A total of 34 competitors from across the country braved the blustery conditions on Sunday in a series of rides around the Riverina ranging from 50km to 200km.

Ride organiser Ray Stenhouse said a number of late transfers from the 200km event left just one rider in the longest haul of the day.

“We had a few people start as early as 4.30am to try and get the ride done earlier, so they ended up doing a morning leg and then joining the 100km crew,” Stenhouse said.

Melbourne cyclist Richard Reed was the sole battler in the division and said he spotted “every animal imaginable” on his winding 200km journey through Marrar, Coolamon, Millwood, Wantabadgery and Junee.

A late detour through the Bomen industrial sector added some extra time to Reed’s lengthy journey but it wasn’t enough to deter him from completing the course in nine hours and 48 minutes.

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