Great Brisbane Bike Ride is a challenging loop ride around Brisbane with rides to suit riders of all levels

The Great Brisbane Bike Ride is Bicycle Queensland’s premier cycling event with courses to challenge cyclist of all levels. The event is made up of 3 rides: a 110km ride (1100+ m of elevation gain), a 75km ride (800m of elevation gain) and a 40km family-friendly social ride (280m of elevation gain).  The 2 longer rides have an optional detour up Brisbane’s iconic Mount Coot-Tha.

The Great Brisbane Bike Ride, as the name suggests, starts in Brisbane on the South Bank which is in West End.  This location is about 1 km from the  Brisbane CBD, on the opposite side of the river.

All 3 rides take off from the banks of the Brisbane River, before heading east towards East Brisbane, out towards Cannon Hill, over the Gateway Bridge and then along the Northern side of the Brisbane River, past Breakfast Creek and then into through the CBD at Petrie Terrace and then down through to Toowong.

It is at Petrie Terrace where the 75km and 100km  riders then detour west to Bardon and then up into Mt Cootha and then back down to follow the freeway through to Fig Tree Pocket. With the hard work done, the 75km riders split off and cross the river at Jindalee, then heading back on Tennyson, back to pass Highgate Hill before finishing at West End. Meanwhile, the 110km riders turn at Figtree Pocket and ride out past Kenmore, past the universities and then down to Riverview before turning back along the Cunningham Highway, back through Wacol and then continuing back along the river through Oxley and Tennyson, before rejoining the 75km group to finish at West End.

The weather in Brisbane in May is starting to cool off, with temperatures in the range of 15 through to 27 degrees celsius.  There may be a chance of rain but this tends to be fairly light, so you should not be affected greatly.  If required, take a light jacket or gilet with you.

The Great Brisbane Bike Ride is also a fundraising event, with  Mater Smiling for Smiddy being the main beneficiary in 2019.  Money raised will assist them to continue their research and education about diabetes.

You’ll find other great cycling events, like the Great Brisbane Bike Ride, in our online Cycling Event Calendar.

Enjoy!