Tour de Vale – 22 May 2022

Sean and Mary and their team organised the Tour de Vale, showcasing the Gordonvale area and some beautiful (and even flat) FNQ cycling. Thanks to Sean for his ride report, and to all the volunteers and riders for making it a great event.

Sunday 22nd May 2022 was the inaugural Audax “Tour De Vale” where nearly 70 riders cycled around Gordonvale in two loops in beautiful countryside of the Yidinji Traditional Owners. The weather was very kind (apart from the head wind!) and lots smiles at the finish. Both loops had starts and stops in Norman Park in the centre of Gordonvale.

The 100km started at 7am with the 50km at 7:10am.
After a trip to Croc Farm, the first control was at 27km and included some very delicious carrot cake. Many thanks to the volunteers Kaylene & Verena
It was then back to Gordonvale for completion of the 50kM or second control for the longer distance. Great to see the FNQ Audax jerseys.
The Gordonvale check-in, intermediate controls and finish had Kerri and Eric as the hard-working volunteers and they supplied yummy banana bread/muffins and watermelon.
It was then down to Aloomba and beyond in the beautiful Far North Queensland countryside
The last control at 75kM was by Mary, Kaylene and Verena and all riders had choc and lemon slice as a reward for making it through the head wind.
We were even trying to recruit future Audax members. This girl was very proud of her new bike!
And there is always a debrief required at a local watering hole.
Special mention goes to the ‘sit down riders’!

Many thanks to everyone who came along and made the event such fun and the amazing volunteers (Kerri, Eric, Kaylene, Verena, Mary & Sean) and we look forward to seeing you on the next FNQ Audax.

And an FNQ Audax ride report just wouldn’t be the same without Jimmy’s video.

(3 July 2022)

"No hour of life is lost that is spent in the saddle" Winston Churchill