SEVENTY-EIGHT mountain bike riders pedalled fast at the inaugural Kaitler Klassic on the Indigo Epic Trail organised by the local club last Saturday.
The well-attended event had been organised by Beechworth Chain Gang’s Steve Martin in memory of local mountain biking community member Brenton Kaitler.
Forty-year-old Brenton tragically passed away last year while riding in the local area.
President Lynn Frerichs said a long-standing trail segment in the Beechworth route earlier called the Lake Track had been renamed ‘Keep up with Kaitler’ with a new sign in memory of Brenton.
“A lot of people in the community helped create this beautiful timber sign, and Brenton’s wife Sally with her two children painted it,” she said.
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“It's really special, and Brenton made a big impact in a short period of time.
“It’s unbelievable the number of voluntary hours on maintenance he put into this trail as he just loved it.
“If there was a tree down and he received the ping on the phone, an hour or two later, he would be out with his chainsaw.
“It was amazing as the trail was always in perfect condition."
Lynn said the day’s event had a long course of 40 kilometres and a short course of 20 kilometres with various categories and prizes for winners.
Brenton’s wife Sally said the family had moved from Melbourne four years ago living near the Indigo Epic Trail.
“He rode the trail all the time, and the race today is the style of race that Brenton loved and is how he would have organised this race," she said.
“The thought that's gone into this event is amazing.
“We started a bike hire and tour business in Beechworth as he absolutely loved riding.
"It’s been very touching that the club has done this, and Brenton just loved the community here. “
Sally said Brenton loved the sport so much he had also participated in the epic six-day Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race in New Zealand in 2018.
“The race today was ridden in pairs in a similar format to the Pioneer race,” she said.
Steve Martin, a long time friend of Brenton’s for 20 years who runs the club’s Junior Ride program, said the pair did a lot of racing together.
“I thought this was a really nice way to honour Brenton as he was very passionate about getting people out riding bikes especially in the local area,” he said.
Steve said Brenton had started his mountain biking business as he loved taking people out to experience the sport.
“It's really exciting to have a race like this in town and we have an amazing Indigo Epic Trail," he said.
Steve said he spent time in the local area before a move to Beechworth from Melbourne around 12 months after Brenton had moved to the town.
Lynn said around 75 percent of participants in the Kaitler Klassic were adults, with the remainder children.
Some of Brenton’s friends travelled from Melbourne to participate in the race too.
“I'm really proud of our Junior Ride program participants - primary school and high school kids doing the short course,” Lynn said.
“The Junior Ride kids ran the barbecue, and professionally as well."
Steve thanked volunteers, riders, Indigo Shire Council, Tourism North East and Bridge Road Brewers for some great prizes.
