Tour de Brisbane offers new experiences and picturesque routes for riders of varying skill levels

WHEN one hears the words “Tour de Brisbane”, it’s easy to be misled into thinking that it’s a purely competitive race. After all, the world’s most prestigious cycling race is called the Tour de France and it is 101 levels of tough.

But Tour de Brisbane - a one-day cycling event held in the heart of Brisbane, with roads fully closed as riders race through iconic landmarks like the Story Bridge - does cater to a wider cycling audience. It is in fact open to anyone who is up for a cycling adventure.

There are a few categories for the masses: a 10km family fun ride, 50km and 80km non-competitive rides, a sprint duathlon, and the 110km Gran Fondo that has qualification to the UCI World Championships.

Last year, I went for the 110km Gran Fondo, which includes Brisbane's iconic Mount Coot-tha along the course, and that ride is not for the faint-hearted. Having to ride up that mountain in the last segment of the race will definitely challenge your legs.

This year I wanted to try something different, so I took part in the 80km non-competitive category - which is essentially the same route as the Gran Fondo, but no Mount Coot-tha. Cyclists would start from the Brisbane Showgrounds, cut through the central business district (CBD), then enter the highway and zoom through the Legacy Way tunnel a couple of times before heading back to the CBD.

Singaporean cycling enthusiasts making the trip to Brisbane

Throughout the ride, I was in the company of a personal friend, and it was a lot of fun doing it together. We were not gunning for our fastest times, so we took time to soak in the sights and take videos for each other. The one thing I like about cycling races is that you get to draft (think of it as tailgating) so we save energy and can help to pull each other along. It is truly a team effort.

Besides my friend, I was also in the company of 13 other cyclists from Singapore for this trip, which was organised by EU Holidays. All logistics – flights, accommodation, airport transfers – were planned for us, and we had a cycling guide, former pro cyclist Vincent Ang, who took us on daily rides in the days leading up to the race.

The group was made up of cyclists of varying skill levels, with different objectives for the event. Some went for their first overseas cycling race experience, some wanted to achieve UCI qualification and some just wanted to travel the world with their bicycles.

One of the participants, Ong Tiong Choon, was initially concerned about his weight and age, but the 67-year-old semi-retiree eventually came along with his cycling mates and signed up for the 80km non-competitive ride.

Although he picked up cycling 55 years ago, he started taking it more seriously only in early 2020 as the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged him to delve deeper into this activity. Over the last two years, he started going abroad to cycle – Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and, most recently, Australia.

“I appreciated several aspects of the Tour de Brisbane. Firstly, the full road closure provided a seamless cycling experience without the worry of traffic. Additionally, the route offered picturesque views, including the serene South Bank riverside and iconic Story Bridge. These elements combined to make the event not just a race, but an enjoyable journey through Brisbane's landmarks and landscapes,” he said.

Testing your riding skills and personal limits

Ong’s friend Peh Ke Pin switched to cycling when he had to sell all eight of his electric unicycles because of the change in regulations for personal mobility devices. The 51-year-old business owner bought a road bike and a mountain bike during the pandemic and has travelled to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Austria and Switzerland for cycling trips with the same group of friends.

“The weather in Brisbane was what I liked best. It was perfect – sunny with cool wind. The participants were very orderly and safety-conscious, which is important in a sport like cycling. I did the 110km Gran Fondo and I thought it was cool that you get to qualify for the UCI World Championship is you finish in the top 20 per cent of your age category,” he said.

As for assistant finance manager Ezann Cheung, Tour de Brisbane was her first cycling race and she completed the 110km Gran Fondo.

“When my husband and I searched for information about the race online, the scenic route caught our attention and we decided to go. The overall tour package price was reasonable and we didn’t have to spend time doing our own itinerary,” the 35-year-old added.

“For a first-timer attending a race, I must say the whole race was well-organised and the fully closed roads was a plus as I could ride safely without having to worry about any traffic. It was also a rare experience of being able to ride in the tunnels and on the highways. As for the Mount Coot-tha climb, it was a love-hate relationship but a great sense of achievement to be able to complete it.

“Living in Singapore with mostly flat roads and humid weather, riding in Brisbane is a whole new world and experience. You get to put your riding skills and personal limits to a test.”