EVENT GUIDE!
Saturday, August 8: Registration Day
Deckchair Cinema, Darwin Waterfront (parking as normal)
Registration Open: 10am - 4pm
Coffee available on site thanks to Xpresso Coffee!
SUNday, August 9: EVENT Day
Deckchair Cinema, Darwin Waterfront (no parking at Deckchair, use Fort Hill Carpark instead)
Registration open from 5:30am, you MUST start your event from the Deckchair Cinema Event Area and attend the rider briefing 10 minutes prior to your start.
130km Sunbuild Gran Fondo Start: 6:30am
86km Inpex “Tonne” Fondo Start: 6:45am
43km Darwin Family Law Half Fondo Start: 7:00am
15km Arrow Properties Short Fondo Start: 10:00am
5km EcOz Family Fondo Start: 10:10am
Registration open from 5:30am
130km Sunbuild Gran Fondo Start: 6:30am
86km Inpex “Tonne” Fondo Start: 6:45am
43km Darwin Family Law Half Fondo Start: 7:00am
15km Arrow Properties Short Fondo Start: 10:00am
5km EcOz Family Fondo Start: 10:10am
Rider Briefing at Deckchair Cinema 10 minutes prior to each start time. Timing for all events starts at the top of Hughes Ave.
Coffee available on site thanks to Xpresso Coffee from 7am!
Food & Drink available from vendors, and beers from One Mile Brewing!
Frequently asked questions
-
You can tag @topendgranfondo and @darwincyclingclub on Facebook and Instagram!
-
We will have TWO Aid Stations on course, one located at the Start/Finish line at the top of Hughes Ave thanks to Better Care, and the other all the way at the Palmerston end of the course thanks to our friends at Wicked NRG!.
-
On Registration Day, we’ll have coffee available by Xpresso Coffee.
On Sunday, there will be Authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi, Pharoahs Cuisine, Xpresso Coffee and donuts and mini savouries by Ben’s Bakery available!
-
All courses are detailed on the map below, and you can download a GPX file to your bike computer there too!
We’ll have signage out on the course that will clearly tell you where to go as well, so you’re in good hands!
-
Registration Day is there so that you can come down to the event area, collect your timing chip, jersey and any other event merch, and get an idea of where to go on Sunday. If you can’t make it on Saturday or would prefer to collect on Sunday morning, you can do that too!
-
Every rider will pick up a numbered timing chip at Registration, to be stuck onto your seatpost for the event. Make sure you don’t bend or break the chip embedded in the sticker, or your times won’t read!
-
On Saturday, you can park in the Deckchair Cinema carpark, but on Sunday you won’t be able to get in and will need to park in the Fort Hill Carpark. Access via Kitchener Drive.
-
All timing will go through RaceResult, and there will be live timing up throughout the day where you can see your times.
2026 Sunbuild Top End Gran Fondo, 09/08/2026 : : my.race|result
SAFETY MESSAGE & TIPS FOR BUNCH RIDING
We want to make sure that all riders in the event have a safe and enjoyable time during the event. It must be reiterated that this event is not a race and is a personal challenge to tackle the course in your best time.
Extra caution must be taken by all riders to ensure the safety of all participants.
The following are notes for all riders:
• No triathlon or time trial bikes are allowed, and no bike may be ridden with time trial or aero bars attached.
• Participants must obey all traffic rules at all times.
• Participants must be wearing an approved helmet at all times.
• Participants must obey all directions from Traffic Controllers, Police and Event Personnel at all times.
• Participants must keep left on the road at all times.
• All riders must have a functioning front and rear light fitted and turned on for the duration of their ride.
• Use of headphones is prohibited during the event.
• Use of a mobile phone must only take place when a rider is stationary and in a place where they will not impede other event participants.
• While participants travelling in large groups during the event will be prioritised over public vehicle traffic at various crossing points, there may be instances where a small number of riders may be held by Traffic Controllers at an intersection to create a gap in event participants sufficient to alleviate a queue of public vehicles, if necessary.
Some tips for riding in a bunch:
Some participants will be inexperienced at riding alongside other cyclists and in a large group. The following are some simple tips to keep you safe:
• When passing another rider, the rider approaching from behind should clearly say “Passing” to notify the rider ahead they will soon be alongside them.
• When riding together in a bunch, it is good practice not to “overlap wheels” with the rider in front of you. To do this, simply make sure the front edge of your front wheel is completely behind the back edge of the rear wheel of the bike in front of you. This means if they move to one side to avoid a hazard in the road, you will not have your front wheel taken out by their rear wheel moving into you.
• There are several sections of road with rough edges and surfaces and some corners may have gravel. Riders must therefore be vigilant at all times and warn other riders of dangerous spots. Riders should also avoid riding too close to the road edge. While there is significant traffic management and there will be a police presence on course, there are no guarantees against errant vehicles. You are responsible for your own decision making throughout the event.
Ride predictably, keep left, ensure your lights are working, and be cautious when there’s vehicle traffic around.