Routes and Prices

Around the Bay Classic

Ride features

Ride the iconic Around the Bay route. Cover both the east and west as you ride 220km around the entire Port Phillip Bay coastline, travelling through the Bellarine Peninsula, Queenscliff, Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula.

Be sure to take advantage of our free training rides, tailored training plans and comprehensive on-route support as you tick off this bucket list ride.

Key details

Distance: 220km
Elevation: 857m
Departing: 05:30, Albert Park
Min. avg pace: 21km/h
Estimated ride time: 8h (riding at 31km/h) – 12:20h (riding at 21km/h)

Strava route map

Enter now

A GPX file of the route can be downloaded via the full route map above.

Rest stops

1. Altona (28km)

Open time: 6:20am
Cut off time: 7.45am
Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes

2. Little River (63km)

Open time: 7:30am
Cut off time: 9:25am
Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes

3. Geelong (84km)

Open time: 8:15am
Cut off time: 10:30am
Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes, fruit & lollies

4. Queenscliff – Ferry (118km)

Open time: 9:15am
Cut off time: 1:00pm
Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes & lunch pack
Valet: Pick-up and drop-off

5. Sorernto (118km)

Open time: 9:15am
Cut off time: 1:00pm
Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes

6. Safety Beach (146km)

Open time: 11:15am
Cut off time: 3:00pm
Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes

7. Frankston (174km)

Open time: 12:10pm
Cut off time: 4:20pm
Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes, fruit & Winners bars

8. Mordialloc (190km)

Open time: 12:40pm
Cut off time: 5:10pm
Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes, Coca-Cola & salty snacks

Wave starts

The Classic ride distance will start in 4 different speed waves. This is to ensure you are riding with people best suited to your pace!

Wave 1: Over 30km/h (Cyan)
Wave 2: 27km – 30km/h (Green)
Wave 3: 24km – 27km/h (Dark Blue)
Wave 4: 20km – 24km/h (Purple)

Ferry Information

Ferry tickets will be issued on arrival at the Queenscliff rest area and are colour matched to available spaces on each ferry.

Tickets will be allocated on a first-come first served basis. You cannot collect tickets for other riders. Only riders with a valid ticket will be allowed to board each ferry.

The ferry table is provided as a guide. Ferry departure times are set, and the average speed required is set from Albert Park start line.

Scheduled Ferry Time	Average minimum speed (kph) required to reach ferry departing at
Scheduled Ferry Time	5:30 – AP Start	6:25 – AP start
9:00	36	NA
10:00	28	35
10:30	26	31
11:00	23	28
12:00	20	23
12:30	19	21

All Classic riders need to be on the 12:30 ferry at the latest. After disembarking this ferry, a minimum average speed of 20kph would be required to finish the ride within the route time limitations.

Highlights:

The Classic route will see a lane closure and reduced speeds on the Princes Freeway!
New wave starts so you can easily find your rhythm with riders at a similar pace to you.
This is your only opportunity to ride the full lap of Port Phillip Bay with comprehensive on-route support.
Enjoy the new rest stop along the Geelong Waterfront.
Free valet service, to get your own favourite snacks or fresh kit when you need it most.
Celebrate back at the event village festival with friends and family as you cross the finish line to collect your ‘Classic’ finishers medal!

What’s included?

Medical & mechanical

Rest stops

Nutrition & hydration

Traffic management

Dedicated training plan

Training rides

Finishers medal

Life long memories

Ferry transport

Free event jersey*

Valet service

* Only included with paid entries before Sunday 2 June 2024.

Valet – free rider service

Valet is a free optional service for The Classic (220km) and 300km riders passing through either Sorrento or Queenscliff. We'll transport an A4-sized satchel for you from the start line to your lunch stop. You can use it to carry a fresh kit, extra tubes or a favourite snack. You will also receive a second satchel so we can return your things back to Albert Park (return satchels will not arrive at Albert Park until after 3:30pm on Sunday).

You don't need to book valet separately! Valet bags are available for collection and drop off during the rider pack collection times.

Return satchels not collected on-event will be brought back to the Bicycle Network office on Wednesday and can be collected between 9am and 5pm for two weeks following the event. All items not collected will be disposed of thoughtfully.