Echuca welcomes Postie Bike Challenge riders

By Emily Donohoe

Sep 10, 2024

The Postie Bike Challenge rolled into Echuca for day six of its 10-day trip, the first time in its 22 years the event journeyed via the Murray River.

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Travelling 3000km from Brisbane to Adelaide, the group of 43 riders started their day in Hillston, making the what should be 300km trip down to Echuca on Friday, September 6.

Despite a 90km hiccup in the journey due to highway closures, the team members remained in good spirits as their 110cc "postie bikes", with a maximum speed of 75km/h, pulled into the Echuca Showground.

Two of the riders pull into the Echuca Showgrounds. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Organiser Dan Gridley was excited to call into Echuca for the first time, having practised the route by car before finalising the journey.

The challenge asks for support from each town they visit, with community organising providing housing and catering for the group during its stay.

Echuca Show Society played host, providing the meals, a camping ground and showers for the crew before its next stop in Loxton.

The group was smaller than previous years, drawing just over 40 riders compared to the maximum allocation of 70.

Postie Bike Challenge event co-ordinator Dan Gridley. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Mr Gridley believes that increasing costs of living explain the reduced participation numbers. The riders, however, are a laidback, adventurous crew, some travelling from far and wide to join.

Participant Mike Taylor flew from his home in San Diego, California to be involved, having spoken about joining with a friend for more than 10 years.

Despite his friend not following through with him, he was more than happy to be on the road with his 42 new friends.