With the spring weather warming up and the end of the year approaching, it's a great time to plan your next cycling goals.
Now that AusCycling's 2027 Road Calendar is online, here's our guide to making the most of your season.
Club racing: your bread and butter
Grassroots club racing is the foundation of your road season.
From beginner to experienced, there's usually a grade for everyone, so you can get your competitive fix.
A steady diet of criteriums and road races allow you to find your form, practise your racecraft and get some intensity into your program − all while supporting your local club.
Before any major event, make sure you've got at least a couple of club races under your belt.
Find a club near you with our AusCycling Club Finder.
State and national series: take the next step
The next step up from club racing is a state-level race. These typically bring bigger fields, greater depth of competition, more challenging formats and a fuller event experience.
You could tackle just one event, or make the overall series your goal. Try something new, like a handicap race or a stage race. Or pick and choose what works for your schedule.
To find a state series near you, visit the State & Territory Series page.
At the national level, under-19 riders can take on the BikeChain J19 National Road Series. For the best of Australia's domestic scene, the ProVelo Super League might be for you.
State Championships: a major benchmark
Held once a year, the State or Territory Championships will be a true test of your level. With the prestigious title of 'state champion' on the line, this is an event that many riders will train and peak specifically for.
Winning a state medal is an honour that would take pride of place in your trophy cabinet.
Navigate to AusCycling's event listings to find a state-level road event near you.
National Championships: your big season goal
There's one step up from a state championships, and that's Nationals: the race for the green-and-gold jersey.
You'll race in your age category against the highest level of competition this country has to offer. Expect a professional event experience, challenging circuits, deep fields, and one of the most rewarding challenges you can have on a bike.
In 2027, the AusCycling Junior & Masters Road National Championships will be held in Launceston and Northern Tasmania on September 2–5.
For elites, under-19s and under-23s, your pinnacle event comes much earlier in the year: the 2027 WestBridge Funds Road National Championships will take place in Perth this January.
Gran fondos: a different challenge
Mix up your road racing calendar with a challenge of a different kind: gran fondos aren't races (strictly speaking), but they're fun, exciting and rewarding events in their own right, giving you a memorable experience on the bike.
For example, RoadNats Gran Fondo Perth allows you to ride on the same closed circuit as Australia's top pros, on the same day − an unforgettable Sunday of riding and spectacing.
You can discover new roads with events like the Top End Gran Fondo in Darwin, or ride for a good cause with one of several charity rides across the country.
At the competitive end, see if you can qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships by finishing in the top 25 per cent of your category in either the Tour de Brisbane or Amy's Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo.