Rolloff Podium: From left to right. third place Jake Reus, High Roller (first place) Glen Leechburch, second place Brad Darch
The stats everybody wants to know: Glen weighs (following the Half Fling) just under 100Kg and was rolling a factory standard Giant Anthem 29er.

On Saturday 10 November 2012 the small Australian town of Bundanoon hosted the inaugural Rolloff World Championships. The International Rolloff Commision (IRC) awarded the championships to the town and was held on the same weekend as the 2012 Briars Highland Fling mountain bike marathon.

A little history.........

It was in May 1992, late afternoon on a cool Northern NSW day. Nearing the end of a mountain bike ride, the rider at the front called a halt on the top of a slight rise on a section of sealed road. ‘Time for a Rolloff’ he announced to the half dozen or so riders who pulled up next to him. The group spread across the road, each with one foot on the pedal at the 12 o’clock position. On the count of 3, they pushed off with the other foot and went straight into an aerodynamic crouch position. The road was not steep but reasonable speed was picked up. Holding the position, some necks felt pain. Smiles cracked across faces as rider passed rider. Once on the flat, speed dropped away and eyes picked out every pothole or slight hump in the surface. Slowing...slowing...... slowing. One by one the riders rolled no further. Almost at walking pace, 50 year old Irene Bisset wobbled past a young bloke half her age and, as he slowed to a stop, Irene went on to be the furthest travelled rider. She had won the Rolloff, perhaps the first one ever held.

A Rolloff is a cycling event whereby riders set off from a hill rise and freewheel as far as they can onto a flat or slightly rising runout. The chain is dropped off the front chainwheel and the only ‘push’ allowed is from the single foot on the ground at the start. The other foot must be on a pedal. The winner is the rider who ‘rolls’ the furthest from the start line. A Rolloff is classically done on a mountain bike. The course should have no corners sharp enough to require braking although such runs are often used in training. Courses are primarily on sealed roads but may have sections of dirt.

There is nothing quite like the buzz of rolling past a struggling, almost stationary opponent........

The Rolloff is perhaps THE great leveller in cycling. Fitness plays little part and it is one of the few sports (Equestrian anyone?) where men and women can compete on an equal footing. Does body or bike weight improve your chances? Does sleekness or aerodynamics play any meaningful part?

Check out this video for what a Rolloff is all about...

The 2013 Rolloff World Championships

On the afternoon of Saturday 9 November (3.00pm-4-30pm), Rolloff competitors will turn up at the bottom of Constitution Hill in Bundanoon where the World Championship Rolloff course is 400metres long. There will be a maximum of 96 competitors. The progression is shown in the table below. You can pre enter the Rolloff World Championships here. Given the interest generated so far and the limited places, we suggest you sign up as soon as possible.

Registration for the event will take place from 2.00pm outside Bundanoon Post Office opposite Bundanoon Soldiers Memorial Hall. The first heat will roll at 3.15pm.

The High Rollers Final will be contested by the 2 semi final winners plus the Rider who has Rolled the furthest in the heats and quarter finals. Only one rider will emerge as the 2012 Rolloff World Champion; the Rolled Gold winner. Rolled Silver and Rolled Bronze will also be awarded.

Judging of the Championships is the responsibility of the Master of The Rolls and his team.

Rolloff Rules

1. Frames must be single seat 26in, 27.5in or 29in mountain bike frame and wheels
2. No additional weight to be applied to the bike in any way including to the wheels/tyres either externally or internally
3. No additional weighting (including backpacks) can be applied to the body beyond clothing/footwear considered reasonable for the conditions at the time
4. The minimum tyre diameter is 2.0 inches
5. Chains must be ‘dropped off’ the front chainwheel so that they can play no part in the propulsion of the bike
6. The only form of propulsion allowed at the start is from a push from the foot on the ground. The other foot must sit flat on a pedal at the pushoff
7. Standing up on the pedals is not allowed at any time
8. No form of rider propulsion after the start is allowed. This includes pumping, wheel wiggling or any other method.
9. Both wheels must remain in contact with the road surface at all times
10. The body must remain on or in front of the saddle at all times including at the start
11. Outside assistance in any form is not permitted
12. An Australian Standards approved cycling helmet must be worn during any Rolloff competition
13. Riders must not interfere with the progress of any other rider during a Rolloff competiton
14. Drafting any other rider is not permitted
15. Riders must be aged 14 years or older.
16. All protests must be made to the Master of The Rolls (the chief judge) in a polite, non-abusive manner. Abusive protests will not be heard. Protests may be made up to 10 minutes after the final results are posted. The Master of the Rolls has the final decision on all protests
17. The Master of The Rolls has the right to call off the event either before or during for any reason he sees fit. This can include reasons related to the safety of riders or members of the public
18. Any action deemed against the spirit of the event may result in disqualification. The Master of The Rolls has the final say in any decision at the event
19. Ignorance of these rules is not an acceptable defence