i. On the Road
This isn’t a race - it’s a challenge! The goal is to complete the ride safely, raise vital funds for cardiac services, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow riders. 


Here’s what to expect on the road:


Pack Riding: For safety and legal requirements, you’ll be riding in a pack for much of the event. You’ll be assigned to a specific pack based on your nominated average speed capacity. This ensures that everyone rides at a comfortable pace and stays together. On Day 2 and 3, there may be some flexibility for pack changes, depending on your abilities and pack numbers.
 
Road Safety: You will be riding on public roads, so all road rules apply. This means:
• Ride single file where appropriate.
• Stay no more than two abreast.
• Move to the left to allow vehicles to overtake.
• Be predictable and communicate your intentions clearly. 
• Indicate and call out your intention to slow down, stop or change direction.
• Always follow the instructions of your pack leader, escort vehicle drivers, and event officials.


Pack Leaders and On-Road Support: Each pack will have at least one assigned leader who will coordinate with the official escort vehicles. The vehicles will be on hand to assist with any issues, like mechanical support or emergency assistance.


Drink Stops: Hydration is key! Drink stops will be stationed approximately every 20 kilometres, where you'll find:
• Water, fruit, snacks and electrolyte powder
• Sunscreen
• Portaloos
• Medics and first aid supplies
The escort vehicles may also carry supplies for any unforeseen stops.


Weather: The ride goes ahead rain or shine, so be prepared for all weather conditions. However, August falls outside of cyclone season, so you won’t need to worry about major storms.


Supporters: Whether registered or unregistered, personal support crew members are not allowed to closely follow the riders; join them at drink stops; or drive repeatedly past the ride packs to take photos/film footage. This behaviour could jeopardise the safety of riders. Supporters should drive directly to the designated lunch stop, then on to the dinner/camp location.

ii.    Riders under the age of 18
We’ve had some fantastic young riders take on the Cardiac Challenge over the years, and we’re always happy to welcome more. Under 18’s ride alongside adult participants in their nominated speed groups, under a few extra conditions to keep everyone safe and supported.

Generally, the minimum age to participate is 12 years. Riders under 18 must have signed consent to participate and be accompanied by a guardian at all times - including when riding with their pack.

Under 18s are always placed in the same pack as their supervising adult. If the supervising adult and child nominate different speed groups, both will be placed in the slower of the two, to ensure they can stay together throughout the ride.

Why young riders love the Cardiac Challenge:
•    A huge sense of achievement from riding from Cairns to Cooktown
•    Boosted confidence from tackling a big challenge one day at a time
•    A fun, social, and non-competitive riding environment
•    Improved cycling and road safety skills
•    Teamwork, independence, and community spirit
•    The chance to be part of something meaningful—and memorable!

With full support on the road (escort vehicles, first aid, drink stops, and more), all you need is a bike, a tent, and plenty of enthusiasm. Let’s ride!

The Cardiac Challenge is a fundraising event, so all riders (including children) are required to raise a minimum of $500 to participate, while adult supporters are required to raise $200 to accompany their rider(s). This ensures the ride continues to support vital improvements to cardiac services.

If you’re struggling to meet your fundraising target, don’t worry! Our team is here to support you with ideas and tips to help you reach your goal. Remember, your participation directly supports people in our community who need access to life-saving cardiac care.

You can also check out our Fundraising Tips here.

1. What to Bring

To ensure you're fully prepared for the ride, here’s a checklist of essential items to bring with you:

Riders -

• Cycling Gear
  • Well-maintained Bicycle
  • All Necessary Spares (incl. Spokes)
  • Helmet
  • Knicks
  • Your Official 2025 Ride Jersey
  • (Optional) Team or Personal Jersey to wear on Day 2
• Sun Protection
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Cycling Cap
  • Cycling Gloves
• Water Bottle or Camelbak
• Camping Equipment
  • Swag, Tent, Caravan (if travelling with supporters), etc.
  • Bedding
  • Camp Chair
• Casual clothes for the evenings and the return to Cairns
• Personal medication and toiletries
• Spending money

1. Meals

Your registration fees for the Cardiac Challenge cover all your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the three-day event.

1. Day 1
   1. Morning Tea (provided by the Mareeba Rotary Club)

Location: Mareeba Rotary Park

Time:

Menu: Fresh fruit, mini quiches, chicken wings.

Optional Extras: Barista-made coffee from the Coffee Your Way van.

1. Lunch

Location: Mount Molloy CWA Hall

Time:

Menu: Sandwiches with various meats, cheese, salads, dressings/condiments, fresh fruit, cold drinks, tea and coffee.

Optional Extras: Sweet treats from the CWA ladies.

1. Dinner (catered by the Mount Carbine Rodeo Association)

Location: Mount Carbine Horse Sports Grounds

Time:

Menu: Corned meat with white sauce, baked potato, peas, carrots and corn. For dessert, apple pie and custard.

2. Day 2
   1. Breakfast

Location: Mount Carbine Horse Sports Grounds

Time:

Menu: Fruit salad, yogurt, cereal, toast, juice, tea and coffee.

Optional Extras: Purchase a barista coffee from the Coffee Your Way van.

1. Lunch

Location: Palmer River Roadhouse

Time:

Menu: Sandwiches with various meats, cheese, salads, dressings/condiments, fresh fruit, cold drinks, tea and coffee.

Optional Extras: Purchase lunch, snacks or drinks from the Palmer River Roadhouse.

