Peaks Challenge Falls Creek

Event Info

Ride2School Fundraiser

2025 Peaks Challenge Ride2School Fund – Raise and Receive!

The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again

We need your help to get school children on their bikes and riding! 

In the 1970s, eight out of 10 students rode or walked to school. Today, that number has dropped to just two out of 10. Our Ride2School program is working to change this and give children healthy habits for life. 

Use your Peaks Challenge effort to fundraise for Ride2School and score the exclusive Peaks Challenge Legends kits as a reward. 

You’re taking on a monumental challenge and so are we.

Together, with the support of your colleagues, company, friends, and family, we can make a meaningful impact on young people’s lives. 

As you tackle 235km and ascend more than 4500 metres in one day. With their help, we can help children become fit and active for life. All donations made by your friends, workplace, family are tax deductible  

Fundraising kit rewards: 

Raise $200, earn a free – pro jersey 

Raise $500 plus earn free – pro knicks 

Raise $750 plus – pro long sleeve jersey 

Raise $5000 plus be a true legend and recognised as a named donor on our sponsor board and website. 

Sign up now to become a”Fundraising Champion” and help raise funds for Ride2School.

Find out more about our Ride2School impact here.

FUNDRAISE NOW

Tourist information

A weekend away

Victoria’s alpine region is one of the most spectacular in the world. Make a weekend of Peaks Challenge Falls Creek – taste your way around the villages and receive warm welcomes from the families who run the gourmet restaurants, boutique wineries and lodgings. To see what’s on over the Victorian Labour Day long weekend, see the Visit Victoria website.

 

Peaks Challenge Falls Creek
FIND ACCOMMODATION With FALLS CREEK CENTRAL RESERVATIONS

Accommodation – Falls Creek.

Falls Creek Central Reservations have made it all the more efficient for you to find the perfect accommodation by listing many of the village’s lodgings on its centralised database listed below! 

You can direct any and all queries regarding accommodation to Email: info@fallscreekreservations.com.au

Phone:1800 033 079 

Stay on the mountain in one of Falls Creek’s beautiful lodges, hotels or apartments.

Accommodation

 Falls Creek Clubs and Apartments

It’s important to note that most accommodations have a minimum stay policy of 2-3 nights, make sure to check this when booking

 
Airbnb

For any extra available accommodation in the area, for any number of guests, check out Airbnb’s extensive range of rooms, private houses, apartments and more.

View Airbnb's here
Booking.com

Booking.com is host to a range of varied lodges, hotels and more for your peaks challenge in the Falls Creek area.

Booking.com

Falls Creek Village Guide

When you arrive at Falls Creek, make sure you know what amenities the village has to offer:

Featuring

Slalom Plaza – Home to the Visitor Information Centre, as well as many great places to eat and drink. 

Village Bowl – Featuring a bike pump track and an Aqueduct Trail, the village bowl should be on your map.

For more information regarding Falls Creek Village amenities click here

Mt Beauty Shuttle Service

Have you booked accommodation off-mountain? This year we will be running shuttle buses on Saturday and Sunday to get you to Falls Creek stress-free before the road closes at 5:30am on Sunday 9 March.

Saturday 8 March
Mt Beauty to Falls Creek

Bike transport is included on the Saturday service up to Falls Creek only. Bike secure storage at Falls Creek on Saturday night is included. 

Falls Creek to Mt Beauty
  • Depart (Falls Creek): 6:30pm (after the compulsary rider briefing is completed)
  • Arrive (Mt Beauty): 7:15pm 

No bike transport is included on Saturday evening back to Mt Beauty. 

Price: $89 return

Sunday 9 March
Mt Beauty to Falls Creek

No bike transport included on Sunday morning. All riders must attend Falls Creek with their bikes on Saturday for bike check, registration and the rider briefing. Bicycle Network will secure bikes overnight for collection on Sunday morning pre-ride. 

