The Lake Hume Cycle Challenge’s most popular ride, the Granya Grind, will return in 2019 following a two-year hiatus.
The charity cycling event will be held on Saturday, February 23 starting at Wodonga Racecourse.
It will offer three road rides, including the 37km Weir Wonder and 79km Sandy Creek ride, which take in spectacular undulating hills, attractive farmlands, river flats and the spectacular Lake Hume.
Shorter town and family friendly rides, ranging from 5km to 25km, will meander along paved and gravel bike paths incorporating natural bushland, friendly streets and picturesque creeks.
Organisers, the Rotary Club of Bellbridge Lake Hume, are pleased to announce the return of the 126km Granya Grind after the iconic ride couldn’t be run in 2017 or 2018 because of roadworks along the Murray Valley Highway.
“The Granya Grind is back by popular demand, taking riders through some of the region’s most scenic countryside including to the top of Mt Granya and over the weir wall,” organising committee chairman, Rob Lees, said.
“We expect this challenging course will not only attract a lot of riders from Albury-Wodonga and surrounds, but outside the region as well.”
All money raised through the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge will go towards the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre and Border Trust.
Having personal cause to support the event in 2019 is Drummond Real Estate principal, Peter Drummond, who is currently undergoing treatment for throat cancer.
Mr Drummond is part-way through a seven-week course of chemotherapy and radiation at the cancer centre, but says he has long been a supporter of the Lake Hume Cycle Challenge and its cause.
“This is the fourth year we’ve sponsored the event, but this time we’ve stepped up to the naming rights sponsor just because I believe it’s a good cause, I believe in the event and I grew up in the area basically where the Granya Grind goes,” he said.
“I rode on those hills as a kid on a bike that had no gears, so I can certainly empathise with the riders who take it on.”
The cycle challenge has raised more than $125,000 for the cancer centre over the past six years, which goes towards the operation of the Wellness Centre.
The start and finish will be at the Wodonga Racecourse and from 10.30am, as riders begin to return, the Chill Zone will allow them to rest and revive.
It is here that riders and their families can be part of the “cycle community” and cool off with chilled drinks, food and listen to local talented musicians.
Registrations and further information is available at lakehumecyclechallenge.com.au