It has taken road closure signs along the route for the penny to finally drop about just how big, and disruptive to some people’s life for that day, L’Étape is going to be.

On Saturday 20 March, at least 3000 cyclists are going to be starting their rides in Kiama’s Manning Street.

For the cyclists’ safety, they will be travelling on closed roads, with the 136km Race back to Kiama via Fitzroy Falls, Robertson and Jamberoo.

The others will be doing the 80km ride, which goes up Berry Mountain, down to Bomaderry, along the river and back to Berry.

Race organisers say the communication and consultation process was limited by COVID, but that the road closures have been approved by Transport for NSW and the three councils.

The times given on the signs is when the ownership of the roads is being handed over to L’Étape for the event.

The Race Director Florent Malézieux is encouraging people to get in touch with their feedback, after looking at the latest information on their website.

“The traffic management plan for L’Étape is very complex, but it doesn’t cover everyone’s situation.

“If anyone has a question that is not covered on the website, they are invited to send an email to [email protected]

“We have a team working eight hours a day looking into everyone’s enquiries so that we can come back to them with solutions.

“We are taking feedback on board and when possible and safe to do so we will amend the traffic management plan.”

L’Étape is in the midst of a letterbox drop to the 17,500 households along the route.

Jamberoo Mountain dairy farmer Stephen Downes is one who has got in touch already, concerned the ability of milk tankers to get to farms in the area.

“It would be nice not to have found out about the closures on facebook,” he says.

“The problem is no-one thought to ask about farmers’ issues at the start.

“I can’t fault the recent response of the organisers, but Council has given us zero consideration.

“All we keep getting from them that it will be great for tourism, but there are businesses which will lose money that day.

“Good luck if you had booked a wedding here.”

For the latest details go to letapeaustralia.com/community