Newcrest Orange Challenge
Getting there
Travel by car
Sydney to Orange
250km west of Sydney and approx. 4 hours drive.
Canberra to Orange
270km from Canberra and approx. 3.5 hours drive.
Melbourne to Orange
764 km from Melbourne and approx. 8 hours drive.
Travel by air
You can fly direct with REX and QantasLink from Sydney to Orange Regional Airport, which is located 15km (15 minute drive) from the town centre. Please note, as smaller carriers they have limited capacity for bikes. Qantas, Virgin Australia, Tiger Airways and Jetstar all fly direct to Sydney from various interstate locations.
Event Info
FAQs
Here are the answers to your most common questions.
If your question isn’t in the list, please send us a message or call on 1800 639 634.
Before you ride
What does the entry price cover?
A ticket to Newcrest Orange Challenge includes:
- Early bird jersey*
- Full on route support:
- Medical support
- Mechanical support
- Road closures and traffic management
- Rest stops with nutrition and hydration
- Support and gear (SAG) wagon
- BBQ lunch
- Professional photography
- Access to event-day valet service
- Access to Newcrest Orange Challenge event village for friends and family
Is there a rider briefing?
Yes, there will be a briefing for all riders on Saturday at 4:00pm. We recommend all riders attend this briefing to hear any final event information and updates.
There is an additional short briefing at the start line before the ride starts on Sunday morning.
How should I prepare my bike for the ride?
It is the responsibility of the rider to make sure their bike is in satisfactory riding condition for the distance and varying road conditions. It’s a good idea to get a bike service at least a week before the ride.
As per road rules, all bikes must have front white and rear red lights fitted and working at the start line. Any bike without lights will not be allowed to start the ride.
Is there any specific equipment that I need?
The items you require and those we recommend you bring are as follows:
Compulsory:
- Helmet
- White front bike light
- Red rear bike light
- Two drink bottles
- Puncture repair kit
- Spare tyre tubes
- Rain/wind jacket
- Event wristband and bike tag (provided at registration)
Recommended:
- Arm warmers
- Gloves
- Base layer of clothing
- Fresh change of clothes for the clothing valet
- Mobile phone
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Money
During the ride
Where are the rest stops located?
88km ride:
- Bowan Park (27km)
- Cargo (50km)
- Glenwood (70km) – Water Only
- Orange (Finish) – lunch provided here
170 km ride:
- Bowan Park (27km) – Water Only
- Cargo (50km)
- Canowindra (72km)
- Belubula Way (94km)
- Mandurama (117km) – Lunch provided here
- Small hut (132km) – Water Only
- Forest Reefs (147km)
- Orange (Finish)
All stops will have water and toilets. Rest stops will also have first aid, mechanical support and nutrition.
What is the rider valet?
If you’re participating in the 170km ride option you’ll have the option of sending one A4 sized valet bag (supplied) to ‘ride ahead’ and be waiting at the Mandurama lunch stop.
It’s important to plan ahead and use your valet bags wisely – you can pack any essentials (nutrition, change of clothes, spare tubes, etc) you may want to collect at the lunch stop.
You’ll also receive a second return valet bag (to include in the first bag), which can be used to return any unwanted clothing or items to the finish site for collection after your ride.
Oranising your valet:
Two A3 sized valet bags will be in your rider pack. If you select to have your pack posted, you can fill your valet bag at home (with the second return bag in there too) and bring it to the event village at Robertson Park on Saturday.
If you selected to collect your rider pack on Saturday 9 September, please bring what you plan to pack into your valet bag:
Valet drop-off is at Robertson Park on Saturday 9 September (12pm – 5pm)
What is a SAG wagon?
Short for Support and Gear, the SAG wagon is behind the riders and is there to collect you if you have a mechanical issue or it’s just not your day.
If you are having mechanical trouble, are fatigued or miss a cut-off time, a SAG wagon will pick you up and transport you to the nearest mechanical support or back to Orange.
If asked to enter a SAG after a cut off time or if you have fallen behind schedule, please do so gracefully.
What are the start times and cut-off times?
Start Times:
170km and 88km ride options start at 7am in Robertson Park
Cut-off Times:
88km
- Cargo – 10:45am
- Orange – 1:45pm
170km
- Cargo – 9:30am
- Canowindra – 10:30am
- Cowra – 11:30am
- Mandurama -12:00pm
- Forest Reefs – 2:00pm
- Orange – 3:00pm
Event village – Robertson Park
Everyone loves a warm welcome, so we’ll be rocking out in the heart of Orange CBD at Robertson Park.
Just imagine rolling across the finish line while being cheered on by your biggest fans – friends, family and the local Orange community!
