Feeling a bit weary after today’s ride? As you recline on the recovery lounge, spare a thought for Aussie Allan Jefferson, who is currently riding in the Race Across America (RAAM).

Regarded as the world’s toughest bike race, the 2024 edition of the RAAM started on June 11. Spanning 12 states and covering over 5000km, 2022 RAAM winner Allan Jefferson of Townsville in North Queensland is now over half way in this gruelling event.

Aiming to beat his race-winning time of 10 days and 15 minutes, Jefferson, is pedaling around 500 km per day, averaging 20 hours a day in the saddle. (That’s not much sleeping, eating or resting time!)

He will climb 55,000 metres over the 10 day journey!

• Read the background story at Bicycle Australia >>>
• Find out more about the race at www.teamjefferson.com.au >>>
• The official Race Across America website is www.raamrace.org >>>
• Tracking is available via www.raamrace.org/live-tracking >>>

Looking for a cycling weekend away – while sampling local food and wine?

Check out this event at Mendooran, north-east of Dubbo, on the weekend of 4th and 5th May.

The weekend seeks to introduce keen cyclists to the food and cycling opportunities of Mendooran, and be a fundraiser for the Central West Cycle Trail (CWCT).

There will be a number of organised rides, mostly on gravel roads, from 6km to 70km – something for everyone!

The key get-together event after your day of cycling (or just enjoying the town, bees, distillery, architecture, riverfront etc) is the Tastes of Mendooran, starting at 5pm on Saturday 4 May at the Showground – three courses for $30!

Importantly the weekend is planned so that it caters for the cyclist and non-cyclist.

• More details at the Food Cycle Weekend website  >>>
• Check out the Food Cycle Weekend program (pdf) >>>

This year’s KBUG Cycling Tour will take in Victoria’s High Country Rail Trail and the Albury Wetlands, during the last week of March.

There will be three days of riding….

• Monday 25th March: Shelley to Tallangatta (46 km)
• Tuesday 26th March: Albury Wetlands (38 – 65 km with optional extension)
• Wednesday 27th March: Lake Hume village to Tallangatta (62 km)

More information about each of the rides is available in the Ride Information package below.

Registration is now closed (11th March).

You will need to organise your own accommodation, staying in the area from Sunday 24th, to be ready to roll on the Monday morning, when we will be meeting at Tallangatta hotel at 8:00 am to drive to Shelley.

There is plenty of accommodation available in Albury and Wodonga, but with two of the rides (and if taking the extended option, the third ride) making use of the Rail Trail near Lake Hume, the Lake Hume Discovery Park (Victoria) will be the preferred base for most riders. The park offers a wide range of accommodation options.

• Ride information >>>
• Registration Form (CLOSED) >>>

More discussion and planning will no doubt take place on our regular rides over the coming weeks.

The first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which opened on the 1st March, has apparently been targeted by people who aren’t so keen on the new trail.

The local council said the trail had drawn more than 8000 users in its first two weeks, prompting local businesses along the trail to extend their opening hours and offerings to cater for demand.

But councillor and Chamber of Commerce chairman Warren Polglase said someone was trying to spoil the party and had thrown tacks and nails on to the trail three times since it opened, puncturing tyres.

Polglase said some Tweed residents had opposed the project because they wanted to save the track and return it to the provision of rail services. Passenger trains stopped running in 2004.

Read more (SMH) >>>

Kiama BUG travellers now haver another rail trail to explore – the scenic Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, in northern New South Wales, opened on 1st March 2023.

Extending through 24 kilometres of countryside in the lush Tweed valley, the Tweed trail connects via the townships and villages of Crabbes Creek, Mooball, Burringbar, Stokers Siding, Dunbible and Murwillumbah, all once key train station stops along the original railway line, built in 1894.

The Tweed trail is the first section of the full 132 kilometre Northern Rivers Rail Trail to open and welcomes walkers, runners and cyclists to breathe in nature, explore country towns and immerse in the region’s rich agri-tourism offerings, from farm-gates to foodie hot spots.

Read More >>>