There is no Merimbula Cycle Club as such, but that didn’t stop a group of 10 local enthusiasts from riding the Annual "Round the Block" social ride hosted by the Jindabyne Cycle Club, recently.
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On day one, Friday, March 10, the group of 47 men and women set out at 10am from Jindabyne to Providence Portal via Adaminaby a total distance of 115 kms.
The oldest rider in the group, Merimbula’s Bruce Watkins, aged 75, said conditions were perfect for a few days in the saddle.
“Day two saw the group on the road quite early after a hearty breakfast. The temperature was around 9 degrees, warming up to about 24,” Watkins said.
The destination was Khancoban, 105 kms away via Kiandra, Mt Selwyn and Cabramurra the highest town in Australia.
“The riders climbed 2600 metres on this leg, round the block indeed,” Watkins said.
Day three, up Alpine Way, started early and was the most daunting.
First stop was Geehi, then to Tom Grogan station, Leather Barrel Creek and on to the highest point of the day Dead Horse Gap.
“Mention must be made that Michael Milton, Australian Olympic ski Champion, achieved the full distance of 330kms on one leg,” Watkins said.
Local riders who completed the journey were; Claudio Por caro, Paul Byard, Kerrie Vogel, Graeme Thompson, Justin Ashcroft, Gerard Kelly, Darryl Redman, Sam Albanese, Darren Stevens, Bruce Watkins and Paul Thompson.
Watkins thanked the organisers of the ride and local group’s fantastic support team Chris Branson and Koby Thompson.
