A Big Year of Events – 2015
It has been another big year of cycling events for CS = E. We rode the event rollercoaster of achievement highs, logistical lows and ultimately learnt important lessons that pave the way in our quest for continual improvement.
CS = E commenced the year full steam ahead with our contract to run the Queensland Road Team Series (QRTS) from April through to August for Cycling Queensland (CQ). The QRTS was a massive undertaking, fulfilling the brief to incorporate participation events and a Women’s Tour into the series. CS = E pioneered the initiative of a ‘Ciclismo’ of cycling events for each of the four South East Queensland regional locations. The QRTS attracted some of the best riders in the state who travelled to the remote locations to enjoy racing the scenic and challenging courses. In addition to planning the ride route for events, they each required a full suite of Risk and Event Management Plans and event permit applications to ensure the smooth operation of activities on the event day.
Parallel to the QRTS, CS = E also prepared for the Under 19 National Road Cycling Championships and National Masters Road Cycling Championships in July and September respectively. We located great courses in Northern NSW and South East Gold Coast for the various disciplines. Event preparation also included Event and Risk Management Planning in addition to the arduous permit application process. It was not always smooth sailing with threatening quarry trucks and sugar cane harvesting posing potential obstacles on the Murwillumbah Under 19 Nationals Time Trial course! However, we tackled the logistics in a methodical manner and all events ran smoothly on the day.
On October 10-11 we ran our Tour de Valley event for the fourth consecutive year. The Solo Time Trial and Team Cycling Challenge were again conducted through the beautiful Currumbin Valley with record numbers entering the Team Cycling Challenge. This year we expanded to include a fast paced Criterium event on the Kirra foreshore. This new addition was a huge success with the Kirra Criterium Classic promising great potential for the future. Murwillumbah Cycle Club provided fantastic operational assistance on the day. We endeavor to foster a good working relationship with the club, assisting with the preparation of Event and Risk Management Plans for their weekly Club races and Open events.
Our final cycling event for 2015 was the iconic Grafton to Inverell one day classic. In addition to our role with event and risk management planning, we also assisted the committee with operations and logistics and provided Race Director services on race day. CS = E always enjoys being part of this inspirational event and we look forward to Grafton to Inverell 2016.
Preparations are already underway for our first event of 2016. CS = E have been contracted by Vetride to manage the Victorian route from Seymour (outside Melbourne) to Canberra in March. We have prepared the course route and the Event and Risk Management Plans are underway. We look forward to undertaking the event reconnaissance mission in a week to check the planned course….