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Rapha Cycling Tourscs

Rapha Bright Escape

  • INCLUSIONS
  • ITINERARY
  • PRICING

Location

  • Australia
    Australia

Bookings are open!

2021 Bright Escape

Join the Team from Rapha and Ride International at the Bright Alpine Escape, where the emphasis is as much on unwinding and enjoying beautiful surroundings as it is on challenging yourself on the bike.

We Ride: Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and (optional) 4th Peak Dinner Plain.

Based in Bright for an indulgent long weekend of cycling, beautiful landscapes and fine local produce.

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inclusions

  • Spacious Cycling Friendly Three Star Accommodation
  • Daily breakfasts including barista coffee
  • Local Chef using the finest local ingredients for our in-house evening meals includes a local wine, beer or cool drink (as per detailed itinerary below)
  • Local guides for cycling and non-cyclists
  • Minimum of three guided ride options per day, to suit your preferred distance and amount of climbing
  • Cyclists and Non-Cyclists receive a custom Rapha Technical T-shirt
  • 3pm Hotel, Late Checkout – Sunday Afternoon
  • Airport Transfers, if the covid restrictions in late January permit, we may be able to offer Airport transfers from Melbourne as an “optional extra” contact us to register your interest
  • Cycling Laundry Service
  • Pro mechanical support on tour
  • Support vehicle each day to carry daypacks, spare parts, hydration and ride snacks
  • Separate Itinerary for Non-cyclists
  • Itinerary, including daily ride maps
  • Free download of our GPS Ride Routes
  • Post Ride Massage (Optional Extra)
  • Daily Bike Spa including Bike Wash, Mechanical check and tune, by a Pro Mechanic
Our Cycling Friendly Three Star Team Hotel in Bright, Victoria. 1 of 2 Nights

itinerary

DAY 1

ARRIVAL DAY + RIDE – Fri, 29th Jan 2021

Meet: Team Hotel Bright Victoria 12pm

Arrival Day Ride Time: 1.30pm

Distance: 70km  Climbing: 1600m

Dinner: 7.30pm Welcome Dinner

Accommodation: Bright, Victoria

More About Our Day:

Welcome to the Rapha Bright Escape.

Today we’ll meet you at our Team Hotel in Bright at 12pm, or alternatively, if the current covid restrictions in late January permit, we may be able to offer transfers from Melbourne Airport to and from our Team Hotel in Bright contact us to register your interest

Alternatively, we always highly recommend arriving early for an Escape start, it’ll help alleviate travel stress, you’ll recover from your travel better and it’ll build in some wiggle room in the event your travel or connections don’t flow as smoothly as you’d like.

Once at our Team Hotel, we’ll assist you to build up your bike – if required.

After a quick bite to eat for lunch in Bright (non-inclusion), we’ll ride from our hotel

Our Ride:

Ride Start: 1.30pm • Distance: 70km • Climbing: 1600m

Welcome Day, warm-up ride to get the legs and body moving. This afternoon we explore the beauty of Mt Buffalo, it’s a favourite climb of ours in the Australian Alpine region. From the park entrance, the road climbs approximately 20km / 1150m climbing up to the historic Mt Buffalo Chalet.

Enroute this afternoon, we can include some ride skills sessions to improve your technique for the weekend ahead, ask us how. This afternoons descent off Mt Buffalo can be very tricky in places, with some big bumps in the road in non-ideal places, please proceed with caution off the mountain.

Late in the day, if time permits we’ll cool off at a local swimming place, we then return to our hotel to freshen up and prepare for tonight’s in-house welcome dinner.

Non-cycling options:

Discover our local town, it’s a lovely place with plenty of heritage, & or then join the group to explore the landscapes of Mt Buffalo and it’s historic challet.

Late in the day return to our hotel and frock-up for our Welcome Dinner.

Après Bike:

Suggested Post Ride rehydration: Hops helps recovery, the Victorian Alpine region produces some wonderful and lesser-known beers, some from hops grown in the region, they are light and refreshing, you may want to leave some of the stronger ones for another day.

