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Background

The Ballarat Cancer Research Centre (BCRC) has a vision to unlock the cancer riddle through innovative cancer research.

In collaboration with research centre's worldwide, Ballarat and regional Victoria is at the forefront of working to unlock the cancer riddle by attracting the best minds in cancer research to work in Ballarat.  This will open the door to offer the most advanced approaches to cancer research here in our community.

As a means to raise much needed funds to continue the work of BCRC, the Come to Life Ballarat Cycle Classic has been established.   The City of Ballarat is providing strong support for this event and a comprehensive media package including, but not limited to television, radio, print and internet will be implemented.  Participation is estimated at 1200 riders.

The BCRC is committed to ensuring this event is a premier road ride and sponsors obtain optimum value from their association with the event. 
Come to Life Ballarat Cycle Classic


This is the first year of the Come to Life Ballarat Cycle Classic (Classic).  The Classic will be held on Sunday 24th February 2008 and is a 60km/100km road ride which starts and finishes at Lake Wendouree and incorporates the Australian road championship course at Mt Buninyong. Team and individual entries accepted for both rides.

For those that may find 100km too daunting a team of 2 to 4 members can enter the team relay event around Lake Wendouree.

A  complimentary high quality cycling jersey will be given to all adult participants  in recognition of this  inaugural event.

Each participant will receive a gift bag at registration which will contain sponsors' promotional material and/or product samples.

At the start finish area at Lake Wendouree there will be family entertainment with quality food and beverages available.  There is also an opportunity for sponsors' to promote their product/service.

The Course

The Ballarat Come to Life Cycle Classic 100km course commences with a lap of Lake Wendouree from the "Peddlers Green" event village at
Windmill Drive. Heading east out of Ballarat via Forest, Norman and Hummfray Streets the course continues along Daylesford Roadpassing under the Western Fwy bypass before a sharp hillclimb past Gong Gong and Kirks Reservoirs.
Heading further east the riders will turn right onto
Creswick Roadand then immediately left at Springbank Road. Springbank Roadtakes us through rich potato country, crossing the freeway again and into Gordon. From Gordon the course heads south through Mt Egerton and then west toward Ballarat with Mt Bunninyong and the loop of the Nationals road race course looming in the distance. At the base of Mt Bunninyong the riders will turn right at Yankee Flat road and onto the National road course proper.
After this 10km loop including the 3km climb out of Bunninyong township the riders will rejoin
Yankee Flat Rdand head north for the final 30km into Ballarat and a final lap of Lake Wendouree.
Tips On Bunch Riding

The Ballarat Come to Life Cycle Classic will attract at least 1000 riders so it will be very important for all participants to be comfortable with the practice of "bunch riding".
The skill of bunch riding is often cited as a barrier for cyclists new to the sport with many chosing to ride solo rather than joining a "bunch". However, despite appearances bunch riding is easier than it looks and with the added bonuses of saving a rider up to 40% of effort to travel at the same speed, providing enhanced safety by being more visible as a mass and offering opportunity for enjoyable interactions with fellow cyclists it is a skill well worth learning.
Technical Information
Bunch Riding
Cyclists looking to take the leap to bunch riding should consider the following tips:
If riding at the front of the bunch make sure you call out and signal to alert riders behind you of road hazards and approaching traffic. A call of "hole" and subtle hand gesture indicating where the hole is adds to the confidence of all in the bunch.
Ensure that your riding is smooth and consistent. No sudden swerving, braking or accelerations. The bunch should aim to travel smoothly and consistently as one.
Keep a reasonable distance between the back wheel of the rider in front of you and your front wheel to ensure there is no risk of "touching a wheel". While keeping a comfortable gap, don't be so far back that you aren't getting the benefit of protection from the wind.
Try to lift your eyes to the hips and back of the rider in front and "scan" the bunch ahead rather than focusing on the back wheel of the bike in front. This is a skill that will come with practice.
Share your turn at the front of the bunch to provide others with a rest from the wind. Most bunches will have a system for circulating through the group to the front and if everyone "does their turn" then the workload will be evenly shared. Take the time to observe how the bunch is organised to share turns or just ask!
Be confident and enjoy the experience of riding in the "bunch".

http://www.bcrc.org.au/pages.php?page=38