This Sunday, the streets of Lismore will come alive with the whirr of hundreds of bike wheels as the Byron Bay Cycle Club (BBCC) raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service as well as showing support to the Lismore flood recovery effort.

The inaugural BBCC Road Race - Lismore 2023 will start at 7:30am this Sunday (24 September) from Woodlark and Molesworth Street in the CBD, following registration between 6am and 7am at Clyde Campbell/Browns Creek car park with a Welcome to Country at 7:15am.

Organisers are looking to attract as many participants as possible. Entries are available online until 6:45am on the day of racing (Sunday, September 24). The entry fee is $35 with juniors $20, a portion of the entry fee will go to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Secretary of the BBCC, Mat Johnson said they would love to see the community come out and see the racing in the CBD and the day's cycle route which will be on closed roads.

"We encourage spectators to line the roadway from the CBD to Kilometre Zero to see and feel the physicality, tactics, speed, and the excitement of cycle racing. They can then watch as riders race and commence subsequent laps at the roundabout between the boat sculpture and the entrance to the bridge over Wilsons River."

"The sprint to the finish, where top riders will hit 50-60kph, is on Molesworth Street at the Zadoc Street intersection. Between laps, and after the BBQ breakfast people can enjoy coffee and pastries from our sponsor: The Village Cafe on Woodlark Street."

"Presentations and lunch will be at another sponsor, the Hotel Metropole on Keen Street." 

The race will be open to grades A-D, + Beginner and E-bike, in Male and Female, and U18 categories and everyone must have a Race Licence through our peak body: AusCycling, but the good news is this is free to new riders on a 4-week 'Come and Try' program. The entry portal is on the BBCC website, which also has links to the licensing section in AusCycling.

The start will be under neutral conditions so led by a Commissaire in a vehicle at a slow speed. Upon reaching the intersection of Pitt Lane on Winterton Parade, Kilometre Zero, racing will commence from the drop of the chief Commissaire's flag. 

D grade, beginners and E-bike will race to Numulgi Hall and back, while A-C grades will complete laps up the infamous Duncan Road Climb to the intersection of Duncan and Hunters Hill Roads, and back to the round-a-bout at Woodlark and Molesworth Streets. B grade will do this twice, and A grade three times.

The event is not for profit and solely dependant upon sponsorships, entry fees, and the BBQ to cover costs and philanthropy. 

To book your tickets, click here.