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242 comments

1. 242 Ian Baillie
   Aug 7th, 2008 at 10:13 am

   As a cyclist who has ridden in the UK and Australia for the past 53 years I would like to congratulate
   all the ‘ Victorian Alpine Audax ‘ staff on the great job they have done over the years to make this a fantastic event .
   WELL DONE !!!

2. 241 Peter Riley
   Aug 2nd, 2008 at 11:36 am

   This event is held in January each year in one of the most beautiful regions in Victoria. My wife and I usually travel to Bright each Christmas to train. Our highlight is to ride from Bright over Tawonga Gap to Mt Beauty for coffee and buns at the Mt Beauty bakery and then back over Tawonga Gap to Bright to relax by the river or a bubbling creek. With all the calories consumed on the training ride we can then indulge in a lovely dinner at one of the local restaurants. As physically testing as the event itself is, it is very well organised; the views as you climb the mountains are spectacular; the climate superb; the local restaurants excellent; and your hosts relaxed and cordial. This is not just a one day bike ride, it is an excellent festival long week-end.

3. 240 Roko
   Aug 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm

   The Alpine Classic is the only riding event in Victoria that is worthy of the “classic” moniker. It presents a genuine challenge to all event participants, whether novices or old hands. Audax do a magnificent job of organising it, while the town and countryside are as ever, beautiful.

4. 239 Tanya Bosch
   Aug 1st, 2008 at 11:13 am

   I first did this event in 2000. From doing the event I discovered Victoria’s alpine country. The combination of a very well organised event and beautiful scenery makes this tops.

5. 238 Daryl Port
   Aug 1st, 2008 at 7:53 am

   I got dragged to this event 4 years ago. I have been back every yaer since. The best bike ride I have done and in one of the best towns in Victoria.

6. 237 David Beilby
   Aug 1st, 2008 at 6:31 am

   The Audax Alpine Classic is a bicycle challenge set in beautiful Bright. It is well organised and provides a fantastic atmosphere for riders to meet and socialise, before and after the event. There is a challenge level for all riders and overcoming this challenge provides a wonderful sense of achievement.

7. 236 James Litt
   Jul 31st, 2008 at 3:35 pm

   One of the best family holidays ever! Bright is sensational over the Alpine Classic weekend. ***** of value easily.

8. 235 Jay Henderson
   Jul 31st, 2008 at 3:02 pm

   Bright and the Alpine Classic are a perfect combination. It is a great way to finsh off a January of beach, surf, sand, and the necessary ride training to tackle one of the many events held over the weekend. But please….don’t tell too many people!!

9. 234 Carole Patterson
   Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:04 am

   A great way to enjoy the beauty of Bright and the surrounding Alps. The place buzzes with festivity. Old and young kids delight together. Individuals achieve, families play, and friends bond. The Ovens Valley wonderful hospitality is everpresent, and landscapes revels in its human visitors.
   Audax and the Alpine communities do a superb job in creating a tourism experience beyong the Alpine Classic cycling event.
   Looking forward to many more!

10. 233 Cam
    Jul 29th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    Hot or Cold - what an event - Just like the cycling challenges in Italy and France

11. 232 Kevin Turley
    Jul 29th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    What a fantastic way to experience the beauty of our alpine areas while challenging your body 7 mind at the same time.

12. 231 Ralph Horne
    Jul 29th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    It is a low-emission spectacle which presents the healthy, outdoor, sporty outlook of Victorians to the outside world, in a perfect landscape setting set in a region full of classic Australian produce, including iconic wineries. The event is also international in scale and reach, providing a tourism opportunity beyond the archetypal Australian cities and coastal landmark locations.

13. 230 Peter Noordhoff
    Jul 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am

    Bright is a beautiful spot to stay and the Alpine classic is a unique challenge to test all us would be Tour de France cyclists who love watching the mountain stages of de tour

14. 229 hazel cumming
    Jul 29th, 2008 at 9:56 am

    Bright is a fantastic spot, beautiful riding and a welcoming atmosphere. My family and I are vollies for the event, which we enjoy doing and riding in the days before the event is a bonus. Hope to see you all at Falls Creek with your usual smiling faces.

