To attempt to break an existing record, or establish a new one, you will need the following.
1. A roadworthy bicycle (recumbents are considered separately, we do not recognise e-bikes for record rides)
2. A GPS tracking device (either smartphone app or dedicated cyclecomputer)
3. An observer vehicle to follow the rider during the attempt (not required for unsupported/rail trail records)
4. Plenty of training!
Whether you want to make an attempt on an existing record, or establish a new record, please contact us beforehand. Research on historical records is an ongoing process, and we want to ensure you have the most up to date information before making an attempt.
All the records we recognise (with the exception of rail trail records) are strictly UNPACED, the person making the record attempt must never at any point draft behind any other bicycles, or motor vehicles.
With the exception of unsupported/rail trail records, the rider MUST be followed by at least one person in a car acting as an observer, the observer vehicle may carry spare equipment, food etc and can communicate with and support the rider but must never allow the rider to draft behind at any point.
The observer vehicle should display a “Cyclist Ahead” sign on the rear, and flashing hazard lights.
The Queensland Police Service Road Policing Command have advised on August 31st 2018 that in Queensland, no permit is required from authorities for a record attempt provided the rider and observer car adhere to normal road rules at all times, the observer car does not have flashing hazard lights in addition to those fitted at the factory, and the observer car drives in a manner so as not to interfere in any way with other traffic.
Riders must not under any circumstances travel on a "designated motorway", or any other road which has signs prohibiting cyclists.
Laws in other states may vary, it is strongly recommended you obtain advice before making a record attempt in states other than Queensland.
GPS tracking (whether by smartphone app or a dedicated cycle computer) must be used and provided to corroborate a claim, either as a TCX, GPX, or FIT file, or uploaded to a service such as Strava and publicly viewable.
Point-to-point records are almost always from post office to post office, in small or regional towns which do not have a post office a significant landmark such as the Town Hall can be substituted. Where an original heritage post office building exists in addition to a current post office (eg Rockhampton or Gladstone), the original post office should be used as the start/finish point.
One way records are direction dependent (eg Launceston-Hobart is a separate record from Hobart-Launceston), return records are not (ie Hobart-Launceston-Hobart is the same as Launceston-Hobart-Launceston).
Time stopped for red lights, trains, roadworks, or at the direction of police is not counted, however in the event of any stoppages for food, rest, mechanical issues etc the clock must keep running.
Around Australia records must cover a minimum of 14,200kms, and must pass through at least 6 of the following cities/towns- Adelaide, Brisbane, Broome, Darwin, Esperance, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney. Unsupported records are exactly that, no support vehicle is permitted, and pre-arranged local assistance is only permitted in a maximum of four places. An observer car is not required for unsupported records.
Due to the nature of Distance and Time records, they must meet more stringent requirements to be ratified. In keeping with the spirit of road records, the rider must not cover the same section of road more than twice during an attempt. The route taken must be carefully measured after the attempt (and ideally, beforehand to prevent disappointment), the distance shown by GPS alone is not sufficient.
Serious consideration should be given to the departure time and route taken, for rides up to 200km it is generally best to organise the ride early on a Sunday morning to avoid traffic.
In the event of adverse weather or medical issues, safety should be the number one priority. Many record attempts over the years have been called off due to bad weather, cramps etc, riders should always err on the side of caution.
The RRAA ratifies claims to records, but does not directly organise record attempts. We can assist with information and contacts who are able to help with organisation. All legal and safety considerations are the responsibility of the person making the record attempt, the RRAA accepts no responsibility.
1. A roadworthy bicycle (recumbents are considered separately, we do not recognise e-bikes for record rides)
2. A GPS tracking device (either smartphone app or dedicated cyclecomputer)
3. An observer vehicle to follow the rider during the attempt (not required for unsupported/rail trail records)
4. Plenty of training!
Whether you want to make an attempt on an existing record, or establish a new record, please contact us beforehand. Research on historical records is an ongoing process, and we want to ensure you have the most up to date information before making an attempt.
All the records we recognise (with the exception of rail trail records) are strictly UNPACED, the person making the record attempt must never at any point draft behind any other bicycles, or motor vehicles.
With the exception of unsupported/rail trail records, the rider MUST be followed by at least one person in a car acting as an observer, the observer vehicle may carry spare equipment, food etc and can communicate with and support the rider but must never allow the rider to draft behind at any point.
The observer vehicle should display a “Cyclist Ahead” sign on the rear, and flashing hazard lights.
The Queensland Police Service Road Policing Command have advised on August 31st 2018 that in Queensland, no permit is required from authorities for a record attempt provided the rider and observer car adhere to normal road rules at all times, the observer car does not have flashing hazard lights in addition to those fitted at the factory, and the observer car drives in a manner so as not to interfere in any way with other traffic.
Riders must not under any circumstances travel on a "designated motorway", or any other road which has signs prohibiting cyclists.
Laws in other states may vary, it is strongly recommended you obtain advice before making a record attempt in states other than Queensland.
GPS tracking (whether by smartphone app or a dedicated cycle computer) must be used and provided to corroborate a claim, either as a TCX, GPX, or FIT file, or uploaded to a service such as Strava and publicly viewable.
Point-to-point records are almost always from post office to post office, in small or regional towns which do not have a post office a significant landmark such as the Town Hall can be substituted. Where an original heritage post office building exists in addition to a current post office (eg Rockhampton or Gladstone), the original post office should be used as the start/finish point.
One way records are direction dependent (eg Launceston-Hobart is a separate record from Hobart-Launceston), return records are not (ie Hobart-Launceston-Hobart is the same as Launceston-Hobart-Launceston).
Time stopped for red lights, trains, roadworks, or at the direction of police is not counted, however in the event of any stoppages for food, rest, mechanical issues etc the clock must keep running.
Around Australia records must cover a minimum of 14,200kms, and must pass through at least 6 of the following cities/towns- Adelaide, Brisbane, Broome, Darwin, Esperance, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney. Unsupported records are exactly that, no support vehicle is permitted, and pre-arranged local assistance is only permitted in a maximum of four places. An observer car is not required for unsupported records.
Due to the nature of Distance and Time records, they must meet more stringent requirements to be ratified. In keeping with the spirit of road records, the rider must not cover the same section of road more than twice during an attempt. The route taken must be carefully measured after the attempt (and ideally, beforehand to prevent disappointment), the distance shown by GPS alone is not sufficient.
Serious consideration should be given to the departure time and route taken, for rides up to 200km it is generally best to organise the ride early on a Sunday morning to avoid traffic.
In the event of adverse weather or medical issues, safety should be the number one priority. Many record attempts over the years have been called off due to bad weather, cramps etc, riders should always err on the side of caution.
The RRAA ratifies claims to records, but does not directly organise record attempts. We can assist with information and contacts who are able to help with organisation. All legal and safety considerations are the responsibility of the person making the record attempt, the RRAA accepts no responsibility.