Cyclists flock to Lismore for inaugural cycling festival

LISMORE hosted its first-ever cycling festival over the long weekend, drawing nearly 200 participants to a range of events designed for riders of all abilities.

The Lismore Cycling Festival, which evolved from a road race in 2023, featured two days of racing and community activities at Lismore’s Sporting Hub, Oakes Oval, and the new Adam Gilchrist complex.

Organisers said the event showcased Lismore as a cycling destination, with cyclists travelling from as far away as Sydney and the Sunshine Coast.

The festival offered a mix of criterium races on Saturday, a family-friendly Crit-Cross for kids, and Cyclo-Cross events on Sunday.

A mass participation ride, the Fondos, also took place, featuring rides of varying distances for casual and competitive cyclists alike.

Byron Bay Cycling Club secretary and festival organiser Mat Johnson said the highlight of the event was seeing families cycling together.

“The best outcome in my mind was seeing family groups cycling together, Mum’s and Dad’s with small children enjoying their adventure and sharing the roadways with all other road users,” he said.

The festival also featured a range of exhibitors from the cycling industry, including local businesses like LifeCycles Byron Bay and Transition Cycles Ballina, as well as Bikey Wipes from Brisbane.

A mass participation ride, the Fondos, also took place, featuring rides of varying distances for casual and competitive cyclists alike. Photo: ANGUS WOOD

Local food vendors kept attendees fuelled with BBQ lunches and coffee, while live music and kids’ activities helped create a vibrant atmosphere.

According to Johnson, the festival is about more than just cycling.

It aims to encourage alternatives to vehicle use for short journeys in Lismore.

“Cycling is for everyone. It positively impacts on one’s physical, mental, financial, and social health, not to mention the zero impact it has on our fantastic environment,” Johnson said.

The festival was also an important opportunity to support local businesses as the region continues to recover from the 2022 floods.

Byron Bay Cycling Club secretary and festival organiser Mat Johnson said the highlight of the event was seeing families cycling together. Photo: ANGUS WOOD

“With cyclists from up and down the eastern seaboard, our beautiful area was showcased as an awesome region for cycling,” Johnson said.

He extended special thanks to the 55 volunteers, including the Lismore SES and Dunoon RFS, who helped make the event a success.

“Their commitment and spirit are the backbone of our community, and I am so grateful for their support,” he said.

He also acknowledged the event sponsors, including JonTom Motors, Juno Espresso, and Southern Cross University.

With the success of the inaugural event, plans are already in the works to bring the festival back to Lismore next year.

Organisers said the event showcased Lismore as a cycling destination, with cyclists travelling from as far away as Sydney and the Sunshine Coast. Photo: ANGUS WOOD

Lismore Cycling Festival –

Criterium race results

A Grade 1st Evan Graham (North Western Sydney CC) 2nd Jethro Cooney (Gold Coast CC) 3rd Dan Collard (Yamba CC) Prime Jethro Cooney

B Grade Female 1st Laurelea Moss (Coffs Harbour CC) B Grade Male 1st Arturs Markovs (Norwood CC) 2nd Keanu Staader (Yamba CC) 3rd James London (Alice Spring CC) Prime Arturs Markovs

C Grade Female 1st Sabrina Peng (Byron Bay CC) 2nd Mareika Wilkins (Inverell CC)