderson.com.au

PHIL ANDERSON TRAINING RIDE

The Phil Anderson training ride was held on Saturday Feb 23rd in Lorne! A great day out for a group of enthusiastic participants! Under the guidance of one of the world's former champion cyclists, Phil and his team assisted participants in the fundamentals of climbing, cornering, braking and riding in a bunch on the Great Ocean Road!

Saturday 5th April

Now that you've conquered the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride, now challenge yourself off road in the XTERRA Mountain Bike!!

Course maps have been drafted and race distances finalised, offering some exciting and adventurous trails across rugged terrain through Hepburn Regional Park and Wombat Forest; not to mention the picturesque Lake Daylesford!

The weekend comprises some great support events:

• 46km Mountain Bike (MTB)
• Sprint Tri (400m Swim / 10km MTB / 4km Trail Run)
• 5.5km or 11km Trail Run.

The feature event being "XTERRA Australia" (1km Swim / 30km MTB / 11km Trail Run), with many internationals and Australian Ironman sensation LUKE BELL participating - with places in the Australian team at the XTERRA World Championships in Maui Hawaii, October 2008 on offer. Total prize money of USD$10,000 will also be offered.

Entries are now open!

+ Click Here for XTERRA Course Maps

+ Click Here for latest XTERRA Newsletter

+ Click Here to Enter

Tri Alliance will be running an XTERRA Training Clinic in Daylesford.

When:  Saturday the 22nd of March

Time: 2:30pm for a 1.5 to 2hr session based on numbers.  We will be taking a minimum of 10 people per for the session and all levels are welcome. 

Where: Boathouse Café at Lake Daylesford: 1 Leggatt St, Daylesford 3460 (LEFT off the main street towards the lake)

Cost: $15 to be paid online finalising your spot.
Please go to http://www.tri-alliance.com.au/membersite/joinupform.cfm  

The clinic will teach you all you need to know about mountain bike riding and running and familiarisation with the course.

If you have any questions please send to info@tri-alliance.com.au

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Hot on the heels of the sell-out at Revolution 2, the 110th Austral Wheelrace is set to return to its former glory with a full-house expected at Vodafone Arena on Saturday, 15th March 2008.

With an honour role featuring Australia’s greatest ever cyclists, the Austral is a national sporting treasure.  Will a scratch-marker add his name to the legend or will a front-marker hold on for glory?

Tickets from Ticketek 132 849 / www.ticketek.com.au

For more information visit www.theaustralwheelrace.com.au

Computrainer is a precision bicycle ergometer measuring wattage, heart rate and cadence with the accuracy of ergometers such as Lode and SRM at a fraction of the cost. Over 600 Cycling and Triathlon coaches worldwide use the Computrainer as their principle testing instrument.

Computrainers Coaching software gives you a thorough analysis of your work outs as well as enabling export of data to other software packages. Delivered to you with a comprehensive range of courses, Computrainer also offers a large course library for free download.

Normally listing at $2800.00 +GST Computrainer is offering some extraordinary specials to coincide with current high exchange rates.

Also available Computrainers MultiRider System 1-8 bikes. POA

www.computrainer.com.au

Contact Phil Stanton 02 97191100 or email phil@computrainer.com.au .

SuperSprint is proud to welcome NISSAN as a support sponsor of the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride. Event lead Vehicles and on course support vehicles for the event will be proudly supplied by NISSAN.

Hotham is once again extremely proud to be a major sponsor of the Great Ocean and Otway Classic Ride. Make sure you visit our marquee to enter an exciting snow holiday competition and talk to us about the fast approaching season. Snowmaking has been extended into Heavenly Valley for 2008 and there is now so much more to do than just ski at Hotham, including dog sled and sunset tours, massages, kids snowmobile rides and of course great dining and nightlife. For more information simply check out www.hotham.com.au