15. 228 Bryce Jamieson
    Jul 29th, 2008 at 9:41 am

    It is one of the best run events I have participated in. Non event activities are organised to emblish the atmosphere of a happy French village. The ride support is the best with ample ambulances, police traffic control & food stations. Riders feel very safe riding this taxing course.
    The village of Bright is a great visual background and is very supportive of the riders.
    I have actually taken my family on a private holiday to Bright and Myrtilford as I enjoyed the area so much.

16. 227 Steppio
    Jul 28th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

    The Alpine Classic is an experience - more than the town, the food or the cycling.
    You cannot avoid coming again and again.

17. 226 M Hendrie
    Jul 28th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    This is one of the best cycling challenges for the recreational cyclist in the world. The glorious Victorian alps combined with the incredibly friendly people of Bright and the best in Australian cycling - this is a win-win for everyone!

18. 225 John Van Gemert
    Jul 28th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    Fantastic scenery, great mountain climbs and the wonderful friendly Bright village atmosphere.

19. 224 Angie Richards
    Jul 28th, 2008 at 9:07 am

    The Audax is a wonderful event for my husband who loves the challenge and for my children, who love Bright and the region! We’ll be back every year.

20. 223 graeme bendle
    Jul 28th, 2008 at 7:52 am

    This event is one of he the most spectaular and challenging recreatoinal events in the world. The scenery of the apline area in the summer is truely incredible, the comaradery typically australian and the organisation remarkable. The warmth of the Bright locals top off this wonderful weekend.

21. 222 Alistair
    Jul 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

    I can’t make it to France so this is the next best thing.

22. 221 Jason
    Jul 27th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    The only event that I would visit Victoria for.

23. 220 Russell Murray
    Jul 27th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Fantastically run event in an amazingly beautiful location - where French culture meets the Victorian alpine region. This event gets better and better each year. Perfect event for riders and family alike. What a great way to spend your Australia Day long weekend

24. 219 kaye
    Jul 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    it all comes together at Bright the weekend of the Alpine Classic. A town full of bikes, a challenging event for adults, and lots to do for families all in a beautiful setting. There are enough choices of distance and hills to increase the challenge year by year. And at the end you think I would like to come back to Bright and explore more. A winner all round. Thankyou Audax

25. 218 len murray
    Jul 27th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

    Cycling is enjoying unprecedented popularity,with more bikes being sold than cars,Victoria’s great climate,Beach road and the Dandenongs being nearby Melbourne,Aussies doing well in “The tour de France”,the cost of a good quality road bike droping by half in just a few years,etc. In short “cyling is the new golf’.
    The Audax alpine Classic setting is a fabulously sceenic location, allows lots of things to do for those accompanying the riders, for the riders themselves a reason to train and get very fit, and of course a challenge to ones endurance.
    Besides injecting money into the local economy,it may ,perhaps,in a more tenuous way inject a new Aussie star into the “tour Down Under’ or even “the Tour de France” .

26. 217 Fr. Ian Bailey
    Jul 26th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    This event, involves the local community, brings visitors from all over Australia and internationally. It showcases a wide area of the Alps and it is well run.

27. 216 richard young
    Jul 26th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

    I have entered the Alpine Classic four times and believe it does two things. Firstly it is arguably the hardest single day bike event in Australia that is available to non-profgessionals. Secondly it brings significant tourism benefits to the Bright region, both financially and more importantly it helps promote this wonderful part of Australia outside of the ski season.

28. 215 colin law
    Jul 26th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    f or a cyclist,plus a non riding partner this is a perfect way to showcase victoria.We have travelled from w.a for the last two events spending time in Bright and Melbourne,we love every minute of it and will be back next year.