1. Dinner (catered by the Lakeland P&F)

Location: Lakeland Pub

Time:

Menu: Minute steak, sausages, various salads, bread rolls

3. Day 3
   1. Breakfast

Location: Lakeland Pub

Time:

Menu: Fruit salad, yogurt, cereal, toast, juice, tea and coffee.

Optional Extras: Purchase a barista coffee from the Coffee Your Way van or a Bacon and Egg Roll from the Lakeland P&F.

1. Lunch

Location: Cooktown RSL Club

Time:

Menu: Sandwiches with various meats, cheese, salads, dressings/condiments, fresh fruit, cold drinks, tea and coffee.

Optional Extras:

1. Dinner (catered by Cairns Spit Roast)

Location: Cooktown Events Centre (formerly named Cooktown PCYC)

Time: 5:30 pm – late

Menu: Selection of roast meats, vegetables, salads and bread rolls, along with a selection of dessert options.

Optional Extras: Alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverages courtesy of Distil on the Hill.

4. Post-ride
   1. Breakfast

Location: Cooktown State School

Time:

Menu: Fruit salad, yogurt, cereal, toast, juice, tea and coffee.

Optional Extras: Purchase a barista coffee from the Coffee Your Way van or test out the local cafes (be sure to check their opening hours!)

5. Special dietary requirements

As part of the registration process, you'll be asked to list any special dietary requirements. Please be as clear and specific as possible.

We typically cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets, but we’ll do our best to accommodate medically necessary requirements and allergies where possible.

If your needs are complex or you have a severe allergy, you may wish to bring some supplementary items or your own meals. We can assist with storing and transporting these items to the meal venues.

1. Accommodation

Accommodation options are limited on first and second night after we leave the coast and “go outback”.

Night 1 – Mt Carbine

Location: Mt Carbine Horse Sports Grounds, 1 Pump Road, Mt Carbine QLD 4871

The Mt Carbine Horse Sports Grounds are a hub of activity on the first night of the ride. Here’s what you can expect:

• Camping: Set up camp on the open grounds surrounding the Horse Sports facility. It’s a relaxed and social atmosphere, with plenty of space to pitch a tent, roll out a swag or park your caravan or campervan. There are no powered sites available, so come prepared for off-grid camping.
• Facilities: Onsite toilets and showers are available, plus a Mobile Toilet & Shower Block.
• Evening Entertainment: The tug of war competition is always a hit, and there’s usually a football game playing on the big screen to wind down the day.
• Dinner: Served from the onsite kitchen - including the (in)famous corned meat and veggies. It cops complaints every year, but riders voted to keep it. Love it or hate it, it’s part of the Mt Carbine experience!

Alternative accommodation: Extremely limited rooms available at the Mt Carbine Hotel Motel.

Night 2 – Lakeland

Location: Lakeland State School, Cooktown Developmental Road, Lakeland QLD 4871

The Lakeland State School serves as the campsite, while the Lakeland Hotel (300m away) is host to dinner and the evening’s entertainment.

• Camping: Set up camp on the school grounds, there’s plenty of space to pitch a tent, roll out a swag or park your caravan or campervan. There are no powered sites available, so come prepared for off-grid camping.
• Facilities: Mobile Toilet & Shower Block.

Alternative accommodation: Limited rooms available at the Lakeland Hotel (Foyster Drive) and Lakeland Accommodation (Peninsula Development Road).

Night 3 – Cooktown

Location: Cooktown State School, 10 Charles Street, Cooktown QLD 4895

The Cooktown State School is the official campsite for the final night, conveniently located across the road from the festivities at the Cooktown Events Centre (formerly Cooktown PCYC).

• Camping: Set up camp on the school grounds, there’s plenty of space to pitch a tent, roll out a swag or park your caravan or campervan. There are no powered sites available, so come prepared for off-grid camping.
• Facilities: Mobile Toilet & Shower Block.

Alternative accommodation: Cooktown is a tourist-friendly town with plenty of accommodation options - but it’s a popular weekend, so we recommend booking early. Some of the more popular options include The Seaview Cooktown, The Sovereign Resort Hotel and the River of Gold Motel.

vii.    Return Transport
Riders with support crews are free to return to Cairns with their family or friends at their own pace. 

For unsupported riders, return transport is available (for an additional fee) and can be booked during registration. This includes a seat on the return bus and space for your bike on the trailer. The bus departs from the Cooktown State School just after breakfast and arrives in Cairns in the early afternoon.

Important: Bikes must be loaded onto the trailer on Monday afternoon, before the end of ride dinner.

1. Family and Friends

We love getting family and friends involved during the Cardiac Challenge – but for safety and logistics, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

• Registration: If your family or friends would like to join you at the official meal and camp venues, they must register as Support Crew Members. This registration provides access to the campgrounds, all meals, and a supporter polo shirt (for adults) or t-shirt (for kids).
• Supporter Vehicles: Private support vehicles are not permitted to follow rider packs or stop at drinks stations. This poses a significant safety risk, and you will be asked to move on. When passing a pack, if a Rear Escort Driver signals with a wave, you may pass – otherwise, hold back. Please remember, repeatedly overtaking or driving near rider packs endangers your rider – and everyone else on the road. Please respect the safety guidelines in place.
• Unregistered Family and Friends: While only registered Support Crew Members can access the official campgrounds and meal stops along the way, unregistered family and friends are still very welcome to be part of the celebration in Cooktown. They are welcome to cheer riders on from Charlotte Street as they cross the finish line and purchase a ticket to join us for the End of Ride Celebration Dinner, catered by Cairns Spit Roast. Tickets for the dinner must be booked in advance, as numbers are limited.

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