Adelaide Epic Ride

Friday 23 January, 2026 Adelaide Epic Ride

Adelaide Epic is ‘that ride’ where you well and truly earn your bragging rights for getting to the finish line!

It’s time to test your legs against the best. Saddle up for the Adelaide Epic Ride on Friday 23 January and experience a UCI WorldTour stage on the same day as the pros. Ready to roll? The Ziptrak Stage 3 route from Henley Beach to Nairne awaits. Take on punchy climbs including Chandlers Hill and Wickham Hill – plus Mount Barker Summit with less than five kilometres to the finish line. Not quite ready for the full distance? No worries. Start in Flagstaff Hill and ride 116km on the same route, or opt for a 63km journey starting in Meadows and also finishing in Nairne.

Grab your mates, get training and feed your epic at the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under.

Register now

Please note: The Adelaide Epic Ride is an Associated Event of the 2026 Santos Tour Down Under. This is a third-party event which is managed and owned by NX Sports. The South Australian Tourism Commission (“SATC”) is not the organiser of this event and is not liable for the planning, execution, or management of any aspect of this event. Whilst care is taken to consult with organisers regarding the associated event, SATC makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of information contained on this webpage or any third-party links and recommends that you contact the event organiser with any queries or requests for up-to-date information.

Routes

136km
116km
63km

136km

This is the real deal – from the beaches to the peaks, you’ll ascend 1800m from Henley Beach to Nairne.

This is a proper test for the legs and the lungs, with relentless rollers, sweeping descents, and some signature sting-in-the-tail climbs that’ll sort the strong from the stubborn. This is a showcase of South Australia’s cycling pedigree — challenging, scenic, and undeniably Epic.

116km

This one doesn’t pull any punches, with over 1600m of climbing, it’s a ride that bites back. Expect a relentless rhythm of rolling ascents, quick descents, and stunning stretches that’ll test your pacing and endurance.

The route carves its way from Flagstaff Hill to Nairne like a ribbon — picturesque but punishing — offering glimpses of charming townships and sweeping vistas that almost make the pain worth it.

63km

Don’t let the shortest Epic Ride fool you… this one still hits you. With 63km of windy road with lumps along the way, this is a ride built for those who like their challenge condensed.

Riding from Meadows to Nairne, this is perfect for riders who want the bragging rights without the full-blown bonk.

FAQs

The 2026 Adelaide Epic Ride will take place on Friday 23 January, 2026.

All entries include:

Free Event Jersey (available until sizes sold out)
Timing
Aid stations and medical support on course

The majority of the race route is open and follows normal South Australian road rules, but in the interests of safety for all road users there are small areas that will be closed with notifications provided accordingly.

There will be special event signage prior to and during the ride, and a traffic control and police presence to ensure that both drivers and riders can share the road harmoniously.

All road closures and impacts will be listed on the Adelaide Epic Ride website at www.adelaideepic.org/roads.

Each participant receives a timing chip. Times are calculated live and will be shared on the Adelaide Epic Ride website.

Official entries close on Sunday 18 January at 11.59pm.

Yes. All distances have a minimum age for participation.

136km* – Minimum age 17 years.
116km* – Minimum age 17 years.
63km* – Minimum age 15 years.

Age is calculated as of the event day.

136km – 06.00am

116km – 07.00am

63km – 09.00am

Yes, you must be satisfied you will meet the minimum average speed criteria needed to complete your course distance within our permitted times. There will be multiple curfew points across the course to ensure that your ride is supported and the event complies with issued permits.

136km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 30km/hr.
116km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 20km/hr.
63km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 20km/hr.

More info on not meeting a curfew is available in the terms and conditions.

For safety reasons, we prefer everyone ride in their Official Event Jersey.

You can use road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes, and cross bikes. E-bikes are permitted.*

Tandem bikes are permitted, and we ask you to please note your machinery on your entry.

As this is a shared road event where keeping your eyes up is imperative, Time Trial Bikes and bikes with tri or aero bars are not permitted.

We do not recommend using a recumbent bike or handcycle due to the difficulty of the course. If you are interested, please call our office.

*Given our curfews for this event, your choice of machinery is contingent on being able to maintain the average speed of each distance.

A bag check in will be available at the start precinct to deliver your belongings to the finish line.

Please refer to the road impact table found on the Adelaide Epic Ride website.