Hundreds make City to Coast ride

Lachlan, Tarran and John George from Gin Gin after completing the 20km ride.

Scottie Simmonds/The News Mail

ONLY a few months ago a lack of funds made it look like the wheels had come off for Queensland's largest regional fun bike ride.

But yesterday morning 580 cyclists made the trip from Bundaberg to Burnett Heads in perfect conditions in the sixth year of the City to Coast ride organised by local cycling group the Mad Cycologists.

Ride co-ordinator Roy Fraser said everybody had a wonderful time, the riders enjoyed the morning and it was a good safe ride to Burnett Heads.

Mr Fraser said the ride would not have gone ahead if it were not for funding by Bundaberg Radiology and Coral Coast Pharmacies.

He said the highlight of the day was the beautiful weather, with a westerly breeze that helped push the riders along.

“It was just a stunning, beautiful day,” he said.

Mr Fraser said the route of the ride was along back roads to Burnett Heads to avoid the traffic as much as possible.

The St John Ambulance crew on standby reported that everyone made it safely except for one grazed knee.

The last rider finished the 20km route in about two-and-a-half hours.

At the end of the ride the organisers had laid on activities to keep the crowd entertained until the prize-giving.

Entertainment included a jazz band, puppet show, facepainting and balloons.

Mr Fraser stressed the balloons were made of biodegradable material with biodegradable string.

The award for the largest corporate team was won by Coral Coast Pharmacies, with more than 40 riders.

The oldest rider was 84 and the person who travelled the longest distance to take part was from Victoria.

The largest high school team was from Shalom and the largest primary school team was Branyan.

CDs with more than 600 images of the ride are available for $5.