L’Étape 2020 Kiama

[queequeg]

A number of riders in my groups are planning to do the ride. I pulled the pin last year when the cost of accommodation and race entry was looking like it would end up being a $1000 min for 2 days, so I entered the Peaks Challenge for a short 4 day holiday instead (as I have never done the full course before).

With 150mm of rain now forecast, I can’t see how it could possibly go ahead. There’ll be riders slipping and sliding off the road all over the place...and that’s before any worries about torrents of water washing away the road in the hills.

There’ll always be another day to ride, and if I was entered I would probably play it safe and sit it out. I’m on blood thinners so it’s not worth the extra risk riding in treacherous conditions.

[brandy234]

The organisers aren't posting anything yet, but Shoalhaven Council have made an announcement which means it's official.

L'Etape 2020 was postponed due to COVID and now won't run this Saturday due to very heavy rainfalls forecast (90-200mm).

See you all in December for L'Etape 2021.

https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov. ... nt-weather

[AndrewCowley]

It is officially cancelled.

They are doing refunds, less $10 for an admin fee which seems reasonable.

I wonder if the next one, at the end of the year, will be in Kiama or will they return to their usual location?

[familyguy]

A smart idea, if unfortunate. Cue the outrage from locals about AirBnB owners having to refund money and the area suffering because nobody came. Makes a change from the usual whining from that area.

[AndrewCowley]

The same people who whinged about the event will now be whinging that the cancellation has come too late.

[g-boaf]

It is officially cancelled.

They are doing refunds, less $10 for an admin fee which seems reasonable.

I wonder if the next one, at the end of the year, will be in Kiama or will they return to their usual location?

That’s very reasonable. I’d have expected them to give everyone an e-wallet to use at a later time and then raise the price next year..

[AndrewCowley]

The reschedule of the reschedule of the reschedule, later this year, has been cancelled.

[g-boaf]

The reschedule of the reschedule of the reschedule, later this year, has been cancelled.

So, in plain English, the local council withdrew its support for the event:

https://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/a ... aw-support

So it will not be held there in future by the looks of it. Their loss, somewhere else can take the event.

[AndrewCowley]

Indeed. Their loss. A victory for narrow mindedness.

[timbo]

And to think that the 2022 World Cycling Championships are to be held in the Shoalhaven/Illawarra area.

[AndrewCowley]

It’s back! Different route though. This time it’s Wollongong to Kiama.

I shan’t be entering. Too much dicking around and still burnt from blowing two lots of accomodation on the cancellations.

[g-boaf]

It’s back! Different route though. This time it’s Wollongong to Kiama.

I shan’t be entering. Too much dicking around and still burnt from blowing two lots of accomodation on the cancellations.

There are better events people can do anyway. Haute Route is well on another level, even though it costs more - and they won't leave you hanging with cancellations. I had to cancel this year with my injuries and simply swapped over to next year and my accommodation money was refunded.

[familyguy]

Predictable?

A section of road on the L’Étape Australia 2022 Race and Ride route has been closed to traffic following torrential rains on the South Coast on the 5th July. A landslip on Jamberoo Mountain Road has resulted in 60m of road failing, with the landslip and flood waters eroding the base and fracturing the tarmac.

This section of road was to be used twice for the 2022 Race route and once for the Ride route.

Following advice from Kiama Council concerning the 3 to 4 months required for the repair works, L’Étape Australia cannot be 100% certain the road will open in time for the 26-27 November event. Therefore, L’Étape Australia will not take place in 2022.

Lateral Events would like to thank the riders, Destination NSW, SBS, the Tour de France, Shimano and Cuore as well as the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Wingecarribee and Kiama Councils and community for their continued support for L’Étape Australia.

[AndrewCowley]

It is jinxed. Glad I didn't book accommodation again.

The organisers should give up on the Shoalhaven / Wollongong district.

[familyguy]

To be fair, this is weather related, not the previous Shoalhaven Council withdrawal of support. It wouldn't surprise me if we see another reschedule on the Gong Ride if we keep getting rains, there will almost inevitably be more land slippage on the coastal areas.

[robbo mcs]

To be fair, this is weather related, not the previous Shoalhaven Council withdrawal of support. It wouldn't surprise me if we see another reschedule on the Gong Ride if we keep getting rains, there will almost inevitably be more land slippage on the coastal areas.

Second time it has been cancelled for weather reasons though. I think this is the 4th cancellation in a row?

[AndrewCowley]

My memory is rough …

2020 it was cancelled twice, both due to Covid. However the second cancellation in November would have been cancelled due to the heat if it weren’t for Covid. It was crazy hot on that November day.

2021 it was cancelled once, due to rain. They never got as far as announcing another date because the council ratted on them and pulled their support.

And now we have another cancellation.