With local shops and multiple pubs and cafes all within a stone’s throw of the finish line, it’s shaping up to be one huge post-ride celebration that cannot be missed!
What’s On? – Saturday schedule
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 12:00pm – 5:00pm | Pack collection and valet drop off open | Roberston Park |
| 12:00pm – 2:30pm | Social Ride – 40km | Roberston Park (Lords Pl side) |
| 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Social Ride – 12km | Roberston Park (Lords Pl side) |
| 3:00pm – 3:45pm | Women’s Community session | Groundstone Cafe |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Kids Ride | Roberstson Park (McNamara St) |
| 3:45pm – 4:30pm | Member’s Q&A with Alison McCormack | Groundstone Cafe |
| 4:30pm – 5:00pm | Rider Briefing | Roberston Park |
Social Ride
Warm up your legs on our social pedal, leaving Robertson Park. Choose either a 12km loop to the outskirts of town or a 40km loop ride to Mount Canobolas (return). The ride is supported by Bicycle Network volunteer ride leaders but is on open roads and under normal traffic conditions.
40km ride details
- Elevation: 939m
- Start time: 12:00pm
- Meet-up spot: Robertson Park (Lords Place side)
- View route
12km ride details
- Elevation: 109m
- Start time: 1:30pm
- Meet-up spot: Robertson Park (Lords Place side)
- View route
Kids Ride
There is no better feeling than crossing the finish line with crowds cheering, music pumping and knowing you have had a great time out on your bike. Now your kids can experience that feeling too!
Bring the family down to Robertson Park on Saturday and kids 12 and under are invited to join the Newcrest Orange Challenge Kids Ride.
The ride will take place on the closed McNamara St and will consist of laps around an outlined course. All bikes are welcome and all riders will receive a small participation gift!
Entry is a gold coin donation to our Mind Body Pedal program.
Women’s Community session
Our Women’s Community helps encourage, empower and inspire more women and gender diverse people to ride bikes.
Whether you’re here with a friend or riding alone, please come along to our welcome session after the social ride. The pre-ride briefing will give you the opportunity to hear from our Rider Ambassadors about what to expect on Sunday’s ride.
A complimentary drink and small treat will be provided.
Bicycle Network Members Q&A
To celebrate and thank our Members who are joining us on the Newcrest Orange Challenge, we’d love you to join us for a Members only Q&A session with our CEO, Alison McCormack. Enjoy a complimentary drink and small treat while you ask Alison any questions.
We've got your back
Membership
As a Bicycle Network member, you're fully supported every time you ride with our comprehensive riding insurance and Riders’ Rights (legal support). Plus, you'll score 10% off your event entry and a whole lot of other great benefits!
With individual memberships from $11.99/month, join almost 50,000 riders around Australia who ride with complete confidence, knowing we've got your back!
LEARN MORE
Look the goods
Event jersey
Taking inspiration from the classics of years gone by, the 2023 Newcrest Orange Challenge event jersey—courtesy of our good friends at HUB cycling—looks the goods, feels great and is a perfect addition to the cycling wardrobe.
Sign-up with an early bird ticket before Sunday 9th July to save on your entry and receive a complimentary event jersey for the ride.
Don’t forget to find your fit using the Men’s size chart or Women’s size chart before completing an entry.
Tourist Information
Stay and explore
Orange is a city in the Central West region of New South Wales, 254 kilometres west of Sydney. Located among rolling hills, beautiful vineyards and picturesque open plains, there are many hidden gems in the Orange region. Whether you’re into sport, music, food and wine, or action and adventure, you’ll find plenty to do during your stay in Orange.
Accommodation
You’ll find a range of accommodation options available in Orange and the surrounding region.
Explore
Extend your stay and make the most of your time in Orange with a huge range of activities and events on offer.
Wine and food
Un-wine with some of the regions finest local produce.
Learn more
Volunteer
Get involved
Are you bringing friends or family along to the event?
We’re on the lookout for volunteers to help us at the start line, finish line and rest areas on route.
As part of our event team, all volunteers receive a Bicycle Network cap and drink bottle while also getting a front row seat to the action! Sound like a good time?
Become a volunteer
A Bicycle Network event
We've got your back
Are you covered?
Bicycle Network Members receive 10% off their entry and are fully supported every time they ride, with comprehensive riding insurance and Riders’ Rights (legal support).
Help us make bike riding easier for everyone
As a not-for-profit organisation, becoming a Member and taking on our events also means you’re supporting our behaviour change programs and advocacy campaigns to make it easier for everyone to ride a bike, every day.
Newcrest Orange Challenge early bird tickets close 9 July!
Commit now