The fifth Great East Rail Trail Ride, hosted by Snowy River Cycling, was once again a huge hit for the region as 123 riders visited East Gippsland taking away with them a sense of friendly warmth and a love for this stunning area.
Snowy River Cycling’s Liz Mitchell said the three-day cycling tour along the East Gippsland Rail Trail was “fantastic”.
“The weather was absolutely on our side with East Gippsland looking its sparkling best,” she said.
Fully booked more than a month ago, riders came from across the country to participate, the only states and territories not represented being Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia.
“We had a great mix with a lot of older riders aged over 50, whose kids have all grown up and they can now enjoy their own thing, lots of families with kids and groups of friends,” Liz said.
“We had a mother in her 60s who only really got into riding about a year ago who brought her three adult daughters and we had our first three generation group, with grandma and grandpa, mum, dad and their one-year-old son.”
Liz said about 10 per cent of the riders have been on the ride before.
“Often they’ll bring along a few extra friends,” she said.
“Others have a go having not really been into riding, but they all leave with a real sense of friendly warmth from the crew, both paid and volunteers, and a love for East Gippsland, which is a really lovely backdrop for it all.
“Even if they don’t come back on the ride, I’m sure many will be back to East Gippsland now that they know this part of the world exists.”
Liz said the crew is already making plans for next year’s event. No doubt it will once again be a booked out affair.
PICTURED: It was a large crowd of 123 riders plus crew members who enjoyed a well earned rest in Orbost on Sunday having cycled 100 kilometres along the East Gippsland Rail Trail for the three-day Great East Rail Trail Ride.
