It’s an opinion shared by many cyclists and on Tuesday, April 14, local riders will have the chance to take in the surrounding region while raising money for rural mental health.

“You have all the time in the world to take everything in and it’s just a beautiful ride,” local Rotary member Graham Price said.

The social ride to Goondiwindi has been coordinated with the coming Rotary conference and Mr Price said the club is hoping to raise at least $5000.

“Australian Rotary Health is the single biggest research funder into medical health in Australia after government,” he said.

“I think they have given over $30 million to help research in Australia. They have targeted some programs and what we want to do is raise funds for research into rural mental health issues,

“Some of that money can go toward helping fund some smaller projects along those sorts of lines.

The club was hoping to attract 100 riders to contribute to the fundraiser to donate $10,000, but Mr Price said the cross country cycle will still go ahead with a smaller group.

“We wanted to raise $10,000, but we will be happy if we can get to $5000,” he said.

Currently the local Rotary branch has attracted just over 15 riders, but Mr Price said local looking to try the sport would be welcome.

“It’s all downhill to Goondiwindi,” he said.

“The idea is it’s a good social ride. You’ll need to be doing a little training, but if you can manage a 20km ride a couple of times a week, you should manage your way through it.”

Riders will head off from Glen Innes on Tuesday, taking the B-roads through Emmaville, Ashford and Yetman before eventually arriving in Goondiwindi after the four-day trek.

“We are trying to visit the smaller places and support those communities as well,” Mr Price said.

For more information, including booking visit the website at http://www.gtoc.com.au