Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day 2007 - less than three weeks to go! While there is still time for that big training ride this coming weekend, most of you should be feeling pretty fit and ready. We have over 13,000 entrants already for this year’s event, which means there are lots of riders out there training.
While you are training, we strongly urge you to practice good riding etiquette to look after yourself and your fellow riders when out on the roads. See our tips below
For those of you who entered prior to 22 June, your jerseys are in the post. We look forward to seeing lots of the jerseys out and about!
Take care in the final weeks leading up to the ride. Eat your greens, drink lots (of water), practice safe cycling etiquette, train hard and have fun! Also keep an eye out the Rider Checklist that we will email to you.
See you soon!
Key Dates and Important Information
Completed Entries
All completed entries are now READ ONLY on the Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day online registration system, which means you cannot change your entry details. If you are a 100km Rider and you need to book transport to Sorrento, please call our office on 03 8636 8888 before 5pm, Friday 5th October.
Closing Dates
Please note that entries for the 100km, 210km and 250km Ride Options close this Friday at 5pm (AEST), 5 October 2007. There are still some ferry spots left, so if you know anyone who has been meaning to enter and hasn't got around to it, give them a prod!
The 50km Ride is open until Friday 5pm (AEST), 12 October. There are lots of reasons to get your friends and family to ride 50km, including a free t-shirt and chances to win one of 12 Trek Bikes!
Rider Kits for 100km, 210km and 250km Riders
For all those who entered prior to 28 September, your Rider Kits are on the way. If you have not received your Rider Kit by the end of next week, send us an email.
Your Rider Kits contain your Rider Identification Bibs. You need your bibs to be allowed on the route, so let us know if you do not receive them!
Rider Kits for 50km Riders
Rider Kits can be collected from Alexandra Gardens between 10am -2pm on Saturday 20 October. You can make a day of it and enjoy all of the free activities and entertainment at the same time!
Ride Guide
This year we have produced a comprehensive Ride Guide. Please take time to read it as it contains important information about the Ride.
Riding Etiquette
With lots of riders around you on the day, it is extremely important that you are mindful of your surrounds. Here are some tips for riding in a bunch that you should practice before and on the day:
- Don't slam on the brakes!
- Ensure you are always looking ahead.
- Ride consistently and be predictable.
- Ride directly behind the wheel in front. Try not to overlap the wheel in front.
- Use a camelback if you "wobble" when putting your drink bottle back into the cradle.
- Point out obstacles - shout it out. Let everyone around you know what is approaching or if the bunch is slowing down and/or stopping.
If you are inexperienced in riding in a big group, don’t ride too close to other riders and never overlap your wheel with others. Don’t be offended if a group ask you to leave – riding in a group is all about trust and enjoyment - you wouldn’t join a group of unknown people in a restaurant without being invited!
Don't forget that you are on a road, so all the road rules apply and you should follow the directions of the Route Marshals on the day.
Your enjoyment on the day is paramount, so please keep these tips in mind.
Prizes, Live Music and a Celebration of Cycling
Starting with the Friday Night Prologue including live music, the opening of the GO Bike Expo and Spokes Bar and free movies to get you warmed up, and ending with the Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day, the Melbourne Cycling Festival is going to be huge!
Make sure you make time over the weekend to come and enjoy some free entertainment and activities, check out the latest products at the GO Bike Expo, watch the elite cyclists battle it out in the Jayco Herald Sun Tour or be there for the prize giveaways. Check out the "What's On" page and register for 'Email Me Updates', because new activities get added regularly!
Check out The Smith Family Team!
The Smith Family has entered its largest team since the event began, registering a team of 27 riders made up of staff, family and friends! Not only are staff contemplating sitting on a bike for 8hrs, those who refuse to pedal are giving up hours of their time to volunteer on the day to ensure the events success.
As of today a fantastic $60,000 has been raised for The Smith Family’s Learning for Life suite of programs and hope with your support we will achieve our target of passing the $500,000 mark for the very first time!
You can give Aussie kids a flying start … start your fundraising today!
Sponsor yourself, family, friends or colleagues online and remember if you have no one to sponsor you can always get behind The Smith Family Team!
“They’re great – you should get some”
....was the answer given by a rider when asked what he thought of the Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day SCODY knicks.
SCODY have designed an awesome pair of male and female cycling knicks to match the Free Event Jersey. The knicks feature the SCODY elite cycling pad which is especially engineered for longer distances. Get yours today!
Register your Support for Beach Road Clearways
Bicycle Victoria is working to get weekend clearways along the whole length of Beach Road (Bayside) from 6am to 10am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Bayside Council vote on Beach Rd Clearways today - 1 October. However, we still need your support, so fill in our survey today to help make Beach Road a premier cycle training route.
Warm Up Events
Riders seeking a warm up event for the big day on 21 October may consider the 83.5km Excelior Cyclismo - a new event taking place in Bendigo on Saturday 13 October. Visitors to Bendigo can join in the “Bendigo on Wheels” cycling celebration including the Jayco Herald Sun Classic criterium, a range of cycling activities on Sunday and the start of the Tour on Monday. The professional teams race through northern Victoria before concluding at the Melbourne Cycling Festival. To register in Excelior Cyclismo visit the website.
Still Calling Route Marshals...
A Route Marshal is Bicycle Victoria’s ears, eyes and voice on the road. Route Marshals watch for any hazards or traffic issues and provide lots of encouragement to the riders along the way.
We are still in need of Route Marshals for within a 25km radius of the Start/Finish Area at Alexandra Gardens, at Sorrento and Queenscliff and some parts in between!
Group training sessions for Route Marshals will be conducted shortly and all marshals will be provided with a uniform and lunch on the day of the event.
If you know of someone who might be interested please get them to send us an email
Help us to guide you!.
Look Who's Riding
Major Melbourne accounting and advisory firm Pitcher Partners are thrilled to have Kate Bates riding with the 80 strong Pitcher Partners team for Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day. Kate will participate in the 210km ride to Sorrento and return. Pitcher Partners have long supported cycling both through sponsoring cyclists at the elite level and by promoting cycling amongst its staff. Currently Pitcher Partners are supporting Kate in her preparation for the Beijing Olympics at which she is a real medal contender. Kate will be riding with Pitcher Partners clients and staff and will lead the Pitcher Partners team in the Jayco Cycling Classic in January.
Looking for the Next Challenge?
Looking for your next big cycling challenge? The Portfolio Partners Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride is Sydney’s biggest and best bike ride. Be part of the pack on Sunday 4 November and make the 56km or 90km journey south from Sydney through the Royal National Park and over the spectacular Seacliff Bridge to the beachside finish line at Wollongong. You won’t be disappointed! Visit their website for online registration, course information, training guide and much more.
All the Best
Our sponsors and partners wish you all the best in your training and preparation leading up to this year's ride.
"Happy and safe riding" from Craig Bingham, CEO, Portfolio Partners
You have received this email as a registered rider for the 2007 Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day. This email forms part of the rider communications referred to in the Terms and Conditions of Entry
