For at least the last 27 years Timboon Cruisers have pushed the pedals in the Murray to Moyne Cycling Relay during April to raise important funds for Timboon and District Healthcare Service (TDHS) and this year was no different.

On a wet and gloomy Saturday, during the first weekend in April, nine riders from the Timboon Cruisers Murray to Moyne Team set off from Echuca, together with 20 other cycling teams.

“It had been raining heavily prior to the start, and slightly during the first hour. This led to a very wet road and an uncomfortable first 4 hours on the bike.” Timboon Cruisers’ rider John Jardine said.

Team Members Luke, John R, Reinder, Mick, John J, Jarrod, Finn, Matt and Todd braved the elements and slugged through the wet start. This year “Joy”, our TDHS bus which was purchased with the amazing effort of our community, was able to be part of the support crew.

“With a total of 21 teams on the road, there was plenty of comradery and joviality, once the rain had cleared, as teams stood on the side of the road cheering on riders as they went past,” John said.

With road works and wet weather along the way, some cyclists looked like they had done a muddy mountain bike event, instead of the normally dusty cycling relay.

“We rode with the Lets Talk Team from Warrnambool for most of the ride, keeping a high average speed, arriving at Hamilton at 11pm which is a record for our team,“ John said. “And after a relaxing seven hours sleep, we were keen to hop back on our bikes and continue the ride to Port Fairy via Penshurst.”

All in all, it was a great event for the team and talking to other teams meant a good time was had by all.

“We would love to have more riders on our Team, so if this snippet of our cycling journey has made you curious, please contact us via our Facebook page,” John said.

TDHS Chief Executive Officer, Gary Castledine, is extremely grateful to the Timboon Cruisers for their amazing fundraising efforts over all these years. “We would like to thank all the riders, support crew, sponsors, and other contributors for raising funds for our healthcare services,” Gary said. “We are very proud to be part of a community that is very closely connected and engaged to continue to work together for a healthy community.

This year funds raised will go towards a wheelchair scale, providing efficiency and safety as well as allowing the consumer to remain in their own wheelchair where they feel comfortable, assisting TDHS in continuing delivering safe consumer centred care.

If you are able and would like to donate, please visit www.timboonhealthcare.com.au/donate/