The course and distance are chosen by each team and must be at least 360 km long and finish in either Rochester (Victoria) or the capital cities in other states (where run).

The ride is named after former patron of the club Sir Hubert Opperman, and its format based on the French equivalent Flèche Velocio.

First run in October 1985, the finish coincided with the Bicycle Expo, held at the world Trade Center Melbourne.

Although the Fleche Opperman All Day Trial is a non-competitive ride, teams successfully completing the furthest distance are officially recognised.

In its inaugural year the Port Fairy Cycling Club, including Graham Woodrup, achieved this honour completing a total distance of 570 km.

The 1,200 km route starts in Anglesea, heading along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, into the Otway Ranges, back along the coastal road to Port Fairy and then inland via the Grampians National Park (Gariwerd) before returning along the same route.

The SM1200 runs every four years starting on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing in downtown Melbourne.

In 2022, the new route heads south-west to the coastal town of Augusta and then travelling through Margaret River and then inland via tall-timbered forest back to Perth.

These must comprise the following: The Australian Randonneur Award recognises lifetime riding achievements for the following cumulative distances: Audax Australia's magazine Checkpoint is produced quarterly and is circulated to current financial members.

The first officially homologated Australian ride took place at Easter of that year, following near-simultaneous letters to the ACP by Alan Walker and Russell Moore.