The positive benefits of cycling for fitness were witnessed on a beautiful spring day on Sunday when local residents donned their helmets for the Scone Spring Cycle.
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The event, which is held annually as part of NSW Bike Week, was hosted by the Upper Hunter Shire Council on Sunday with a long ride and a shorter one for children and families.
The idea of the ride is to achieve the objectives of NSW Bike Week to increase the usage of local cycling infrastructure for transport and recreation, provide a safe and secure environment for new and less confident cyclists to improve their cycling skills, to educate the community on the importance of road safety and the relevant road rules and to promote cycling as a safe and healthy mode of transport for short trips.
This year was the eighth ride held and included a long ride to Cressfield Stud which 38 cyclists took on and although not all of them made it there and back to the Bill Rose Sports Complex, they enjoyed coffee and cake from Tucka2U at the stud as a thank you from the council for supporting the ride.
A group of 28 children and families took part in the two kilometre ride around the complex with Brianna Davis winning the prize for most laps completed in 30 minutes.
All riders received a NSW Roads and Maritime Services drink bottle and slap band to encourage participation.
Everyone enjoyed drinks and hotdogs, including the riders returning from Cressfield.
Upper Hunter Shire Council sports participation officer Nicky Western said she had really great feedback on what a good track the shorter one is for beginners and cyclists who don’t like traffic.
“The new track at the complex was a great place for beginner riders, and knowing that they can comfortably ride more than 2kms may now encourage people to cycle for transport over short distances,” Western said.
“Thanks to Greg Schumaker for giving up his Sunday morning to drive the support vehicle and collect the tired cyclists.
“Also thanks to the council staff who filled in and graded the track at the back of the complex to enable it to be used for cycling, running and walking.
“It was great to have such a picturesque horse stud to stop and have coffee at , so a big thankyou goes to Councillor Wayne Bedggood for letting us onto the stud for coffee break.”
