Riding for sight
Local cyclists Mark Sage and Ian de Bruyne will saddle up for their 25th consecutive Lions Ride for Sight tomorrow.
The pair will join the 370km non-competitive ride stretching over five days from Tidal River to Inverloch to raise money for vision related projects supported by Lions clubs.
“It’s come around very quickly,” said Mr de Bruyne. “I never thought I’d be doing every single ride. One ride blurs into the next, and now it’s 25 years.”
Mr de Bruyne and Mr Sage are the only two participants who have ridden in each of the Lions District 201V3 events covering various routes across Gippsland.
Trafalgar Lion Brian O’Connell has also been involved from the start and participated in more than 20 rides. However, he is unable to take part this year.
Locals joining the 2018 ride also include Brian and Jan Hodge, Shayne Arnett and Gabrielle Hakem. They will join riders from across Gippsland as more than 50 cyclists hit the South Gippsland route together with some 20 volunteer support staff.
In its 25 years, Ride for Sight in Gippsland has raised more than $1 million.
“We chip in every year,” said Mr de Bruyne, adding of late it has raised $50,000 per year.
This year’s route will see riders start at Tidal Rover, Wilson’s Promontory on Wednesday before overnight stays at Foster, Wonthaggi, San Remo and Korumburra before concluding at Inverloch on Sunday.
The theme for this year’s ride is “Bikes, Beaches, Bays, Bridges and Boats”.
As in previous years, all food and overnights stops are hosted by Lions clubs along the course. A celebratory boat cruise on Westernport Bay will celebrate the ride’s 25th year.
Mr de Bruyne joined the first ride as a member of Warragul Lions Club.
“I gave it a go,” he said. “Enjoyed it. It has progressed from there.”
Having joined all 25 rides, Mr de Bruyne said changes included reduced routes, improved rider ability and more female participants.
The first ride in 1994 saw cyclists ride from Mallacoota to Melbourne. However, reduced distances had been introduced in later years to encourage all community members, not just cyclists, to take part.
“The standard of rider ability has actually improved over the years,” he said. “Those who have joined us are quite good riders to be honest.”
From an all-male riding group in the first years, growing numbers of women have joined since the mid-2000s.