Each Easter, Bike North runs its Tour de Cowra, providing Bike North members and other cyclists the opportunity to ride independently around the Cowra countryside.
Welcome to Tour de Cowra 2026!
This year, the
Tour de Cowra will be held between Friday 3rd April and Monday 6th April.
We will not only have multiple road options, but each day there will also be a programmed route for gravel lovers!
And, after the day’s riding, there is the opportunity to socialise with your riding and non-riding friends.
Non-cyclists are welcome to join the fun as Cowra offers many attractions that can easily fill your days.
Below you will find detailed information about the
Tour de Cowra weekend. For any additional questions you may have, please email
cowra@bikenorth.org.au.
Routes
Cowra and surrounding areas offer ideal cycling country and Tour de Cowra showcases some of the best routes!
Tour de Cowra is the only Bike North event where the rides have no Ride Leader or Sweep. You are free to ride at your own speed through scenic NSW countryside.
We offer a selection of routes each day so that, even if riding independently, there will be others riding the same route too!
Some routes will be flat, others slightly undulating, and others still will offer climbers a challenge (think of the Wyangala Dam ride). And this year we have daily gravel offerings too! All offer fantastic views of the countryside and plenty of time to admire your surroundings. . There is something for everyone.
This year's routes are listed below. Click to access a map of the route, distances and elevation. Select the 'More' option to print the map and cue sheet to bring with you.
Day 1 – Friday 3rd April 2026 - Mount Collins
Mt Collins 70km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26962463
Mt Collins gravel 50km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53474223
Day 2 – Saturday 4th April 2026 - Gooloogong & Billimari
Club jersey day - wear your Bike North kit proudly today!
Billimari loop (CW is best for traffic) 63km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28348822
Cowra - Gooloogong Billimari clockwise 95km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47055351
Billimari out and back 36km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28348839
Billimari gravel 52km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53474220
Day 3 - Sunday 5th April 2026 - East to Pine Mount and the Dam
Happy Easter! Today is also silly jersey day! Wear the most unusual jersey you own!
Wyangala 83km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26783056
Pine Mt anti-clockwise 42km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28348907
Cowra Koorawatha gravel 73km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50504564
Day 4 - Monday 6th April 2026 - to Conimbla area
Cowra to Conimbla Out and Back 40km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44642169
Cowra to Conimbla & Back via Airport 57km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48344330
Cowra - Conimbla Rd gravel 40km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49645968
“Any Day” Rides
At Cowra we also offer two “any day” rides. These rides are designed for people who feel, on any day, that the routes are too long, or for the rider who would like to do an additional ride on any day.
Click on these links to see each route:
Chiverton Short Loop 27km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28348769
Chiverton Long loop 47km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28348811
Conimbla gravel 40km https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49645968
Riders are requested to download the route and cue sheets to the cycling app of their choice, eg Strava, Garmin, RwGPS and / or print them to bring with you. We will have copies avialble each day for those who are unable to print their own.
How to register
All the above rides will be published on the
Bike North Calendar by mid-February and will be available for members to register to attend.
If you are not yet a member of Bike North, we invite you to join as either a full member or on a free, three-month trial membership.
To join Bike North, visit our website home page (www.bikenorth.org.au) and click the ‘Join Us’ button at the top right of the page (next to the Log In) or the ‘Become a Member’ button on the main website photo. Select the desired membership type and follow the prompts to provide the requested important details. Once your membership is processed, you may register for rides on the Bike North calendar.
Non-members will also have the option to use their smartphone to log in to each ride on the day of the ride in Cowra. Understandably, this will create more work for the organisers, so please consider assisting us by joining prior.
Start, Finish and Briefings
All rides will start and finish at the
Rose Garden Cafe / Visitor Centre, located on the corner of the Mid Western Hwy, Grenfell Road (B64) and the Lachlan Valley Way (B81), on the west side of the Lachlan River, just over the bridge.
Each morning, there will be a briefing session where the routes will be explained and important safety information provided.
Briefing Times will be as follows:
Thursday 8.00 pm at the Bike North banner in Cowra Van Park when the smartphone log in will be explained
Friday 8.15 am at the Rose Garden Café
Saturday / Sunday / Monday 8.30 am at the Rose Garden Café
IMPORTANT: Each morning you must sign in using the start QR code. After your ride you need to return to the Rose Garden Cafe and sign off using the finish QR code so we know you are safely home and we do not have to go looking for you. If you do not have a functioning smartphone, a paper option will be provided.
For those unable to print a paper copy of the map route and cue sheet before attending Cowra, a limited number will be available on the day.
On your bike!
The organisers will do their best to ensure the roads we will be using are navigable and that there are no road or traffic planning events that might adversely affect our weekend.
To ensure your ultimate enjoyment of the Tour de Cowra, here are some tips and recommendations for you.
