Ingrid Mitchell and Deb Nave and their sons Malakai and Torren are looking forward to reconnecting with people during the Bega Tathra Safe Ride - NSW Bike Week Community Ride on Sunday, after losing their home in the March bushfire.
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“This Bega - Tathra bike ride is the first time I feel our family has had the opportunity to enjoy bike riding together and had the head space to do it since the fires,” Ingrid said.
“We have spent most of the last six months not living in Tathra because we have been house sitting.
“What we have missed is being able to walk on the beach, see friends easily and catching up with people at the skate park.
What we have missed is being able to walk on the beach, see friends easily and catching up with people at the skate park.
- Ingrid Mitchell
“The ride will be a challenge to us physically but so much fun with a big crowd, I hope there will be hundreds of people there to celebrate the resilience of the people of Bega valley and help fundraise to get a bike path all the way between Bega and Tathra”
The 65 families who lost their home during the March bushfire will ride for free on the day.
“We know that many people are still struggling with their grief and the task ahead, we really hope this is a day that will lift them up and push them forward,”Bega Tathra Safe Ride Committee Lead Rider Robert Hartemink said.
Aside from contributing to the bushfire appeal fund, the day will also help fund a 16km bike track between the two towns.
Funding for stage one between Tathra and Kalaru has been secured with a $3 million grant from the state government, while the further 12km needs funds.
The day starts with breakfast at the Bega Showground from 7:15 am, with registration from 7:30am and a Welcome to Country and briefing before riders set off for Tathra’s Bega Showground at 9am.
“We so want the bike track to succeed all the way to Bega for the whole Bega Valley community and visiting tourists,” Ingrid said.
“We want to support the effort and are happy to advocate for the track to be built.”
After the event, riders will be invited to stay for brunch and to join in community activities organised by the Tathra Sea Eagles AFL Club and Clean Energy for Eternity.
