Event Info - Go For Broke

Why we ride

We started Go for Broke after we had personal experience with depression amongst family & friends.

Like any illness depression and anxiety can be treated and managed. At Go for Broke as well as raising funds and awareness for mental health and Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, cycling and cycling with mates is at the core of why we run our event and encourage everyone to get on a bike and ride with friends.

For both guys and girls, young and old, from whatever walk of life you’re from, we want our riders to have a great time, make friends and take on the challenge to help us beat depression.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a personal crisis and need help contact Lifeline.

To make a donation follow this link

Event Information

In 2023 this will be our 8th Go for Broke event. After successfully running GFB20 under COVID in 2020 & 2021 we’re expecting a great turn out. Our events fully support riders placed in pelotons of 20, each with support cars and St John’s on course.

Unlike many other events we limit places to 120 riders with all riders allocated a speed bunch from 19km to 33km avg speed an hour. Each peloton must stay together and has two Ride Captains. When you register you pick a group based on what you think you’re average speed will be over the WHOLE course; 19–21km, 22–23km, 24–25km, 26–27km, 28-29km, 30-31km or 32-33km/h. We do allow people to change groups to ensure safety and an enjoyable day. With the permission of the Ride Captain you can go up a group. If you’re struggling to keep up with the bunch and we’ll ask you to go down a group during the ride to ensure your safety. So be careful with your selection. We allow people to change their group one week before the event.

Each peloton will have a tailing support car with food, drinks & basic bike spares. On both events until you reach the last 10km all riders must stay together in their allocated bunch. No drops. But save your energy. With 10km to go, riders will see signage that tells them they have started the GO FOR BROKE section. A this point, all riders can leave their peloton and Go for Broke. Good luck.

GFB22 Rider’s Event Guide GFB22_B2B_Rider_Guide_01

TICKET BOOKING

FIRST ACROSS THE LINE

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

BEST AND FAIREST AWARD

When you register you’ll received detailed event information. Please note: If you change groups during the ride you cannot win a prize for First Across the Line for the new bunch you ride in

The Course

VIC100

VIC100 is our second event planned for 2022. Follow us on Facebook for updates.

At 100km VIC100 might be shorter than our Berowra to Broke event held later in the year but at 2200 vertical meters over the Blue Mountains and Bells Line of Road this course is very different. Starting in Penrith and finishing at Mt Victoria 100 km later, with two KOM/QOMs with the second on Mt Tomah at 1010m this course will test all the keen hill climbers out there. If you don’t want to contest the KOM/QOMs then VIC100 is the only event that gives all riders the chance to ride this stunning course with each peloton supported with a tailing car and leading motorcycle escort.

STRAVA COURSE

The Course

BEROWRA TO BROKE – B2B

Like depression, Go for Broke is designed to be a challenge. You must train for this event and ensure your bike is in good working order to ensure you enjoy the day. The course crosses two ferries, 180km and 2000 vertical meters over some tough but beautiful terrain finishing in Broke. This year the KOM/QOM will be at the top of the climb at Mangrove Mountain with lunch served after everyone completes the biggest climb of the day at 350m vertical metres. There are two steep decent, one going into Wiseman’s Ferry and Lemmings Corner. The organisers check the course the day before the event and give rider briefings as each bunch leaves. Check out the map and Strava course.

STRAVA COURSE

couse map

The Kit

The Kit

As part of you ticket price all riders receive the darker event jersey with the top three fund raisers receiving a special yellow jersey on the start line; labeled Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Being keen cyclists as well as the event organisers we want great kit that people like to wear all year. This year we’ve partnered with Hub Cycling who also make all the kit for Bicycle Network. All entrants this year get a premium quality Race Cut Jersey. Make sure you check your size in the size chart link below.

Here at GFB we ride A LOT and the kit must stand up to the pressure of long rides. Committee members have worn the GFB kit on Three Peaks Falls Creek 235km and Fitz’s Challenge Extreme 255km events without issue. The jersey that comes with your entry fee is great quality and will last many rides.

To confirm the size you need go to…
Champion Systems

ORDER KIT

Go for Broke is a tough ride. YOU MUST TRAIN FOR IT. Unlike other group rides you have to stay in bunches. As such you need to be fit and experienced enough to ensure you enjoy the day and can ride safely in close proximity with other riders. In the lead up to the event we put up training rides on the GFB Facebook and Strava Club pages.

In 2023, Go for Broke has partnered with James Swadling of FAST Twitch Performance Coaching to develop a 10 week training program specifically design for Go for Broke riders. Below is a link to the program. Thanks James.

GFB23 10 Week Training Plan