Welcome Dinner: 7.30pm in-house

Meet in the Hotel dining area, tonight’s meal is caringly prepared by a local chef to showcase the regions wonderful produce. Our meal includes a specially selected local wine, beer or cool drink, additional drinks are available on a non-inclusion basis.

 Accommodation:

Our Cycling Friendly Three Star Team Hotel in Bright, Victoria. 1 of 2 Nights

Our Cycling Friendly Three Star Team Hotel in Bright, Victoria. 1 of 2 Nights

DAY 2

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, 30th January, 2021

Breakfast: From 7am

Our Ride Start: 7.30am

Ride Distances: 60km-990m / 90km-2500m / 125km-3200m.

More About Our Day:

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for, it’s the second climb of our Bright Escape – Falls Creek.

This morning after a hearty breakfast, you’ll head out straight from our hotel by bike, or if you’d like a slightly shorter/easier ride you’ll depart via vehicle. First up this morning en route to Mt Beauty, we crest Tawonga Gap you’ll be greeted by superb views into the Kiewa Valley.

Once you arrive in Mt Beauty, it may be a good chance to pause and re-energise with a coffee and snack in one of Mt Beauty’s quaint stores, cafe’s or bakery prior to ascending the slopes of Falls Creek.

On the return run to Bright, we suggest stopping in at Mt Beauty for lunch and or coffee, your contributions to these smaller towns and stores will be well received by the local communities.

Our Ride:

Ride Distances & Climbing: 60km-990m / 90km-2500m / 125km-3200m

Today is your chance to ride some beautiful parts of the Alpine Region, first up out of Bright is the 10km/500m climb to the top of Tawonga Gap.

A lovely descent and valley ride will have you in Mt Beauty, followed by the undulating climb up from Mt Beauty to Falls Creek, it’s approximately 30km/1500m of climbing. A real test for riders of all calibres and fitness.

Please take care on the fast bumpy descent off Falls Creek, many of the turns double back on themselves, go cautiously on the turns you can’t see around. After the beautiful descent off Falls Creek, as we mentioned above stop in at Mt Beauty for a rider revivor stop, it’s a lovely little town.

It’s best to save some energy for Tawonga Gap on your run back to home base, it’s approximately 7.5km /550m of climbing. If time permits we highly recommend stopping in at the river in Bright to cool off, the cooling waters of the river are famed for their healing properties, especially for fatigued cycling legs.

Non-cycling options:

Plenty of options today based on your personal interests, or preferences.

Explore the local town of Bright some more, it’s shops, cafe’s or additional options for active off-bike activities include walks – hikes etc, or swim in the local river ask us how.

Alternatively, join us to explore the Alpine region in our vehicle, you’ll see Tawonga Gap, Mt Beauty & Falls Creek, you’ll intercept and join up with the cycling group on occasion.

Après Bike:

Once back in Bright head to our hotel, and we’ll give your bike a freshen up, so it’s ready for tomorrow morning, pre-dinner if time permits it’s a free program to explore our town, it’s shops and natural beauty.

Drop-in your cycling kit and we’ll launder it so it’s fresh.

Suggested Post Ride rehydration: Australian Prosecco, sparkling white wine grapes are grown in the Victorian Alpine region, there are some lovely examples of this Italian classic, rumour has it the bubbles help reoxygenate tired cycling legs.

Dinner: 7.30pm in-house

Meet in the Hotel dining area, tonight is our second and final sitting, a nice chance to experience more of the fine local fare. Tonight’s meal again includes a specially selected local wine, beer or cool drink, additional drinks as always are available on a non-inclusion basis.

 Accommodation:

Our Cycling Friendly Team Hotel, Bright, Victoria. 2 of 2 Nights

Today is your chance to ride some beautiful parts of the Alpine Region, first up out of Bright is the 10km/500m climb to the top of Tawonga Gap.