Falls Creek to Mt Beauty
  • Depart (Falls Creek): 8:45pm
  • Arrive (Mt Beauty): 9.30pm

Bike transport is included on the Falls Creek to Mt Beauty return shuttle. Bikes will be available for collection between 9:30pm and 9:45pm at Mt Beauty (Mobil Last Stop Servo).  

Price: $89 return  

book now

Haven’t entered? Add the shuttle service to your cart during sign up to book your spot.

The support

You can rest assured we’ve got your back from the first pedal stroke of your training to crossing the finish line on event day. You’re not in this alone.

Team Bicycle Network

Team Bicycle Network are your wave leaders and domestiques – leading training rides before the event and setting the pace and rhythm at the big dance. Whether it’s reaching the finish line or cracking sub-10 hours, they will help you reach your goal. Meet the team.

On-route support at Peaks Challenge
Comprehensive on-road support

With more than 100km of road closures, you won’t often get to experience the Victorian High Country like this. Mobile mechanics sit in front of the first rider, behind the last and throughout the peloton. You’ve dedicated so much to be here, we won’t let a mechanical stop you.

Our motorcycle marshals track the route, are trained in first aid and will help get you back on your bike.

Rest areas

The route has eight rest areas with nutrition, hydration, medical and mechanical support. See exactly what to expect below in our FAQs.

SAG wagons

SAG (support and gear) wagons will be operating all day to support riders who are unable to continue riding. If you can’t go on, they will pick you up and take you to retired rider points for transport back to Falls Creek.

Event

FAQs

Here are the answers to your most common questions.

If your question isn’t in the list, please contact us via our website here or on 1800 639 634.

Preparing for the ride

Compulsory
  • Helmet
  • White front bike light
  • Red rear bike light
  • Secondary food supplies
  • 2 x drink bottles
  • Puncture repair kit
  • Spare tubes

We will check that you have these before you ride.

Recommended
  • Rain/wind jacket
  • Gloves
  • Mobile phone
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Money / credit card
  • Get bike serviced
  • Spare batteries for your bike lights
  • Arm warmers
  • Leg warmers
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Base layer of clothing
  • Fresh change of riding kit for Dinner Plain rest stop
  • Packed valet bags
  • Multi-tool or Allen keys
  • Compact crank set and cassette ratio of 11-28 teeth or more

You must be aged 16 years or older on the day of the Event to participate.

If you’re under the age of 18, a parent/guardian must provide their consent during the online registration and the rider must be accompanied on the ride by a registered rider over 18 years old (as nominated during registration).

Riders aged 15 or under may express their interest in participating in Peaks Challenge by supplying evidence that they can comfortably complete Peaks Challenge in under 12 hours (i.e. a training ride on Strava). Bicycle Network holds complete discretion in accepting or denying these entries and reserve the right to cancel and refund these entries at any time.

Be sure to follow the Peaks Challenge Falls Creek Facebook event for the latest news as it comes. We’ll also send regular updates to registered riders via email. If you have not received our event news please contact us to ensure you’ve opted in.

Yes, in order to ensure your safety we will be performing bike checks at the Event Village at Falls Creek the day before the ride. You will not be able to collect your rider ID from registration or start your ride without having your bike checked.

If you are staying outside Falls Creek the road from Mt Beauty will close at 5:15AM the day of the ride.

The full list of road closures and timings will be made available closer to the event

You can check your jersey size on the Mens Premium Fit or Womens Premium Fit sizing chart before selecting a jersey size during registration.

Bicycle Network operates a valet service on the event which provides you with three bags you can pack with items and access on the ride. The bags will be transported ahead of you and will be waiting for you at designated valet collection points – two points will be for bags with food and another for food and clothing. The food/clothing valet point includes a return valet service, so you can return any unwanted clothing or items to the finish site.

It’s important to plan ahead and use your valet bags wisely, keeping in mind all possible weather conditions you may face. We advise riders not to leave anything expensive or valuable in their bags, as Bicycle Network cannot take responsibility for any losses. We also ask for safety reasons that you do not place any glass in the bags.

