"Everyone just did their bit with a smile."
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Perfect cycling weather and courses to suit all abilities helped create a successful Lake Hume Cycling Challenge on Saturday.
Organising committee member Stuart Lucas said nearly 500 participants raised up to $20,000 for Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund, although the total would not be finalised for at least a week.
"Everyone's very happy with it," he said.
"Even though our numbers were down, the people there were really into it and really enjoying it."
Run by the Rotary Club of Bellbridge Lake Hume, the challenge comprised four rides of varying lengths, from the 126-kilometre Granya Grind down to the 79km Sandy Creek course, the 32km Weir Wonder and the family ride, which ranged from 5km to 25km.
In the event's 21st year, the family ride started and ended at Wodonga's Belvoir Park, with many participants dressing up as superheroes.
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Community committee member Erika Skerman said the family category, which attracted about 85 entries, followed designated bike paths for a more relaxed ride.
"The idea is that it's a fun day," she said.
"We live in an amazing area, a stunning area, so let's show it off."
Jonathon Howard and his daughters Wendy, 12, and Anna, 9, of Jindera, completed 10km to Noreuil Park and back.
"We've just come off the City2City so we're on a health and fitness thing," Mr Howard said.
"It's great weather, it's not too hot, you're riding along the river and it's flat."
The Wilson family, visiting from Melbourne, were the first 5km participants to finish and enjoyed the challenge.
"We'll be promoting it because we loved it and we'll be back next year," Lynda Wilson said.
Some participants like Albury's Arabella Hutton, 10, and her great-uncle Terry Pieper, of Melbourne, supported the cause by walking the route while relatives completed longer bike rides.
"It's just good to get out and about and you're doing something right," Mr Pieper said.
"Just because you haven't got a bike doesn't mean you can't walk and care."
Mr Lucas said about a third of participants lived 100km or more from the Border.
"We've got some quite good fans in the Illawarra and we've got a mob in Castlemaine that are coming up all the time," he said.
He thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for supporting the event.