News
May 05, 2012
Its re-cycling
Jenny Boyer has introduced a number of changes to the event.
A new era begins this weekend when riders hit the road for the iconic Murray to Moyne cycling event.
For the past 10 years Alecia Dodson has filled the role of event manager, but she has passed the baton onto Jenny Boyer.
Ms Boyer’s debut as event manager heads a number of key changes to the ride, which was first held in 1987.
That first ride was the brainchild of Hester and the late Graham Woodrup, with the contribution of Mr Woodrup acknowledged in the event’s official title, Murray to Moyne – In memory of Woody.
For the first time in the event’s history, riders have the choice of taking part in three rides of differing distances.
The majority of teams will undertake the traditional course starting from either Swan Hill, Echuca or Mildura on Saturday morning, arriving late Saturday night or early Sunday morning and then leaving from Hamilton at 7am to arrive at Railway Place in Port Fairy between 9.30 and 11.30am.
The new distance rides start at the normal places, but conclude at dusk on the Saturday, with five teams taking up this option.
The Port Fairy Casual Lions team are the sole team to take on the other new distance on offer, which is the 90-kilometre leg on the Sunday morning from Hamilton to Port Fairy.
Ms Boyers said the number of riders was up on last year with 1254 riders and 90 teams taking part.
In another first for the event, all registrations for the ride were done online. “My goal for my first year was to streamline the administration process and get the registrations online,” Ms Boyer said.
“This has been really well received by the riders and we have also upgraded the layout of our website, which has been good. We are looking to grow the numbers on the ride and give people who may not want to do the whole gruelling distance the chance to be involved. The shorter rides are very important for that future growth.”
While Ms Boyer has put her own stamp on the event, she was also quick to praise the assistance she has received from Ms Dodson and long time Murray to Moyne member Jenny McLean.
“They have been my left and right hands,” she said. “Without Jenny this ride wouldn’t happen and Alecia has been great and has been really keen to impart her knowledge.”
Article written by Anthony Brady and appeared in The Moyne Gazette on Thursday March 29th.