Nat Bromhead
The Noosa Strade Bianche has been described as a celebration of the ‘heroic’ age of cycling and steel framed bicycles, and has grown from humble beginnings in 2011, to perhaps the premier vintage cycling event in Australia.
The event began with a desire to celebrate the ‘golden age’ of cycling, whilst sharing Noosa and its beautiful hinterland with others. Experiencing the region from the perspective of the saddle of a classic steel-framed bicycle, riding over roads less travelled is a unique concept.
In the vein of the famed L’eroica in Italy, the Noosa Strade Bianche courses have been crafted to incorporate hinterland back roads with large sections of gravel; the ‘strade bianche’ or ‘white road’.
As a celebration of the steel framed cycle, NSB encourages the renaissance of the artisan-built steel framed bicycle, taking place across the world. Similarly, gravel riding is also the fastest growing form of cycling.
The eight edition, welcomes vintage cycle enthusiasts to Noosa, from all over South East Queensland as well as interstate and overseas, on the weekend of 11th & 12th August.
The Noosa Marina in Tewantin is again the home for this event, hosting the Vintage Bicycle Show and Shine on Saturday 11th August. The categories for this event are original pre-1970, restored pre-1970, original 1970 to 1990, restored 1970 to 1990, neo-retro steel frame 1990 to modern day and people’s choice, which is any bike in the show and shine. The past years have seen more than 1100 bikes entered in the event!
Noosa Marina is also the start point and finishing line for the Noosa Strade Bianchi Piccolo 40km, on Saturday. The ‘Mark Dolan’ Imperial 130km, and ‘Medio Fondo 85km’, rides on Sunday the 12th August.
A new classic style riding kit is designed each year to compliment the ride theme and to become a trophy of achievement on completion of any of the rides. Most of our riders have been attending the event each year and collecting the jersey’s as keep sakes and mementos.
A strong emphasis is placed on the riders to remind them this is not a race; therefore, we find the comradery and enjoyment between the riders is second to none and our returning participants are a true measure of this.
The Challenge Factor
Is this event hard? Yes, it is, and the reward and sense of achievement afterwards is equally rewarding. Not only do you enjoy the company of like-minded cyclists, there is the beautiful hinterland scenery, the expansive sky line and horizon as you breach the climbs. Its not only the riding of the hills that will take your breath away.
The Noosa Strade Bianche associations eight members spend a year of planning all aspects of the annual event. The association is a not for profit organization and proceeds from past events have been channelled back into worthy community causes.
The Noosa Strade Bianche Association is grateful for the ongoing support of Noosa Marina, Tourism Noosa and the Noosa Shire Council.
