TWO Australian Olympians, a V8 Supercars driver and the winner of one of the world’s most gruelling bicycle races will be riding in next month’s Wagga Gears and Beers Festival.
Organised by the Wollundry Rotary Club, the October 4 event includes five bike rides ranging in distance from 15km to 130km and a free family festival in the Victory Memorial Gardens from 11am to 6pm featuring some of Wagga’s best entertainers, including The Mighty Yak, Jarryn Phegan and Switch To Whiskey.
Festival spokesman, Phil McIntosh, said Olympic gold medal winning rower Drew Ginn, Olympic skier Katya Cremer, V8 Supercars and GT Series driver Tony D’Alberto and 2015 winner of the Trans America Bike race Jesse Carlsson would ride in the event.
A man named Beardy McBeardy, described by Mr McIntosh as “a bit of a cycling legend” will also be a drawcard.
“We are really keen to put on a great community event and get the mums and dads out there with their kids to ride the 15 and 30ks,” Mr McIntosh said.
“Our focus is on community participation; everyone from mums, dads, children 12 years and over, cycle enthusiasts, beginners and business challenge participants.”
To register go to http://www.gearsandbeers.org.au.
Riders can also register in person manually at the Victory memorial Gardens from 4pm or on the morning of the event.
Proceeds from the festival will go to charities.
Wollundry Rotary hopes to distribute more than $20,000 from the event.
Mr McIntosh said it was hoped more than 800 people would register for the event, now in its second year.
Already, about 120 riders have registered for the 130km race, called The Dirty 130.
Numbers for that ride are capped at 200.
On offer in the Victory Memorial Gardens will be hand-crafted beers and ciders, locally roasted coffee and food – as well as great music.
