New Challenges and Diversity in 2016
November 11, 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!
A Big Year of Events – 2015
November 5, 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….
Launch of a Local Community Bicycle Skills and Education Program
September 11, 2013
CS = E are pleased to offer training courses for people of all skill levels in the local community. Learning bike skills from qualified cycling teachers will give you the confidence to get on your bike and ride. Whether it’s to commute to work, get around your local area, or just have fun; cycling will help you get fit, reduce stress and have a healthy lifestyle.
The Pines Tour de Valley (conducted by CS = E) will be the setting for the launch of a local community bicycle skills and education program on the southern Gold Coast. Click here for further information….
Cycling Australia – Risk Management for Events – National Implementation Phase Update
March 17, 2013
The Cycling Australia Risk Management project is approaching the first stage of implementation with a nationwide release of ‘event assistance packages’ for organisers of all levels of road cycling events planned for 1 July 2013. The packages have been developed to complement a National events categorisation system that has been established to provide a consistent model for events across the country. The packages detail the risk management criteria for each category of event and the resources available to assist event organisers meet these criteria. Resources include a Risk Register for events which is a central repository for all the risks identified with road cycling events, template event management plans, event checklists, report forms, and policy and guideline documents.
The packages have been designed to provide clear direction and assistance to CA’s current event organisers, attract new events, and instil confidence in the relevant authorities responsible for approving the staging of events on the roads.
Trials will be conducted with randomly selected clubs and promoters over the next three months.
CS = E has been given the responsibility of driving this project from its onset in 2010. We have conducted an extensive process of review of the current event practices across all levels of the organisation, stakeholder feedback and review of other events outside the scope of cycling in establishing the risks associated with cycling events. Analysis of these risks, along with an understanding of the administration of the sport, has led to the development of the recommendations for facilitating the safe and successful delivery of all events under CA auspices. We look forward to the roll out of these recommendations over the course of the year.
Bleach Festival – February 2013
March 17, 2013
CS = E was contracted to manage all the outdoor sites over the three week duration of the Bleach Festival on the Gold Coast. The festival featured music, art, film, theatre, surf, fashion and lifestyle at venues spanning from Paradise Point to Coolangatta. With such a huge program of events, comprehensive risk assessments provided the foundation for the development of event management plans and site plans that ensured planning was all-inclusive. With the assistance of run sheets on the day and despite the constant threat of wet weather, event staff and the team of volunteers were able to deliver successful and incident free events at all locations.
Lamington Eco Challenge
March 17, 2013
CS = E was contracted by G’onya Adventures to undertake a risk assessment for the inaugural Lamington Eco Challenge trail running event planned for August 17-18, 2013. Featuring some tough terrain in the Scenic Rim Hinterland, including 4WD tracks, grassy paddocks and walking tracks as well as having to negotiate creeks, gates and potential wandering livestock, the organisers wanted to ensure that their risk management planning was comprehensive. The relevant authorities have been impressed with their professionalism and the event has been given the green light to proceed. We look forward to this unique event later in the year.
Risk Management Presentation – Running Australia Conference – October 15 2012
March 17, 2013
CS = E Managing Director, Chris Thompson, was requested to present at the Running Australia Race Directors Conference in Melbourne. The presentation focussed on the benefits and opportunities of applying a risk management approach to events and detailed a structured method for conducting a Risk Assessment of an event and how it can be effectively incorporated into event planning. The presentation was well received and we look forward to continuing our association with the running events community.
Update –CS = E Events- Final Half 2012
March 17, 2013
Following a very busy period, we finally have the opportunity to catch up on our website blog! CS = E was involved in the facilitation of the following successful events in the final half of 2012:
Coolangatta Christmas Carols – December 14 2012
CS = E again was requested to provide Production Management services for the carols at Queen Elizabeth Park. The Event and Risk Management Plans, Production Schedule and Equipment/Personnel list facilitated the smooth operation of the event on the day.
Grafton to Inverell – October 27 2012
CS = E provided Event Management services for the 52nd McDonalds Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic. The epic 228km cycling road race is conducted on a point to point course between the towns of Grafton and Inverell in northern New South Wales. As the final event on the Subaru National Road Series, the race attracted considerable media interest especially when uncontrolled bush fires impacted on the event course. Despite the threat, there was no need to resort to the contingency plan and racing went ahead with additional medical support, which fortunately was not required.
An enormous amount of work was undertaken in the provision of Event Management Services including a risk assessment, the development of event and traffic management plans, website management, marketing, sponsorship and media management along with continual liaison with all the event stakeholders to make the event a huge success. It was a pleasure working with the team from the Inverell Cycle ‘N’ Tri Club and we look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.
Tour de Valley – September 8 2012
CS = E in partnership with Cycling Queensland, hosted the inaugural Tour de Valley Cycling time trial event over the course proposed for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Currumbin Valley. The event incorporated the 2012 Queensland Elite, Under 19 and Masters Individual Time Trial Championships and also had a Non-Championship category.
CS = E secured some fantastic sponsorship and worked hard with the Department of Main Roads, Qld Police, Gold Coast City Council and Tweed Traffic Control to ensure the event was safe and enjoyable for participants.
The event was a great success, receiving recognition from the Gold Coast City Council Special Events Unit and Member for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey MP (Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games).
Tomewin Mountain Challenge – August 26 2012
CS = E again provided the Event Management services for the 2012 Tomewin Mountain Challenge held in the beautiful Currumbin Valley. The event attracted a large increase in numbers and provided some new challenges with the inclusion of the 6km ‘Highland Hurry’ and a 1km Family Fun Run raising funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The additional traffic management measures employed for the main course up Mount Tomewin enabled participants to enjoy this unique event in a safe environment and resulted in positive feedback from both participants and authorities.
Tweed Valley Triathletes
CS = E was contracted by Tweed Valley Triathletes club to undertake a Risk Assessment for their weekly club racing events conducted from the Tweed Aquatic Centre. After completion of the risk assessment, the work was extended to address items detailed in the risk assessment action plan. This included the production of a Risk Management Plan, Operational Manual and course management diagrams to assist in the safe and effective delivery of their weekly events and provide future direction to new committee members.
Tour de Valley Time Trial – Event Website Live
May 4, 2012
The inaugural Tour de Valley Cycling time trial event featuring the 2012 Queensland Elite, Under 19 and Masters Individual Time Trial Championships will be held on September 8, 2012 in the Currumbin Valley. The event caters for both competitive cyclists from Junior Under 19 to Masters as well as any cyclist just wanting to test themselves over the course in a special non-championship event. Distances range from 36km for the full course with shorter distances conducted for Women, Masters and Junior championship categories. Supporters, spectators and the general public can enjoy the festive atmosphere of the event precinct that showcases the local community.
Click here for further details on the Tour de Valley website.
Tomewin Mountain Challenge 2012
April 29, 2012
CS = E is again proud to be providing the Event Management services for the Tomewin Mountain Challenge running event hosted by Chisel Runners on August 26, 2012 in the beautiful Currumbin Valley. The testing 22km course gives runners the perfect mix of challenge and beautiful scenery in one of the most spectacular running locations in Australia.
This year the event has been expanded to include two new races – a 6km ‘Highland Hurry’ and a 1km Family Fun Run that raises funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, all conducted within the confines of The Ecovillage.
CS = E will again be working closely with the Department of Main Roads, Qld Police and the Gold Coast City Council to ensure that the course is as safe as possible for all participants. This year will include additional traffic management measures to again ensure the safety of all participants and minimise the impact for other road users.
Click here to visit the event website