Community hits the road for great causes

HUNDREDS of cyclists got on their bikes for a good cause on Sunday for the G.J Gardiner Homes Bendigo Cycling Classic.

The Classic raises thousands of dollars for local charities and organiser Geoff O’Sullivan said about 320 riders pre-registered, with about 100 more registering on the day.

“It sits about where we’ve sat in the past, which is really good considering what’s happened in the last year or two,” he said. “The 100-kilometre ride had about 170 riders, about half of our riders.”

While the main ride took riders to Mount Alexander, there were also 60-kilometre, 35-kilometre, 25-kilometre and 12-kilometre events.

For the first time, a 73-kilometre gravel ride was held on Saturday from Strathfieldsaye to Axedale and back.

“It’s not a race, it’s a social ride around Bendigo and the district,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“It’s for everybody, it doesn’t matter if you take three hours to do it or six hours, that’s not what it’s about. It’s about getting out with your mates and raising money for charity.”

All funds raised will be split evenly between Bendigo Health and OTIS, with the latter using the money to support its gifted retreat accommodation for people facing breast cancer.

Bendigo Health board director Ewa Piejko said money from events such as the Classic help the hospital fund equipment it otherwise wouldn’t receive.

“These funds will purchase priority specialised equipment to care for newborn and premature babies within our special care nursery and, in many cases, minimise the need for patients to travel to Melbourne, reducing the stress on children and their families,” she said.