Pedalling inclusiveness

CRAIGLIE resident Daniel Inglis is looking forward to using his own pedal power in next month’s Gran Fondo Festival but has no problems with other participants receiving a battery-charged boost as they traverse the ups and downs and the twists of turns of the Cook Highway.

While the 39-year-old will be tackling the 136-kilometre Gran Fondo (a return trip between Port Douglas and Palm Cove) on a road bike, participants in other festival events have the option to complete their journey on an electric bike.

Daniel said the inclusiveness of Gran Fondo Festival – including the use of e-bikes – should be celebrated.

“I think if it gets more people into cycling that’s a good thing,” he said.

“It allows people to participate in the sport whether they are getting older or recovering from injury or wanting to be able to ride longer and explore more for the same amount of effort.

“There are not many opportunities to ride the Cook Highway (between Port

Douglas and Palm Cove) because it’s so busy.

“This is an opportunity for people of all fitness levels to take on both a challenging and spectacular stretch of road.”

The Rainforest and Reef Cycling Club vice-president will also be competing in the more spectator-friendly criterium and sprint events.

New fixtures in this year’s program include a 40-kilometre mountain bike race (from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures at Wangetti to Port Douglas), a 250-metre mountain bike sprint on Four Mile Beach and the 60km Semi Fondo (a return ride between Port Douglas and Rex Lookout).

Organisers are expecting more than 1200 participants to take part over the threeday event (September 8-10).

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the festival provided a real boost to the region’s economy.

“Council is a proud supporter of the Gran Fondo Festival and the event complements our own focus of encouraging more people to explore the beauty of our region on two wheels,” he

$50.8M said.

“This addition to the program will see even more riders spend time in Port Douglas which is obviously good news for the town!

“I have already heard so many people say that they want to participate in the event this year which will create an even better result for the economic and community benefit for our region.”