THE RIDE OF THEIR LIVES
THE Tablelands road trip that was the inaugural Tour of the Tropics has coasted to a halt after three days of cycling and eating – and organisers are keen to grow the format in 2019.
Almost 200 riders brought a Tour de France feel to the Far North.
“It was a crazy weekend but it went according to plan,” cofounder Damien Ingram said.
“We had heaps of feedback from riders that the race was well run.”
The travelling cycling and food festival kicked off with a criterium stage in the popular Cairns cafe hub Edge Hill.
“We had people spilling out of the restaurants and added to the atmosphere,” Mr Ingram said.
Stages two and three brought out the Tablelands hospitality in Malanda locals when the Malanda Primary School P & C cooked breakfast for organisers and competitors.
“Everyone did everything they could,” Mr Ingram said.
“The community was more than accommodating, considering we brought more than 500-600 people to the area.
“Edge Hill, Malanda and Yungaburra were 95 per cent positive.”
He said the stage was set for a larger tour in 2019.
“We will be using the same format and plan on doubling the participants. We will need to review the smaller courses – trying to fit 60-100 riders may prove difficult,” Mr Ingram said.
He said the tour may expand to other regional towns in the North and Far North.
“We’ll be looking at Port Douglas and Mission Beach and the Tablelands as well,” Mr Ingram said.
Food vans and stalls were in action to ply their trade at Yungaburra.
The Fermented Kitchen’s Kristy Plum said the sportfood format had struck a chord with spectators and athletes.
“I thought it was a great concept to combine an athletic and sporting event with food stalls to showcase what the region has to offer,” she said.