Bright Fondo

Presented by: Ride High Country 7 Peaks.
The Bright Fondo is an exciting new edition to the Tour of Bright (ToB) weekend. Alongside the racing of the Tour of Bright we now have the Friday night Criterium and the Bright Fondo, this will consist of two rides over two days.

Stage 1 : Tawonga Gap

Saturday 5th of December
Starting at the Community centre Bright, a vehicle escort will lead the group right onto the Great Alpine Road (GAR) to Towonga Gap Rd. Once you turn left onto Towonga Gap rd the road will be closed to vehicles so you can enjoy the 13kms to Towonga Gap where you will find an aid station and views of the Kiewa Valley and Mt Bogong. Although the road is closed for the descent back down you will need to stay left to avoid climbing riders. The finish line is just before the GAR, where you can enjoy a coffee and breakfast while watching the end of stage one of the ToB.
Start Time: 7:00am Railway ave, Bright
Cut off time: 9:12am
Average speed required to make cut off: 15km/h
Distance: 33km (elevation gain 630m)
Aid station: Tawonga Gap
Start groups: 15-18km/h, 19-22km/h, 22+km/h

Stage 2 : Mt Buffalo, The Horn

Sunday 6th of December
Bright via the Great Alpine Road (GAR) to Porepunkah, straight through the roundabout onto Mt Buffalo rd where there’s a little bump to warm the legs up before the main event. Once you enter Mt Buffalo National Park, the up lane of the road will be closed to vehicles so you can settle in for the epic climb. As you approach Mackeys lookout you will come across the first aid station and views of Mt Bogong, Feathertop and Hotham. The road continues up to ‘The Gap' which signifies the end of the main climb, but don’t be fooled by the downhill, there’s still plenty more climbing to come. Turn right at the chalet turn off and navigate around Lake Cantani before the road points up again. You will come through Dingo Dell, which is the finish line for the ToB but not for you. A bit further up the road is the next aid station, located at the Cathedral / Hump carpark. From here you can see your final destination ‘The Horn’. A quick descent leads you to a gravel road and the final 2.4km to the turnaround. Upon reaching the summit, soak in the views and your breath and then it’s time to head home. Reverse the route back to the start/finish line in Bright, the trip home will be a bit quicker! Take care coming through Dingo Dell and on the way down as racers will be coming up.
Start Time: 6:30am Railway ave, Bright
Average speed required to make cut off: 11km/h
Distance: 84km (elevation gain 1,830m)
Aid station: Mackey’s lookout, Cathedral/ Hump
Start groups: 15-18km/h, 19-22km/h, 22+km/h
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​Cut off time at Cresta valley start of the gravel 10:10am (3 hours 40 minutes from start) If you are outside this time you will be turned around so that you don’t interfere with racers coming up.
If that’s not enough riding for you, tackle one of the other 7 peaks challenges or pin on a number and race the Friday Night Criterium (A,B and C grades)


Entries open: 21/8
Limited numbers of entries: 250
Cost: $199 
Includes:
  • 2 rides (climbs on closed roads)
  • Live timing
  • Aid Stations Food and Drink (Supported by Audax Australia)
  • Medical support
  • Lead vehicle and SAG Wagon Support
  • Drink voucher for bright brewery
  • Cuore event jersey for only $90
  • Safety Briefing
Registration: 4/12 - Friday evening at the Bright Community Centre.
Timing transponders will be removed at the Bright Brewery after Sunday’s stage in exchange for a drink voucher
Minimum age 18 years old