80km ride a celebration of milestone

Harvey Riding Group cycled 80km on Saturday, September 7, as part of a milestone birthday celebration for one of its oldest members.

The group, made up of about 20 members, has been cycling together each Saturday morning for the past 10 years for health and fun, but the Saturday ride had been for a different reason.

One of the group’s original members Ron Newbey was a week away from celebrating his 80th birthday, so it seemed fitting the group held a celebration in his honour.

“Ronny and I participated in the 140km Grand Fondo race a few years ago,” Harvey Riding Group member Doug Buist said.

“He is a true inspiration to this group.

“At almost 80 years old he has done some amazing things, so we thought why not celebrate on his behalf.”

Meeting up outside the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre at 7:30am, Mr Newbey was surprised when he saw a larger than usual group of cyclists and family members.

“A few years ago we participated in the Tour of Margaret River and made some great friends from Perth and Albany who we invited along to celebrate Ronny’s birthday,” Mr Buist said.

“He was absolutely shocked.”

After riding from Harvey along Government Road, the group ended up at the Harvey State Emergency Service shed where they presented Mr Newbey with a signed 80km speed sign and a special gift from Victoria.

“With Ronny being such a big West Coast Eagles fan, we all pitched in and ordered him an Eagles cycling vest from Hub Cycling,” Mr Buist said.

“The reason we formed this group was for our health.

“I’ve had open heart surgery, some of the guys were diagnosed as diabetics, and through cycling we’ve all managed to get our medicals under control.

We ride because we love it and we have fun, and if we can be going half as well as Ron is at his age, we’ll be pretty pleased with that.”