Publication: The Gold Coast Bulletin Date: 30 September 2011

THERE are bound to be a few cases of saddle soreness around town in a little over a week, but the Gold Coast tourism industry should be smiling.

Cyclists are gearing up again for the Wilson HTM Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle Challenge on October 9.

The event is now in its seventh year and is expected to attract about 10,000 participants. Wilson HTM’s Gold Coast boss Fred Witherow says some of those numbers will translate into room nights for Gold Coast hotels and apartments, as well as bums on seats for restaurants.

The 100km bike ride, which starts at South Bank and winds its way to Beenleigh, Coomera and Helensvale before finishing at the Broadwater Parklands, attracts a who’s who of Queensland businesses.

The Airport Link Project team is sitting at the top of the fundraising table at present with $13,783 in the kitty for heart disease and diabetes.

Gold Coast resource services company Reynolds Soil Technologies is fielding a team of 25 alongside Gold Coaster, Proof Engineers.

RST director and cycling enthusiast David Handel says the mining industry will be out in force, including teams from BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.