IT IS being hailed as the next "big thing" for Wagga - a proposal to build a festival around a major cycling event, with the potential to draw thousands to the city.
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Wollundry Rotary is in talks with council and NSW Police for the creation of a cycling challenge with a mix of short, medium and long courses.
"It could be brilliant.
- Phillip McIntosh
The idea is all of the cyclists will be simultaneously funnelled back into the CBD where a beer and cider festival awaits.
It is expected the one-day event will take place over the October long weekend.
Phillip McIntosh, chairman of the Wollundry Rotary event organising committee, said the proposal is the first of its kind for Wagga.
"It could be brilliant," he said.
"Wagga doesn't have a cycle challenge event of this type, and yet we have some of the best country to ride in and a very active community. Other regional cities run these events so why not Wagga?"
As it stands, the cycle challenge is open to all people over the age of 12 and of all experience levels.
Staggered ticket prices for open road courses, which increase in intensity from 15km to 110km, will ensure at least $10,000 is raised for local charities, Mr McIntosh said.
He said the organisation had received expressions of interest from sponsors and breweries ready to take part in the festival, which is proposed to be held at the Wollundry Lagoon or the Victory Memorial Gardens.
Having already hosted the Food and Wine Festival for more than a decade, Mr McIntosh said Wollundry Rotary was well-suited to co-ordinate major events.
"We couldn't have asked for a better response," he said.
"I think it could be very beneficial for Wagga ... there is no doubt about that."
Mayor Rod Kendall was in support of the event and said it could help bring the community together.
"A bit of exercise and a bit of leisure afterwards certainly has a lot of appeal," he said.
"If it's in the first weekend of October, it could be very popular."
