Routes and Prices

Around the Bay Classic

Around the Bay Classic

Ride features

Ride the iconic Around the Bay route. Cover both the east and west as you ride 220km around the entire Port Phillip Bay coastline, travelling through the Bellarine Peninsula, Queenscliff, Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula. 

Be sure to take advantage of our free training rides, tailored training plans and comprehensive on-route support as you tick off this bucket list ride. 

Key details
  • Distance: 220km
  • Elevation: 857m
  • Departing: 05:30, Albert Park
  • Min. avg pace: 21km/h
  • Estimated ride time: 8h (riding at 31km/h) – 12:20h (riding at 21km/h)

Strava route map

Highlights

A GPX file of the route can be downloaded via the full route map above.

Around the Bay The Classic - Route Map
Rest stops
1. Altona (28km)
  • Open time: 6:20am
  • Cut off time: 7.45am
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes
2. Little River (63km)
  • Open time: 7:30am
  • Cut off time: 9:25am
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes
3. Geelong (84km)
  • Open time: 8:15am
  • Cut off time: 10:30am
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes, fruit & lollies
4. Queenscliff – Ferry (118km)
  • Open time: 9:15am
  • Cut off time: 1:00pm
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes & lunch pack
  • ValetPick-up and drop-off 
5. Sorernto (118km)
  • Open time: 9:15am
  • Cut off time: 1:00pm
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes
6. Safety Beach (146km)
  • Open time: 11:15am
  • Cut off time: 3:00pm
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water & electrolytes
7. Frankston (174km)
  • Open time: 12:10pm
  • Cut off time: 4:20pm
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes, fruit & Winners bars
8. Mordialloc (190km)
  • Open time: 12:40pm
  • Cut off time: 5:10pm
  • Nutrition & Hydration: Water, electrolytes, Coca-Cola & salty snacks
Wave starts

In 2023, The Classic ride distance will start in 4 different speed waves. This is to ensure you are riding with people best suited to your pace! Keep a look out in your emails in the week prior to find out your allocated wave start colour. Line up behind your allocated coloured flag in the start chute on Sunday 8 October. 

  • Wave 1: Over 30km/h (Cyan) 
  • Wave 2: 27km – 30km/h (Green)
  • Wave 3: 24km – 27km/h (Dark Blue)
  • Wave 4: 20km – 24km/h (Purple)
Ferry Information

Ferry tickets will be issued on arrival at the Queenscliff rest area and are colour matched to available spaces on each ferry.  

Tickets will be allocated on a first-come first served basis. You cannot collect tickets for other riders. Only riders with a valid ticket will be allowed to board each ferry.  

The ferry table is provided as a guide. Ferry departure times are set, and the average speed required is set from Albert Park start line. 

 

Scheduled Ferry Time

Average minimum speed (kph) required to reach ferry departing at

5:30 – AP Start

6:25 – AP start

9:00

36

NA

10:00

28

35

10:30

26

31

11:00

23

28

12:00

20

23

12:30

19

21

 

All Classic riders need to be on the 12:30 ferry at the latest. After disembarking this ferry, a minimum average speed of 20kph would be required to finish the ride within the route time limitations.  

 

What’s included?

Medical support icon
Medical & mechanical
Rest stops icon
Rest stops
Nutrition and hydration icon
Nutrition & hydration
Traffic management icon
Traffic management
Training plans icon
Dedicated training plan
Training rides icon
Training rides
Finishers medal icon
Finishers medal
Memories icon
Life long memories
Ferry icon
Ferry transport
Cycling jersey icon
Free event jersey*
Valet icon
Valet service

* Only included with early bird entries

Highlights:

  1. An Around the Bay first – ‘The Classic’ route will see a lane closure and reduced speeds on the Princes Freeway! 
  2. New wave starts so you can easily find your rhythm with riders at a similar pace to you. 
  3. This is your only opportunity to ride the full lap of Port Phillip Bay with comprehensive on-route support.
  4. Enjoy the new rest stop along the Geelong Waterfront. 
  5. Free valet service, to get your own favourite snacks or fresh kit when you need it most.
  6. Celebrate back at the event village festival with friends and family as you cross the finish line to collect your ‘Classic’ finishers medal! 

Not the ride you're looking for?

Other routes

Join the next United Energy Around the Bay

Register interest