Sport
25 September, 2023
Cycling returns to the Pyrenees with Rotary fundraiser
A slightly revamped Pyrenees Magic Tri Distance Ride is set to return this week, with hundreds of cyclists from across the state set to descend on the Pyrenees region this Friday. A revised 33 kilometre course for beginners, 53 km and 96 km circuit...
A slightly revamped Pyrenees Magic Tri Distance Ride is set to return this week, with hundreds of cyclists from across the state set to descend on the Pyrenees region this Friday.
A revised 33 kilometre course for beginners, 53 km and 96 km circuit are on offer for cycling enthusiasts, presenting an opportunity for riders of all abilities to clock some kilometres on main roads without the stress of major highways.
Riders will start at the Summerfield Winery and will take in the towns of Moonambel and Landsborough before returning to the winery via a reversed route.
The Pyrenees Magic Tri Distance event is held in Audax style, meaning the event is delivered in a relaxed, non-competitive format, while also serving as a fundraiser for the organising body — the Maryborough Rotary Club.
Event administrator Rebecca Murray said the ride is gearing up to be another success, with over 100 people already signed on.
“We’re sitting on over 100 tickets sold so far which is about the usual for us, as we get closer to the event more and more tickets will sell,” she said.
“We’re expecting around 200 people to be riding on the day which is on par for this event, we’re really looking forward to it.
“It’s a fantastic event and because it’s not competitive, it has a much more relaxed and social feel — it’s a lot of fun for everyone involved.”
This year’s course has been slightly changed from previous years, with organisers opting to steer the event clear of both the Pyrenees and Sunraysia highways.
Murray said heavy traffic along both highways defeated the purpose of the relaxed and largely stress-free nature of the ride.
“There’s been a change this year to the route that we take and that’s purely for the safety of riders,” she said.
“It was getting to a point where traffic was becoming too heavy between the Pyrenees and Sunraysia highways that we needed to reconsider our options.”
All of the proceeds raised through the event go towards Rotary’s community projects, with the club donating $10,000 towards the oncology unit at the Maryborough Hospital following last year’s event.
Building on the event’s fun and social atmosphere, entries for the event also go into the running for raffle prices to be awarded throughout the day, with a Rotary barbecue and food options from Summerfield available to cyclists.
“It’s a really nice, relaxed event where a lot of families and groups come and take part and of course it’s all for a good cause,” Murray said.
“We’ve got people who come down from areas like Portland to attend the event and they’ve been coming for years.
“It’s just a great event for the whole community, it brings people to the area, supports local businesses and projects and has a real sense of community about it.”
The event takes place this Friday, September 29 from 9 am to 3 pm. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.tickettailor.com/events/rotaryclubofmaryboroughincvic or by visiting the Pyrenees Magic Tri Distance Bike Ride Facebook page.