Common Questions
Do I need to be fit to participate?
A 5-to-8 week training program is advisable. Click here to download the 8 week beginners training program for a 40km ride thanks to the Cycling Promotion Fund
How long will the ride take?
The MS Melbourne Cycle is NOT A RACE. It is an opportunity to experience Melbourne amongst friends and fellow cyclists. Which means, within reason, you can take your time. A recreational rider will ride at approximately 12-16km per hour, (without accounting for rest stops!) depending on their fitness. The 46km ride will take approx. 3.5 hours with three official rest stops along the way and many opportunities to take a breather.
The 15km Fun Ride course will take around 50 minutes -1 hour.
How do I enter?
Registration is easy! Simply click here to enter online.
When will entries close?
Early entries close February 15, 2012
Late entries close March 20, 2012
Enter on the day entries will be be accepted from 6.30am – 8am
How much does it cost to enter the Melbourne Summer Cycle?
| Early Bird Entry (Oct 26 – Feb 15) | 15KM | 46KM |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Entry | $15 | $45 |
| Child Entry (10 - 16 yrs) | $10 | $20 |
| Family Entry A (1 adult & up to 5 children. First child free) | $15 (1 free child) + $10 per additional child Up to $55 |
$45 (1 free child) + $20 per additional child Up to $125 |
| Family Entry B (2 adults & up to 5 children. First child free) | $30 (1 free child) + $10 per additional child Up to $70 |
$90 (1 free child) + $20 per additional child Up to $170 |
| Late Entry (Feb 16 - March 20) | 15KM | 46KM |
| Adult Entry | $25 | $55 |
| Child Entry (10 - 16 yrs) | $15 | $30 |
| Family Entry A (1 adult & up to 5 children. First child free) | $25 (1 free child) + $15 per additional child Up to $85 |
$55 (1 free child) + $30 per additional child Up to $175 |
| Family Entry B (2 adults & up to 5 children. First child free) | $50 (1 free child) + $15 per additional child Up to $110 |
$110 (1 free child) + $30 per additional child Up to $230 |
| On the Day Entry (March 25) On the day entry will be accepted on the day from 6.30 - 8am |
15KM | 46KM |
| Adult Entry | $30 | $60 |
| Child Entry (10 - 16 yrs) | $20 | $30 |
| Family Entry A (1 adult & up to 5 children. First child free) | $30 (1 free child) + $20 per additional child Up to $110 |
$60 (1 free child) + $30 per additional child Up to $180 |
| Family Entry B (2 adults & up to 5 children. First child free) | $60 (1 free child) + $20 per additional child Up to $140 |
$120 (1 free child) + $30 per additional child Up to $240 |
2012 Discounted Entry & Jersey Package
| Early Entry Discounted Package (until Feb 15) | 15KM | 46KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x MS Melbourne Cycle Jersey PLUS 1 x Adult Entry | $95 | $120 |
| Standard Discounted Package (Feb 15 - March 14) | 15KM | 46KM |
| 1 x MS Melbourne Cycle Jersey PLUS 1 x Adult Entry | $105 | $135 |
2012 Discounted Entry & T-shirt Package
| Early Entry Discounted Package (until Feb 15) | 15KM | 46KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x MS Melbourne Cycle T-shirt PLUS 1 x Adult Entry | $40 | $65 |
| Standard Discounted Package (Feb 15 - March 14) | 15KM | 46KM |
| 1 x MS Melbourne Cycle T-shirt PLUS 1 x Adult Entry | $50 | $75 |
For information on the ride, click here.
What do I receive for my entry fee?
- Entry Kit including Ride Guide, ID Card and Ride Bib.
- Free colour photo of you on the ride, available through www.supersportimages.com.au
- Downloadable completion certificate - personalised with a photo of you on the ride available through www.supersportimages.com.au
- State of the art on-line fundraising tools that are easy to use.
- Copy of the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper.
- Fully supported and managed course.
- 3 rest stops with water, toilets, first aid and bike mechanics.
- Live entertainment, food stalls, osteopathy service and more at the finish.
- 220 dedicated volunteers who can assist you on the day.
Please note that entry kits will be mailed out December – February.
Does it cost extra to enter a team?
There is no extra cost associated with entering a team, each member simply pays for his/her own individual entry.
How do I enter or create a team?
Follow these easy steps:
- Click on 'Create a team' button
- Choose the type of team you would like to create (e.g – corporate)
- The team captain must register online first before creating their team and nominating a captain
- Once you have registered online and paid, the details of how to CREATE and JOIN A TEAM will appear on the CONFIRMATION OF REGISTRATION page.
To create a team, nominate a team name and captain. Once these are in the data base any subsequent team members just select the team and add their name to the team. The team page will be created and each new team member will have access to that page for news and updates of sponsorship.
Click here to register a team.
Is there a minimum each person needs to fundraise if we take part?
