NOW is the time for these riders to tackle the SPUD100.
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Well-versed in long-distance leisure rides, University of the Third Age's Ballarat cycle tour group members have checked off the comparatively shorter offerings in the annual Ballarat Cycle Classic. This includes a couple of 100-kilometre finishes.
The SPUD100 is the ultimate 160-kilometre ride about the region, taking in the Bungaree potato farming district that was home to Danny Frawley and weaving towards Creswick. Also featured is the AusCycling Road National Championship's notorious Mount Buninyong climb.
SPUD100 was introduced last year as a challenge for experienced riders in memory of AFL great and long-time Cycle Classic ambassador Danny "Spud" Frawley.
U3A rider Ian Crook said they know age is no barrier but were under no illusions this would be a test, in a good way.
"We'll be putting it altogether and building up to it - you don't do a ride like this just in one go," Mr Crook said. "We'll do lots of longer riders, lots of 100s now and a couple of 160s before February."
The U3A group's focus is on inclusion and participation. Each Friday they meet for an optional three distances - short (25-30km), medium (two to three hours) and long rides (three to five hours) - depending on how people are feeling.
Riders have taken up regional and interstate day and multi-day tours with some even training up for international rides.
There's the freedom and fresh air with cycling. We like to get out of the city and the great thing about Ballarat is that the countryside is only usually five minutes away.
- Ian Crook, U3A cycling
"There's the freedom and fresh air with cycling," Mr Crook said.
"We like to get out of the city and the great thing about Ballarat is that the countryside is only usually five minutes away.
"...The social side of the cycle touring group is probably the most important aspect of it, that sense of inclusion."
Most riders are aged 65-plus and one-third of U3A's cycle tour group is female.
Long-time riders like Mr Crook and Henk Rem who, in hailing from the Netherlands quipped he could ride when he could crawl, said modern e-bikes made riding far more accessible. They said their wives, who were newer to the sport, felt more confident in keeping up.
"We had a session a few years ago to get more people involved and over the scary bit of riding," Mr Rem said. "...We all ride together, nobody gets dropped."
Coffee and cake stops are worked in as important features of each ride.
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Ballarat Cycle Classic is in action on February 21 and features a range of road, mountain and virtual cycling options with a new half-marathon and 16km runs added to the program.
The Classic is the major fundraiser for Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute and tallied more than $300,000 last year for the institute to launch a breast cancer research program.
Entries are open at ballaratcycleclassic.com.au.
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