29. 214 Trevor Dixon
    Jul 26th, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    Fantastic weekend in the Alpine countyside with festive atmosphere created by the Alpine Classic Ride.

30. 213 Deborah Cook
    Jul 26th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    The Alpine Classic is a challenging bicycle ride, and to complete it brings satisfaction worth training all year for. This iconic event is superbly organised and riders, volunteers and supporters all contribute to a memorable weekend set in spectacular scenery.

31. 212 Paul Drinkwater
    Jul 26th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    A very well organised, physically challenging event, which showcases some of the best scenery in Victoria, together with the hospitality of the people of Bright & surrounding areas.

32. 211 Lynette Wilson
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    The Alpine Classic is an event that invites cyclists of all domains to complete a ride that provides amazing scenery, local hospitality and the comradery of fellow bike riders. No other ride can compare to the atmosphere generated by this Audax event in Australia. This event is also very entertaining to watch and provides even non riders with a spectaculor day of viewing. It is simply the best non-competitive ride in Australia.

33. 210 Richard Kumar
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    Uncomplicated, friendly, honest, exhilirating and set in beautiful mountainous surroundings.

34. 209 Anne Ford
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    It is a great cycling challenge, and also fantastic to see so many participants sharing the experience. The volunteer support and local business involvement is outstanding.

35. 208 Simmon Restall
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    Easy! Comraderie, Scenery, energy (defecit) boulangerie at Bright ( read raisin scrolls), a lot of agony followed by ecstasy! Bonjour bright! Not trying to be cute, but honestly a great weekend. We drove 3600 km’s round trip, rode the great ride of the Alpine Classic ( yes all 200km’s), and six months later are still talking about it. Fantastique!

    We’ll be back. What a perverse sort of customer satisfaction!

    See you all soon.

36. 207 Reg. Goltz
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    The ride is a great personal challenge to all participants. This together with the the wonderful setting of Bright and those Hills and the great organization behind the event makes this a truly great experience.

37. 206 david cox
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

    The Audax Alpine Classic is simply a Classic - the toughest physical endurance event in Australia that is open to anyone who can ride a bike

38. 205 James
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    8 hours from Sydney, but worth every minute of the drive… welldone Bright and Audax.

39. 204 Trevor
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    Bright, Falls Creek, Mt Buffalo–summer time and cycling. That’s a perfect combination, that can’t be found anywhere else in the Australia.

40. 203 George DIXON
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    A truely challenging event that brings cyclists from all over Australia together, in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, the comradrie is something that has to be experienced to be believed. (After all, if you have put yourself through the pain you apprecriate what the other riders have gone through). The organisation is exceptional and locals are very accommadating.

41. 202 Darren
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    Bright & the areas that the alpine classic travels has got magnificent scenery it is extremely challanging satisfying.

42. 201 John lockwood
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    This is a great event for cyclists and their families. The opportunity to see the Alpine area in the summer is great. The local community provides great facilities and friendship to all who participate. I have done the event three times and have enoyed it in a masochistic way!

43. 200 Grant
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 11:58 am

    some of my fondest cycling and holiday memories are from my time at this event. Truely worth every effort to be a part of it. Bright and surrounds are a special part of our state and we should support them.

44. 199 Cameron Ainslie
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 11:35 am

    Great personal challenge, well organised in a stunning location. In addition to the ride (if only we had road surfaces like those in NSW!), restuarants, wineries and more add to the occasion.

45. 198 Russell Fisher
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 10:36 am

    Brilliant event, brilliant scenery…

46. 197 Nicole
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 10:10 am

    Awesome event, very well organised and a fabulous location… I’ll be back to attempt the 200km next year!!!

47. 196 Darryn
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 10:04 am

    The best sportif ride in Australia. Fabulous organisation combined with the Audax spirit. I’ll do it as long as I’m able.

48. 195 Leroy
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 10:01 am

    This is a fantastically run event, through some of the most beautiful and pristine areas of Victoria, and an excellent opportunity for some serious exercise and a perfect excuse to pull on some lycra.

