The Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival is back for another year. Held between 8-10 September, the event has expanded for 2023, and organisers are putting together a volunteer army to support cyclists on and off-road.
Over 1,000 riders enjoyed a picture perfect weekend in Port Douglas for the inaugural Port Douglas Gran Fondo in 2022, with many more expected for this year’s event.
The three-day festival incorporates a range of events: 136km and 100km Gran Fondo, the 60km Semi Fondo and the 48km Medio Fondo will be held on Sunday 10 September. The Port Douglas Gran Fondo courses takes riders along Great Barrier Reef Drive between Port Douglas and Palm Cove, while taking in breathtaking views through the palm trees alongside the Coral Sea.
This road will be fully closed to traffic to allow riders to really enjoy the ride and scenic course.
Other events across the Festival weekend include the Hartley’s to Port MTB Race, Lexus of Cairns Criterium, Hemingway’s Brewery Sprint, Choo Choos FREE Family Ride, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina Festival Expo, local live music and after party!
Two new events have been added to the Festival in 2023:
- 60km Semi Fondo – Starting in Port Douglas and riding along Great Barrier Reef Drive down to Rex Lookout and back to Port Douglas. No transfers required and the perfect next step for anyone who joined in 2022 for the 48km Medio Fondo.
- Hartley’s to Port MTB Race – This short and sharp 40km mountain bike race will be exciting! The first 5kms of the race after departing the start line at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is straight up a 8.5% average gradient climb. The finish on Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas will be the perfect setting to watch the riders battle it out for the historic victory in our very first Hartley’s to Port.
There are various volunteer roles to fill across the entire weekend, so there is something to suit everyone. To thank you for your effort, we are offering $50 to volunteer organisations for each shift filled, with the opportunity to win an additional $1000 for the Best Aid Station as voted by the cyclists from the main Gran Fondo event.
Gran Fondo is seeking some 200 volunteers over the course of the weekend, and it is first in, best-dressed.
Some roles are suitable for one or two people, but aid stations are perfect for groups of ten people ready to party.
They want the vibe at the aid stations to be buzzing to motivate our riders and put superstar volunteers in the running to win the extra $1000 for their Club.
Please note that course build roles will require lifting and bending, including handling of barricades.
General outline of the volunteer roles:
Saturday 9 September
- Hartley’s to Port MTB Race (our ALL NEW race) course marshalls AM
- Quaid Rd & Bump track aid station support AM
- Hartley’s cyclist recovery area AM
- Port Douglas registration AM or PM
- Port Douglas course build AM or PM
- Port Douglas course marshall PM
- Port Douglas bike check-in PM
Sunday 10 September
- Port Douglas registration AM (from 5am)
- Port Douglas course build AM or PM
- Port Douglas bike check-in All day
- Port Douglas recovery area AM
- Aid Station AM
- Palm Cove bike transfers PM
Volunteers form an integral part of the event and make a huge impact on the experience for event riders. Gran Fondo appreciates volunteers and the efforts they put in to make the Port Douglas Gran Fondo successful, which in turn benefits the greater Far Northern community.
Please advise if you, or anyone you know, are interested in helping, and we’ll work together to find the best placements to ensure everyone has a fantastic weekend.
Contact :
volunteers@portdouglasgranfondo.com.au
Mobile: 0431 956 430
https://portdouglasgranfondo.com.au
