By JESSE GRAHAM
EAGER cyclists will be setting out on a trip from Healesville to Beechworth next month, tackling hundreds of kilometres to raise money for SES crews.
The Tour de Beechworth Bakery will run from 22-26 October with teams of cyclists setting out from Healesville and riding 655 kilometres through to Beechworth’s own Beechworth Bakery.
Cyclists will complete between 90 and 170 kilometres each day, visiting each of the bakery’s sites in Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca and Albury before arriving in Beechworth.
Beechworth Bakery managing director Marty Matassoni said he was a cyclist himself and would be taking on the challenge with the riders.
He said the cyclists taking part have to commit to raising $1000 over the course of their ride, all of which will be split between SES crews in the towns in the tour.
Mr Matassoni said the fundraising goal for the event was $50,000 which would be bolstered by the SES crews putting on fundraising events for the tour.
Healesville SES will be hosting a barbecue breakfast out the front of the bakery on 22 October before escorting the riders out of town on their journey.
Two Victorian SES vehicles will escort the pack of riders throughout the whole journey.
Mr Matassoni said the choice of an organisation to support was easy and he complimented the crews for their tireless work in emergencies, such as the storm response on Tuesday 9 September.
“They’re volunteers, and they touch most of us,” he said.
“They’re the first on every site in most cases.”
Healesville SES Deputy Controller Geoff Stott said the crews work tirelessly and often out of the public eye, clearing storm debris in the middle of the night.
“We’re out there working, and people don’t see us – (on Tuesday 9 September) we were working all night,” Mr Stott said.
Entry to the Tour de Beechworth Bakery is $1100 for the five days, which includes accommodation, all meals, full ride support, an event kit and luggage transportation.
On top of the entry fee, riders have to commit to raising $1000 through community donations or sponsorship with all raised funds split between the six SES crews.
For more information and to sign up for the tour visit www.BeechworthBakery.com.au.
To donate to the tour, visit www.givenow.com.au/sesvic or visit the Healesville bakery.