49. 194 Roy
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 9:51 am

    A challenging ride for the would be mountain climbers, long descents with the wind in your helmet, the company of many other like minded cyclists, the impeccable organisation of Audax Victoria, the scenary of Bright, Falls Creek and Mount Buffalo, and the hospitality of Bright and its people make it a fantastic week-end or longer. Highly recommended.

50. 193 Malcolm Tew
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 9:34 am

    You get a chance to take in the great surroundings which you wouldn’t by car. Mind you there is a lot more huffing and puffing on the bike!!

51. 192 Brian Sandercock
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 9:07 am

    The best organised, best scenery, best challenge of any mass cycling event I’ve entered

52. 191 Keith
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:53 am

    This is an excellent endurance cycling event, run in magnificent alpine country, with professional organisation. The ride is capped off with a music and food festival “Bonjour Bright”.
    It all make for a top weekend.

53. 190 Alex
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:51 am

    Brilliant event. Very tough but well worth it for the scenery and the micro-brewery at the end!

54. 189 Leah Ross
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am

    Bright is one of my favorite places in Australia and cycling is a passion - what better combination to have for a weekend that always coincides with our wedding anniversary. Loved this year’s French theme, added just a touch more.

55. 188 Keith
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 8:02 am

    A great weekend and event that is right at the top of my list after 5 decades of cycling.

56. 187 Greg C
    Jul 25th, 2008 at 7:14 am

    A great event, and a wonderful weekend in Bright. We travel down for it every year from Canberra.

57. 186 Mark Quinn
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    What an event with something for everyone! The best most friendly event of its kind I have had the pleasure to participate in.

58. 185 Rob Reid Smith
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    When I first did this ride in 1986 there were only a handful of us and we waited for each other at the top of the hills. To see the event now, superbly organised, a great day for the families that come too, it’s hard to believe that it started from such small beginnings and yet for the riders it is a tough event. Great to see so many take part!

59. 184 malcolm faul
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    Nothing beats the atmosphere of 2000 cyclists and their families and friends taking over Bright on Australia Day weekend. Options for all riders including one with 3000 metres of mountain climbing over 200kms. All run by volunteers, in great location.
    Who needs the Tour de France?

60. 183 Pat Hope
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    What magnificent scenery to pass while you are testing your abilities, Bonjour Bright this year was just the icing on the cake,
    Magnificent ride, fantastic volunteers, great weekend all round.

61. 182 John Retchford
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:26 pm

    An amazingly well-run event in a beautiful part of Victoria. Physically demanding for most of us, it presents just the right level of challenge. It is open to all and achievable for any reasonably fit rider, but it is sufficiently difficult to provide a profound and lasting sense of achievement. The bonus is the wonderful scenery and the support and encouragement of fellow riders and supporters.

62. 181 eric davidson
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    I believe that the Audax is a great spectacle and a great event for participants. It provides a challenge and cameradie. To see a town full of healthy enthusiastic riders with beautiful quiet machines. little smoking, moderate drinking, eating and coffee drinking and lots of friendship and laughs without barriers of age sex money or status is refreshing. I believe that locals and visitors would agree. It also boosts the local economy.

63. 180 Mark
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    Very well organized ride and a fantastic location to spend the Australia day long weekend with family & fellow cycling enthusiasts

64. 179 Neil White
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    An absolutely brillant ride, whichever ride is done.
    Everything from the scenery to the people and the atmosphere are what make this event the best one to participate in.
    A ride buddy introduced me to it and I thank him very much.
    I look forward to doing many more of them.

65. 178 Gill
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    Amazing day - a combination of spectacular scenery, friendly people and satisfyingly challenging!

66. 177 Arnold Birrell
    Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:45 am

    Has to be the best ride!! the best organised!!! the best riders!!!! the best volunteers!!!!! Bright is one of best places in the North east of victoria. My first ride was in 1995,have been coming back ever since.It gets better every year.Come and give it a go all you bike riders o