Yes, the rider briefing will be available to view at the event village from 5pm. This is a compulsory viewing and will include important information about the start procedure, route and safety messages.

Car parking is managed by Falls Creek Resort Management. On arrival please follow the instructions from the team to find your park.

During the ride

The weather in the Victorian High Country is unpredictable and can change very quickly throughout the day. Be prepared for varying weather conditions throughout the day.

Being an outdoor event, Peaks Challenge Falls Creek can be subject to unpredictable climate and weather conditions.

Bicycle Network works closely with relevant authorities to develop contingency plans in the event of extreme weather conditions and reserves the right to change or cancel the event in such circumstances. Riders must be prepared for all weather conditions and ride accordingly.

Yes. The start is controlled and staggered based on your expected finish time.  Your time does not start until you cross the first timing mat (located on the intersection of Bogong High Plains Road and Slalom Street).

8-hour riders will start first, followed by 9/10-hour riders, followed by 11-hour riders, and finally 12/13-hour riders.

All riders will start in with fellow riders in their allocated expected finish time.

This is to ensure a safe and fair start for all.

The start/finish gantry is at Slalom Plaza in the Falls Creek Event Village. Appropriate signage will be installed by Saturday afternoon so riders know where they should enter the start chute on Sunday morning.

Please arrive at the start line on Sunday morning no later than 6:30am for a 6:45am start.

Yes, cut-off times are measured from when the Lanterne Rouge (last rider) crosses the start line, ensuring they are still able to complete the event in 13 hours.

Each rest stop also has a time that you need to reach it by. These cut-off times are used to assess if you will finish the ride within 13 hours. If you arrive at a rest stop after the cut-off time you will be asked kindly to retire.

View sector cut-off times.

Please note, your individual ride time (elapsed time) begins when you cross the start line and you need to finish the ride within 13 hours to receive a finisher’s jersey.

Yes, there will be a clothing drop donation zone at Mt Beauty. We suggest rugging up in a warm jacket for the initial Falls Creek descent. Be sure to pull over to the side of the road safely, before discarding your warm jacket.

Please note, discarded clothing will then be donated to local op shops, so make sure you are happy to depart with your extra clothing and that it is of an acceptable quality for someone else to buy from an op shop.

If you are looking to finish the ride within a desired time but you are unsure if you are tracking at the right pace you can refer to these handy top tube stickers with guided leave times that our wave leaders will be following. You will receive your sticker at the bike check on the Saturday of the event.

Our comprehensive route support is there for you from start to finish. All rest stops will have water, first aid, mechanical support, nutrition (inc. GF and vegetarian offerings), and toilets available. Below is what to expect at each stop on course (this may change slightly and will be updated again closer to ride day).

Tawonga Gap
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Winners Bars and Gels
  • Bike Mechanic
Harrietville (Food Valet)
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Winners Bars and Gels
  • Banana Bread
  • Bike Mechanic
Chain Bay 3 – Black Hole (Buckland Gate)
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Winners Bars and Gels
  • Bike Mechanic
Hotham Heights*
  • Toilets
  • Water

*Hotham Heights will be an unattended Rest Area, with water and toilet facilities available at the Day Shelter. 

Dinner Plain (Lunch)
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Lunch (wrap with a biscuit and banana)
    • Standard
      Wheaten Wrap with Poached Chicken, spinach, burghul salad with roasted capsicum, cucumber and fetta and a sundried tomato aioli.
    • Standard GF
      GF Wrap with Poached Chicken, spinach, quinoa salad with roasted capsicum, cucumber and fetta and a sundried tomato aioli.
    • Vegetarian
      Wheaten Wrap with, Spinach, Pumpkin and burghul salad with chickpeas, roasted capsicum and cucumber and a sundried tomato aioli.
    • Vegetarian GF
      GF Wrap with, Spinach, Pumpkin and quinoa salad with chickpeas, roasted capsicum and cucumber and a sundried tomato aioli.
    • Vegan
      Wheaten Wrap with, Spinach, Pumpkin and burghul salad with chickpeas, roasted capsicum and cucumber and a Moroccan spiced hummus.
    • Vegan GF
      GF Wrap with, Spinach, Pumpkin and quinoa salad with chickpeas, roasted capsicum and cucumber and a Moroccan spiced hummus.
Omeo
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Winners Bars and Gels
  • Chocolate Brownie (V,GF), Fruit and Lollies
  • Bike Mechanic
Anglers Rest (Food Valet)
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Winners Bars
Trapyard Gap
  • Toilets
  • First Aid
  • Water
  • Winners Bars
  • Coca-Cola
  • Bananas
  • Salty snack
  • Bike Mechanic 