DAY 3

DAY 3 – SUNDAY, 31st January 2021

Breakfast: 7am

Ride Start: 7.30am

Ride Distances: 55km/400m – 75km/1300m – 110km/2400m – 220km/4550m

Hotel Checkout:  3pm

More About Our Day:

Today is our final climb for our weekend, we’ve saved the biggest and best til last – Mt Hotham.

Once at the top of Mt Hotham, we will have a simple lunch prepared for you, there’s generally not a lot open at the top of Mt Hotham, so after a few selfies at the iconic tunnel and signs at the top of Mt Hotham, we’ll be able to keep you moving along swiftly, with a quick and simple fuel stop for your lunch.

We’ve organised a 3pm – late check out from our hotel, so you can freshen up with a shower when you return from the Mt Hotham ride.

If you need to pack a bike to travel we can assist in packing your bike up.

Our Rides:

55km/400m – 75km/1300m – 110km/2400m (to Omeo return Dinner Plain, Mt Hotham, Bright adds an additional 110km/2150m) 220km/4550m

From our team hotel we have a nice warm up out of town toward the base of the Mt Hotham climb, once on the climb it’s approximately 30km /1600m climbing. The climb is broken up into three distinct parts, the first sector is a hard 10km/700m climbing, there’s a nice reprieve in the middle 10km sector, it’s a much steady – easier climb, then the final 10km collects an additional 600m of climbing up to around 1835m above sea level.

If time permits in your schedule, and you are keen to bank some big k’s and vert, we have an unsupported option on offer to head down to Omeo and then complete your 4th Peak of the weekend, the climb back up to Dinner Plain is on the 7Peaks Passport.

For everyone else we make our way gently back down off Mt Hotham to Bright. We’ll hit the showers at our hotel, and pack for onward travel.

Non-cycling options:

Join the group on a stunning drive into the Victorian Alpine region high above the tree line. Lunch will be at the top of Mt Hotham.

Alternatively, if you haven’t already explored the local town and surrounds of Bright, today could be a good day to see some more of its shops, cafe’s, or additional options for active off-bike activities can include suggested walks – hikes etc, or swim in the local river ask us how.

Après Bike:

If time permits, head into Bright for a cool refreshing swim in the local swimming hole at the river.

Hotel Checkout: 3pm. Time to head home, thank you for joining us in Bright for our long weekend escape.

Join the group on a stunning drive into the Victorian Alpine region high above the tree line. Lunch will be at the top of Mt Hotham.

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Rapha cycling tours gallery

Pricing

3 Day Bright Escape

29th – 31st Jan 2021 | $990 AUD/pp

Single Occupancy – Limited Availability

29th – 31st Jan 2021 | Price: $1750

Payment Options

We have to close the trip off due to Covid19 travel restrictions.

$990.00 AUD – $1,750.00 AUD

Clear

ROOMS

* Our Bright Escape is based on share accommodation, if you are travelling with a friend or partner please advise us, prices are per person. If you are travelling alone we’ll match you with a similar roommate.

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YOUR HOSTS

Guide Phil

phil anderson

You’ll spend the famous race days of the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix on a VIP experience with Phil Anderson as we follow the races in our vehicles. Champagne – gourmet picnic lunch’s included enroute during both classics.

Phil was based in Belgium for much of his early pro cycling career, he was passionate about doing well in these early season Spring Classics races, including winning the Amstel Gold Race, 2nd at the Tour of Flanders and many podium places in the one-day monument races.

Our experience allows us to see the races at multiple viewing points en route, including being at the finish of the Paris – Roubaix in the velodrome.

Pat Fitzpratrick

PAT FITZPATRICK

Director of Ride International Tours – With a keen passion for improving riders fitness and technique in Road biking, MTB, Gravel and Cx riding. Originally Pat hails from Adelaide, South Australia, but resides half the year in Brunswick, Melbourne Australia – The balance of the year is spent in Europe hosting tours, while in Europe he's based out of lovely small medieval Spanish village, Solsona near the Pyrenees mountains.

