FAQs
How hard is the ride?
Do I need a road bike?
What if it is raining?
What are the start and finish times?
What if my team isn’t back by the 12noon cut-off?
What are the Pillars?
Do we need to complete the Pillars in a certain order?
Do we need to stay together as a team?
What happens at the main event site?
What should I bring to the ride?
Is there somewhere I can leave my things while I’m out riding?
How much is the entry fee?
Where does the money go?
Is my entry fee tax deductible?
What does my entry fee include?
How do I get to and from the event? Is parking available?
How hard is the ride?
The ride is an challenging as you & your team wish to make it. The minimum distance to reach one Pillar will be <10km, but teams who try to reach all 7 Pillars within the allocated time could ride up to 130km+, depending on the course they take.
Do I need a road bike?
It is strongly recommended that participants have road bikes, as all Pillars will be accessible via sealed roads. However, if you are confident riding 60km-130km on a mountain bike, for example, we’d be more than happy to have you as part of the event!
What if it is raining?
The ride will still go ahead if it is raining so please bring your wet weather gear. In extreme weather conditions, for example, cyclonic winds or an electrical storm, the ride will not proceed.
What are the start and finish times?
- 6am: Registration tent opens at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).
- 7am: All teams set off.
- 12pm: Official cut-off. All teams must be back at the start site at this time. Points will be deducted from teams who arrive late.
What if my team isn’t back by the 12noon cut-off?
Points will be deducted from any teams not back at the start/finish site by 12pm – so don’t be late! All team members must be present at this time to avoid a penalty. Exact details of the number of points deducted will be revealed along with the location of the 7 Pillars, 2 weeks prior to the event.
What are the Pillars?
The exact location of the 7 Pillars will be revealed 1 month prior to the event. Click here for more Pillar information.
Do we need to complete the Pillars in a certain order?
No. Each team has between 7am-12pm to reach as many or as few Pillars as you choose, and in any order.
Do we need to stay together as a team?
Yes. Teams will not be able to progress past any of the checkpoints until all 4 members are present. If your team is separated, you must wait at the next Pillar before continuing.
If one or more team members is required to abandon the ride, this must be flagged with event staff at the next Pillar. The remaining participants can still carry on, but no longer qualify for prizes.
What happens at the main event site?
- The main event site – RBWH – is where teams collect their event kits before the ride, and also acts as the start & finish line.
- Some nutrition & electrolyte drinks will be available for participants, both before & after the ride, but it is strongly recommended that you bring your own.
- A presentation ceremony will be held at the main event site after the ride, where the winning team will be announced & presented with their prizes.
What should I bring to the ride?
- Your team mates
- Water bottle
- Nutrition
- SPF30+ sunscreen
- Wet weather gear
- Bicycle helmet (it is a legal requirement in QLD that you wear a bike helmet)
- A sense of fun & adventure!
Is there somewhere I can leave my things while I’m out riding?
Yes. Storage and shower facilities will be available, free of charge to participants, at the RBWH Cycle Centre.
How much is the entry fee?
The entry fee is $125 per person or $500 per team, which is a tax deductible donation to the RBWH Foundation.
The money raised from the event will help support Motor Neuron Disease at RBWH. Click here to read more.
Where does the money go?
100% of entry fees go to RBWH Foundation, with a focus on Motor Neuron Disease to drive funds to the Neurology Research Centre at RBWH. All event costs, including nutrition & mechanics for example, are contributions from event sponsors & suppliers.
Click here to read more about how your entry fee will help support MND at RBWH.
Is my entry fee tax deductible?
Yes. Your entry fee is 100% tax deductible, as all event costs have been covered by sponsors & contributing suppliers. All donations & fundraising you contribute in addition to your entry fee will also be 100% tax deductible.
What does my entry fee include?
Your entry fee is a 100% donation to RBWH Foundation. All event costs, including nutrition & mechanics for example, are contributions from event sponsors & suppliers.
Included as part of this donation are refreshments and nutrition at the 7 Pillars, as well as access to storage and shower facilities at the RBWH Cycle Centre. Your entry entitles you to utilise the event mechanic, however please note that charges will apply for any replacement tubes etc required. On top of this – you also get to be part of Brisbane’s favourite mates ride!
How do I get to and from the event? Is parking available?
Parking around the hospital complex is regulated. There is no parking for visitors on the hospital grounds and parking in nearby streets is controlled. Some metered parking is available. Cyclists are strongly encouraged to ride to the start line, as storage facilities and showers will be available free of charge to participants.
If you must drive, there are three multi-storey carparks available on the Herston campus. These are all undercover and operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Charges will apply. Carparks nearby include:
- Metro carpark – Butterfield Street
- Wilson carpark – junction of Gilchrist Avenue and Herston Road
- Royal Children’s Hospital Metro carpark – Bramston Terrace