WHILE the Anzac Day weekend was a relaxing few days for some, for others it was a chance to challenge themselves to cycle a brutal 173 kilometre, 4,000 metre elevation, on the roads and bush tracks around Gloucester.
2026 was the 10-year anniversary of the Thunderbolts Adventure, which are rides that begin and end in Gloucester township.
The event is organised by Graveleur, and riders wishing to take part have the choice of three options.
The toughest option is known as “The Monument” and involves the 173-kilometre ride over difficult terrain.
Josh Amberger was the first to finish, completing the course in just 6:55:45.
Despite the huge elevation and the difficult and muddy tracks, he maintained a ripping pace of 24.96 kilometres per hour.
Like every other rider who completed this ride, Josh was covered in mud from head to toe, thanks to the heavy high-country rain showers the previous day.
The second option is a 92 km circuit known as “The Colt”, which follows the Scone, Mud Hut, Bowman River and Bowman Farm Roads.
Stuart Holder was first to finish this ride with a time of just three hours and nine minutes.
Only about five minutes behind was teen rider Max Amidy and his father, Paul Amidy, from the Hunter Valley.
“My favourite part was doing the whole thing with Dad,” said Max.
Max explained that his least favourite part was getting cow poo in his mouth.
“It’s hard to keep your mouth closed when you’re going at your limit, but I’ll have to try harder.”
The easiest of the three rides is “The Remington”, which is a relatively leisurely 46-kilometre tour “through the beautiful, gently rolling cattle country around Gloucester,” following Gloucester Tops Road and Barrington Road East.
Mother-daughter pair, Donella and Olive Tutt, said they enjoyed the ride.
“It’s the first time we’ve ridden together,” Donella explained.
“The gravel was gorgeous, and the hills were not too bad.”
A combined total of 250 riders took part in the event.
Organiser Mike Israel was delighted with how the rides were embraced by the Gloucester community.
He was particularly grateful for the help provided by Rotary and the RSL.
In return, the riders pumped money into local businesses, particularly the pubs and cafes.
“As organisers we were very grateful for all the support we received from local volunteers and the local businesses, and in the future we are looking for greater community engagement,” Mike said.
“We are aiming for 500 cyclists at next year’s event on 24 April.”
By John WATTS
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