By KATH GANNAWAY
TOURISM, and bike tourism in particular, was a focus of the Warburton Valley CEDA (Community Economic Development Association) AGM this year.
CEDA members representing businesses along the Warburton Highway met at Seville Hill Winery reflecting the move made last year to extend the reach, and the combined lobbying power, of the former Warburton Chamber of Commerce to include businesses from Seville/Wandin right through to East Warburton.
Warburton business owner Peta Godenzi, re-elected for a second term as president, said Warburton was on the cusp of becoming a bike mecca which would have flow-on effects right along the Warburton Trail.
She said CEDA was lobbying the Labor Government to match the $3.5 million funding promise made by the Coalition Government for a bike hub that would include facilities for mountain bikes, BMX and road cycling.
Guest speaker Andy Van Bergen from Cycling Tips added to the region’s growing credentials for cycling events with the announcement of an ‘Everest’ event on Mount Donna Buang on 7 February next year.
The ride, where riders will ride to the summit of the mountain nine times – equal to the height of Everest, is based on the feat of George Mallory’s gruelling cross-training rides a few years ago in preparation for his ascent of the north summit of Mount Everest.
“This year in February, 65 riders set out to attempt what George had done and of those 65, 40 were successful,” Mr Van Bergen said. “Immediately, the concept was born.”
Next year’s event will see 25 invited riders participating in Everest Donna Buang, and potentially hundreds more riders taking on the mountain.
Mr Van Bergen said Donna Buang was the perfect mountain for bike events and said it could reap great financial benefits for the business and wider community.
“There aren’t too many large hills that you can climb for kilometres uninterrupted and I am excited by Donna Buang because it is close enough to Melbourne to be a day trip and it is suitable for a whole range of riding events.
CEDA committee member and secretary of Friends of the Rail Trail, Phil Wallens, said the event was a highlight for the area which CEDA was very happy to be supporting.
“Recreational cycling is potentially very big and we’re excited about this because the Everesting event is a first.
“It will highlight Donna Buang which is a pretty valuable riding venue for all sorts of people and I think it indicates that the mountain and our area has the facilities and attributes which are as good as anywhere in the state, and within an hour of Melbourne.