There will be bins at all rest stops along the route. However, as a Peaks Challenge rider, you are responsible for disposing of your rubbish appropriately while out on the road.

Whether training or on event, please be thoughtful. Tuck your rubbish in your jersey pocket or under your knicks and dispose of it when you come to a bin. We need your help to make sure that we look after this spectacular part of the world and the future of the event relies on your cooperation.

The finisher’s jersey significance is something only a fellow Peaks Challenge rider can understand. It tells the world that you went to the depths of suffering, and came out triumphant.

If you are unable to complete the ride within the 13 hour time limit you will not receive the Peaks Challenge Falls Creek finisher’s jersey.

SRAM KOM & QOM results

SRAM logo

King and Queen of Peaks Challenge

Congratulations to our SRAM KOM and QOM of Peaks Challenge and all age group winners of our fastest climbers challenge.

KOM: Mark O’Brien
QOM: Vanessa Murray

Winners list

Category Tawonga Mt Hotham Falls Creek
KOM Mark O’Brien Mark O’Brien Mark O’Brien
QOM Vanessa Murray Vanessa Murray Vanessa Murray
18-30 yrs (Male) Jack Aitken Chris Hargraves Chris Hargraves
18-30 yrs (Female) Kerry Jonker Megan Chapple Megan Chapple
31-40 yrs (Male) Mark O’Brien Mark O’Brien Mark O’Brien
31-40 yrs (Female) Vanessa Murray Vanessa Murray Vanessa Murray
41-50 yrs (Male) Michael Cupitt Shannon Scott Tom Leaper
41-50 yrs (Female) Erin Chamberlen Megan Mansfield Erin Chamberlen
51-59 yrs (Male) David Evans David Liptak Tayfun Ugrasbul
51-59 yrs (Female) Narelle Coutts Narelle Coutts Annie Mollison
60-69 yrs (Male) John Ireson John Ireson John Ireson
60-69 yrs (Female) Glenda Banaghan Glenda Banaghan Glenda Banaghan
70+ yrs (Male) Edward Younger Edward Younger Geoff Mathews
70+ yrs (Female)
Want to see how your climb times stack up?

View the full Peaks Challenge 2024 results.

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13 hours to prove yourself

Cut-off times

It’s not just the climbs and kilometres themselves that make Peaks Challenge Falls Creek so tough, it’s also the 13-hour time limit.

To keep on track and stay under this limit you will need to reach the following checkpoints by the set cut-off times. If you arrive at one of these points after the cut-off time you will be asked to retire gracefully.

The cut-off points and times are measured from when the Lanterne Rouge (last rider) crosses the start line, and ensure they are still able to complete the event in 13 hours. We recommend setting your cycling computer to display elapsed time for an accurate measure of how you’re tracking.

Sector cut-off times
  • Harrietville rest area: 10:30am
  • Dinner Plain lunch stop: 1:30pm
  • Omeo rest area: 3:15pm
  • Back of Falls Creek turnoff: 5:30pm
  • Trapyard Gap rest area: 7:00pm
  • Ride finishes: 8:15pm

Download the official wave pacing top tube stickers so you know where you need to be on the course to finish with your desired wave group.

Sign up to Peaks Challenge 2025 by 2 March to beat the price rise!

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