When not on tour, Dadding is the priority - doing the bins, clothes washing, dishes and cleaning up after our very energetic young twin daughters.

Riding and racing from when I could walk, racing since the age of 7. BMX, Motorcross, Mountainbike XC, Downhill, 4cross, Road and criterium racing. Coaching and improving riders in their fitness and technique since 1997

2021 Spring Classics Tours

Tour Spring Classic 4 day Flanders

4 DAY

Tour of Flanders Long Weekend

2 – 5 APR 2021

$375 – $3,350 AUD

FIND OUT MORE
Tour Spring Classic 5 day

5 DAY

Belgie Training Camp

5 – 9 APR 2021

$395 – $2,950 AUD

FIND OUT MORE
Tour Spring Classic 4 day Paris

4 DAY

Paris Roubaix Long Weekend

9 – 12 APR 2021

$395 – $3,395 AUD

FIND OUT MORE

OUR GUEST REVIEWS

Star rate
“Both Pat and Grace have excellent people skills, they build relationships quickly, they were always well organised with itineraries or plans for the day re weather, road changes, or unexpected issues that arose. Hard work from them made our tour of two weeks a dream holiday along with all the extra drama of the biggest cycling race in the world.”

- J. & I. Aplin . Napier, New Zealand

Star rate
“Thanks very much for a highly enjoyable and excellently run tour. You and your team certainly exceeded my expectations, not only with the rides but local knowledge which helped make life simple.”

- Daren A . QLD, Australia

Star rate
“It is the small things that you guys do behind the scenes that makes all the difference. It was an amazing experience to ride in Italy and experience the Giro first hand. Thanks again and looking forward to the next tour.”

- Stephen P . QLD, Australia

Star rate
“I first met Pat and Grace on a cycling tour in Europe in 2013. Pat and Grace make the perfect team to run these types of tours, both are friendly, bubbly and outgoing in their personalities and each bring their own invaluable skills to touring with a group.”

- A. Saunders . Victoria, Australia

Star rate
“Wow, two of the greatest tour guides I know. Knowledgeable, multilingual, always helpful, a great team to handle your once in a life time tour. I’ve done at least 4 two-week cycle tours with one or both of this husband wife team. Every one has been extraordinary. You will not go wrong with one of these two as your tour coordinators.”

- Tommy. E . USA

Advance Bookings:

We open up our Advance Reservations for trips so you can book well ahead. Guarantee your position by booking up to 12 months prior.

If you’d like to organise and book your trip more than 12 months prior, contact us via email or phone, we’ll arrange everything so you can make an advanced early booking.

An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.

Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.

If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.

To cancel an advance reservation a cancellation request must be submitted in writing/ via email within 14 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 14-day period.

Payments

We offer increased payment flexibility – Book your cycling escape with confidence.
Payments from June 2020 onward are 100% refundable, should you need to alter your travel plans due to unforeseen Covid19 issues

Final Payments:

The balance of your trip payment is due no later than 120 days prior to your trip departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.

What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip:
We understand you may not be able to go on your trip, cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to transfer to another trip that has places available. If you have a question give us a call or email.

Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.

AFTER BOOKING, IF YOU CANCEL:

120 – 91 days prior to departure 50% cancellation fee of the trip price
90 – 61 days prior to departure 75% cancellation fee of the trip price
60 days and less prior to departure 100% cancellation fee of the trip price
SANTOS TOUR DOWN UNDER TRAVEL SPECIALIST

2021 Santos TDU Official VIP Trip Options

  • CORPORATE HOSPITALITY – DOWN UNDER CLASSIC 2021
  • LEGENDS’ NIGHT DINNER 2021

Trip Options

  • Bike Hire

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Ride International Tours

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Operating since 2007, we offer a range of bespoke cycling tours across Australia, Europe and Asia.

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A: Ride International Tours
37-43 Breese St
Brunswick VIC 3056

P: 1300 140 311

E: directors@rideinternational.com

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