HUNGRY caterpillars, sheep slingshots and castles will welcome cyclists pedalling their way through the Blayney countryside this weekend.
The popular Blayney to Bathurst (B2B) Cycling Festival will fill the winding country roads with hundreds of cyclists, and residents and landholders along the way are keen to give them a very unique experience.
More than 1000 cyclists are expected to compete in this Sunday’s event, which includes both 110 and 70-kilometre routes, as well as an 11km Family Fun Challenge to be held at Mount Panorama, where the race finishes.
Eleven wonderful displays have dotted the cycling route from Blayney to Bathurst as part of the first Blayney Hay Bale Art Challenge, all using hay bales and ranging from brides and grooms to bees and sheep.
And according to Blayney Shire Council’s community development and tourism projects officer Melanie Monico, now is the time to check out the amazing displays.
“It is Blayney’s answer to the Tour de France,” she said.
Ms Monico said local landholders got into the spirit of the competition, which was supported by council and the Blayney Town Association, creating a wonderful display for those travelling along the route.
Competition judges, Blayney deputy mayor Allan Ewin and recipient of the Blayney Textures of One art prize Penny May, had the tough job of choosing a winner.
But the blue ribbon, and $250 in prize money, had to go to the Mendham family, “Teasdale Park”, Barry, who turned more than 200 large square and round bales into an epic castle, complete with moat and draw bridge.
Second place and $100 was awarded to Lachlan Price, “Allonby”, Blayney, for his display named Losing The Bike, while third place, and $50, was awarded to the Miller family, “Ambermere”, Hobbys Yards, for their Race Ya creation.
Winning entrant Tim Mendham, who runs 500 Angus/Shorthorn breeders on his 445-hectare property, as well as running a contracting business, said he was keen to join in the fun.
“Hopefully people come out and have a look around the district,” he said.
But a castle wasn’t the only plan for his hay this week – Mr Mendham sent 63 large square bales with the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners to help drought-stricken farmers in Queensland.
