Ride the best of the High Country’s gravel trails and feel good doing it! The 5zero bike challenge is set for October 26, 2019.
After a successful debut on the Ride High Country cycling calendar in 2018, 5Zero is back again for 2019. A fun, social, gravel bike challenge which will weave its way through some of the most spectacular sights and scenery of Bright and surrounds on Saturday, October 26, 5Zero is open to riders of all ages and abilities, including e-bikers!
What makes 5Zero special, though, is its commitment to sustainability and aiming for zero environmental impact. So what does that mean for riders? No paper maps, no course signage, no single-use bottles, no gels, and no vehicle marshals! The event, presented by Bright Brewery, is also 100% non-profit, with all profits from the event going to Bright’s local MTB trails via Alpine Community Plantation (ACP).
ACP is the community-led not-for-profit body that manages recreational activities within the HVP pine plantations of the Alpine Shire, where 5Zero takes place. Last year’s inaugural running of 5Zero raised $1000 for ACP, which went towards urgent repairs of Mystic Park’s iconic Hero Trail, and organisers are hoping to hand over a larger cheque this year.
ACP’s executive officer Alia Parker said fundraising was vital for the success of the local trails.
“As a not-for-profit, community-run land manager that works closely with volunteers from the Alpine Cycling Club to build and maintain the trails, receiving support from Bright’s business community is a lifeline for us to run the park and manage the thousands of tourists now coming to visit it. So when a business like Bright Brewery sees value in what we’re doing and steps up to help, we cannot thank them enough,” she said.
Bright Brewery marketing coordinator Laura Gray said 5Zero was a living example of the brewery’s commitment to its key values of sustainability and activity.
This year’s event will comprise 38km and 53km courses, with riders starting and finishing at the Bright Brewery, where the a festival vibe will greet finishing riders, with live music, craft beer, great food and the eBright eBike Festival, run by All Terrain Cycles Bright, featuring e-bike demos, guided rides and more!