Sunday social ride for a great cause

THE Bendigo Cycling Classic will be on the road Sunday with three different routes on offer to riders. 

There will be 35-kilometre, 70-kilometre, and 120-kilometre self-directed rides starting and ending at Braidie’s Tavern in Strathfieldsaye.  

The rides will mostly be on gravel and there will be limited signage, which the organiser Geoff O’Sullivan said is important to note. 

The rides are not races, but rather social events, and 100 per cent of entry fees go to charities Otis Foundation and Bendigo Health Foundation. 

“It’s all designed to be off-road rather than on-road, and it’s welcome to anyone who’s got a suitable bike or a e-bike as well,” said Mr O’Sullivan. 

“It is not a race, it is a social ride. There is no timing device, nothing like that. 

“Every cent that people pay to go into the rides goes direct to the charities, which has been the model that we have used for the last six times we’ve done the Bendigo Cycling Classic. 

“They’re both local organisations who are fairly well known, who look after local people, and that tends to work for everybody.” 

With just five volunteers this year, Mr O’Sullivan said he encourages cyclists to download the route map on their phone or GPS device prior to starting.  

“The routes are on our website so that they can follow those routes, we do have limited signage up there as well,” he said. 

There will be medical services along the routes as well as drink and aid stations, and a “tail-end Charlie” to make sure everyone is going alright.  

 The 70 and 120-kilometre rides go through Axedale to give people an opportunity to buy food and drinks. 

“We do have an on track medical services who are there to provide medical services should they be required, but really the overall response for the ride is on the individual,” said Mr O’Sullivan. 

Mr O’Sullivan said he expects 250 to 300 people on the day, and if signing up on the day, riders should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their ride. 

“A lot of people tend to hold back to wait and see what the weather’s like,” he said. 

For more information or to sign-up, visit bendigocyclingclassic.com.au.