September 2, 2024
Cyclists taking part in the annual Ride 4 Relay cancer fundraiser rolled into Kingaroy Showgrounds on Saturday morning after pedalling through some of the hottest weather winter could possibly toss up.
The five-day ride attracted 16 riders, plus another six who joined in for the single-day loop ride around the Kumbia area on Friday.
As at Monday evening, the riders had raised an amazing $35,062 for Cancer Council Queensland, with more funds to come in.
Ride 4 Relay is organised every year by the South Burnett Mountain Bike Club, with riders exploring different routes around the South Burnett.
The seven previous events have raised a total of more than $185,000.
This year the route covered 402km, divided evenly between gravel and bitumen roads:
- Day 1 – Kingaroy to Burrandowan, with an overnight stay at the Burrandowan Racecourse
- Day 2 – Burrandowan to Jandowae, overnight at Jandowae Showgrounds
- Day 3 – Jandowae to Kumbia, overnight at Kumbia Golf Club
- Day 4 – Kumbia Loop, overnight at Kumbia Golf Club
- Day 5 – Kumbia to Kingaroy
The cyclists left Kingaroy Showgrounds early last Tuesday, and arrived back on Saturday morning.
They were accompanied by three support vehicles.
Funds are also being raised this year by the sale of a Ride 4 Relay cookbook (the morning/afternoon tea recipes made for the riders) as well as the auction of three heifers donated by two of the riders at the Murgon Saleyards on October 1 (“Cattle For A Cure”).
South Burnett Mountain Bike Club secretary Jason Wyeth said this year’s ride was one of the best that the club had organised, despite the heat.
“One year we had one day that was very hot, but this year the temperature was consistently over 30 degrees every day,” he said.
“But the riders all rode really well. It was fantastic.”
Jason said he he would like to especially thank the sponsors: Hansen Kitchens, Adventure 4×4, McDonald’s Kingaroy and Woolworths Kingaroy, as well as the volunteers from the South Burnett Mountain Bike Club.
The 2024 South Burnett Relay For Life will be held from 2:00pm on October 12 at T.J. O’Neill Oval (the Red Ants home ground) in Kingaroy.
