On 23 – 24 September 2017, the ACT’s premier state open cycling event returns to the nation’s capital with graded racing for all levels for the first time.

Brand new courses have been added to Canberra’s highest level road race, with closed roads for all grades. For the first time, the event will also include a separate entry-level ride category, held under the same closed-road conditions as the main event and open to all levels.

For this event, “all levels” means riders should be able to confidently ride the event distance of 21km on a road bike, surrounded by other cyclists. Organisers suggest riders be able to ride up a hill at a rate of at least 550m /hr for about half an hour. This is roughly equivalent to a time of 25mins up Black Mountain or Mt. Ainslie, a time of 9mins up Red Hill or the Arboretum, or a time of 19mins up Mt. Stromlo.

In addition, for the first time riders will be able to use bikes with disc brakes at the National Capital Tour. 

This follows Cycling Australia’s announcement of a new stance on disc brakes to encourage and allow more people to get involved in racing.

“Cycling Australia is taking a leadership role in the global discussion around disc brakes and look forward to seeing a positive effect on the Australian cycling landscape with this announcement,” said Cycling Australia CEO Nick Green.

“Cycling Australia actively works at all levels to remove barriers for people getting into cycling, and we believe this is another valuable step towards getting more people to give racing a go,” he added.

More information can be found at nationalcapitaltour.com.au.