This year's Pedal the Peel cycling challenge won't just be the first big charity event in a year. It will be unlike any cycling fundraiser before.
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Event chairman Terry Robinson said they've taken the event - traditionally held over 120 kilometres of public highway - to the Tamworth criterium track.
It will be one of the first big events for the venue, which is at the Northern Inland Sporting Centre of Excellence and was completed in 2019, he said.
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They're hoping the venue will attract spectators and create a carnival atmosphere, akin to the horse tracks.
"The idea is have a fun day, come dressed up!" he said.
"We're encouraging people to bring team tents. And dress those team tents up, have team names
"There'll certainly be prizes and laps awarded to best dressed, fancy dressed, worst dressed, those sorts of things."
Teams of between four and 10 will compete in a relay time trial, with teams competing to complete the most circuits that they can within either four or eight hours, on April 18.
Competitors can also earn extra laps by competing in ancillary events.
"Obviously there will be people out there who are good at riding. So if you get a team of good riders, they'll slam us all and they'll win the day," he said.
"To make it a bit more interesting, we're going to have the day full of fun events, which might be throwing a football through a hole, best dressed, those sort of activities might win 20-30 extra laps.
"That will sort of mix it up and also mean it's not as boring for the day."
The 900m-long criterium track will be segregated to divide quicker riders from more social riding teams.
The event has raised over $145,000 for local charities over the last six years. This year's major charity beneficiary is Tamworth hospital's Ronald McDonald House, but groups will also raise money for their chosen charity.
The first cycle challenge was held in 2010.
The event is capped at just 30 teams - 60 riders at once - to avoid accidents.
Mr Robinson said the event will be the first, biggest, event for the Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light in a year.
They're making ginger steps towards normality, he said.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
