Frequently asked questions

Drops + Hoods is the most exciting cycling event in recent times. It was developed based on the feedback we received from riders. No, it’s not yet another single-day road ride. This is entirely different.

Drops + Hoods is a multi-surface, multi-distance and multi-day event designed for cyclists of all abilities. Road and gravel events from 34km to 265km and from easy to challenging, everyone will enjoy Drops + Hoods.

Fully closed roads are an essential feature of cycling races and events in regions where the traffic is busy. Drops + Hoods is a ride (as opposed to a race), and the traffic in the Snowy Mountains of NSW is light; therefore, the roads will not be fully closed.

To guarantee everyone’s safety and to reduce the impact of the event on the local traffic, all Drops + Hoods rides will be escorted by a lead vehicle, motorcycle marshals and a sweep vehicle. Traffic controllers will be positioned at each right-hand turn for an added layer of safety and the NSW Police will be involved with the event to ensure it remains safe for all participants and road users.

Yes, everyone over the age of 15 years old can participate in the event. Any riders under the age of 18 will have to provide written proof of parental consent and be accompanied by an adult on the course.

Whilst Drops + Hoods is primarily a cycling event; we have worked with the local businesses of the Snowy Mountains to ensure there are a lot of activities available for non-riders. The Snowy Mountains are a fantastic region with a vast array of activities: hiking, horse riding, sailing, swimming, visiting caves: everyone will find something to do!

Registrations for Drops + Hoods will be available at www.dropsandhoods.com. If you have joined the Drops + Hoods mailing list, you will also be informed by email.

Riders must be over the age of 15 on the day of the race, and any riders under the age of 18 will have to provide written proof of parental consent and be accompanied by an adult on the course.

Registrations fees will vary for each distance. They will be advertised on this page.

• Registration
• Rider registration pack
• Rider escort
• Backpack drop-off / pick-up service
• Overall timing and Queen of the Mountain / King of the Mountain section timing (no ranking)
• Medical assistance
• Sag wagon
• Food zones at key locations of each route
• Finisher medal

No, personal accident insurance is not included in the registration fee. All participants in Drops + Hoods are advised to take out personal accident insurance suitable for participating in a ride such as Drops + Hoods. This insurance is optional but highly recommended.

Yes, e-Bikes are allowed at Drops + Hoods on road and gravel rides.

Absolutely. Teams are made up of a minimum of three riders, there is no maximum number to a team. When completing your registration, you will be asked if you are registering as an individual or team. If registering for a team, you should enter the name of a team you wish to be part of. All team members should then enter the same name on their registrations. Please note that all Team Names will be subject to approval.

Registrants can seek a partial refund of their registrations until six (6) weeks before the event (on Thursday 30th September 2022 at 11:59pm AEST). For more information about the cancellation and refund policy, please read our Terms & Conditions.

If you need to amend any errors in your registration, please use the editing link contained in the registration confirmation email. If you are experiencing difficulties, please email hello@dropsandhoods.com.

Riders can choose from a selection of bikes including road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, cross bikes and gravel bikes (recumbents, disc wheels, tri or aero bars are not permitted).

Tandems are only permitted for vision impaired riders (only the vision impaired riders will be required to register) on the road and gravel rides. Please ensure, for the safety of all riders that bikes are well maintained throughout the course.

Yes, it is compulsory to wear a helmet that complies with Australian Standard AS/NZ2063. Helmets must be worn (with the chin strap fastened) throughout the entire route. Any participant without a helmet will be removed from the event.
Personal protection equipment are also recommended for the Enduro (mountain bike) event.

Yes, we recommend that all riders carry photo identification at all times.

There will be Food zones to supply riders with nutrition, water and other necessities, however, to ensure all riders are prepared we suggest packing the below list of items:

• Helmet *
• Photo identification *
• Water bottles *
• Additional food and/or sports nutrition
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Spare clothing for warmth or rain protection
• Bike equipment including: a puncture repair kit, spare inner tubes and an air pump
• Mobile phone (don’t forget to ensure it is fully charged prior to the start)

Items marked with * are compulsory

According to monthly averages, the peaks are likely to range from a minimum temp of 10°C to a maximum of 22°C. However, the weather can change quickly, and riders will need to be prepared for all weather conditions on the day. Riders are encouraged to consult www.bom.gov.au for forecasts in the area prior to the event.

Please refer to the T&C for a comprehensive overview of the policy on course changes or event cancellation due to weather, and how and when Drops + Hoods will communicate with riders in the event of changes due to weather.

Safety instructions will be included in the Riders’ Guide circulated one month prior to the event to all registrants. A specific face-to-face briefing will be organised in Jindabyne for the 265km route the day prior to the ride.

Registration packs can be collected from Friday 11 November at Memorial Hall. You have until 1 hour before your start time to pick up your registration pack. We recommend that all registrants pick up their registration pack the day before their event to avoid any last-minute stress.

