One of the largest cycling events in Canberra has been given the go-ahead after covid-safe measures were approved.
The organisers of the Big Canberra Bike Ride say they have received approval so the event in its 22nd year it will take place on Sunday, March 21. It often attracts a thousand riders of all ages and abilities.
Last year's was cancelled not because of the epidemic but because of the bushfire smoke that smothered the city. But organisers said this year's would go ahead.
"While many of Canberra's favourite events and activities have been curtailed to meet covid safety requirements, the Big Canberra Bike Ride will be back in 2021 better than ever," the chief executive of cycling lobby group Pedal Power, Ian Ross, said.
"This is a unique bike riding event - it brings together all riders, all abilities, and all bike types.
"Pedal Power is calling all Canberra bike riders, whether they ride a little or a lot, to register for the event so they can experience the fun of riding with hundreds of other bike riders."
He hoped that this year's dark cloud of epidemic had brought one silver lining: more people with bikes, so this year's event would be bigger than previous ones.
"Pedal Power is hopeful that this year's event will attract many new riders who purchased bikes and started riding during last year's COVID lockdown.
"We are holding this event to bring the bike riding community together, to ride in safety and have fun," Mr Ross said.
The Big Canberra Bike Ride includes four routes. Some will be entirely on closed roads, others will use shared paths. Two longer routes will use roads that wind out into the countryside.
"For the first time, riders will be able to cycle across the Kings and Commonwealth Avenue bridges on closed roads," Mr Ross said.
- The five kilometre "Big Family Ride" along part of Lake Burley Griffin.
- The 35 kilometre "Big Lake Ride" around Lake Burley Griffin.
- The 65 kilometre "Big Dam Ride" out to the Cotter Dam. This tougher ride involves substantial ups and down before going around the front of Parliament House. The cycling press says there's "a total of 1200 metre elevation gain over the ride. That's almost a solid 2 per cent ride".
- The 120 kilometre "Big Tidbinbilla Ride" which includes the Big Dam Ride plus a detour to Tidbinbilla along Paddys River Road.
All rides start and finish at the event village at Rond Terrace on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. There will be free family entertainment and lots of food and drinks available.