Wheely good
Tour de Cowra can be enjoyed on any roadworthy bike – your favourite tourer, road bike, gravel bike, recumbent or e-bike.
It is a good idea to have your bike serviced before the trip as there are no bike shops in Cowra and, as it is Easter, many shops are closed for the public holidays! So, remember to bring your bike tools, repair kit and spares.
All riders wear an approved helmet and carry water, at least one spare tube plus a pump.
Sustenance
On many of the routes, there may not be any milk bar, cafe or hotel open. Remember to
pack your favourite snacks to sustain you on your ride. Muesli bars, bananas and jelly beans offer some of the best options And take at least one full water bottle.
Ride in groups of at least four
We recommend that you ride in a group of four or more. In case of an emergency, one person can stay with the injured person, and one can go for help. Remember there is little or no phone coverage in the Cowra area. Don’t rely on being able to call anyone.
Tail lights
Even in daylight, a tail light is a huge advantage. Cars coming up on you are warned of your presence by the light. It is a huge safety advantage to yourself. If there are a number of bikes riding together then a snake line of lights is certainly an additional safety factor.
First aid kit
It is strongly recommended that you carry a first aid kit suitable for bicycle users. You will often be riding through areas with no phone reception. Carrying your own kit allows you to respond quickly when needed, when riding on your own or with a group. In most cases, immediate first aid can provide crucial care to an injured person.
Cat heads
Cowra is full of a prickle grass called a Cat-Head. They will give you numerous punctures in a second. Do not put your tyres on anything that is / was or ever could be green! T
hey can also be found in cracks on the edge of the road and in loose gravel at intersections. – You have been warned!
Hale & hearty
If you are unwell, please do not attend the
Tour de Cowra.
Riders must not attend if sick, have Covid-19, influenza or symptoms of any communicable disease.
Risk
Tour de Cowra participants acknowledge that cycling is a dangerous recreational activity and cyclists may be exposing themselves to a significant risk of harm.
Bike North warns you of the risks and hazards that are an inherent part of cycling, and to take care to prevent putting yourself, your fellow participants and/or others into danger.
By registering for any ride at Tour de Cowra, you accept the warning as to risk, and you agree to ride in a safe and responsible manner and to obey all road rules and other legal requirements.
You may wish to consider taking out appropriate insurance - available as part of a Bicycle NSW membership, for which Bike North members obtain a 15% discount.
12 noon:
Early arrivals are encouraged to attend a self-serve picnic at the Cowra Sculpture Park which overlooks the Japanese Gardens (Location: on the green below Binni Creek Road at the intersection with Len Whitely Drive. To be followed (for those interested) by a visit to the Japanese Garden itself.
Thursday evening: No organised dinner. People could consider purchasing frozen dinners from the CVP, made by the local meals-on-wheels (a way of contributing to a worthy local charity).
Friday 3rd April
Dinner will be at the Bowling Club - 22 Vaux Street, Cowra, tel 02-6342-1836. We will leave the Cowra Van Park on foot (weather permitting) at 6:00 PM.
Saturday 4th April
4.00pm:
Evening Wine and cheese event (BYO drinks, nibbles and chair) at Cowra Van Park
6.00pm: Dinner at the Imperial Hotel - 16 Kendal Street, tel 02-6341-2588. We will depart Cowra Van Park on foot at 6:00 PM.
Sunday 5th April
7.00am: Easter eggs (and chocolate rabbits!) sharing event at Cowra Van Park (bring and distribute your own)
6.00pm: Dinner at Services Club - 101 Brisbane Street, (02) 6342 1144. We will depart Cowra Van Park on foot at 6:00 PM
Monday 6th April
6.00pm Dinner at Oak on Kendal Restaurant - 5 Kendal Street, tel 0475-440-700. We will depart Cowra Van Park on foot at 6 PM
Note: Bike North will not make table reservations at any of the restaurants we have selected, although we will notify them that a group (unspecified number) will be attending. TDC participants should make their own reservations.
For non-cyclists, or cyclists wanting some time off the saddle, Cowra offers many tourism sites.
The town of Cowra offers many other attractions and activity options, a fine selection of cafes and restaurants, significant historical sites, interesting walks around town and along the Lachlan River, and swimming at the public pool right beside the Cowra Van Park . The Japanese Garden is well worth a visit as are the Peace Bell and the Prisoner of War Camp. The four-minute Hologram in the Tourist Information Centre should not be missed.
Short drives from Cowra will take you to the Wyangala Dam and regional towns of Grenfell and Canowindra.
Cowra is also a good launching pad for road trips to other attractions in mid-Western NSW including parks, wineries and events such as balloon adventures. TDC participants should take advantage of their visit to explore those options – seeking further advice if necessary from the NSW tourist office which is situated next to the Rose Garden cafe.
See tourist information here:
www.visitcowra.com.au.
