Five Peaks Challenge  is a personal challenge, not a race, and all bicycles and pedal-powered vehicles are welcome. That includes  e-bikes, trikes, recumbents, tandems, kick bikes, cargo bikes, etc.

Collect your rider pack at the at the start -- It contains ride details, map, cue sheet and your rider card.

Bring your helment when collecting your rider pack - we have to check it before issuing your rider pack.

Write on your rider card 

• Your name
• Any medical conditions (that others should know if you get into difficulty)
• Your emergency contract details (a person who we can contact if you get into difficulties)

Affix the card to your handlebars (with the cable ties supplied) so that we can see that you are in the event and check you off at the peaks

Attend the rider briefing at the start of the ride

Be courteous to other road users - they have as much right to use the road as you do

Obey all the road rules, keep left (except when turning right), and ride no more than two abreast (except when overtaking) - that's the law

Give way to emergency service vehicles

Ride according to the conditions and take heed of warning signs and advice from event officials - always ride carefully.

Wear an undamaged legally approved cycling helmet at all times while riding a bicycle. Helmets to comply with one of:

* the Australian Standard standard

* the European Standard

* the US Standard 1 or 2

* the Snell Standard.

Notify event officials if you withdraw - at a checkpoint or the finish - as we must account for every rider and we do not wish to spend hours searching only to find you safe and sound at home

Get your card marked at the checkpoints (tops-of-peaks & refreshment stations) as a record of your achievements

Have your finishing time recorded on the card

Keep the card as a record of your achievements and finishing time

This is not a race or a time trial but a personal challenge

Maps of the course are available on this website, in Ride with GPS (120 km or 88 km) and there is a map in your rider pack (with a cue sheet).

GPX files  can be downloaded for use with GPS - 120 km or 88 km

The course route has signage at key junctions and other turn points with yelow arrows painted on the road/path surface or on signs adjacent to the road.

You will be riding on public roads  with motor vehicles in terrain with many steep descents that can be dangerous at high speed. Observe and heed the steep descent warning signs and note that not every down hill has signs.

Ride single file on crests and curves, narrower roads, or where motor-vehicle traffic is present. Observe and heed the single file warning signs and note that not every crest or curve has signs.

Carry sufficient water to get between sources assuming a hot day - we recommendat you carry at least two biddons

Water is available at the start-finish, at the two feed stations (The Royal Australian Mint and Black Mountain Peninsula) and the top-of-peak checkpoints. Make sure you carry sufficient water - we recommend two biddens minimum.

Snack food is available at the top-of-peak checkpoints.

Refreshments are available at the feed stations at the Royal Australian Mint and at Black Mountain Peninsular.

Carry some food supplies as an energy supliment.

Food and drinks are available at the finish  at the Rotary BBQ where riders get a free sausage sizzle and at the Handlebar Cafe (for sale).

You must be self sufficient and carry your own food, tools, pump, spares (spokes, tubes, etc), puncture repair kit, basic first aid kit, and whatever else you desire (first aid is available).

Toilets are located at start/finish, Uriarra Crosing, Red Hill peak, Black Mountain Peninsula, on the cycle path on way to the Arboretum, Dary Farmenrs Hill peak (in the Arboretum Visitors Centre), and in local shopping precincts.

Event staff will observe the progress of riders throughout the day and take action in case of an emergency. Event staff will try to ensure that no rider is left stranded - but it may take some time to get a rider back to the start-finish, particularly if there is an emergency elsewhere.

Transport (sag wagon) is available to take riders who have physical and/or mechanical difficulties during the ride to the finish. Riders may have to wait some considerable time before such transport is available as it operates on a priority basis. If assistance or transport is required, you should signal course vehicle drivers by putting your bicycle upside down on the side of the road. The driver of the next course vehicle along will stop and give assistance. There may be a delay as the support vehicles are provided primarily for emergency assistance.

If an ambulance is required, phone 000 and request assistance.

First-aid officers with transport are located at the start-finish (Stromlo Forest Park). If minor first aid is required, riders should get a message to event cotrol, a checkpoint marshal or other event official who will relay (by phone) the request to the event control.

The phone number for event control will be available at the start and in the rider pack.

Event control can contact the emergency services.

Please slow down and take care when descending.

Ride according to the conditions and take heed of warnings signs and advice from event officials.

Pass on the right only and when passing another rider call out 'passing'.

Use arm signals and talk to your fellow riders and tell them 'car back', 'passing', 'on your right', 'slowing' or 'stopping' as appropriate.

Point out potholes, rocks and other road hazards to riders behind.

In wet conditions, increase your distance to other riders to allow for safe braking.

Be courteous to other road users as they have as much right to use the road as the riders do.

Pace yourself throughout the ride -- it is not a race but a challenge.

Drink and eat regularly.

* ENJOY YOUR RIDE and HAVE FUN. It's you and the ride!

Canberra (Captains Flat) radar loop - showing rain, temperatures and wind

ACT weather forecast from Bureau of Meteorology - seven days

What if it rains?

You'll get wet if you do not wear your waterproof gear - the event will go ahead in rain, hail or shine.

Check the weather forecast in the days leading up to the Five Peaks Challenge and dress accordingly.

Come prepared on the day.

The phone number for event control will be available at the start and in your rider pack.

Mobile phones coverage is available over most of the course. If you are in a locations with no coverage move and try again.

Guides to mobile phone coverage:

NOTE we cannot guarantee phone coverage at any location on the course

Telstra mobile networks coverage

Optus mobile networks coverage

iinet mobile phone coverage