By Cartia Wollen
“1,263 kilometres does sound like a long way to ride your bicycle,” agrees Ed Birt with a smile, “but do the math – riding an average of 18 kilometres an hour, you can do it in 70 hours of riding time. I’ll be giving you 157 hours, so you have plenty of time to sleep and eat too!”
Ed is talking about his formidable new “ultra-cycling” event, The Great Southeastern Loop, which is leaving from Wollongong in October and is currently open for registrations for those courageous (or foolhardy!) enough to take on the challenge.
The route traverses the diverse landscapes of southeastern New South Wales, on a 1,263km anti-clockwise loop starting and finishing in Wollongong. The event kicks off on Sunday, 26 October 2025, and challenges riders to complete the course within 157 hours.
“If you plan and prepare properly it’s perfectly achievable and you will have the time of your life doing it,” says Ed, no stranger to these types of rides himself, having ridden across Australia and Indonesia recently.
The circuit winds through coastal towns, lush bushland, beside rivers and up through the scenic Snowy Mountains on a mix of sealed and gravel roads, climbing a cumulative 17,700 metres. Along the way, “The Loop” takes riders through iconic NSW towns including Taralga, Boorowa, Tumut, Khancoban, Dalgety and Majors Creek.
The event is not a race but a test of endurance, resilience and self-sufficiency. Riders must navigate independently, arrive at each of three “checkpoints” and the finish within the prescribed cut-off times, and carry all necessary supplies, relying solely on public resupply points, without any outside assistance or support.
“Unsupported ultra cycling challenges are hugely popular overseas and I truly believe Australia has some of the most incredible roads to ride, so I wanted to create an event in my own backyard that is as safe as possible but with plenty of challenges for riders too,” says Ed, when asked why he is organising the event. “On these type of challenges you really find out a lot about yourself and what you are capable of.”
Ed has test ridden The Loop himself and created partnerships with local businesses along the way who loved his vision and have agreed to act as “Checkpoints” including The Bundanoon Hotel, Bike Revive Tumut and the Majors Creek Pub.
“I just love these country towns and the legends who live there. These rides are all about the people you meet and the places you visit. There is seriously no better way to see this country!” says Ed, enthusiastically.
Ed has also partnered with a charity close to his heart, World Bicycle Relief, to raise funds to provide bicycles to communities in need around the world. Registration for TGSL25 closes August 31: www.greatsoutheasternloop.com.au