The MS Melbourne Cycle aims to fundraise $750,000. We ask you to fundraise as much as possible. Your commitment and effort will not only be a rewarding experience for you, but will ultimately support people living with multiple sclerosis. Click here to find out how your fundraising helps people living with MS.
How do I get started with fundraising?
If you have never fundraised before and are keen to support people with MS, please do not hesitate to call us. We are available to make it easy for everyone to achieve their fundraising goal to help people living with MS. Call 1300 705 340 or email msc@msaustralia.org.au at anytime.
We've also put together some simple steps to get you started.
How do I collect donations?
If you enter online you will receive your own web page, which you can customise and use to collect donations securely online.
You can also request a fundraisers kit, which includes a receipt book, allowing you to collect donations face to face and issue tax deductible receipts on the spot.
How do I bank the money I have collected?
The last page of the receipt book is a deposit slip. Use the slip to bank all your fundraising money at any Westpac Bank branch.
Where can I park?
Untimed car parking is available on event day in the streets surrounding Princes and Royal Parks; however we do recommend that you check the signs in each area to ensure you are legally parked. Please note that vehicle access along Royal Parade will be limited. Drop off and pick up of cyclists will be possible from Bowen Cresent on the eastern side of Princes Park.
What time do I start?
The MS Melbourne Cycle begins at 7.00am, however In the interest of rider safety and a coordinated start, participants have been assigned a particular start time, indicated by the colour of their ride bib and a staggered start will be conducted.
All participants will receive a coloured bib number to in their entry kit. Please check your bib for your assigned start time.
Can my team start altogether?
Your team is welcome to start altogether (even if your start times differ from one another).
Simply line up together and enjoy your ride!
Will it be very crowded?
Even through there are up to 5,000 cyclists on the road, it only gets crowded along a few short sections of the course. Cyclists start over a 90 minute period and soon spread over the course.
What happens if I breakdown, fall behind or can't complete the ride?
Up to 220 volunteers will be working along the route, as well as bike mechanics and first aid personnel. They are ready and happy to provide assistance to anyone who may breakdown, feel ill or experience other difficulties.
We recommend that you have your bike serviced before the ride and carry a puncture repair kit and pump. If you breakdown turn your bike upside down and wait.
The MS Melbourne Cycle has a sweep bus which slowly travels behind the last group of riders on event day. The sweep bus ensures all riders fall within the allocated time allowed to travel the 46 kilometre course and also assists riders in the instance of breakdown.
If riders choose to delay their travel and fall behind the sweep bus, the services of the sweep bus can no longer be guaranteed.
What happens if it's raining?
Over the course it can rain in one section and be fine and sunny in another. Riders should be prepared for all weather. The event goes ahead rain or shine, unless there is a significant danger to participants because of poor visibility, lightning, storms, or strong winds.
How safe is it?
We do everything possible to make the course safe. If you follow basic road safety rules, drink plenty of fluids and follow instructions from event marshals you’ll have a safe and enjoyable ride.
How do I get my ride photograph?
Official Photographer for MS Melbourne Cycle is Supersport Images. Your entry fee includes a free colour photograph. After the event you will be emailed a personal link to download your free photo from www.supersportimages.com.au
NOTE: Your personal photo will only be sent to you if your BIB number is visible on your chest.
You can also check your watch as you go through the finish line to search for your photo according to the time.
Can I request a refund?
Requests for refunds must be received in writing before 5pm Friday 2 March 2012.
Cancellations will not be accepted after this date.
A $5 administration fee will be deducted from the entry fee.
Where can I get an event information brochure?
Event information brochures are available from:
MS Australia office: The Nerve Centre, 54 Railway Rd, Blackburn (MEL REF:48 A9)
Bicycle Victoria office: Level 10, 446 Collins St, Melbourne (MEL REF:1A F7)
MS Shops: Boronia, Waverley, Monbulk, Fairfield, Daylesford, Melton, Geelong, Mildura, Kew, Malvern
Click here for MS Shop addresses
Event information brochures are also availabe from participating bike shops, gyms, libraries, swimming pools and cycling clubs throughout Melbourne.
WHY DO WE RIDE?
We have a number of people living with MS who participate in the MS Melbourne Cycle, but there are many people with MS who are not able to ride 46km or in some circumstances, not well enough to ride at all.
RIDE FOR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WITH MS
If you have a family member or friend who has MS, show your support for them by officially riding on their behalf. This will enable both of you to enjoy the event experience and fundraise together! You can also load a photo of you and the person you are riding for onto your very own web page.
RIDE FOR AN MS AMBASSADOR
If you do not know someone with MS but would like to ride on someone's behalf, you can choose to ride on behalf of Carol Cooke, the official MS Ambassador for the 2012 MS Melbourne Cycle.
If you would like to ride for someone you know with MS or ride for an MS Ambassador click here for
further information.
How can I find out more?
Explore this website or contact our friendly events team: msc@msaustralia.org.au.