Repair stands for cyclists in need

Five bicycle repair stands purchased by East Gippsland Shire Council are being welcomed with open arms … and a few sighs of relief … across the region.

Forest Fire Management Victoria staff recently installed repair stands on the East Gippsland Rail Trail at Bairnsdale and in the Colquhoun Regional Park at the Colquhoun Mountain Bike park trailhead.

Council staff installed the remaining three stands beside the store in Nowa Nowa, in the Main Street at Bruthen and Omeo. 

The stands, with a total cost of about $9,500 plus labour, include standard basic bicycle maintenance tool kits fitted to plastic coated steel cables and pumps (suitable for both Presta and Schrader valve types).

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Joe Rettino said the repair stands were a welcome addition, ensuring locals and visitors could get out of most sticky situations in the event of a mechanical problem.

“Such infrastructure is all part of making East Gippsland a welcoming place to live and visit. Hopefully, the repair stands don’t get too much use and all cyclists out enjoying our tracks and trails have limited cause to use the repair stands,” Cr Rettino said.

“As well as sponsoring a number of cycling events, Council are delighted to be supporting a number of projects that encourage cycling for locals and visitors alike, including East Gippsland Rail Trail signage, a linkage trail from Lakes Entrance to the Colquhoun and the Omeo MTB project.”

This Sunday, October 14, East Gippsland welcomes mountain bike cyclists from across Gippsland and further afield when the Colquhuon 3-hour Enduro is hosted by Gippsland MTB Club. Racing starts from 10am off Bruce Track / Princes Highway, Kalimna.