Wheels are in motion for Ride Wollongong Family Fun Day
Stuart Barnes from Destination Wollongong said the event, coming up on Sunday, was about the community coming together
Lang Park came alive on Monday morning with an unconventional, hard-fought bike race to preview the upcoming Ride Wollongong Festival of Cycling Family Fun Day.
Stuart Barnes from Destination Wollongong said the event, coming up on Sunday, was about the community coming together.
"This is the end of our Festival of Cycling," he said. "We started the weekend before last, it's incorporated over 16 days, 25 events, and about 14 different organizations from our community involved in that.”
The novelty media race featured a local line-up full of familiar faces including Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown, Glenn Tyropanis from Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS), i98 FM drive show host Maje Saba, Paul Taylor, president of Cycling Without Age Illawarra bringing senior residents on a trishaw ride, and eight-year-old Summer Feltham from Shellharbour Anglican College.
Before the starting flag dropped, Tania Brown issued a tongue-in-cheek warning about her competitive drive.
"I have had earnings of $9 to my name as a professional cyclist back in the '80s, so look out,” she laughed. "As a UCI cycling city, we are very proud to support cyclists, and I know everybody’s going to have a great time. It is a family day, we want everyone to come out and enjoy, have fun, raise some money and support cycling in the Gong."
Despite the fierce competition, young superstar Summer took out the top spot, earning the official Ride Cup and a Wollongong medallion for an outstanding ride.
The preview provided a taste of what fans can expect at the Festival Finale on Sunday, 13 September, from 9am to 2pm at Lang Park. The day is set to turn the foreshore into an inclusive celebration of community wellbeing, featuring accessible pathways, reserved parking and accessible facilities on site.
Organisers emphasised that the day offers something for everyone, regardless of riding experience or ability.
"Even if you're not a cyclist, bring your family along, because we've got 26 organisations exhibiting, eight food and beverage trucks, we've got a kids' pump track being set up ... petting zoo, jumping castles, you name it," Stuart said.
Sunday's schedule features the Ride4Rotary event raising vital funds for SYFS along Marine Drive and Flagstaff Hill alongside an All Abilities, family and children's ride starting at 11am.
Visit the Ride Wollongong website for more information.
