Major Gran Fondo Cancelled an Hour before the start Down Under

3,000 riders at the Bowral Classic were unable to start after traffic management failed to show up, sent a text message to cyclists less than a hour before the start, leaving participants fuming

Just after 5am on Sunday, participants of the Bowral Classic were informed of its cancellation. The event, set to begin in an hour, was called off due to traffic management's failure to arrive, compromising safety, as announced by organizers at 5:17am on social media.

Participants had traveled from across the region to Bowral in New South Wales' Southern Highlands, ready to cycle through the picturesque hills for 85, 120, or 150 km. Some had even journeyed over 1,000 km from Brisbane. With thousands registered, many had incurred substantial costs, including entry fees up to $315, accommodations, and travel expenses. Some were en route when they received the cancellation notice.

Confusion arose among the riders: how could traffic management neglect to show up for one of the state's major cycling events? The answer emerged when Altus Traffic, the company in charge, acknowledged their mistake.

Altus Traffic admitted to planning for the Bowral Classic on the wrong weekend, issuing an apologetic statement for the grave oversight that affected many. They expressed deep regret for this unprecedented error in their 20-year history of managing thousands of events.

The company committed to a thorough investigation to prevent such miscommunication in the future, emphasizing the importance of accurate coordination, as their traffic management plan had indeed listed the correct date.

Many were very angry and disappointed that the ride they spent months training for – and travelling a large distance to – was called off so late, and for such a seemingly avoidable reason.

One participant posted on facebook, “Fuming is not the word; I feel pissed for so many reasons. I see online all these people saying they had a great day out anyway, thanks for the free food, so on top of not getting to complete the ride I feel crappy for not just doing it anyway? Unlucky, but it’s like being truly an outsider’s outsider.”

Many posting on social media highlighted the presence of NSW police officers out on course throughout the day, despite the event’s official cancellation. While a lack of traffic management and route signage made it harder for some riders to find their way around the course as easily as they might have, the presence of police was appreciated by those who did decide to ride.

“Kodus to the NSW police,” wrote James Hannigan on Facebook. “Legendary! Great ride, escorted most of ride, well looked after, back next year!”

Cycling Classics issued this statement “As many people know we have been successfully running the Bowral Classic for 7 years,” the organisation wrote in a post on its website on Sunday afternoon. “We did everything the same this year as we have done in the past. We have worked all year to deliver the Bowral Classic and all the events around it. The logistics and organisation to ensure we have a fun and safe event are extraordinary.

“So, the fair question is – what happened this year? Well to put it simply – mind-boggling human error from what we have been told. As we shared with you earlier today, our traffic management partner, an important partner we have worked with for several years, simply didn’t show up.

“The traffic management for the Bowral Classic is a huge operation, with over 100 traffic marshals coming from across the Southern Highlands, Wollongong and Sydney. Without them on course, the event could not proceed safely.

“Our traffic management contractor has told us there was a date stuff up. Given the reams of communications and approvals necessary, we are shaking our heads in disbelief. Suffice it to say we are not letting the matter rest there.”

Since 2016, The Bowral Classic, has raised more than $500,000 for charity and is regarded as a fixture in the NSW cycling calendar.

However, their reputation now hangs in the balance.

reputation now hangs in the balance.