Mandy Stephenson, president of the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu, is pretty amped about the third iteration of Bike it to Ballidu Gravel that happens in her good Shire the last Sunday in September.
Last year about 480 riders plus entourages piled into Ballidu Township – population 58 – for a smashing gravel jamboree that ended up winning SportWest’s Community Sport Event of the Year.
“We’re really proud of the event and proud of the community and the way it has supported its evolution – so to win that award was amazing,” Ms Stephenson says.
“It’s just been a brilliant event for the community – the old road format was under threat because of safety concerns and dwindling numbers and now we have something that pretty much the whole Shire is behind. It really puts our Shire on the map with bike riders and others.”
“You have kids on the side of the road high 5-ing riders, the community is out volunteering and supporting the event, with local businesses stepping up to sponsor it. It’s a great buzz and I think the riders who have come here from out of town have really felt that. It puts a spark in the eye of the town. We hope more locals will sign up this year too and access the 50% local’s discount.”
Economic benefits of the event tally up at cafes, pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, service stations not to mention accommodation providers in Ballidu, Wongan Hills and other towns. “While it has become the biggest event in the Shire, there is plenty of space in Ballidu for it to get even bigger,” Ms Stephenson reckons. “There really is no limit on how big it can become.”
Other knock-on benefits have included upgrades to Ballidu Recreation Ground facilities commissioned by the Ballidu Progress Group with funds generated by Bike it to Ballidu Gravel.
“We’re going to have to install new bike rails!”
The president welcomes her Shire’s newfound status as a go-to destination for people who ride bikes on gravel.
“I’ve noticed people popping up around town with their bikes all year around. You see 10 bikes parked in front of cafes. We’re going to have to install new bike rails! It’s great to see.”
Ms Stephenson might not wear a whole lot of lycra herself, but she’s become a big fan of the fabric and the people that tend to wear it.
“Many of the gravel riders are in lycra and you know what, we’re lycra-friendly in this Shire! We won’t kick you off the road or toot at you. I’ve even heard of farmers wearing lycra under their work clothes because it is just so comfortable. We might have to start selling lycra in the Visitor Centre!”
Weekender? Come for the gravel, stay for the wildflowers and stargazing. “It’s so spectacular.”
September just happens to be prime wildflower season.
“There is no better time to see the wildflowers here – there’s more than 1000 varieties, with 16 rare and endangered species only found in Wongan Hills. Wildflower enthusiasts will be delighted by the seven varieties of Verticordia and orchids.
“It’s why the Shire is a real wildflower hotspot. Flower people come here from all over the world because of that. It’s so spectacular.”
“It’s really worth staying around for – maybe the day after the ride. Get a coffee, a sandwich and get out on the wildflower trails. On the ride the canola will also be pretty spectacular at this time of year.”
Then at night there is that dark, dark sky all lit up like a thousand million cosmic Christmas trees in the Astrotourism Shire.
“The star gazing is really something else out here. You’ll have all that to look at before you go to sleep. You can actually see the Milky Way!”
She adds: “We’d love to see people come and stay here for the weekend. Come up on the Saturday morning, bring the caravan and camp if you want, cruise over to the Ballidu Rec Centre where the AFL Grand Final will be on the big screen, have a burger and a barefoot bowl on the bowling green, sit by the fire, check out the stars. Can’t imagine better preparation than that!”
Boekeman Machinery | Case IH Bike it to Ballidu Gravel rides out of Ballidu Township on Sunday 28 September.
