Wheels in motion as second Bridge2Bridge draws closer

LOCAL cyclists will pull on their lycra and ride from Adelaide to Barwon Heads later this year as part of Bridge2Bridge2 (B2B2).

The 20 cyclists from Barwon Heads Cycling Club are riding with a goal to raise about $40,000 for local organisations Give Where You Live Foundation and the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

The ride comes after nine cyclists rode from Sydney Harbour Bridge to Barwon Heads Bridge in 2016 for the first Bridge2Bridge, raising more than $25,000.

BHCC president Andrew Quayle said B2B2 aimed to involve as many members of the community as possible, with riders taking part from Geelong and across the Bellarine.

“We are not doing it as a holiday or anything like that, it is to be a challenge and a sacrifice… we wouldn’t be doing it unless we didn’t really want to do it, so there is that part of it, and it’s in the makeup of who we all are.

“We all get up at 5.30am every morning and ride, so we are keen, and we might all be a bit loopy I suppose to get up that early and dress up in lycra, but that’s what we do!”

He said training was in full swing, with riders completing 30-kilometres from Barwon Heads to Breamlea and back every Monday and Friday, with set rides in between and a longer ride on weekends.

“During B2B2 we will ride 175 kilometres each day for five days… that’s significantly longer than the 30   kilometres to Breamlea we do every week, and it’s day after day with no break… so that will see where we are all at,” he said.

Mr Quayle said B2B2 was also a great motivator for members to train during some of the coldest mornings of the year.

“We all do it for our own fitness, and mental health, but one of the great things about B2B2 is that it’s a great motivator to get out this time of year and ride.

“The 20 of us have known we are going to ride since January, and this period of time last year their would have been one or two cyclists heading out each morning, but right through this winter so far I think we’ve had a minimum of 10 riders, which is good numbers to get out come rain, hail or shine.”

He said fundraising was off to a great start at almost $9000, following a couple of events and lots of support from local businesses and community members.

“We had a couple of events, which included a launch at the Barwon Heads pub, which was really successful with guest speakers and an auction, so we think we are up to about $9000 so far and we have a goal of $30,000 to $40,000.”

He said the club wanted to involve as much of the community as possible so they could raise awareness and funds.

“Give Where You Live is a great charity and I’m sure most of us have been affected, or know someone close to us who has been affected by cancer.

“And I can speak personally because I have very close friends going through it at the moment – it’s all too common.”

B2B2 starts near Adelaide Oval Bridge on September 18 and finishes at the Barwon Heads Bridge on September 22.

There will also be four support members taking part in the journey who are integral to the ride. To donate, head to givewhereyoulive.secure.

force.com/Fundraise/Bridge2Bridge2 or to follow the club’s progress, follow Barwon Heads Cycling Club Inc on Facebook.