Record numbers turn out for Shifty Fifty on the Surf Coast

MORE than 370 people shifted their bikes into gear for the third annual Shifty Fifty event which helped raise over $10,000 for the Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club.

Riders young and old took off from Anglesea and headed towards the Eumeralla bike trails during the Saturday afternoon event, riding the coastal and bushland trails to complete either a 25km or 50km distance.

Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club vice president Brett Coleman said the team were rapt with the huge numbers that turned out to enjoy a leisurely ride.

“It was truly awesome and to have record numbers was a fantastic result all round.

“The vast majority of riders did the 50km trek and we had a real mix of people doing the event including plenty of children and families.

“We had perfect conditions as well which certainly made a world of difference to making everyone’s experience such a good one!

“We were very happy with how it all ran.”

This year’s event featured a new course to avoid bottlenecks on the trail.

“People seemed to love the new course and said it was super flowy,” Mr Coleman said.

“It’s a challenging course with plenty of hills where you are either going up or down.

“People also really enjoyed the downhill finish into Anglesea along the Surf Coast walk and were able to capture the amazing views.”

Mr Coleman said the money raised will assist the club to continue working on trails across the area through trail advocacy and physical trail work.

The club will also aim to continue to run skills clinics for their juniors and aspiring members so they achieve their mountain bike riding goals.