MEDIA RELEASE
On behalf of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association
Before sunrise on the 5th of August when most sensible people are still tucked into bed, over 120 recreational cyclists will be heading out from Ipswich on a gruelling 12-hour adventure that will take them over 160-km northwest into Queensland cattle country.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail 12-hour End-to-End Extreme Challenge Bike Ride is being touted as Australia’s toughest rail trail cycling event, but that hasn’t discouraged cyclists from all over South-East Queensland from signing up for the 125 places.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a 167-km multi-user track for hikers, equestrians and cyclists that follows the now disused, historic Brisbane Valley rail line from Wulkuraka Station in Ipswich to Yarraman.
Started in 2007, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail has been a very long-term project, but it’s almost complete. In the meantime, there’s a by-pass route on rural back roads for the final incomplete section between Toogoolawah to Moore.
Currently awaiting a funding decision by the Queensland Government, when completed the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will be the longest rail trail in Australia and New Zealand.
Event organisers, Paul Heymans and fellow committee members of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association have been working tirelessly over the last few weeks, organising safety check-points, vehicle support, first aider, rest stop supplies, event photography, a coffee van, amenities, and advice for first-time event participants.
The prize for the fastest man and woman will be a $600 luxury week-end at the Wikirri B&B Retreat in Blackbutt.
Local SUPA IGA, IGA and Friendly Grocer store operators in the country towns along the way are sponsoring the event with supplies for the food stops.
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail 12-hour E2E Extreme Challenge is aiming to set two new records. The fastest time for cycling the entire 167 km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail in under 12-hours, and the largest number of people to complete the entire length of the rail trail in a single day.
The record for the fastest time is expected to be under 8 hours.
Paul’s advice to participants has been a little daunting, “This event is no bike ride in the park. By the time you hit Linville in the north of Somerset, you will have cycled 123 km mostly off-road, up hill and down dale. And then it’s a 22 km, unrelenting uphill climb to the top of the D’Aguilar Range on a surface that’s not exactly smooth.”
“We’re not claiming this is Australia’s toughest rail trail cycling event without good reason.”
Media contact: Paul Heymans 0417 342854
paul@brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au
