Amy's Ride comes to town. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
THE competition among cyclists was fierce in Buninyong all weekend, but there was a moment went competition took a back seat to charity, as Amy’s Ride came to the town for the first time.
Almost 1000 cyclists, ranging from professional athletes to leisurely foursomes on tandem bikes took part in the ride, which aimed to promote cycle safety through the Amy Gillett Foundation.
It was the eighth running of the ride, but the first time it had come to Buninyong – the former home of the much-loved rider who died on a training ride in Germany in 2005.
Marketing and fundraising manager for the Amy Gillett Foundation David Lee said it was an extremely successful holding of the event, especially given the late change of the location and date. It had previously been held along the Great Ocean Road, but it was found that combining the ride with the Mars Cycling Australian Road National Championships would attract more riders.
Mr Lee said there had not been any discussions regarding whether the event would return to Buninyong next year.
“It seems we have had really good support for the ride here in Buninyong, everything went really smoothly and everyone seems to have enjoyed it,” he said. “The foundation brand is growing, people want to support it, people are passionate about road safety.
“It’s really good for families that way as well, they knows its a safe way to cycle.”
Among the families to participate in the ride was Melbourne’s Schofield family.
With their three young daughters, Paul and Caz Schofield completed the 20-kilometre course using two dual tandem bikes, one of which even had a third seat and pedals attached for his five-year-old daughter Elizabeth.
“We’ve ridden in it four years now, we love the idea of the foundation,” said Mr Schofield.
Arguably the most eye-catching participants in the day however was a four way tandem bike headed by Melbourne’s Paul Farren.
Dressed up as English policemen, the foursome said they saw some startled reactions when people saw them ride past.
The foundation raised in excess of $20,000 in donations and fundraising from the event that will be directed into the ongoing development of Cycle Safe Communities.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
