National bike champs to pump $30k into economy

The Broome launch of a well-known charity bicycle team relay across 660km of rugged Kimberley country will this year include a new event capable of pumping tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy.

A sundowner to celebrate the social and competitive Gibb Challenge at Cable Beach, proposed for May 11, would incorporate the Mountain Bike Australia Fat Bike National Championship.

The event is sanctioned by peak body Mountain Bike Australia, which is recognised by the Australian Sports Commission as a national sporting organisation.

In a report to Shire of Broome councillors, organiser Karunjie Events said the national championship was a significant event that would attract athletes from across Australia.

It is estimated about 50 inter-regional riders would compete, with each staying an average of three nights and spending about $200 daily.

The event was expected to pump about $30,000 into the local economy.

Event director Simon Rimmer said the sundowner and championship could prove Broome was the “perfect events location”.

“There is the potential for some elite and competitive riders right in Broome’s backyard and it will be an opportunity for locals to watch and take part in something they may not normally experience,” he said.

“But the main thing is that it shows a lot about the town’s potential as an event centre. The sundowner itself is a great opportunity to bask in the Cable Beach sunset with some live music and great local food and it will be a relaxed afternoon the whole town can attend.

“That time of year, with the weather and so much happening in Broome, we could not think of a better place to host this event.”

The festival-style sundowner would be held at Cable Beach Amphitheatre at 2pm and include live music, food vendors, a licensed bar area, and fundraising activities for chosen charity the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Gibb Challenge teams.

The MTBA Fat Bike National Championship events on Cable Beach would involve a track being developed incorporating the beach- vehicle access ramp, jumps and other obstacles.

Racing would happen between 3-5pm and require closure of the vehicle access ramp from 3-6pm.

Mr Rimmer said the events would be trialled in May, but could develop and be continued in future years.