BOBBIN HEAD CYCLE CLASSIC
The Bobbin Head Cycle Classic, affectionately known to local riders as "The Bobbo," is a premier road cycling event starting and finishing at Karuah Oval in Turramurra on Sydney's Upper North Shore. Traversing the lands of the Kuring-gai people, the course drops deep into the sandstone gorges of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park before tackling the iconic wall ascent out of Bobbin Head. With distance options ranging from a 27km social loop to a demanding 104km Gran Fondo that winds all the way out to West Head and Akuna Bay, the event delivers some of the finest bitumen riding and pinch climbs available anywhere in Greater Sydney.
Organised by the combined Rotary Clubs of Ku-ring-gai, St Ives, Turramurra, and Wahroonga, the Bobbo has established itself over more than a decade as a cornerstone of the Sydney cycling calendar. The ride has raised over $1 million for local primary beneficiary Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, alongside other community charities, directly funding suicide prevention services and crisis support helpline operations. It attracts thousands of participants annually, uniting competitive bunch riders, local club members, and recreational cyclists for a shared cause.
While the event is held on open roads with controlled intersections and full event support, the physical challenge is genuine. The signature climbs at Bobbin Head and Akuna Bay demand sustained power, precise gear selection, and confident cornering on the technical descents. Crossing the line back at Karuah Oval brings riders straight into the Bobbo Village, where local food stalls, coffee vans, and live entertainment turn a tough morning in the saddle into an all-day community celebration.