Audax Australia first formed in 1981 and just five years later, in 1986, a handful of riders devised a ride that we now know as the famed Audax Alpine Classic. And while the ride got a bit wobbly there for a bit with 02 Events withdrawing its management of the event in 2024, I am pleased to report that … The Classic is back!

51 starters head off from Bright at 6:15am for the 2025 Alpine Classic.

This year, only the 200km ride was offered. It’s the original course, and in my opinion, the best! You are never too far from one of the four climbs, and never too far from support—be it a town or a checkpoint. Interestingly, after 133km, you are back where you started in Bright with just Buffalo to go. This offers a practical way out of the ride for those who are struggling and is an important feature of a ride that is mostly unsupported.

Another special feature of this ride is that for many, like me, it is often how you might first discover the Audax community. The camaraderie, support, and shared interest in the extremes of long-distance cycling is what it’s all about.

This sentiment is summed up well with the following message received after the ride:

“It was fun in a sick kind of a way to remind myself of the brutality and the beauty of the terrain and also the kindness of the volunteers who so graciously and generously gave their time.”
—Tom Sallinger

A Classic peloton heading towards the first climb of the day – Towonga Gap

A big thanks to Peter and Eileen Donnan, who ran the Falls Creek checkpoint, and to Michelle Martin, who was a welcome sight at the Mt Buffalo checkpoint. Your time, organisation, and care for riders were really appreciated.

Audax life member and Classic volunteer Peter Donnan at his Falls Creek checkpoint – windy!

Originally called the “Bright Ride,” the Classic starts in Bright and heads off over Tawonga Gap and up to Falls Creek. After getting back to Bright, the real sting in the tail commences—up Mt. Buffalo and then finishing back in Bright. It’s a beautifully epic and torturous 200km day in the saddle with around 4,200m of elevation.

While the conditions this year were close to ideal (even though the winds at the top of Falls Creek were quite hairy at times), the Classic claimed more than a few scalps—me being one of them!

Andy Roberts hammering down Towonga Gap on his way to the Mt Beauty checkpoint.

Some great stories of the challenge were revealed over a beer at the Bright Brewery with new Audax friendships formed. Audax veteran Ian George rolled into the final checkpoint with 15 minutes to spare and, after realising his time, said:

“So you mean to tell me I could have had a 15-minute lie down and still made it?!”

 

FINISHERS – ???, Michael Gass, Kim Rose, Ian George and Andy Roberts at the Bright Brewery

 

Mt. Buffalo checkpoint – the end of the serious climbing!

 

The return of the Audax Alpine Classic to the ride calendar is important for the Audax community. Going forward, it will be a challenge to keep numbers manageable, but it is a challenge that we will need to work through to ensure this magical ride survives. Stay tuned for news of next year’s Classic.

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic day!

Viva le Audax Alpine Classic!

Luke Martin
Ride Organiser

 

Some 2025 Stats:

• 64 registrations
• 51 starters
• 35 finishers (13 DNS, 16 DNF)
• Average finish time: 11 hours 8 minutes
• Fastest finish time: 7 hours 30 minutes, Ben May
• Most Alpine Classics entered: 28, Michael Gass (please let me know if you can beat this!)