From 'the cheese to the seas' this Sunday with Bega Tathra Safe Ride

The Bega Valley is famous for its dairy products and its stunning sapphire coastline – this Sunday’s (September 22) Bega Tathra Safe Ride connects both.

The 21 km community cycling event will take riders from ‘the cheese to the seas’ starting at the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre at North Bega and finishing at the renowned Tathra Hotel.

“Bega Cheese is 120 years old this year and what better way to celebrate that heritage than with a ride through our famous farmland,” says Doug Reckord, Secretary of Bega Tathra Safe Ride.

“In keeping with the agricultural theme, Norm Pearce and industrious members of the Bega Show Society have put together a procession to lead the ride out.

“We are talking about vintage cars, trucks and tractors, from the Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicle Club and Bega and District Historical Machinery Club.

“And many would have seen the giant jars of Vegemite and Bega Peanut Butter Norm has created to add to the spectacle.

“And we are very excited to hear that there will be at least one penny-farthing on deck with a rider decked out in his period costume.”

This will be the third community fun ride to mark NSW Bike Week, many of the 200 people who have taken part over the last two years are expected to ride again, spurred on by the atmosphere, safe riding conditions and underlying message and fundraising.

The fundraising focus this year is to help schools with bike education activities allowing local kids to ride more for physical and mental wellbeing through improved cycling skills, equipment and safe places to ride.

This year riders will also have one of their own in mind as they take in the picturesque dairy country and river flats between the Bega and Tathra.

The ride is dedicated to the memory of David Brand, a local bike rider who died as a result of a road rage incident on Mount Darragh Road, west of Pambula.

David’s widow Louise says, “The Bega to Tathra Safe Ride is a wonderful community project bringing people of all ages together in a safe and supportive environment.”

“There are so many reasons to be involved – being active, taking the challenge, having fun, spending time with family and friends, encouraging and respecting other people riding together, simply getting out in the fresh air in our beautiful Far South Coast.

“Getting together as a community encourages a sense of belonging and wellbeing in our fast-paced world. Be part of it!

“Ride4David because this is what he loved to do!”

Online registration for the ride are open now via Trybooking. Entries will be taken on the day at 7 am at the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre, North Bega.

After a Welcome to Country from Aunty Colleen Dixon and the rider briefing, Richard Parbery from Bega Cheese will launch the procession in the direction of Tathra.

“No doubt everyone will be churning with excitement when we set off at 8:30 am,” Doug says.

“What a ride it will be! Across the Bega River Bridge on the Princes Highway, with Platinum Traffic Services leading the way, around the shared paths of Bega from Kisses Lagoon to the Bega River Walungari Trail and on to East Street in the vicinity of the Carp Street intersection.

“Then back on to the Bega-Tathra Road, past the cow crossing and through Jellat Jellat dairy country before heading into Kalaru.

“We’ll stop at the sensational Evans Park and then make the climb up Evans Hill into Tathra. As we enter the town, we will get glimpses of the glorious sparkling blue vista of the Mimosa Rocks National Park coast and Gulaga beyond.

“Then it’s all downhill from there but in a good way as we arrive at the Tathra Hotel at around 11:20 am.”

Motorists should know there will be single-lane, rolling road closures supervised by Platinum Traffic Services. Traffic will continue to flow along Bega – Tathra Road, with cyclists traveling as a pack and pulling off the road regularly to allow traffic to pass.

For more information and to register to check Trybooking.