Ride director Stacey George said it was a “beautiful and poetic” finish to the fun social Bega to the Beach bike ride. 

As part of the Wharf to Waves weekend, the ride is not considered a race – so the brand new mountain bike from Tathra Beach and Bike is presented to one lucky rider through random draw. 

“It was incredible, just the randomness for her to win it, she was in tears,” Ms George said. 

Ms George said Ms Schmid-Oke had been devastated by the theft and actually had to borrow a bike just to complete the ride with her friends. 

It was also a heartwarming moment for more than 130 riders who took part on Saturday.

There were 73 online registrations while about 65 were taken on the day and a field of about 135 riders was just a modest drop on last year’s near-record crowd of 147. 

Officials were thrilled with the turnout – especially given the mercury tipping at 36-37 degrees on the start line – and closer to 40 in Bega.

“With that kind of temperature we were really conscious of making sure everyone was hydrated,” Ms George said. 

“We just tried to tell people to take it easy, and despite riding into a headwind, everyone was really happy to get over Goats’ Knob.”

She said volunteers from the Rural Fire Service (RFS) were even giving people a hose-down on course to keep them cool. 

The weather was much kinder in Tathra at about 26 degrees, which Ms George said “still felt quite hot”. 

There were no serious crashes and Ms George said staggered starts also meant riders were able to go in groups and ride in packs.

“The whole idea of the ride is fun, so it was great that everyone rode to their ability and the entire field got to cross the line.”

With people lining the streets of Tathra and a good crowd waiting at the finish line there was plenty of cheering and applause for the riders as they pedaled through the final kilometres of the 30km trek. 

Ms George said it was just another sign of the spirit from the local community and visitors alike during the Wharf to Waves weekend, which was building each year. 

“I’d like to thank everyone for rolling up and riding,” she said. “The swim has been going for 17 years and we just want to see people out there doing it, so it’s great to see people doing the fun run, the ride and the swims.

“Also a massive thank you to all the volunteers, the RFS, lifesavers and everyone.”