Please note that you will receive one unique registration pack per participant, valid for all the rides you participate in.

Your registration pack will include:

• Plate number (this is a small card with your rider number on the front). This is to be cable tied to the front of your handlebar.
• Rider’s wristband. This is to be worn at all times during the event. This wristband will allow the event organiser to identify you if you are separated from your bike. It will also give you access to unique discounts and perks at participating local businesses.

*Cable ties and safety pins will be provided at registration.

All start and finish locations will be advertised in the Riders’ Guide which will be circulated one month prior to the event. Access to the start will differ depending on where you are staying, but no road closure will be in place during the event, so access will always remain easy.

We recommend you arrive 30 minutes to 45 minutes before your start time.

Start and Finish will be located at the same place for each ride. However, if you wish to drop spare clothing before you start, a free bag-drop service will be available at each start line.

A special backpack drop-off service will be in place for the 265km road ride. More information will be included in the Riders’ Guide which will be circulated one month prior to the event.

The distance and the elevation are different for each ride. More information can be found here.

Drops + Hoods is a ride, not a race.

The course is timed, but no ranking will be made. All riders will be given a number for their bike in their Registration Pack, this will have a timing chip attached and must be secured to the bike. This will record the time of the rider as they cross the Start Line, check points throughout the route and the Finish Line.

Fully closed roads are an essential feature of cycling races and events in regions where the traffic is busy. Drops + Hoods is a ride (as opposed to a race), and the traffic in the Snowy Mountains of NSW is light; therefore, roads will not be fully closed.

To guarantee everyone’s safety and to reduce the impact of the event on the local traffic, all Drops + Hoods rides will be escorted by a lead vehicle, motorcycle marshals and a sweep vehicle. Traffic controllers will be positioned at each right-hand turn for an added layer of safety and the NSW Police will be involved with the event to ensure it remains safe for all participants and road users.

Drops + Hoods must provide local authorities with an expected timing for the first rider and the last rider in each ride. This information helps to assess the event’s impact on the local traffic and decide if it is safe to proceed.

The schedule for each ride will be available on the website and will be published in the Riders’ Guide circulated one month before the event.

If a rider falls behind the time schedule, they will be asked to stop at the next pick-up area where a bus and truck will take them to the finish line.

Bikes will be loaded onto trucks and returned to riders at the finish line upon presentation of their rider’s wristband.

Riders will have the option to continue riding the remainder of the course but will need to be aware that they have officially dropped out of the event and will no longer be under the supervision of event services.

Yes, riders participating in the road and gravel rides will have to abide by the general NSW road rules, including but not limited to:

• Keep to the left of the road.
• Ride no more than two abreast.
• Ride in single file on narrow roads.
• When overtaking, do it on the right and with caution.
• Indicate prior to overtaking.
• When riding in a peloton, indicate to riders following of any dangers or imperfections on the road.

Yes, there are food zones on all routes. Each food zone is indicated on the relevant ride map available here for road rides and here for gravel rides.

If a rider has an accident, there will be medical teams patrolling the course. Riders will be provided with an emergency number to call for roadside pick-up if they are unable to make their own way to a Food zone following an accident or a breakdown. In the event of riders waiting for roadside pick-up – except for major injuries – riders are asked to move off the course and out of the way of other riders to wait for pick up.

Riders who complete the course will receive a Finisher’s Medal once they have crossed the finish line.

According to the NSW Government re-opening roadmap, unvaccinated people can enjoy the same freedom as fully vaccinated people when NSW reaches a 90% double dose vaccination rate. It is set to take effect from the 1^st of December.

Drops + Hoods will follow NSW Health advice. However, we recommend all riders plan ahead and get fully vaccinated before the event if the NSW Government updates the roadmap.

If NSW Health advice was only to allow fully vaccinated participants in the event, proof of vaccination must be provided at the registration pick-up.

When you receive your second dose of vaccine, you will be provided with a digital certificate that can be added to your smartphone wallet. Please present this certificate to our staff when you pick up your registration pack.

If you are not fully vaccinated at the date of the event and NSW Health advice is only to allow fully vaccinated participants in the event, you will not be able to ride in the event.

You will be offered a full credit, valid for two years, to be used against a Lateral Events’ cycling event. No refund will be granted.

If you haven’t received an email with your advantage code, please contact us at hello@dropsandhoods.com.

Please stay home if you’re feeling unwell or have been identified as a close contact. Let us know you won’t be able to attend via email at hello@dropandshoods.com. Provide us with proof of your status, and we will provide you with a full credit valid for two years.

Rather than one or two big rides (in number of participants), Drops + Hoods is made of 8 smaller rides starting from different locations and held on different days. It makes Drops + Hoods safe to operate and fun to ride.

All events will follow the NSW Health advice and the Government regulations in place at the date of the event. Riders are invited to join the start only 30 minutes before the start time and respect social distancing at all times. Start waves will be designed to abide by the 4sqm or 2sqm rule (whichever applies at the date of the event).