New Challenges and Diversity in 2016
2016 has provided no shortage of new challenges and diversity for CS = E.
On the events side, CS = E began the year with the final preparations for VetRide Service and Sacrifice Tour running from Seymour (outside Melbourne) to Canberra in March. The ride was a week long all points tour from Seymour (outside Melbourne) to Canberra, culminating in a final ride and ceremony in Canberra, on Sunday 20th March 2016. CS = E enjoyed the opportunity of preparing the course route for the week long cycling event and undertaking the reconnaissance mission to ensure there were no obstacles. The thorough preparation including Event and Risk Management Plans paid off with a successful and smooth week for all participants and officials.
In April, CS=E took on the challenge of assisting with the event management of the Tyalgum Cup. The State Open Road event hosted by the Murwillumbah Cycle Club featured six divisions of races around a picturesque 43km circuit from Tyalgum in northern NSW. We provided a comprehensive event and risk management plan, logistics and marketing support, Race Director services on the day, and facilitated event reporting and acquittal processes. The event was a resounding success with increased numbers of participants, exciting racing and an incident-free, thoroughly enjoyable day for all.
2016 marked our 5th year of involvement in the iconic Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic, a feature event of the Cycling Australia National Road Series . This year the change of date from October to May meant a quick turn around to ensure all the event planning was in place. 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. As always, the event was a smooth and enjoyable outcome for both the organisers and riders. In 2017 CS = E has been engaged to provide additional responsibilities including the engagement of event sponsorship, marketing and promotion.
CS=E also assisted with the preparation of Event and Risk Management plans for the Euroa Criterium (Vic) hosted by the Euroa Rotary Club, and the Northern Veteran Cycling Association (Vic) calendar of road racing events.
In October we ran our own Tour de Valley cycling event which was our 5th year of hosting the Solo Time Trial and Team Cycling Challenge in the beautiful Currumbin Valley. After the success of the inaugural Kirra Criterium Classic last year, we received overwhelming support to continue with this on the Saturday of the Tour de Valley weekend. The Kirra Critierum Classic was a community spectacle with fantastic sponsorship and three times the number of participants from the debut year in 2016. The Sunday time trial program in the Currumbin Valley again provided the unique opportunity for riders to enjoy the challenge of the tough but stunning out and back course. The hours of rigorous planning resulted in a smooth and enjoyable experience for the Tour de Valley weekend.
Throughout 2016, CS = E continued its engagement with the City of Gold Coast to provide coaching services for the Active Travel Program. It was fantastic to see the Training Wheels to Two Wheels workshops continue to grow in popularity throughout the length of the Gold Coast and enjoy the rewarding experience in assisting so many kids achieve the exciting milestone of riding independently on two wheels. Many of kids have now progressed into the Beginner and Intermediate Courses that focus on improving their riding skills and safety. It will be great to see a new generation of Gold Coast children riding with correct cycling etiquette and having fun on the bike!