Newcrest Orange Challenge
Newcrest Orange Challenge08SepAll DayDisciplineRoadOrange, NSW
Event Details
The Newcrest Orange Challenge is a ride ‘not to be’ underestimated with sharp climbs, never-ending hills and challenging road surfaces The
Event Details
The Newcrest Orange Challenge is a ride ‘not to be’ underestimated with sharp climbs, never-ending hills and challenging road surfaces
The Newcrest Orange Challenge is the premium cycling event in the Tablelands region, based around the town of Orange.
The 2 different challenges, 170 km and 88 km, cater for different grades of rider. Don’t be fooled as there is a good amount of elevation.
The 88 km and 170km rides of the Newcrest Orange Challenge start near the centre of Orange and travels north of Mt Canobolas. The Cargo Rd will then take you towards the small town of Cudel where you are in free fall by dropping off the tablelands and losing almost 500m in elevation. Turning for the town of Cargo and prepare for the first real climb of the day with a well-placed water stop. It is in Cargo that the 88km riders turn off and loop back to the start in Orange.
Meanwhile, the 170km riders continue the rolling descent into Canowindra is a lovely reward however the 170km riders, will then keep on riding.
Now for the hard work will start for the Newcrest Orange Challenge. Heading East towards Mandurama, the road climbs along the Belubula Way Road with two stops available. These will be well deserved, after having come up part of the tablelands with 400 or so metres of climbing.
After Mandurama you are then heading north for home, with a steady climb towards Spring Terrace, another water stop and past the Cadia Mine to the left. Then the final downhill stretch and a free-wheeling roll into Orange and the event village. be sure to stay around to re-live the dream and embellish those stories over a few brews, be it coffee or if a local beer or cider is more to your taking.
Time to celebrate and enjoy the local area with family and friends, when the Newcrest Orange Challenge is completed.
You’ll find other cycling events, like Newcrest Orange Challenge, in our online Cycling Event Calendar.
Enjoy!
Number of days
1 day
Location: Start
Orange, NSW
Location: Finish
Orange, NSW
The Orange challenge is a memorable event in any recreational cyclist’s calendar. The 2019 event started early with unseasonally cold temperatures. The riders spirits were high in the starting gates which was assisted with the rising sun. I could now wait to get going to build up a bit of heat. it was more spin than fling from me as i let many a rider pass me through town and onto the local climbs. Then it was shortly into the surrounding rolling farm land that was grading at a net negative gain in elevation. great for riding for 60km. This was very enjoyable.
There’s complete support from the other riders and well-placed rest stops for the refuelling and bidon re-fill. The lunch stop was well placed and received with the 115km or so done and what is a short 55kms to go. This was combined with the bag exchange so off the arm and leg warmers were disposed of into the return bag. After a feed and change of clothing, it was back on the trail. However, do not be fooled into thinking that this is a simple roll in with 55km to go. why? As some fellow riders underestimated the amount of climbing to come. Now it was the challenge to really begin and the efforts of your training over the preveious couple of months. My Ride can be found at https://www.strava.com/activities/2253507733
The area is beautiful and there are many equally appealing places in regioal NSW to explore for an extend weekend or the reason for an extended holiday.