Friends Josh Roy, 33, and Daniel Searle, 31, didn't set out to be first across the line at Lake Hume Cycle Challenge and only realised they were when a round of applause broke out.
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The Albury duo took on the 40-kilometre ride on a tandem bike as Mr Searle has a vision impairment.
They aimed to get out in front early, as the tandem bike is harder to manoeuvre in groups, and ended up leading the pack all the way to the finish line at Wodonga Racecourse.
Mr Searle said they weren't focused on completing the ride in any specific time, but completed it in under an hour and 10 minutes.
He said the extra weight of the tandem bike causes them to go downhill at "frightening speeds", which made it very arduous going uphill.
"We're just happy to be involved," he said.
"We were just chasing the car but we couldn't quite beat him in the end."
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Mr Searle has been involved in previous Lake Hume Cycle Challenges but it was Mr Roy's first time.
He said it was a great event to be a part of and provided great views of the region.
"It was a perfect day in the end, there was a bit of the breeze over the wall and some bits of choppy water," he said.
"There were riders coming along the other way so we were waving and cheering at them it was quite fun."
Participation across the events was slightly down this year said Bellbridge Rotary Club's Reg Hinton, who was directing the Chill Zone.
Despite that the family event had increased in popularity.
Mr Hinton said all money raised was donated to the Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre Trust, which was a cause close to the club's and most local's hearts.
He said they were expected to raise about $20,000 or $25,000.
"We're all local people and as it turns out we've had two of our members pass away from cancer," he said.
"Myself in the last 12 months has succumbed to the dreaded thing.
"There's plenty of incentives and we're only too happy to contribute."
Albury Wodonga Cancer Centre Trust Fund's Sally Evans said in the past six years the rotary club had donated about $100,000 to the wellness centre.
"A lot effort goes into the event and we're just so grateful to everyone for what they put in and for the support," she said.
Ms Evans said the rotary donation is in addition to $200,000 of reoccurring funding the trust gives to the wellness centre annually and the extra money is appreciated by the trust and patients alike.
"It's very valued by those patients and family who need it," she said.
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